Conspiracy of Bones

by Tracy Krauss

  "You go ahead and do whatever you think you have to do," Mark said. "I think it’s best if I just make a clean break and decide what to do from there. Not drag anyone else into the quagmire I seem to have created for myself."

  "You never know. Our paths might cross again over this thing before it’s all said and done. But maybe you’re right about distancing ourselves for awhile. We can come at this thing from more than one front; maybe take them by surprise."

  "You make it sound like a military operation.”

  "It is. It’s a war, man, don’t you know? A spiritual battle."

  Mark surveyed Anthony with a slight frown, but didn’t say anything.

  Anthony smiled sheepishly and explained. "You can’t be raised by a Baptist preacher and not know something about spiritual warfare."

  "Right," Mark replied. "Anyway, I better get my stuff packed. Taylor gave me till the end of the day and I don’t think he was kidding."

  "I’ll help you," Anthony offered.

  "It might blow your cover," Mark warned with a grin. "You wouldn’t want to appear too sympathetic."

  "I’ll take my chances," Anthony replied and slapped Mark on the back before turning to survey the room. "Okay, I’ll scare up some packing boxes and then you can just order me around from there."

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  Once again, Mark found himself in his home city of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Where else would a potentially discredited archaeologist find refuge except back where it all began?

  The first thing he did was find his own apartment - an older three-story house that had been converted into separate dwellings right downtown.

  Although he loved his parents, just a few days in their home convinced him that his own accommodation was a necessity if he wanted to preserve their strong relationship. He had a considerable savings from which to draw and had also made some good investments over the years, so he wasn’t too worried - yet. But there was no use being foolish.

  As Mark climbed the creaking staircase up to his new digs, his cell phone bleeped in his pocket.

  "Hello?" He propped the phone between his ear and shoulder. One hand was occupied with a plastic grocery bag, the other he was using to undo the somewhat stubborn lock.

  "Hi, Mark. Can you come over for dinner tonight?" Deane asked on the other end.

  Mark hesitated, manoeuvring into the dim interior and shutting the door with his foot. "I just came home with some groceries. I was going to work a bit on that dissertation I was telling you about." He hadn’t told them everything about it - like the fact that he was no longer working for the university in New Mexico. As far as they knew, he was just choosing to work in Winnipeg so that he could have some solitude.

  “Oh. That’s too bad," Deanie replied. “I invited the Walters over. You remember Brent and Holly?"

  "Yes, yes of course. I saw them at Jack’s funeral a couple months back."

  "I invited Amy and Bryan, too, but I’m not sure if they’re coming, Maybe Amy, since Harmony is here, but Bryan might have other things to do. He’ll be starting his first year of college next week, you know."

  "That’s nice," Mark answered absently.

  "Oh well, maybe next time," Deanie said.

  "What time did you say, again?" Mark asked suddenly.

  "I didn’t.” Deanie laughed. "You changing your mind?"

  "Maybe. Depending on what you’re making, that is."

  "Now that will be a surprise for both of us. Your Dad is barbequing, and said he’d handle everything. So I’ve taken him at his word. We’ll be ready to eat around six. That suit you?"

  "Sure. Sounds fine.” For some reason, the prospect of a quiet evening alone wasn’t as appealing as it was earlier.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Mark arrived at the home of his parents around five thirty that evening. Deanie greeted him at the door with a hug and directed him to the kitchen where his father was busy preparing salad and garlic toast to go with the steaks he had marinating.

  "Hi, son," Russ greeted. "Settling in to your new place?"

  Mark nodded. "Yep. It’s small but I don’t need much room. As long as I’ve got room for my computer, I’m set."

  "You’ll have to tell me some more about that paper you’re writing," Russ said. "So far you’ve been fairly tight lipped."

  Mark shrugged. "It’s kind of complicated. You’ll get to read it soon enough.”

  "I’ll be very interested to do that. It’s fascinating that so many of your findings support the Biblical record. It’s about time the scientific community started taking the idea of intelligent design seriously."

