by Karen Harper
He nodded. “Kate, I just don’t know about a dig in the mound, and I’m hoping you won’t try to go around me on this. I need you—I want you—on my side.”
She nodded, too, before she realized he might think she was giving in to him. Nadine had said much the same about Grant needing her. She loved the sound of that, but hated it, too. If anyone could seduce her out of what she wanted most in life right now, unfortunately, it was Grant Mason.
* * *
Kate was much more nervous than she’d thought she would be when she and Deputy Miller were finally escorted in to speak with Bright Star Monson in a room their guide had called “the retreat.” To her amazement, both her cousin Lee Lockwood and his wife, Grace, were in the room. Monson himself sat behind a large glass table that must serve as his desk, although it didn’t have a book or paper on it. The entire room was white with only glass objects, maybe to give the appearance of light, even of weightlessness. Some sort of lighting system through the thick glass walls made the room seem to glow. Well, she thought, this phony hadn’t chosen the name Bright Star for nothing.
Even Lee and Grace were dressed in white instead of the down-home, prairie look. Lee stood like a sentinel in one corner, and Grace, a marble statue, in the corner near the door. Kate, not caring if she was defying some rule, went over to hug Grace, who hugged her lightly. “How are the children?” she asked.
“Oh, fine. Thriving. Thanks.”
“I’d love to see them, and I know Tess would, too. Perhaps when Tess returns from her honeymoon.”
Grace looked immediately at Bright Star, as if for permission to answer. “Please sit down and explain this visit” was all their leader said.
Kate could see Jace was nervous, too. She could feel the hostile vibes in here. Maybe insisting on direct confrontation wasn’t the way to go, but it was the way she’d lived her life. She hated secrets, things half said or hidden.
She unwrapped the star she still had, wondering when Carson would get back to her about the blood on the other one. “These have been found atop two of the Adena mounds in the area, and since they are bright stars, which almost sparkle in the sun—to glow, almost like this room—we were wondering if this is your calling card, perhaps? Especially since you made it obvious earlier you would like to ignore, perhaps to erase, such pagan practices as Christian weddings or the ancient Adena culture.”
She realized she’d come on too strong again, but he didn’t take the bait. “That is not mine or ours,” he said after glancing briefly at the star. “What are the Adena that I would be mindful of them or visit them? I declare such things under my feet, but I have not visited those savage places. My place is here with my people.”
Kate thought he was scrambling scripture again, but she wasn’t quite sure. She was aware that Grace was fidgeting, but Lee looked stoic. She knew Jace wasn’t going to be much help.
“Asked and answered, I guess, Kate,” Jace said. “You see, Mr. Monson, there’s dried blood on the tips of the star, which means we need to find out whose and why.”
“Is that so? Then it suggests some sort of sacrifice, you mean. I regret I can’t help you further. Thank you for visiting us, and I’m sure Grace and Lee will be happy to receive you in the future—and, of course, your sister and Sheriff McCord when they return.”
Bright Star stood. Kate felt frustrated and furious, but Jace rose, so she had little choice but to leave, too. She hated being manipulated by this man who, she was certain, had some sort of evil hold over her cousins.
Kate turned her back on Bright Star and, with Jace right behind her, started from the room. She could feel Bright Star’s eyes boring into her back. It was the same feeling she’d had when she thought she was being watched earlier today, but that was nonsense.
Kate glanced at Grace as she opened the door. Bright Star was talking to Jace about providing protection for the group when they sold things at the weekend market uptown. And in that moment, when no one could see Grace but Kate, the woman drew a five-pointed star just above her left breast, once, then quickly again.
Kate stared, almost stumbled. When she hesitated, Grace tipped her head toward the door, as if telling her to move on, so she did.
As they left the compound through the guarded gate, Kate’s mind raced. Was Grace trying to silently send her love or to indicate that their holy man was lying? Or had Grace tried to tell her that she had worn such a star?
