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I know, but maybe you should. Dane knew he was pushing. He just hoped like hell
he wouldn t regret it.
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A LESSON LEARNED Carol Lynne
52
Magnus stood. Why? You think if I cry on your shoulder the past will magically be
wiped away? It doesn t work like that. I don t work like that.
Before Dane could respond, Magnus stormed from the room. Shit. Dane started to go
after him, but changed his mind. He spun around and looked at the portrait above the
fireplace. His gaze immediately went to the rock in the background. Do you want your
secret told?
Dane wasn t sure James wanted the public to know. James had gone to great lengths to
have the story of the Native Americans hidden in his personal library. The leather-bound
books downstairs hadn t been integrated into the Institute s vast library because of a request
in James Bennett s will that the house remain intact.
Give me a sign that you wanted us to uncover your secrets? he whispered.
Dane continued to stare at the painting. Instead of looking straight at the artist who d
painted the portrait, James Bennett s head was turned in profile. Dane followed James line of
sight, which landed squarely on the bed. It has to be there, he whispered.
Moving to stand at the end of the bed, Dane studied the ornately carved headboard. He
climbed onto the bed and began to run his hands over the wood. Oh, shit.
The massive piece of wood did indeed hold a secret. One of the reliefs in the carved
detailing held an actual key. Dane jumped off the bed and grabbed a letter opener from the
small writing desk in front of the window. He glanced up at the painting. Forgive me.
It took several moments, but Dane managed to work the key free of its hiding place
with only minimal damage to the bed. Although the key fitted in the palm of his hand, the
weight went beyond a physical measurement.
I m taking the boat across the creek. You coming? Magnus asked from behind Dane.
Dane dropped the letter opener among the pillows before Magnus spotted it. Why he
was holding back the discovery Dane had no idea, except he needed time to process the
newest development. Still, the small strip of land wasn t a safe place to wander around alone.
Let me get one of the guns from downstairs first.
Guns? You expecting someone?
Snakes, alligators, take your pick. I told you, that land hasn t been maintained for
years.
Magnus chuckled. Do you honestly think I d trust you with a gun?
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53
Dane took a deep calming breath when his hackles rose. It wasn t often he lost his
temper, but his moments of rage were still discussed at the Thanksgiving table.
Yeah, I don t think so, Magnus said, an irritating smirk on his otherwise handsome
face.
Shut the fuck up! Dane exploded. When will you get it through your thick skull that
I m not the enemy? And I m sick of you treating me like I m worthless. For your information,
I started taking pot shots at frogs when I was five, the year I received my first bb gun. Dane
pushed past Magnus and out of the room.
As torn as he was between helping Magnus discover the truth and keeping it buried,
the last thing he was in the mood for was Magnus ongoing mistrust. He went to his room
and pulled his suitcases out of the closet.
What re you doing? Magnus asked from the doorway.
Leaving, Dane stated. I know I begged you to bring me here, but it doesn t feel right
any more. I don t feel right about what we re doing.
I don t want you to leave, but I need you to tell me why you re questioning the
project.
I ve wanted to be an anthropologist since I was in junior high. I always thought it
would be exciting to find out about people and cultures from our past, but now& Dane
shook his head. It feels intrusive. Look at it this way, you obviously have a lot of secrets;
how would you feel if, years from now, someone started poking around in your life?
Magnus shook his head. This has nothing to do with my past. I think we ve discovered
something incredibly important to the Native American people.
But it obviously didn t work. I don t know what happened here, but does the world
really need to know those tribes sacrificed their best warriors for nothing?
Don t forget the passage. The Choctaw were meant to remember. Now, I don t know
why they didn t, but we re only doing what those four tribes wanted in the first place.
Dane could see he wasn t going to deter Magnus. If he stayed, he d at least have some
control over the situation. His need to protect his family was becoming increasingly more
important. A thought struck him. He wondered if his mom and uncle knew the secrets to be
found at Barrett House. Would you give me a few minutes to get myself together?
Magnus cupped the back of Dane s head in his hand and leaned in for a soft kiss. I m
sorry about earlier, but I meant what I said. I really don t want you to leave.
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A LESSON LEARNED Carol Lynne
54
Dane nodded. We ve been working hard the last few days. Maybe we re due for a
break. Can I interest you in a picnic?
Yeah, that might be a good idea. I ll go throw together some of the fried chicken left
over from last night.
Sounds good. Dane accepted another kiss from Magnus. I ll be down in a few
minutes.
After Magnus left the room, Dane pulled out his cell phone.
Were your ears burning? Evelyn Jefferson asked.
Hi, Mom. No, but now you ve spilled the beans. Why were you talking about me?
Fallon and I were discussing the fact that you d rather be at Bennett House playing
anthropologist than here with us, she explained.
I m not playing at anything, and quite frankly it hurts that you would even say that to
me. Maybe it had been a mistake to call home.
I m sorry, baby. You re right, that was uncalled for.
Thanks, Dane mumbled. He pulled the key out of his pocket and stared at it. Mom, I
need to know something.
Okay.
You know the reason Professor Sofokleous and I are here, don t you?
Why do you ask?
Because I think you gave me Magnus grant request for a reason and I want to know
what it is.
I told you at the time you were the best person to approve or reject it. I haven t
changed my mind about that. We trusted you. We still do.
You know, don t you?
His mother s silence confirmed what he d begun to suspect. We don t have any real
proof yet, but Magnus is like a dog with a bone right now. He s not going to give up until he
finds what he s looking for. So, if this is something I m supposed to sabotage, I need to know.
Now.
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