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“So?”
“The last time I heard someone mention a giant snake was on the Discovery Channel.”
I was having trouble keeping my breathing even.
“What’s with all the animals dropping dead on the island and the surrounding area?” he went on. “It all started around the time when the colony reappeared.”
“Why ask me?”
“What about the wild animal that’s been attacking dogs and eating their hearts?”
I swallowed the bile in my throat.
“Back on campus, you asked me if I’d ever heard of such a creature. Why did you connect it with an Algonquian legend? No one else did. And you’re the only one who has called it a badger.”
I stared into his intense eyes, wondering what kind of Pandora’s box I had just opened. My heart was thudding so hard, he had to hear it. He believed me, or at least he didn’t think I was a stark-raving lunatic. “You think that I’m part of all this, that I’m some riddle to be solved?”
“More like an enigma.”
I looked down, unable to hold his gaze.
“I think you know something most people don’t, but you only know pieces and you need someone to fill in the blanks. Which is why you came to see me.”
I turned to the window.
“I bet you’re dying to know what’s in Manteo’s hut.”
He had no idea. “I suspect I couldn’t make heads or tails of it, butyoucould. Did you see it?”
“Yes.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I’d like to help you if you’ll let me. But I want to know the rest of what you know.”
Did he even know what he was asking? I stepped backward to lean against the desk, feeling light-headed. Was it too much to hope that I’d found someone who not only had answers but was eager and willing to help me?
“Does that upset you?”
“Not in the way you think.”
“Will you let me help you?”
“How do you know I’m not some crazy woman? Or this isn’t some big practical joke? How do you know you can trust me?”
“I just do.”
This was so completely different from my experience with Collin. Maybe Icouldtrust him. “You might have answers to so many of my questions…But I have to warn you, I’m not sure it’s a good idea to get mixed up with me. It’s dangerous.”
He grinned. “Youdoknow that the best way to get a guy to help you is by challenging him by saying, ‘You can’t handle it.’”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“You’re just making me more intrigued.”
How could I turn down his offer? I needed him. “Okay. But we’ll start out slow. I’m still not sure it’s a good idea to let you in on what’s happening.”
His eyes lit up like I’d given him a Christmas present. “I can live with that.” He held out his right hand to shake.
I extended my hand and his engulfed mine. I waited for the familiar call of the manitou that I always felt with Collin, but I felt peace and acceptance instead. How could I feel so comfortable with someone I’d just met?
But as we shook, the significance of the event sobered me. By accepting his help, I was dragging him into danger. Could I let him help and live with the consequences? Could I afford not to?
