Forbidden Ground (Cold Creek #2)(41)

“Of course,” Todd said, “we could peer down into it.”

“No way,” Grant cut in. “Because I know you’re not talking about renting a helicopter.”

Todd thumped the table with his knuckles. “Grant, there are three really tall trees close together on the hill above Cold Creek that look down into the compound. And not on Monson’s land—on public land. I’ve only climbed them once years ago, but—”

“Amber, can you talk to this maniac, please?” Grant said. “I wouldn’t trust Monson not to take potshots at him and claim a hunting rifle just misfired.”

Kate placed her hand over Grant’s. “But it is an idea. We have to get something on him to get some leverage. I can tell Grace and Lee are too scared or doped up or whatever to talk, and their kids are prisoners. Who knows what people will do if their children’s well-being or safety’s at stake?”

“The sad thing is, they went there of their own free will,” Amber put in. “This is the U.S. of A., and people are allowed to make fools of themselves, targets, whatever. People seem to be content there. I’ve talked to some at the Saturday market, and everyone seems loyal.”

“Back to tree time,” Grant said. “Kate, you’d better take a look at how this guy climbs and swings around in tall trees before you go so gung ho over this idea.”

“That’s my Todd,” Amber said. “Kate, let me tell you. Grant, Brad, Gabe and Paul used to play or hide out in the tree house behind the Mason house, and Todd would be above it, way up in the tree.”

“All right, I’ll take things one step at a time,” Kate promised. “I’d like to see how he climbs, if the offer’s still open. I’ve done stranger things to get answers. How about a demonstration soon? Then maybe I’ll go up with you, Todd.”

Grant had no choice but to keep his mouth shut at that point, but this was ruining his dinner. He wasn’t her boss, wasn’t her husband, wasn’t even her significant other, despite how natural and cozy this dinner had been. She’d ruined his mood to romance her tonight. Besides, what worried him more than Kate’s climbing trees was her declaration she’d done stranger things to get answers. He hoped that didn’t include trying to get into his heart just so she could get into his Adena tomb.

*

Carson called Kate just after ten the next morning to tell her he was at the coffee shop in the new part of town. “I’m assuming Grant’s at the mill. I can be there in ten minutes, and we can take a good look at the mound, see if we can locate the entrance. I’ll meet you in front of his house,” he said.

“No! Carson—no. I promised Grant I wouldn’t go near it alone.”

“Great. You’d be with me.”

“He meant without him. And his cleaning lady’s here, the one who tipped him off too late about his beautiful tree being stolen. I’ll meet you in the coffee shop. Don’t you teach a doctoral class today?”

“At three. I came with information about the star, but you’ve got to get us into that mound.”

“I have to do things his way.”

“Really? That doesn’t sound like my Kate.”

“Never mind. I’ll be right there.”

She realized she hadn’t mentioned that Grant was upset at her for saying she might climb a tree with Todd. Or that she was certain he was stalling her about taking a closer look at the mound.

She told the cleaning lady, Mrs. McGirty, that she was going out then drove to meet Carson. Of course he’d gravitated to the tony end of town, even though it was a farther drive for him. She admitted she’d become a bit of a snob, too, in her years away from here, but now she enjoyed the people and the place. No way could she sympathize with Lacey, looking down on this area, especially since she’d been married to Grant Mason. Damn, there she went again with wayward thoughts and just when she was going to meet Carson, whom she’d dreamed about for years.

He had coffee just the way she liked it delivered to their table the moment she appeared. “How thoughtful,” she said. “Thanks.” She gave him a peck on the cheek and sat across from him. She hadn’t been in here before. The place was decorated 1950s retro, and she liked it.

Carson still looked ticked off at her refusal to play things his way. “So how did the meeting with the cult guru go?” he asked without producing the star he’d promised to give back.

“He not only denied everything, but used part of a biblical quote he probably thinks I didn’t pick up on. I finally found it from Psalm 8. In answering as he did, he seems to be putting himself in the place of God. The Psalm starts out, O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, and it goes on to mention the stars the Lord has made. I was thinking, since in The Book of Revelation, Jesus describes himself as ‘the bright and morning star,’ Monson probably sees himself as a modern-day Messiah.”

“Which is what most whacked-out cult leaders claim. That’s a far-fetched jumble of clues, but with a madman, anything is possible.”

“I swear, years ago that man would have been admitted to what was then called the lunatic asylum right outside of town.”

“Really?” he asked, momentarily distracted. “So it’s defunct now?”

“They did terrible things like lobotomies and electrotherapy. I hear the grounds are derelict now except for a children’s playground.”