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before he could interrupt. “You got a nice wife and nice place out in the country….it’s just that well…Horton’s Bend. I mean that place is creepy. I hear stories from the locals.” It was Brody’s turn to laugh “C’mon Darwin….You’ve been on a bunch of digs and have spent a little time around skeletons…so don’t give me that superstitious mumbo jumbo.” Darwin turned defensive “Hey man…even the looters don’t go out there at night. There’s something weird about that place…the fog and how sometimes people see fires burning in the middle of the night. “I didn’t like it there during the day not to mention how that farmer treated me.”

    Brody smiled, “Darwin this could be really important. The Spanish seemed to stop every twelve leagues and yet we don’t have any evidence for them in this particular part of the river…this is our turf ya know. We gotta find it before the big university boys do.”Darwin wasn’t having any more of it. “Look Brody…when my fellowship is up I’m heading out to the Four Corners to finish my dissertation. She knew he hated hearing this. “You’re set…you got it made. No more run down motels..no more eating from a tin can in the field…” Brody’s face crinkled with concern. “Who the hell am I going to find who can run the GIS lab and has your background in archaeology?” he asked. She started to speak but instead said nothing and walked up the stairs. At the top of the landing Darwin turned back to face Brody. “I’ve got a little time before I finish up so I promise I will finish plotting in the maps…..look I gotta run. Got to get my time sheets in and head for Atlanta for the weekend…..Go home Brody and give my love to Lacy. Have a great weekend!” Brody smiled and waved her off “Go!…go have some fun…while you still can.” Brody sighed and looked down at the parchment. He shook his head, looked at his watch and picked up his satchel to leave.

    Brody shifted into second gear as he pulled into his driveway. His old Toyota Land Cruiser creaked and its windows rattled. Never mind she was an old beater. This old rig still turned heads to those who admired the old iron. Its dents and bruises were worn with battle scarred pride. A testament to durability from many a day in the bush but the cruiser was one of the most recognized vehicles on the city streets and back roads of the county. Brody’s wife Lacy was greeting him with a wave as he pulled up to their house. She greeted him with a “Hello Husband!” and a hug. They both stood on the front porch for a brief moment looking at the sun set. “Darling wife….what is for supper cause it sure smells good!” Lacy smiled proudly and said “Honey its biscuits and gravy….bedamned a stroke tonight.” Brody never tired of her breakfast for dinners. They were becoming a little rare as they both tried to eat a little more conscientious for a healthy heart. He put his carry bag by the coat rack and headed for the table. They both sat down and smiled at one another before beginning to dig in.

    Chapter Three
    The next morning Brody rose much earlier than his wife and made coffee. He sat in his recliner reading his journal which he had started when he began researching sites in northwest Georgia. He wanted very much to sit and talk with Lacy this morning but she had not risen yet and would give her time to wake up with coffee before bringing up the sore subject. Within thirty minutes she came into the kitchen wearing her favorite robe and rubbing her eyes. Brody had already started some can biscuits and micro-waved eggs for breakfast. They sat quietly and ate their breakfast watching the morning news. “What’s on the gander today?” she asked him with a laugh. Brody couldn’t help but smile since it was his wife’s inside joke. Brody’s mom, who passed away some five years earlier, used to struggle with words and often used the word gander for agenda. He looked at her and said