“Perhaps someone moved it from another location,” Josh offered.
Barb looked down at the ground. It was a nice try, but Albert would know better. People not involved in this type work had no idea what sort of tell-tale signs are left behind by just about everything that surrounds the object being examined, in this case, the skeleton of a dragon. She knew precisely what Albert would say before he even formed the words in his own head.
“No. That is impossible. These remains decomposed here. There is not a shred of doubt about that.”
“How can you know that?” Josh asked.
Barb noted a sort of desperation in his voice, something he could latch on to that might cast doubt on Albert’s belief that these remains had decomposed in the place in which they were found. To have that theory fly would mean that this thing died here, that it was alive here as recently as a few years ago. It might be the truth, but it was a truth that didn’t need to see the light of day. She could only imagine he was under a lot of pressure to make this thing go away.
“Soil samples indicate the deteriorated mass leeched out into the dirt over time is the simplest answer I can give you without getting into a lot of scientific stuff that would be meaningless to most people.”
Josh nodded his head in understanding. Even he knew he couldn’t beat out science with just a suggestion that it might be wrong. The real question was how he was going to turn this thing around to not be a disaster. Then, it got worse.
“I know this is going to come as quite a shock. It’s a bold claim, but I’m ready to declare that I’ve found the first dragon to be discovered in human history.”
Albert looked at them, his face a mixture of pride with an underlying uncertainty. It was that uncertainty that had to be taken advantage of in order to at least shut him down to buy themselves a bit more time. Once again, Josh beat Barb to the punchline.
“That’s ridiculous!”
Albert shot a dirty look toward him as he began laughing at the idea a dragon might have been found. Barb knew that something had to be done to dissuade Albert from starting a media frenzy over having found a dragon skeleton, but she hadn’t been prepared for Josh to openly mock him. Having him subjected to ridicule for something that was absolutely true, didn’t set well with her. She cut off any further discussion between the two by redirecting the conversation the best she could.
“Albert, what makes you so certain this is a dragon? It’s as you said, one has never been discovered. Common belief is that they never existed. It’s a big leap for most to accept that one might have not only lived, but died here in this decade.”
Albert looked at Josh, his face still sour. Barb realized that even though she hadn’t really agreed with the way he had heckled Albert a bit, it had done what he intended. His head dropped, the uncertainty no doubt rattling around in his head, creating self-doubt. She hated the way this was playing out. Under different circumstances, she would be just as excited as Albert. Being a part of such an incredible discovery would be the highlight of anyone’s career. It felt wrong to take that away from him, but what could she do? She was stuck.
“Come here,” Albert said.
Josh and Barb followed him to where the skeleton remained hoisted up into the sling above the hole. Barb couldn’t help but to look past it, down into the hole. She noticed Josh doing the same. Their eyes met, but neither said a word. There was no doubt that he saw exactly what she had noticed. The question was, had anyone there seen it yet or had they been too absorbed in the bigger item to note anything below it yet? It was only a matter of time.
“What is it?” Barb asked.
Barbara turned her attention to Albert as he began pointing to different components of the skeleton and outlining how he had come to the conclusion that it was a dragon, but his words fell on deaf ears. Her mind was somewhere else, filtering through different scenarios as they occurred to her. None of them ended well as far as she could see.
“I understand what you are saying, Albert, but have you eliminated all other possibilities?” she asked. “You don’t want to be the scientist that goes on record as saying you’ve found the remains of the last . . . or the only, dragon on Earth. If you are wrong, you will never live it down.”
“I know that. I’ve given this a lot of thought and I’m not ready to release my findings to the general public just yet. I still have some tests to run and we’ll want to finish unearthing some of the smaller pieces that are still in the excavation site now that we have the major portion of the skeleton out of the way. What I need for you to do is continue your research into the local area, the population and where they came from, any folklore about dragons that might turn out to be true. I need just as much anthropological data as you can gather for me in order to back up my findings when I’m ready to make them public.”
“I’m not sure we have that sort of time, Albert. If word of this gets out,” she pressed, hoping to see that he had taken serious measures to make sure that didn’t happen.
“It won’t. Everyone at this dig has been verified as to their history with confidentiality and signed a non-disclosure. Well, with the exception of your friend here. I have no idea who he is. Hopefully, he knows the seriousness of not abiding by the terms of a non-disclosure,” he said, casting a suspicious eye in Josh’s direction.
“I can vouch for him. You have no worries there,” she told him.
“I hope not,” Albert replied, turning his attention back toward her.
“Okay. Well, I’ll get back to work on the data you need if that is all you needed,” Barb told him.
“For now. I just wanted you to see first-hand what I’m looking at now that it is out of the ground. We will be moving it into that tent that is being set up down there.”
Albert pointed to a large white tent that was still going up as he spoke. She had no doubt that it would be heavily guarded until it could be moved to a more secure facility. In the meantime, the workers would work toward removing anymore remains they could find to go with it and that is where the even bigger problem lay.
“Why are the workers stopped?” she asked, wondering why she had not already thought to ask. There had not been one of them in the hole.
