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“Yes, Hilly mentioned some problems the previous team had a year ago,” I said. “That’s not uncommon. Don’t worry, I deal with this sort of thing all the time. It doesn’t concern me.”
“No?”
I shook my head. “The protests usually lose steam after a few days. Nothing to worry about.”
Logan didn’t look convinced. “In any case, Callista, please proceed with caution. There are radical factions within the indigenous tribes here who don’t wish for anyone to disturb their sacred native sites for any reason.”
“And I won’t,” I assured him. “My methods are completely non-invasive. Just a few photographs and scrapings here and there. Honestly, it’s to the cultural benefit of their tribe to authenticate this site as an archeological discovery. It can then be officially protected against vandals who would unthinkingly destroy it.”
“What if you can’t authenticate the drawings?” Thorne questioned. “If you’re unable?”
“Then nothing will be done for the site,” I answered. “At least not officially. There won’t be any need after all.”
Thorne nodded. “No, I suppose not.”
“Anyhow, I won’t know for sure until I see what they’ve got.”
“Of course, of course. What happens if you do find this site significant?”
I shrugged. “The usual. I’ll report my findings to the tribe’s elder council and allow them to decide what they wish to do with this information.”
“That makes sense.”
I frowned at the clear relief on the man’s expression.
“Forgive me if I’m wrong, Logan, but are you actually hoping that Idon’tfind anything significant?”
The man shot a wide look at me that he expertly covered well seconds later.
“Why would I want that?” he remarked.
“That would be an interesting question. More importantly, why are you so concerned with the Snoqualmie’s cultural discoveries in the first place?”
Because this young, blond executive looked about as Native American as Thor of Asgard.
A nervous chuckle escaped him as his lips curled up in a sheepish smile.
“Long story that reaches back several generations,” he admitted. “I’ll buy you coffee some evening and tell you the whole thing. In the meantime, suffice it to say that I have a vested interest in the tribe’s...future.”
“Meaning?”
He cracked a one-sided smile, raising his palm. “Don’t get me wrong, Calista. From a historical perspective, it would be marvelous if you did find some great archeological discovery.”
“But?”
“But it would also ignite a powder keg of local trouble that could become very ugly, very fast. I’m not sure if you’re aware of this, but my company is currently partnering with the tribe to build a very lucrative business on the site of their old village, a business that will benefit everyone, especially the Snoqualmie tribe. But it sets very near the hillside you’re about to explore and...”
And if I officially found something, it might fire up the hardcore radicals to shut down his own lucrative project.
“Would this business happen to be an Indian casino?” I questioned.
Logan startled slightly, then instantly covered his surprise. “It is. A proven business that has benefited many indigenous tribes here in the west. So you see, should you indeed find something significant today, anything at all, I would consider it a personal favor if you contacted me and let me know.”
Thorne handed me his business card, one with his handsome, smiling professional photo, and his personal phone number handwritten on it.
“I know you answer first to Tom Black and the Elder Council, of course,” he said, “but I’d like to be kept in the information loop. Sometimes they forget.”
He fixed his hazel stare with mine as if he was trying to communicate something important.