  Mark didn’t say anything but occupied himself with a celery stick instead. If his father only knew the truth he wouldn’t be so quick with his enthusiasm.

  "You’re awfully quiet," Russ observed. "What’s up?"

  "Nothing you need to worry about," Mark assured with a slight shrug.

  "You’re too much like me to hide things very well.”

  "Well, to be honest, things aren’t going as smoothly as I had hoped."

  "No?"

  Mark debated whether he should tell his father more. "You know those artefacts I asked you to keep safe for me?" he asked.

  Russ nodded.

  "I might be moving them to a different location soon."

  "Oh?" Russ’s eyebrows rose in question.

  "Actually I’ve run into more than just a bit of opposition over this project, Dad, and quite frankly I’m not sure where to turn next."

  Russ set the knife he was using to chop vegetables down on the counter and turned his full attention to his son. "You want to talk about it?"

  Mark sighed. It was killing him, not being able to verbalize his doubts and frustrations to anyone. "Let’s just say I’m wrestling with the evidence I’ve found and it’s got me questioning some things that I thought were already settled in my own mind. Not just on a scientific level, either, but here.” He stabbed at his chest. "And I don’t mind admitting I’m not comfortable with some of my own conclusions."

  "God’s truth hasn’t changed," Russ stated. "It’s our own way of seeing it that changes."

  Before Mark could say any more, Harmony came bouncing into the room. She embraced her brother enthusiastically. "Mark! I’m so glad you decided to come over for dinner. I like having you in the city again. It feels just like old times."

  "Except you’re about two feet taller.” He laughed.

  "But just as spoiled," Russ observed affectionately

  "Oh, whatever, Daddy! You’re the one who spoiled me if that’s the case. Anyway, I’m especially glad you’ve come, Mark, because I have someone special I want you to meet."

  "Oh? Your latest flame?" Mark asked with a grin.

  "You could say that," Harmony replied with a coy smile.

  "Anyone I know?"

  "One of Toby Rantt’s grandsons," Deanie informed, coming into the room.

  Mark nodded. "Keeping it all in the club, eh? So when did this take place? I don’t recall you having any one particularly special the last time I was here."

  "You were hardly here long enough to notice," Harmony said.

  "Cory is a very nice young man. Isn’t he, honey?" Deanie directed at her husband.

  Russ nodded his assent and went back to chopping the celery.

  "We’ve always been friends, but we kind of started going together shortly after Grandpa Jack’s funeral," Harmony explained. “Cory was very good at listening."

  "And he is a believer," Deanie added with approval.

  The doorbell rang.

  "That’s probably him now," Harmony said, scurrying into the hallway on her way to answer the front door.

  Deanie’s eyes followed her daughter’s retreating figure with affection. "Now if we could only find you a nice girl, Mark.”

  "You make it sound like Harmony and Cory are getting married," Russ said. ”They’ve only been going together a few months. Besides, I’m sure Mark is more than capable of looking after his own love life
."

  "Thanks, Dad."

  "So do you have any one special, Mark?" Deanie asked.

  "Um, actually I was seeing a fellow archaeologist for awhile, but we’ve decided to go our separate ways," Mark explained uncomfortably.

  "Mom, Dad!" Harmony called from the entryway. "It’s the Walters."

  Deanie went to greet her guests, leaving Mark and Russ alone in the kitchen.

  "Don’t mind Deanie. She just wants the best for you," Russ said.

  "I know," Mark replied with a smile. "She’s been asking the same question since high school. You need any help in here?"

  Russ shook his head. “No. I’m almost ready to throw these steaks on the grill. Why don’t you go and say hi to the Walters instead and tell them I’ll be right with them. Maybe everyone can go out on the back deck. See if they want a soda or something.”

  "Okay," Mark agreed, turning to exit the kitchen.

  "Oh, and Mark?"

  Mark turned back to face his father.

  "Whenever you’re ready to talk about that other situation - you know, your own spiritual journey - I’m more than willing to listen."