“They have stopped to rest for a while. It was an all morning effort to get the large piece from the ground intact, and they will have to babysit it closely as it is moved with the large machinery to the other tent. They will return in a few hours to accomplish that, once the tent is completed. Then, they will knock off until tomorrow when we can get a fresh start. I’ll need fresh eyes on the ground looking for the smaller pieces that are still to be found.”
“Good enough. I’ll get out of here and get some work done then. We’ll touch base again soon,” Barb told him.
“Sounds good, Barb. I will talk to you soon,” he replied, not bothering to say his goodbyes to Josh, who seemed fine with doing the same.
Back in Josh’s car, Barb looked over at him and scowled. She understood that he wasn’t happy about what was happening and that it was a threat to his village, perhaps to his job if he was going to be the one held responsible for not shutting it down.
“What was that all about?” she asked.
“What do you mean?” he said. He sounded like he truly didn’t realize what she was getting at. The expression on his face only reinforced that idea.
“You alienated him right off the bat. Didn’t you ever hear that you catch more bees with honey?” he asked.
“There is no amount of honey that will keep that bee from divulging the findings of his dig unless we can somehow convince him that it’s too big a risk. Our best hope is that he writes it off as some sort of winged reptile with unknown origins. The fact that the age of the skeleton doesn’t match up with the ecological facts should be enough to cast doubt for him and anyone he decides to involve in the situation. If making him feel a bit like an idiot for suggesting he has found a dragon accomplishes that, then so be it.”
“I understand that,
but there has to be some way to shut this down without making him feel like he has lost his mind. And what are we going to do when they get back to digging tomorrow and find the skeleton in the ground?”
“I don’t know. I have to talk to Aaron again this afternoon and fill him in on what is going on, but there is no doubt that they will definitely be pulling it out very soon. I trust you saw the same thing I did down there.”
“Yes. I’m surprised nothing has been said about it yet.”
“I’m not. He said they pulled the larger portion of the remains out this morning. See how they had to tie them with additional ropes on the canvas to keep them from blowing around? Most likely the dirt was still covering the section of wrist watch while they were bringing it up, but with the weight of the dirt and remains removed, the wind has done part of their job for them and uncovered it. The moment that body comes out of the ground, it’s a nightmare for everyone.”
“So, the question is how to deal with that inevitability. It’s not like we can stop them from digging or hope they won’t see it.”
“Right. That’s what I have to talk to Aaron about,” he said.
“Alright. I just hope he has some ideas, because I sure don’t.”
“Me either, at the moment. Except one.”
“And what would that be?”
“I thought that once I’m done with Aaron and my duties for the day, you might come over for a late dinner and an all-night dessert,” he told her.
“I’ll have to think about that,” she told him.
“Hmmm. That is not the answer I had hoped for,” he laughed. “I thought you might be a bit more enthusiastic.”
“It’s nothing personal,” she replied. “I’ve just got all this on my mind, and I want to sort it out in my head. It feels wrong to do this to someone who trusts me to have their back.”
“It will feel worse to watch a village full of people who have done nothing wrong overrun and ostracized, studied, scrutinized by people who need to understand something that they are incapable of comprehending.”
Barb said nothing, looking out the window and letting his words sink in. She once again wondered how she had let herself get mixed up in this situation. If she had just said she was busy and let them send someone else, this would not have been her headache. It would not have been her having to make the call as to what could be done to prevent this from happening. This wasn’t her fight she had been thrown into. The thoughts swirled around in her head, only causing more confusion.
Then, her mind conjured up the face of baby Dawn and Amy and she realized that is was her fight, after all. Still, it only added to the helplessness she felt at being able to do so little to stop this. It seemed that someone out there felt they could do something more though. They weren’t quite back to Amy and Owen’s house when the skies open up and it began to rain, heavily. Barb turned toward Josh and smiled.
“That is certainly going to put a damper on things,” she said.
“Let’s hope so,” Josh agreed.
“You know what, I think that late dinner sounds good,” she said, not entirely sure what had changed her mind.
Josh pulled into Amy and Owen’s driveway and put the car in neutral for a moment. He sat looking at his hands for a moment and then turned to her, looking at her very closely as if to try and read her thoughts.
“Listen, Barb. You owe me nothing. If you don’t think that spending another night with me is something you want, then I’m not going to try to push myself on you. Just so you know, I really do like you. I was serious about how much time I had spent thinking about you during the time you were gone. You mean more to me than just a one night stand, but I’m a grown man. I understand if you don’t see me the same way.”
“I honestly don’t know how I see you,” Barb replied.
“Well, then, I guess it is a matter of whether you feel you would like to sort that out by spending more time with me or more time away from me.”
“I suppose so. For now, I think I’d rather spend more time with you.”
“Then I will call you later when I know that I’m done with work and we will see what all we can learn about one another.”
“Sounds like a plan,” she replied, leaning over to kiss him softly on the lips before getting out of the car. She had no idea what she was doing, but it felt right. This morning, she had been unclear, but tonight, caution was being tossed aside in favor of just allowing herself to enjoy whatever moments they had together.
