"That is actually an apt example," she said. "You will be challenged to believe in that which may appear so impossible you will think you have entered another reality."

"Okay, you've got to explain what you mean by that," he said. "Please"

"Oh, David." She sighed heavily. "Do you believe that your moving to Mason's Corner was a coincidence? You came here seeking to learn about your father. Please do not ask me how I know your purpose, for to know such things is my gift. But what if everything that you have learned about your father since you have come to this town was woven into a deeper truth that you would be inclined to dismiss as impossible?"

"You've just confused me more," he said. "Listen. I've seen a ghost of my granddad that basically told me to fulfill the family legacy. I've found an old Bible with weird drawings. I've talked to people who've told me that my father faked his death. I've seen a photo my dad took at that supposedly haunted mansion. Then you call me talking about how I'm responsible for something. Maybe I'm dense, but I don't see how any of those things are connected at all."

"I'm sorry that is it confusing," she said. "But I cannot grant you any more insight on the matter. You will have to discover the meaning on your own"

He blew out a chestful of air. He felt as if he were back in his college calculus cla.s.s, in which the professor would have the answer to the problem but refused to share it no matter how frustrated the students grew.

"Did my father really fake his death?" he said. "Can you answer that?"

"I haven't received an answer to that question, David. I don't know."

"Great," he said. "Then I've pretty much wasted my time coming to visit you."

"No, I have something I'd like to share with you"

"Another puzzle that will give me a migraine?" He laughed bitterly. "Do I really want to hear this?"

Her expression was somber. "I was the last person in town to see your father before he disappeared. He visited me, seeking to learn the outcome of his fishing trip. He claimed to have a bad feeling about it and wondered whether he should cancel it."

"What did you tell him?"

"I told him that if he went on his trip, and followed through on whatever secret mission he was embarking on as it was clear to me that he had an ulterior motive he would pa.s.s a terrible responsibility on to you. You would be called to do something for which you had not been properly prepared"

"Are you serious?"

"Do you know what Richard's response was? 'I've spent my life preparing David for what he might need to do one day.' "

"What?" David said. "That's the craziest thing I've ever heard. Spent his life preparing me? He was never there for me!" He had not intended to shout, but the emotion exploded out of him.

Sadness framed Pearl's face.

"That, I think, is how he believes he prepared you," she said.

Sat.u.r.day was the biggest lawn-cutting day of the week for Junior. He'd begun early in the morning and steadily worked down his list of customers.

So far, he'd cut five lawns and earned sixty dollars. He loved the feeling of the knot of bills bulging in his pocket. He couldn't wait to get home and sock the money away in his secret hiding place.

Maybe he should open an account at the bank. But Mama had warned him about trusting banks. She said they took her money, and when she would go to check on it, there was less in there than she had given them. But that was a long time ago. Maybe banks were different these days.

Next on Junior's lawn-mowing list was Doc Bennett. Junior liked the old guy. He was real sharp and full of good stories.

Junior pushed his mower into the driveway, and knocked on the front door. Doc Bennett came outside.

"Morning, Junior," he said. "Sure is hot to be cutting gra.s.s"

"It don't bother me," Junior said. "I'm used to it."

"I've said it many times and must repeat it again: you're the hardest working man in Mississippi. John Henry wouldn't have anything on you"

"Who's John Henry?"

"John Henry was a legendary African-American railroad worker, renowned for his strength. He once competed in a contest to see whether he could lay track faster than a newfangled machine, and though he won, he died soon afterward"

"Ain't that something?" Junior said. "Man died racing a machine. You know they say computers is gonna rule the world one day."

"So I've heard. Say, you get about town quite a bit. Have you seen my dog, Malcolm?"

"The mutt that comes around here? No, sir. Ain't seen him."

Doc Bennett looked sad. "Malcolm hasn't come around today. I don't know what's become of him. Please let me know if you see him."

"Sure will, Doc," Junior said. He turned to start up the lawn mower, but then he looked back at Doc Bennett. The guy had a thoughtful look on his face and stared at the sky.

I'm gonna tell him what happened at the cave, Junior thought suddenly. Doc Bennett was the smartest man in town and would be able to make some sense of what Junior had seen. Junior could not get his own thoughts around what he had seen that night while digging with Andre, and Andre was too scared to talk about it.

The scary guy in black had warned them not to tell anyone what they had seen, but Junior had to tell someone. It was eating him up inside. He'd never been good at keeping secrets.

"Say, Doc," Junior said. "I wanna tell you somethin'."

"Certainly." Doc Bennett stuck his hands in the pockets of his khakis. "Go ahead, my friend."

"It might take a little bit."

Doc Bennett pursed his lips. He opened the front door.

"Then I suggest that you come inside."

Franklin had heard some amazing tales, but nothing compared to the story that Junior Hodges told him.

A nighttime job offered to Junior and his cousin by the bald black Frenchman who had moved into Jubilee. Junior and his cousin digging into a cave located on the propertyan earthen tomb filled with skeletons. A mysterious man dressed in black who, when he discovered Junior and Andre peeping into the cavern, flung them against the wall with an invisible force ...

