The Summerland by T. L. Schaefer Page A

We’d never be able to translate it even if we tried. The fact that the earth around these stones, and this one in particular, hasn’t been disturbed means that he planned this. I’m almost afraid to poke around and see if he’s got anymore planted somewhere. This wasn’t a crime of passion. It wasn’t even a crime, at least not to him. It was a fucking offering. He sacrificed these girls.” Bill stood up suddenly, straightening his long body in a controlled rush, then stalked away into the underbrush.

 
    Chapter Eleven
     
    After fully perusing the aisles of the Prospector’s Market, Arden was positive the citizens of Mariposa County were primarily carnivores. The fruit and vegetable selection was meager at best, and the hub of the store seemed to revolve around the enormous meat section. As she stood there slightly stunned, gazing at what seemed like acres of bloody red beef, she unconsciously tuned into the conversation going on between the two middle-aged men in front of her.
    “ Well I heard that the whole trunk was full of it. And guns too. My cousin Mike works next door to the Chevron station and he said Tony was waving that cash around like there was no Sunday coming. Serves him right if they come looking for him. What did he think was gonna happen, those Compton crack dealers were just gonna say, ‘Oh, don’t worry about it. Take our money, take our guns.’ Shit no. And that car. Who in their right mind would run guns in a red convertible, for God’s sake? The Holsteins just look for those cars to pull over.”
    At the balding man’s mention of a red sports car Arden’s interest peaked and she began to openly listen to their conversation.
    “ Well, I dunno Carl, that’s not what I heard.” said the other man dubiously. “I heard some woman took the FBI’s seed money and that’s why they’re here, not cause of those dead girls. I heard they were closing in on her so she ditched the car and money and took to the hills. Nobody knows where she is, but the feds are beating the bushes looking for her.”
    “ Well, it don’t matter,” said Carl, stung by his companion’s disagreement, “’Cause that money is still here. I betcha don’t know where it went, do you? I didn’t think so. The Sheriff’s got it all nice and safe and sound in his office. I know that for sure, ‘cause Stumpy told me last night. Said he’d never seen so much money and that the Sheriff is being real secretive about it, like he don’t want anybody knowing about it. He should know better. Half the damn town is talking about it now.”
    Carl shook his head sadly. “And what was he thinking, bringing that woman into one of our places last night. She’s a stranger.” He continued, totally oblivious to the fact that the woman in question was standing directly behind him. “Ashton was gone for too damn long. He forgot what it was like to live in a small town. And who is this woman? Stumpy said that’s her car they found, so you know she’s mixed up in this. It just ain’t right for the Sheriff to go mixing with criminal elements.”
    The other man shifted uncomfortably, “Sheriff’s been back for five years. I don’t think he changed all that much. He was always a good boy. You always think the worst.” He threw a glance over his shoulder, paling when he saw the ‘criminal element’ glaring at them with her hands on her hips. Fumbling for an excuse to leave, he mumbled something under his breath to Carl and walked away quickly.
    Snorting, Arden turned away, heading for the checkout counter. What did she expect? This was a small town and she had predicted that the rumor mill would be up and running first thing this morning. It was just disconcerting to hear herself referred to in that manner. A gun runner and criminal element. She stifled a laugh. She was the most respectable person she knew. What the hell had Samantha gotten her into?
    Standing in line she reviewed the conversation in her head. What was this