  "I know, Dad. Believe me, I think we’ll be having a talk about quite a few things really soon."

  He turned and walked down the hall to the living room where Harmony, Deanie and the rest of the guests had gathered. Mark’s insides clenched unexpectedly when he saw Amy Walters among the group "Hi," he said with a general wave. "Good to see you again."

  "Likewise," Brent said, standing to shake Mark’s hand vigorously. "And under better circumstances."

  "True," Mark agreed. "I guess Bryan decided not to come?"

  "He already made plans to go out with some of his friends," Holly explained.

  "Mark, you remember Cory Rantt?" Harmony stepped up, pulling a somewhat shy Cory with her.

  "Of course.” Mark nodded, not really remembering too well, but faking it none the less for Harmony’s sake. He shook the younger black man’s hand. "Good to see you, Cory. Dad said we should go out onto the deck, if that’s okay? Can I get anybody a drink?"

  "I’ll get the drinks," Deanie offered. "There’s iced tea and lots of pop." She took everyone’s request and headed back into the kitchen while Harmony led the way through the family room and out the patio doors onto the back deck, Cory in tow. Mark found himself bringing up the rear.

  Russ was already out on the patio lighting the barbeque. He waved a greeting to all the guests and proceeded to place eight large steaks on the grill. "Mark, there are a few of those stacking lawn chairs in the corner. You might need to grab a couple."

  Mark nodded and went to the side of the house where he found the moulded plastic seats.

  Harmony had already claimed the one padded lounge chair, and the others had pulled up the other deck chairs that went with the table and umbrella. He took three chairs and placed them near the table.

  "So, Mark," Brent Walters began conversationally. "Your folks say you made quite a find in Africa. I’m looking forward to hearing all about it."

  Mark lowered himself onto the moulded seat. "Um… right."

  "So what exactly did you find, Mark?" Holly asked. "Deanie said something about dinosaur remains and human remains found together."

  "Isn’t that cool?" Harmony interjected. "I mean, we all know the flood is a fact anyway and of course it makes sense that God created dinosaurs along with everything else, but to actually find real, undeniable evidence! And by my own big brother, the sceptic! Bet you’re not so quick to deny the Bible now, eh Mark?" she teased.

  Mark frowned slightly, trying hard not to show his own discomfiture. "It’s definitely quite a find, that’s for sure." He cleared his throat. "I wonder what’s taking Deanie so long with those drinks? Maybe I should go and see if I can help." He rose swiftly and headed back into the house via the patio doors.

  A few minutes later he and Deanie re-emerged with a tray laden with soda cans and glasses filled with ice. Mark set the tray on the table and started handing out drinks while Deanie took a seat.

  The conversation switched to the relative safety of the weather. "Iced tea, right?" he asked Amy, ignoring the general chatter going on around him. She nodded. He opened the can with a spurt and poured its contents into the waiting tumbler of ice cubes. When he handed it to her their hands touched briefly.

  "Thanks," Amy said, taking the glass. Their eyes locked momentarily over the rim of the glass as she went to take a sip of the sweet tea, then her eyelashes fluttered downward.

  Mark took the last remaining can of soda from the tray and snapped it open as he took his own seat, right next to Amy.

  "You heading back to school soon?" he asked after taking a long swig of his drink.

  She nodded. "Mmhm."

  "As I recall, you weren’t that enthusiastic about it last time we talked.”

  "I’m getting more used to the idea. Especially when I think about the opportunities I’ll have on the mission field if I have my degree in nursing. It will open up so many more doors."

  There it was again, Mark thought irritably. Always some reference to God.

  "And you?" Amy continued. "After you finish writing up your latest report, what’s next? Some other exciting adventure in a far off country, no doubt."

  "Time will tell. Sometimes I think it might be nice to give up the fieldwork for awhile and settle down - at least for a year or two. It gets tiring after a while, living on site all the time."

  "But what would you do?" Amy asked.

  "I’m not sure. Research, write, teach, I suppose. There might be some small university somewhere willing to take me," Mark said with half a smile.

