Eliza leaned back in her seat. Itdidsound odd. But that didn’t mean it was haunted. “There’s got to be some explanation.”
“There’s only one explanation for it. It’s haunted. Everyone around here knows it, even if they don’t say it out loud. People give the ranch a wide berth. You shouldn’t go back there anymore.”
MONDAY, JULY3, 1916•CARNEGIEINSTITUTE
Nelson had spent a fortune in telegrams, but he at least felt prepared for the journey ahead. Research was key to accomplishing anything.
He hadn’t done enough in the past and look where that got him. With only a few fossilized bones instead of a full skeleton.
Well, this time would be different.
He scanned all the replies.
Miss Mills, that little rich brat, was bringing in more wealthy donors by the week, and everyone raved about her. There was even a hushed rumor of her contacting a local rancher about digging on his vast acreage. On top of that, the quarry work was flourishing and full of fossils.
There were still several key factors that needed to be sorted out if he was going to turn this around in his favor. And without anyone to trust, he’d have to do all the work himself. At least until he arrived out West.
There were plenty of unsavory characters out there willing to do anything for a buck. Or so he’d been told.
If he played his cards right, he could smear Eliza out West whilst doing the same thing here at the institute. Then she could disappear. He didn’t care where. As long as she was gone.
Then Mr. Carnegie would see his true value. He’d get sent out to Dinosaur National Monument and could help bring it to its full glory. It wouldn’t hurt for him to increase his own recognition with another specimen for the Hall of Dinosaurs either. If his dig in Wyoming didn’t pan out, he’d have to simply forge the rest of the bones. As curator, he knew what to do. The paperwork and evidence trail would be a bit more complicated.
A tragic accident could befall the supposed real fossils.Afterhe’d made the plaster replicas.
Yes. That would be simple enough.
Mr. Carnegie was ignorant about what really went on. It wouldn’t hurt him one bit. Besides, he’d backed the wrong people.
In the end, he’d pay.
They’d all pay.
MONDAY, JULY3, 1916•DINOSAURNATIONALMONUMENT
Looking out at the quarry, Eliza wished for one of her wide-brimmed hats. The sun was drilling down on them. And what she wouldn’t give to be in a pair of dungarees and a loose-fitting shirt rather than all these layers.
If only she was back out at the Meyer ranch searching for the legendary fossils. Haunted or not, she couldn’t wait to go back.
Sweat trickled down her back as she pushed the thoughtsaside and prepared for another set of questions from the twenty or so folks who’d traipsed out to the quarry today.
Perhaps it was time to start dressing the part. This whole immaculate, fashionable, and elegant attire for society folk simply wasn’t practical out here in the dust, dirt, and extreme heat. And who cared if anyone thought different of her?
And truth be told, what better way to show people out here the reality of what was going on?
But as soon as she finished her frantic trek to the top of the bluff and turned to see the group behind her, she sighed. It was a vaporous dream to think that she could dress however she wanted. These people would look down their noses at her and not consider donating to the institute, whichwasthe end goal, after all. No matter how practical her desires might have been.
Most of society’s elite would never understand her desire to dig in the dirt, nor her comfort in men’s clothes.
She restrained a frown. Could this be part of Mr. Carnegie’s plan? Her family had quite a reputation among the wealthy families of Pittsburgh, and most of the people she met who knew Carnegie knew her family as well. That gave substance to what the workers were doing out here. Credence to her words. All because they had money.
But giving to the work shouldn’t be based on all that.
What should matter was her experience and expertise.
Mr. Douglass’s even more so. After a lifetime of digging, giving up everything, doing all he could to continue his studies, he deserved accolades and cheering and great respect for what he’d discovered here.
But the people who visited really didn’t care about the sacrifices made.
