Silver Cross by B. Kent Anderson

Author:B. Kent Anderson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

CHAPTER

26

As soon as the phone went dead in her hand, Tolman raced into the spare bedroom and grabbed her laptop. “Give me that paper with the phone number on it.”

In fifteen minutes, she knew that the phone was a prepaid cell, purchased in suburban Chicago. “A throwaway. Chances are she’s already disposed of it. What did she say her name was?”

“Ann Gray,” Journey said. “What are you doing?”

“I’m doing a RACER search for Ann Gray,” Tolman said. “With a name like that, it’s going to pop up a million or so hits, and I suppose that’s her point, using a name like that. I’ll have to narrow the search. She told you that she’s basically a freelance operator. Someone’s heard of her, even if they’ve only heard the cover name. I’ll do some cross-references.” She worked the keyboard and thumb bar and set RACER to work, then looked up at Journey. She pointed at the map. “So tell me about that. Napoleon III wanted … what? A spot in the middle of nowhere in Texas?”

Journey ran a hand along the map’s parchment. “Again, religious symbolism or geographic reality? It’s impossible to tell—”

“Without seeing it for ourselves,” Tolman finished. “I get it. Can you pinpoint a location from that?”

“There are a lot of little rivers and creeks in West Texas. But using GIS, we should be able to get a fix on a modern location.”

“GIS,” Tolman said. “Geographic Information System. Why, Dr. Journey, I thought I was the technology person here.”

Andrew giggled from the couch. He seemed completely unfazed by last night’s ordeal. A blessing of sorts, Journey thought. “Don’t get too excited,” Journey said. “The geography department uses it. I can call—” He reached for the phone, then put his hand down.

“What?” Tolman said.

“Lashley.” Journey met Tolman’s blue eyes. “Someone murdered Graham Lashley in cold blood, and why? Because we talked to him about this.”

“I know, you don’t want to put another professor in danger. I get it, Nick. But whatever all this is, it starts with the Silver Cross. The woman on the phone was talking in circles, but she said we had everything we needed.” Tolman thumped her fingers on the table. Andrew looked up at her, then thumped his own fingers. “She said she didn’t want to see any more bloodshed in Oklahoma. But she also said she didn’t kill Jim or Dana. Said she’d made mistakes, tried to prevent their deaths.”

“But not Barry,” Journey said.

Tolman stared at him. “That’s right. But April 19 killed Barry. That’s never been in dispute.”

“The dispute is what April 19 really means.”

Tolman nodded. “Nick, I’m not going to put anyone else in danger.” She glanced at Andrew. “There’s been enough of that already.”

Journey looked at her for a long moment, then touched the map. “I’m going to find where the Silver Cross is located. By lunch if possible.”

“I like the way you think, Professor.”

Andrew thumped his feet on the wood floor. Tolman thumped hers in response, then returned to her computer.

*

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