way. The rains had helped many of them stand back up, but Diane could still see a definite path.
“When I saw the damaged brush, I figured they might have dragged the bodies from the creek to the cave,” Frank said.
The trip through the woods reminded Diane of her earlier one that dark, rainy night when the brush and small trees whipped her legs and arms and stung her face. Only this time she had supportive company and it was light and she was dressed for the trip.
They arrived shortly at a creek filled with rounded rocks and bordered with ferns. As they began their examination of the area, Diane saw that Mike and Liam had tagged along. She caught a glimpse of them coming through the thick green brush. She also noted that they had lagged behind at a distance. Not an easy feat with Mathews going so slowly, but it was probably his string of nonstop complaints along the way that had drowned out the noise of their movement behind them through the underbrush.
“What are you two doing?” Diane asked.
“I want to follow this thing through,” said Liam.
“Speaking of your client . . .” said Mathews, scratching his back and wiggling his shoulders.
“Was I?” said Liam.
“Why else would you want to follow it through?” said Mathews. “I think it’s time you told us who your client is.”
Liam sighed and nodded. “I know. His name is Wain-wright MacAlister,” he said.
“You mean the real estate mogul who’s thinking about running for Congress?” said Mathews.
“The one and only,” said Liam.
“You should have told me that sooner,” Mathews said.
“Would you have done things any differently?” asked Liam.
“Yes. I’d have brought more Tums,” he said.
“I’ve got plenty. I can share,” said Liam.
“You can stand over by that tree,” said Diane to Liam. “Don’t get in the crime scene.” She turned to Mike. “And what’s your excuse?”
“There’ve been so many strange things going on, I thought you could use someone to watch your backs,” said Mike.
“Fine. Watch our backs from a distance—over there with Liam,” she said. She hesitated a moment and turned to Liam. “What were their names?”
“Larken MacAlister and Bruce Gregory,” he said.
Diane turned back around and followed Frank to the edge of the creek. It wasn’t a large creek, perhaps five feet across at its widest point. It was very beautiful, almost the stereotypical mountain stream. Only the stain of blood on the rocks along the creek’s bank and covering one side of a small tree trunk marred its picturesque feel. Even with the rains, the blood was still there. It obviously had dried before the rains fell. Another clue.
She noticed a shiny metal dish the size of a large skillet wedged between rocks in the creek.
“Looks like they were panning for gold,” said Mike, pointing to the dish.
Diane looked over at him.
“That’s a pan for panning gold,” he said. “See, I’m helpful.”
She frowned at him.
Get equipment was one of the items on the dead couple’s list, thought Diane. She wondered if this was part of the equipment. Diane remembered Liam saying that the two copied geologic maps at the library. Liam thought they were looking for abandoned mines.
“Perhaps they were panning at different creeks close to mines,” said Diane, “hoping the density of their finds would point them to the right mine.”
“Possible,” answered Mike. “But you never know what’s going on underground. The stream being close to a cave or mine doesn’t necessarily mean it’s carrying material from there.”
“But they might very well have thought that was a plan,” said Frank.
“Well, I guess I’ve seen all I need to see,” said Mathews. “I’m going to leave it with you.”
“Can you find your way back?” asked Frank.
“There’s nothing wrong with my sense of direction,” said Mathews. He headed back the way they had come, retracing their steps.
“Send up a flare if you get lost,” said Frank.
“Up yours, Frank,” he said, before disappearing into the undergrowth. “Doesn’t anybody ever mow up here?” they heard him say.
Frank smiled at Diane. “Gil’s not much of a woodsman.” He looked around at the scene. “What can I do to help?”
“Neva and I are going to take photographs first. Then you can help Neva with some measurements. I’m going to collect blood samples. And we need to search the area to see if there’s anything else to be found. A murder weapon would be nice.” But Diane had a feeling that it was taken, to be used again on the Barres and the Watsons. “Neva, will you