Franklin did not want to believe it. Junior was a nice young man, but he was, unfortunately, a bit slow. Franklin did not believe that Junior was lying, but he suspected that Junior had unknowingly embellished a few elements. Even the most intellectually sound individuals found it difficult to recall incidents in flawless detail.

Or perhaps, Franklin thought, I am afraid to believe everything this young man has told me. His story goes against the grain of my beliefs. It is easier to discount his tale than to accept it completely.

"That's all of it, Doc," Junior said, his big, callused hands wrapped around a gla.s.s of water. They were in the living room, Junior sitting on the edge of the sofa, while Franklin sat in the recliner, turning his pipe in his hands. "Do you ... do you believe me?"

Franklin chose his words carefully. "Junior, that is a rather astounding story."

"You ain't lying." Junior laughed, uncomfortably. "Can't hardly believe it myself."

"I believe that you encountered something bizarre and unsettling. But I will have to reserve judgment until I have more information."

"I'm telling the truth" His eyes were pleading. "Please, you gotta believe me, Doc"

"I believe enough to begin an investigation. I confess that I've been curious about the motives of the persons who have moved into Jubilee. Although your story is decidedly unusual, it is far too compelling for me to dismiss out of hand. I thank you for sharing it with me"

"All right." Junior appeared to be satisfied. He put the half-full gla.s.s of water on the end table. "I better finish cutting that gra.s.s. I gotta keep to my schedule."

"Of course. Anytime you need to talk, Junior, I am willing to listen."

"Well ... thank you, Doc," Junior said. He seemed to be debating whether to speak again. "Hey, what you think of banks?"

"Banks? I'm not sure I follow you"

"Would you put your money in a bank, for saving?"

"I certainly would, and have done so for decades. We have a fine bank here in town. Are you thinking of opening an account?"

"I kinda am, I guess. Mama didn't trust banks, but if you say I can trust 'em .. "He looked nervous.

Franklin was saddened. Junior was in his early thirties, and no one had taken the time to educate him on basic finances. It worried Franklin to think of what the kid had been doing with his money.

"I strongly encourage you to open an account, Junior," Franklin said. "You're a hardworking young man and need to protect your earnings. Give it a try."

Junior grinned broadly. "Thanks, Doc. I'm gonna take your advice. I'm going next week."

"Always happy to help." Franklin saw him out. Junior started up the lawn mower with a mighty pull, then began to cut the gra.s.s.

Franklin returned to his chair. He tamped his pipe, lit it with a match.

He considered Junior's fantastic tale. How much of it was true? Any of it? All of it?

He went to the study. A large map of Mason's Corner was pinned to the wall. He had drawn the map to aid his historical research.

He located Jubilee on the map, and marked it with a red pencil.

When Junior finished mowing the lawn, Franklin would call him inside again. To determine the location of the cavern.

Before he visited the cave, he needed to know where he could find it.

On Sat.u.r.day, Nia slept in. Last night, she had stayed at David's place until three o'clock in the morning, and by the time she arrived home, she thought she'd sleep until noon the next day.

The phone rang, jarring her out of her slumber.

Groggy, she reached toward the nightstand, grabbed the phone.

"h.e.l.lo?" she said.

"Still sleep, huh, baby?" It was a man's deep voice. Immediately familiar.

Nia sprang up like a jack-in-the-box.

"Who is this?" she said, knowing in her heart the answer to the question.

He chuckled. "You know who I am. Were you dreaming about me?"

It was Colin Morgan, the teacher who had stalked her in Houston.

The telephone handset was like a block of ice in her hand.

"I've been dreaming about you every night, Nia. I can't wait to touch your pretty skin again."

Although his words were not threatening and could even be considered romantic, in the context of the situation, she could not have been more revolted and terrified if he had screamed perverse, violent curses at her. Her stomach twisted.

"Don't you ever call here again," she said. "Leave me alone"

"I can't help myself, Nia. I've gotta have you. You're mine She slammed down the phone.

It rang again.

She didn't pick up. She hugged herself against a chill. The Caller ID did not reveal Morgan's number or location. He was smart enough to conceal such details. Smart enough to find out her unpublished phone number.

Smart enough to find out where she lived?

After ringing five times, the phone fell silent. Voice mail picked up after several rings.

The red message indicator light began to blink.

She punched in the code to access her messages.

It was Mr. Morgan. He spoke only one sentence, in a whisper.

"I know where you live."

Chapter 10.

David picked up Nia early in the evening, to join him for dinner at Franklin Bennett's house.

He had not discussed his visit to Pearl's with anyone. But when Nia got into the Pathfinder, looking fresh and lovely in shorts and a red blouse, the words burst out of him.

"I saw Pearl today."

Nia smiled hesitantly. "What did she say?"

David told her everything. It felt good to share the experience with her. Allowing the words to flow out of him cleansed him, clarified his thoughts.

"That's deep," Nia said when he had finished. "I can't believe your father felt that by neglecting you all of your life, he prepared you for whatever's going to happen"