CHAPTER 11
“So, someone didn’t come home last night,” Amy said with a raised eyebrow as Barb came into the house.
“Who?” Barb shot back. Her sheepish smile undoubtedly said everything Amy needed to know if she needed anything said at all.
“Showed back up in a sassy mood too.” Amy stood balancing Dawn on one hip as she picked up a sippy cup from the counter and moved it to the nearby sink.
“Aren’t I always in a sassy mood?” Barb said. She laughed as she sat her purse down on the counter and took Dawn from Amy, rubbing her nose against the small girl’s and listening to her giggle with delight. It was a sound reminder of what was at stake here.
“I guess you have a point. So, tell me all about it then.” Amy pulled a container of her newest obsession, lemon Greek yogurt from the fridge and offered one to Barb.
“Oh, no thanks,” Barb replied, waving the yogurt away with a wrinkled nose of disgust. Dawn giggled playfully and covered it with her tiny hand as if to hide it, making Barb’s next words muffled by her tiny arm resting on her lips below. “All you need to know is that I had a really good time, and that I probably won’t be home tonight either.”
“Really, now?” Amy’s eyebrows were raised as if in judgment, but the smile on her face said she was much more thrilled about it than she would say. Barb could practically see the wheels cranking around in her head. Amy was already pre-planning the wedding for them.
“No. Don’t get any funny ideas. It is just a fling, nothing serious,” Barb replied, shaking her head from side to side with a laugh.
“Right. Famous last words. He’s a great guy.”
“He seems like it, but I’m not you, Amy. I can’t see myself giving up my life in Los Angeles and moving to the mountains of a foreign country to be with a man. Only you are that brave.”
“I’m not brave at all,” Amy replied, pensive for a moment. “I was just in love.”
“Was?” Barb asked, surprised by the choice of words.
“Was. Am. I didn’t mean to imply that I wasn’t anymore. I’m just saying that in the moment I made that decision, all I could see was being with Owen. It was completely worth giving up Los Angeles. You know, I never thought I would say this, but I don’t miss it at all.”
“You don’t miss being a popular radio D.J.? Everyone knew you, wanted you at their parties and events. The gorgeous, charismatic A.J. Webb, from the local radio station. She was well loved.”
“Yes, and she went out on a high note. She’ll remain edged in her fans memories forever.”
“Yes, you will.”
Barb and Amy both laughed, causing Dawn to set off into another fit of giggles, as well. Their conversation was interrupted by the front door bell ringing. Amy went to answer it, Barb and Dawn trailing her toward the door. Still a bit down the hallways, Barb could only hear her greeting someone at the door, but could not yet see them.
“Kate! Come on in! I wasn’t expecting anyone today. Get inside before you get drenched!” Amy told her guest, walking back toward Barb. “You remember my best friend, Barb?”
“Of course. I hear she is helping out with a potential problem from Aaron,” Kate replied, stopping to greet her.
“Oh, wow. I didn’t realize you were expecting!” Barb replied, noting the rounded bulge beneath her sedate blue dress and smiling down at it. “When are you due?”
“A little over a month from now. We are so excited!” Kate said, her face glowing with pride.
“Yes, her ba
by and Dawn will be close enough in age to play together,” Amy added.
“Amy is already planning their play dates,” Kate laughed.
“Yeah, she does get rather excited about things, doesn’t she?” Barb replied, shooting Amy a knowing look.
“What can I say? I’m a planner. There is nothing wrong with being prepared,” Amy told them with a shrug.
Dawn babbled wildly as if to participate in the conversation before reaching out for Amy again. Her mother retrieved her, but only for a moment before standing her up near the kitchen table, where Dawn latched on to the table legs and began walking slowly around it with the aid of the wooden structure. Kate marveled at her as she moved around. It was obvious that she was looking forward to motherhood herself. Barb had to wonder if she would ever feel the type of maternal urge they did.
Baby Dawn thumped loudly on the hardwood floor beneath her as she lost her footing and grip on the table. They all turned to marvel at her as she sat there without so much as a whimper and then began crawling toward the den without hesitation and much faster than Barb had ever seen a baby crawl.
“I guess that is our invitation to go have a seat,” Amy said, following her daughter across the room and into the den with Kate and Barb in tow. “Have a seat.”
“I can’t stay long,” Kate replied, having a seat on a nearby chair.
“Oh? That’s too bad. We could have a girl’s afternoon,” Amy told her, her attention a bit diverted as she watched Dawn tackle a toy lion she found lying on the floor with great enthusiasm.
“I’d love that, but perhaps not today. I have a doctor’s appointment in a bit, but wanted to stop by and see you on my way into his office. It’s been too long,” Kate said.
Barb noted that something seemed a bit off about Kate’s behavior. Though she didn’t know her well, having only met briefly in the past, Barb’s experience in the field of anthropology kicked in, picking up on the subtle social cues that were apparent. The conversation seemed normal, but the way she placed her hands in her lap, slightly wringing them together denoted stress, anxiety. There was a bit of a lilt to her voice that didn’t seem her natural tone.
Desired by a Dragon: A Paranormal Shifter Romance (Exiled Dragons Book 3) Page 7