The sound of horse’s hooves clopping up the trail made all of them whip around.
Jacob stepped in front of Martha, just in case this new visitor had ill intentions.
“Miss Jankowski.” The tall man’s face was shadowed by his hat.
Martha stepped beside Jacob. “Mr. Grissom.” She put a hand to her throat. “You startled us.” She shifted toward Jacob. “I’m sorry. This is one of the men I’ve hired to patrol the perimeter.”
He released a breath, but it didn’t make him feel all that better. The news written across the man’s face wasn’t good.
“Not my intention, miss.” Grissom’s low voice was scratchy. “But I saw your carriage out front and came to find you. We’ve got a problem.”
“What is it?” She stepped closer to the man.
“We found blood on the southeast fence line. Someone cut through two rows of the barbed wire.”
Martha gasped beside him. “Did they get through?”
“We’ve searched the entirety of the area and haven’t found anyone, but that doesn’t mean much. There’s plenty of placesfor someone to hide. But they’re injured, and I wouldn’t want to be out here with the wildlife and an open wound.”
“Have you fi—”
“Sorry to interrupt, but yes, we’ve fixed the fencing. Our intruder is either trapped inside or never made it in.” He sidled his horse closer. “We’re going to need more men, Miss Jankowski. I don’t like the fact that someone was brazen enough to cut the wire.”
Martha’s shoulders stiffened. “Hire as many as you need, Mr. Grissom. And post men at the front gate around the clock, please. If the intruder shows himself, take him straight to the police chief.”
Grissom rode away and Jacob took Martha’s elbow. “Are you all right?”
Fury filled her face. “I’m fine. I just find it despicable that someone would try to do this right after I’ve lost my father.”
Lily Rose stepped forward, placing a calming hand on Martha’s arm. “They probably don’t know who owns this, Martha. They just wanted to find out what we’re doing.”
“But it’s against the rules. Don’t you see? I have to report this to the museum director immediately.”
He’d never seen her so fired up.
Lily Rosetsked. “I don’t think that’s a wise idea. That could anger whoever is behind this and they might retaliate.”
Jacob frowned and studied Martha’s companion. “Not a wise idea to report criminal activity that’s clearly in violation of the rules of the competition?” Why would she even suggest such a thing?
The older woman looked over at Jacob, her lips pulled tight with irritation. Was she offended he’d challenged her? Jacob glanced away, alarm tightening his shoulders. Something was not adding up here.
Martha shook her head. “I know you are trying to protect me, Lily Rose. But this isn’t college, where someone is tryingto steal my paper. I agree with Jacob, this is against the law and I’m going to report it. The other team might not play by the rules, but I will.” She spun around and headed back down the trail.
“And Iwillwin,” she tossed over her shoulder.
Eleven
“I want to plow, to sow, to reap, to garden, to have fine animals about me, to see things grow and blossom. I want to get at the real significance of things and help my fellow man to arise and come into the light of freedom and truth. I want suitable surroundings for this. We have had hardships all our lives. I want those around me, who have borne the heat of the day, to have calm and rest at evening.”
~Earl Douglass
MONDAY, JUNE3, 1889•DENVER
The museum truly was a beautiful building. And the contents were quite valuable, as they were in any museum. But it was all a sham. A cover for what she really did.
She reveled in another plan playing into her hands with precision.
The two digs were unearthing some of the world’s largest fossils. One would go on display and bring her the recognition she deserved. The other would get stolen in transportation and bring her a tidy sum.