The motion had also brought back memories of how she and Grace—who had been a playmate and neighbor years ago—along with Tess and Char, had often used that sign when they’d sworn to keep a secret. Cross my heart and hope to die.
13
Late that evening, Grant was glad he finally got Kate to one of his favorite restaurants in Chillicothe. The thing was, they had Todd and Amber with them. Grant took them out for Todd’s birthday—an excuse to get them out of their house. Amber’s parents always did babysitting duty with the boys. Grant and Todd had liked this place for years because it had wood from the mill everywhere, including tables, booths and wall paneling. Some diners were out on the patio, but Grant liked it inside, with all the wood around.
They’d started out sharing reminiscences of Paul and talking about the funeral plans. Grant and Todd—Brad, too—were going to be pallbearers. Losing Paul and the worry about where his Adena eagle pendant could be depressed Grant so deeply he was afraid he wouldn’t be a good host this evening. But despite Kate being a newcomer, she fit right in with the three of them.
“Great food,” she said, tucking into her garlic mashed potatoes. When Grant had heard her order them, he’d asked for the same in self-defense, since he was planning on some kissing later. He hoped she didn’t think his attentions were a prerequisite for his letting her study the mound up close, though he wanted to study her that way.
Todd took a sip of beer and turned toward Kate. “So, Grant told me about the metal stars stuck in the mounds. And that you confronted Bright Star over it.”
“Right, but I had Jace Miller riding shotgun, so to speak. The great guru denied knowing anything about the stars, but I’m thinking they might have been pins of some kind.”
“You know, my dad gave the kids some sheriff and deputy cowboy stars to wear with their outfits,” Amber said. “I wonder if the mound stars are anything like that. Todd, do you know where those went?”
“Nope. With all the stuff the boys have around, who knows? Probably on their Star Wars outfits instead. So, how do you read that weirdo Bright Star, Kate?”
“As very weird and probably dangerous. I think the stars were his, maybe put there to place his blessing—or curse—on the long-dead pagans in the mound. Maybe he’s like the Mormons, thinking they can get dead people into heaven. Todd, what? Why are you looking at Grant that way?”
“Just that—that you seem to be sure there are corpses in the local mounds.”
“Mason Mound, especially. I’ve been telling Grant the odds are good. No sign of a cave-in, and the smaller mounds are usually more sturdy, which means well-preserved burial chambers. Mason Mound is evidently intact, never entered, probably with one horizontal entry shaft that shouldn’t be too hard to find and dig through. As for Bright Star, I was telling Grant what upsets me more than his lies about the stars—I get that, because any tampering with such a mound can mean big fines or prison time—is the hold the man has over his people. Namely my cousin Lee and his wife, Grace. She was a friend of mine and my sisters’ from way back. I swear, she’s like a zombie now, but she tried to give me some sort of sign—I think—about wearing a star. Bright Star does brainwashing at best, terrorizing at worst. Everything’s so guarded and secret I can’t get near the Hear Ye compound to find out what’s really going on in there.”
“Of course,” Todd said, “we could peer down into it.”
“No way,” Grant cut in. “Because I know you’re n
ot talking about renting a helicopter.”
Todd thumped the table with his knuckles. “Grant, there are three really tall trees close together on the hill above Cold Creek that look down into the compound. And not on Monson’s land—on public land. I’ve only climbed them once years ago, but—”
“Amber, can you talk to this maniac, please?” Grant said. “I wouldn’t trust Monson not to take potshots at him and claim a hunting rifle just misfired.”
Kate placed her hand over Grant’s. “But it is an idea. We have to get something on him to get some leverage. I can tell Grace and Lee are too scared or doped up or whatever to talk, and their kids are prisoners. Who knows what people will do if their children’s well-being or safety’s at stake?”
“The sad thing is, they went there of their own free will,” Amber put in. “This is the U.S. of A., and people are allowed to make fools of themselves, targets, whatever. People seem to be content there. I’ve talked to some at the Saturday market, and everyone seems loyal.”
