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to make a decision. “But there’s no hurry. Not after all the millennia these bones have lain here. I’ll report back tomorrow or the next day. Next week, even. I’d like to spend a little time looking over what is here first. In private. Would you mind? I’ve been waiting for such a discovery my whole career. I’ve never seen anything like this.”
    Henry liked the kid more every second. “No. You’re right. A week or two one way or another can’t matter. I was hoping to do the same thing, look around some before the crowds rush in, the fences go up and the whole place becomes off limits.”
    The paleontologist nodded in agreement. “Exactly.” He knelt down, his back to Henry, making clicking sounds with his tongue as he studied the find. “It’s an amazing discovery. Simply amazing. I believe what we have here are genuine dinosaur fossils. But,” he scratched his chin, “of what species, I have absolutely no idea. It’s an enigma. That’s why I want some time with them before I call the troops in. This is much too juicy to share yet.”
    The man’s eyes traveled dreamily over the white fragments protruding from the earth and the clear impressions in the layers of rock. He gently caressed the jagged end of a bone. “Perfectly preserved…must have something to do with the ancient volcanic lava trapped underneath the earth in this area. The earthquake yesterday set them free.”
    Henry stood behind the scientist. “To think they were once dinosaurs. Real dinosaurs. Any idea how old these particular fossils might be?” He inquired with reverence.
    “I’ve got a rough idea. Ballpark figure. But tests at John Day will have to be performed to gauge their age precisely.”
    Henry moved closer to the fossil bed, squatting down on his haunches to gain a better look. Tipping his hat back on his head, he reached down, running his hands over the length of a very deep fossil impression. “I’m merely a layman, but I’d guess these bones to be around…sixty-five million years old?”
    “Perhaps older.” The scientist gazed at Henry, distracted. “You see, I’ve never seen fossils like these before in any book, in any museum or on any dig. Not anywhere. Not ever .”
    The expert wiped sweat from his forehead and abruptly plunked down on the ground. He seemed overwhelmed.
    Henry sat down beside him. Maybe the kid was sun-stroked. “You okay?” he pressed. “The sun and the thin air can be a killer this high up unless you’re used to it. It’s deceptive because it’s so cool.”
    “Sure, I’m fine. It’s the discovery that has me light-headed, that’s all. Can you imagine the hoopla, the crowd you’re going to have here when we finally release the word about this?”
    Henry’s eyes rested on the wall, open disdain on his face. “Unfortunately, yes, I can.”
    His companion searched around with sad eyes. “I’m real sorry, Chief Ranger. It could ruin this place. A damn shame. It’s a beautiful park. Hopefully, with restrictions, we’ll be able to keep the crowds down and control the damage some.”
    Henry felt that he’d met a soul mate. It was a relief to know the kid thought as he did.
    The young man seemed to recall his manners. “I’m sorry, I haven’t even introduced myself properly. The excitement of the moment, you know, and these astonishing fossils, sidetracked me.” He stood up, extending his dusty hand for Henry to shake. “I’m Justin Maltin. Dr. Justin Maltin.”
    Shaking it, Henry responded, “Real nice to meet you, Doc.”
    “You were here then when the earthquake hit yesterday?” Justin queried.
    “Yes. This one knocked half my tour group on their butts.”
    “This one? You mean there’s been other earthquakes recently?”
    Henry looked off into the distance. Everything had fallen so silent all of a sudden. Not even bird noises. Strange. His gaze returned to Justin.
    “Yes. One last year. Like this one, not much above ground damage.”
    “Before that?”
    “I