“No, they never do in the canyon. Use the phone on the desk there and I’ll give you some privacy.”

He headed out, carrying the first-aid kit with him. Bosch went behind the desk and sat down. The dog was on the ground next to the chair. The animal looked up and seemed startled when she saw Bosch in the master’s spot.

“Calamity,” he said. “I think you lived up to your name today, girl.”

Bosch reached down and rubbed the scruff of the dog’s neck. The dog growled and he quickly took his hand away, wondering if it was the dog’s training or something about himself that had caused the hostile response.

He picked up the phone and called the home of his supervisor, Lt. Grace Billets. He explained what had happened on Wonderland Avenue and his findings up on the hill.

“Harry, how old do these bones look?” Billets asked.

Bosch looked at the Polaroid he had taken of the small bones he had found in the dirt. It was a bad photo, the flash overexposing it because he was too close.

“I don’t know, they look old to me. I’d say we’re talking years here.”

“Okay, so whatever’s there at the scene isn’t fresh.”

“Maybe freshly uncovered, but no, it’s been there.”

“That’s what I’m saying. So I think we should stick a pin in it and gear up for tomorrow. Whatever is up there on that hill, it’s not going anywhere tonight.”

“Yeah,” Bosch said. “I’m thinking the same thing.”

She was silent a moment before speaking.

“These kind of cases, Harry…”

“What?”

“They drain the budget, they drain manpower… and they’re the hardest to close, if you can close them.”

“Okay, I’ll climb back up there and cover the bones up. I’ll tell the doctor to keep his dog on a leash.”

“Come on, Harry, you know what I mean.” She exhaled loudly. “First day of the year and we’re going to start in the hole.”

Bosch was silent, letting her work through her administrative frustrations. It didn’t take long. It was one of the things he liked about her.