Bob

Written for https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/category/what-do-you-see/

Her boots crunched as Barbara maintained sight of her border collie. He adored bounding in the dirty water, or a muddy puddle if he could find it. She already had a towel on the rear seat, but it demanded time to shower him.

It was his least favourite thing.

An object glinted in the pile of leaves. A key for a shed? She had doubts. Shiny, like a freshly cleaned window. It was smooth; light in her hands. She twisted it. There was no identification or label to show it belonged to someone.

‘Titan!’ she called as loud as she could.

With his tail wagging, he dropped an object at her feet.

Bending towards the earth, she picked it up. He was always searching for a twig to throw. Although this was too heavy and white. A bone! Was it human or deer?. She had seen episodes of Criminal Minds. In the opening credits, the person rarely survived.

‘Let’s get out of here,’ she said.

Putting him on a lead, the hairs on her arm stood to attention. If she went forward, there could be the rest. She didn’t want to be the next victim. Alone in the woods, anything could happen.

His heckles raised, Titan growled at the shadows.

Tall, the mysterious figure slipped into view.

Clutching her dog tight, she jumped back, bumping into the oak tree.

‘Oh great, you have the femur. I was transporting Bob on my cart, and your dog pinched it off the trolley. I misplaced my access to the cabin and the Scouts will be here any minute.

‘Bob?’

‘The skeleton. It has to have a title, doesn’t it?’

‘Is it this what you are looking for?’ She handed everything over.

‘Brilliant. Pardon for the trouble caused. We’re having a barbecue if you’re interested.’

‘Got to go home. My husband is cooking dinner.’

The strength in her legs resurfaced as she returned to her parking spot. Whatever happened, it was better to watch a murder mystery than be involved. Besides, from the state of her dog, it definitely required a shower.