“Back to tree time,” Grant said. “Kate, you’d better take a look at how this guy climbs and swings around in tall trees before you go so gung ho over this idea.”
“That’s my Todd,” Amber said. “Kate, let me tell you. Grant, Brad, Gabe and Paul used to play or hide out in the tree house behind the Mason house, and Todd would be above it, way up in the tree.”
“All right, I’ll take things one step at a time,” Kate promised. “I’d like to see how he climbs, if the offer’s still open. I’ve done stranger things to get answers. How about a demonstration soon? Then maybe I’ll go up with you, Todd.”
Grant had no choice but to keep his mouth shut at that point, but this was ruining his dinner. He wasn’t her boss, wasn’t her husband, wasn’t even her significant other, despite how natural and cozy this dinner had been. She’d ruined his mood to romance her tonight. Besides, what worried him more than Kate’s climbing trees was her declaration she’d done stranger things to get answers. He hoped that didn’t include trying to get into his heart just so she could get into his Adena tomb.
* * *
Carson called Kate just after ten the next morning to tell her he was at the coffee shop in the new part of town. “I’m assuming Grant’s at the mill. I can be there in ten minutes, and we can take a good look at the mound, see if we can locate the entrance. I’ll meet you in front of his house,” he said.
“No! Carson—no. I promised Grant I wouldn’t go near it alone.”
“Great. You’d be with me.”
“He meant without him. And his cleaning lady’s here, the one who tipped him off too late about his beautiful tree being stolen. I’ll meet you in the coffee shop. Don’t you teach a doctoral class today?”
“At three. I came with information about the star, but you’ve got to get us into that mound.”
“I have to do things his way.”
“Really? That doesn’t sound like my Kate.”
“Never mind. I’ll be right there.”
She realized she hadn’t mentioned that Grant was upset at her for saying she might climb a tree with Todd. Or that she was certain he was stalling her about taking a closer look at the mound.
She told the cleaning lady, Mrs. McGirty, that she was going out then drove to meet Carson. Of course he’d gravitated to the tony end of town, even though it was a farther drive for him. She admitted she’d become a bit of a snob, too, in her years away from here, but now she enjoyed the people and the place. No way could she sympathize with Lacey, looking down on this area, especially since she’d been married to Grant Mason. Damn, there she went again with wayward thoughts and just when she was going to meet Carson, whom she’d dreamed about for years.
He had coffee just the way she liked it delivered to their table the moment she appeared. “How thoughtful,” she said. “Thanks.” She gave him a peck on the cheek and sat across from him. She hadn’t been in here before. The place was decorated 1950s retro, and she liked it.
Carson still looked ticked off at her refusal to play things his way. “So how did the meeting with the cult guru go?” he asked without producing the star he’d promised to give back.
“He not only denied everything, but used part of a biblical quote he probably thinks I didn’t pick up on. I finally found it from Psalm 8. In answering as he did, he seems to be putting himself in the place of God. The Psalm starts out, O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, and it goes on to mention the stars the Lord has made. I was thinking, since in The Book of Revelation, Jesus describes himself as ‘the bright and morning star,’ Monson probably sees himself as a modern-day Messiah.”
“Which is what most whacked-out cult leaders claim. That’s a far-fetched jumble of clues, but with a madman, anything is possible.”
“I swear, years ago that man would have been admitted to what was then called the lunatic asylum right outside of town.”
“Really?” he asked, momentarily distracted. “So it’s defunct now?”
“They did terrible things like lobotomies and electrotherapy. I hear the grounds are derelict now except for a children’s playground.”
“An interesting relic of Americana, just as are the mounds of Adeniana,” he told her, making up that word, but he was right on with the societal observation as usual. However clever she was, Carson was always a step ahead and that had absolutely snowed her for years.
