Forbidden Ground (Cold Creek #2)(47)

“Grant. Are you okay?”

He jerked his head around. Kate, alone, walked down the center aisle.

“Yeah. Just wondering how Paul did this. I never really watched him work,” he told her, quickly tilting the heavy block of wood back on its base.

She came closer, her dress swishing against her bare legs. She leaned down and put her hand on his shoulder. “It’s strange how once someone’s gone you think of all kinds of things you wanted to say or ask.”

He nodded and stood, brushing bark off his hands. They sat in the front pew, silent at first.

“Grant, I met old Mr. Custer and his daughter.”

“Now, there’s one who goes way back. Sam’s ancestors probably knew the original Falls family that pioneered this area.”

“He said he knew your dad and grandfather. And he said a funny thing...that your grandpa once looked into Mason Mound. He even knew the year.”

Grant fought not to react, but he was upset to hear that Sam Custer knew Grandpa had entered the mound. Dad had learned about it, since he was in the discussion Grant had overheard years ago. Grandpa had been so awed and scared by what he’d seen inside the mound that he hadn’t touched anything—unlike his grandsons years later.

He cleared his throat. “I wish my folks had lived into their nineties like Sam Custer. But Sam gets pretty mixed up on things.”

“He said it was 1939. He seems pretty clear when he gets that far back. His exact words were he looked into it.”

“He must mean Grandpa got information on it somehow—checked out what the mound was—might be. When he learned it could be a burial spot, he obviously decided to honor the dead and passed that idea on to Dad and me. After all, we wouldn’t go digging up graves where we buried Paul today, so the ancients deserve the same respect.”

“Sorry to bring it up today. Looked into could mean they studied it, of course. Did you ever come across any notes on it, something like that?”

“No. Kate, you’ve got to let up on this. If I were you, I’d spend my time trying to nail Bright Star for leaving his own relics on the mounds, see if you can rattle his cage and maybe pry your cousin’s family out of that cult, one that’s hurting modern people.”

“I intend to do that, too. I know you’re grieving and have a lot on your mind. I shouldn’t have brought this up now.”

“Thanks for understanding. Your support means a lot and—”

He saw a big shadow on the wall, turned and stood. It was his forklift operator from the mill, Keith Simons.

“Keith. What is it?”

“Sorry, boss. Just noticed you were gone awhile and wanted to check that you’re okay. But I see you’re well taken care of. Again, my regrets for the loss of your friend. See you at work tomorrow.”

And he was gone.

“He moves fast for such a big guy,” Kate observed. “And I’m glad you have someone watching out for you there, even if you are the big man on your own campus.”

“We’d better get back downstairs before everyone else looks for me or leaves, okay?” he said, trying to keep his voice light.

They stood. At least, she’d taken it well about his grandfather looking into the mound, but he felt rotten about deceiving her again. What was that old saying about what tangled webs we weave when we deceive?

She put her arm through his as he escorted her toward the back of the church. They’d probably never walk a church aisle together as man and wife—too many differences and contrasting goals. He had to be careful he didn’t make another mistake like he had with Lacey.

That thought disturbed him, and he stepped away from Kate at the top of the stairs. He could hear the buzz of voices below. He wanted to say goodbye to Nadine, tell her he’d like to stop by to look at Paul’s carvings, choose one or two to buy—and, in the process, check them for the eagle pendant. If only they’d left the relics untouched that day!

“It’s a lovely old church,” Kate said, turning to glance back at the sanctuary. “But I like the way they’ve updated it, too—a good blend of honoring the past but with the modern.”

Was she subtly trying to work on him again to let her modern techniques study ancient Mason Mound? He turned back to look at the altar, the cross. And he felt doubly ashamed that not only had he lied to her again, but he’d done it in the heart of the church, too. What shook him more than that was, for a blurred moment, again in his mind’s eye, he saw the dark sanctuary of death in the mound, the ornaments of Adena worship laid out around the two main skeletons, circled by human sacrifices with their skulls smashed.





15

Kate was appalled she’d slept late the next morning, but she and Grant—Brad, too, sober—had stayed up late talking about everything except Mason Mound. She’d promised to get their breakfast, but they’d obviously been quiet and just let her sleep. The house was silent.

She got up, threw on her robe and padded into the kitchen. They’d left some coffee, so she poured a cup and stared out the window. The mound beckoned to her, just as it must have to generations of inhabitants here. Especially, it seemed, Grant’s grandfather.

She looked around for a local phone book and found a skinny, old one that covered the whole county. Amber had said Sam Custer’s daughter Mary Ann was unmarried. Kate was guessing the old man might live with her. Despite Grant’s smooth shift of topics and his comments that Sam was senile, which she’d seen for herself, she wanted another interview with the man.