  "What about New Mexico?" Harmony asked, over hearing their conversation. "I thought you already worked for them?"

  "I might be looking for a change of scenery," Mark hedged, not really wanting to get into the details in front of guests.

  "Really? Why?" Harmony persisted. "I thought you liked it there. And besides, you’ve had pretty much your choice of digs to work on since being associated with them. Why not just teach there if that’s what you want to do?"

  "Steaks are almost done," Russ called from the barbecue. "Mark you want to come inside and help me get the rest of the fixings?"

  Mark rose from his chair, again glad for the reprieve.

  Once inside the kitchen, Russ came right out and asked the question. "Are you in some kind of falling out with the university?"

  Mark sighed heavily, knowing he couldn’t hide things very well from his father. "You could say that. I was going to tell you all about it at a more opportune time."

  "Does this have anything to do with your discoveries in Africa?"

  Mark nodded. "It has everything to do with it."

  "Exactly what’s happened?"

  "Let’s just say, the scientific community isn’t always interested in new discoveries - especially if they don’t fit into their preconceived notions of how things are supposed to work."

  "Meaning the theory of evolution," Russ supplied.

  "Exactly," Mark affirmed.

  "And how do you feel about all of this?" Russ asked.

  "I’m still feeling my way," Mark admitted. "Don’t expect an instant conversion, if that’s what you’re hoping for."

  "Fair enough," Russ replied. "But…?" he prompted.

  "I can’t ignore the evidence, Dad. It’s all there."

  "And that institution wants you to do that? Ignore the evidence?”

  Mark nodded. "Or get black listed."

  "And what did you decide?" Russ asked.

  "I can’t ignore the truth," Mark stated simply.

  "That’s my boy.” Russ smiled.

  "Oh yeah?" Mark grinned sheepishly. "Except now I’m out of a job, with no backing whatsoever from the institution that commissioned me in the first place."

  "What are you going to do?"

  "Write that dissertation," Mark stated firmly. "What else can I do? People deserve to know the truth."


  Russ nodded in agreement.

  "Except, now that my credibility is shot, I might find it difficult convincing anyone to believe me. But I’ve got to try. Which is why it’s so important that I keep those artefacts that I sent you safe. I need some real, credible evidence to back me up. I can’t let anything happen to those items. I just don’t want to put you and Deanie in any danger."

  "And you think something could happen?" Russ asked. "That we could be at risk?"

  Mark sighed and rubbed the back of his neck wearily. "This is a lot messier than you know. Not only is my career in jeopardy, but there have been threats as well. I don’t want to drag you into this, but I have to do what I know is right."

  "However we can help…” Russ offered. "You know we back you one hundred percent. Just tell us what to do."

  "Don’t do anything for now," Mark advised. "I’ve been trying to lay low, so to speak, but soon, when I’m finished writing my dissertation, I’m going to have to make quite a bit of noise. I just hope there will be somebody out there listening."

  "Too bad I hadn’t known about this sooner," Russ mused.

  "Why?"

  "I heard about a temporary position here in Winnipeg," Russ replied. "They’re looking for a Professor in the archaeology department to fill in for someone who is on temporary leave due to an accident."

  "You don’t say," Mark said, raising his eyebrows with interest.

  "Maybe it’s not too late," Russ suggested. "It wouldn’t hurt to stop by and ask."

  "Maybe I’ll do that tomorrow. I could use the credibility," Mark mused. "I just won’t tell them what I’m working on."

  "In any case, we better get this food out on the table before those steaks get burnt to a crisp," Russ said.

  "Right. I hope everyone likes well done,” Mark answered with a grin.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The office was small, tucked in the back corner of the building, but it was his. At least for the time being, anyway. The university had been more than happy to welcome back one of their own for a short-term position on staff. He’d be lecturing twice a week, have a few papers to mark and have plenty of time for his own research. Perfect. And he’d be getting paid besides. Mark couldn’t ask for a better arrangement.