He took a small, flat box from inside his suit-coat pocket. For one moment, her heart skipped a beat. It was a jewelry-size box, and he’d hinted at giving her an engagement ring, but surely not now.
He put the box on the table between them, on his ironed pocket handkerchief as if the table were contaminated. Even here among the country-club golf and tennis crowd, Carson stood out as retro as the decor. She’d found that so alluring about him when she was younger, but now it seemed elitist and even snobbish.
“Oh,” she said as he opened the box. “The star.”
“The blood on the tips is human. Type A positive, as a matter of fact.”
“Great work.” She sighed. “Now I just have to talk Bright Star and his followers into telling me their blood types or letting me give them a blood test. O positive is the most common blood type anyway.”
“If I were writing a horror story, I’d make up the fact that the Adena were mostly A-positive blood types, and their ghosts placed the stars as an invitation for one Kathryn Anne Lockwood to come visit their resting place to pay her respects. And, of course, I’d include the fictional factoid—excuse the paradox—that they themselves are the walking dead, out to haunt beautiful women who sleep close by and don’t come quickly enough to visit—and who are distracted by men who hold the keys to their mound.”
He grinned at her without showing his teeth. “The Adena did some metal work, of course, only this die-cut star is a bit advanced even for them, and—”
“Carson, stop it! Enough!” she protested, but his mentioning the walking dead made her think of poor Grace again, trying to give her some sign, looking like the walking dead herself. Had this star indeed been a pin as Carson had surmised earlier? Had Grace worn one? But to signify what?
When Carson looked surprised at her outburst, she explained. “I know you’re upset with me, but as I said, I have to play things Grant’s way.”
“What happened to Carson’s way—our way?”
“We have to be patient. Worthwhile things are worth waiting for.”
“Really?” he said, again using his favorite subtle—even snide—challenging comment. “I think you’re starting to really enjoy doing things his way.”
“No. He’s angry with me right now because I said I’d like to see how his friend Todd scales trees. Actually, I’m hoping to go with Todd into a tree above the Hear Ye compound and look down into it—spy on Bright Star and his poor robots. I’d a
lso like to pay Todd for his time, since Grant says his family—they have three sons—can always use extra money.”
Carson rolled his eyes and shook his head. “You’d better concentrate on our task at hand. But if you must go off on a wild-goose chase after this Bright Star, be careful in the air let alone on the ground, darling. I want you with me, intact—and willing—when this is all over. Kate,” he said, leaning forward and capturing her hands in his, “I swear, you are on the cusp of linking two great prehistoric cultures. One unique artifact in common, and you’re partway there, next your articles in the professional journals—even the likes of Time or USA TODAY. I’m sure of it! So let me guide you through all this.”
Again, she scolded herself for not telling Carson about thinking she’d seen the Beastmaster at the garage window. She’d meant to, but she didn’t want him to think that she was losing her grip on reality—or that she might suspect him since he still had the mock-up of the mask she’d made.
“Carson, next time you come, would you bring the facsimile of the Beastmaster mask I left with you?”
“I use it in class, you know. And would like to soon again. Do you need it now?”
“I can show Grant my photo of the Beastmaster artifact, but I thought my mask might show him the kind of thing I’m after in an Adena mound.”
“Of course, darling. Mind if I have one of my grad students copy it first so I still have one? I’ll get back to you on that, and you keep in touch—with me.”
“I hear you. I do have to move carefully, unless you want Grant to dig in his heels. As for Brad—”
Carson shook his head. “I’ve carefully asked around. Grant would have to be as dead as the Adena before Brad would inherit one penny or one breath of say-so over the mound.”
With Paul’s death, and possibly under mysterious circumstances, Kate didn’t like the way Carson had phrased that. She made a move to slide out of the booth, but he held her hands. “Remember that W. H. Auden quote about asking questions, the one from Anthropology 201 that I made everyone memorize when you were just a neophyte—but a neophyte of mine?”