Chapter Four
“This isn’t what I expected,” Seth said, weighing the slightly crystalline-feeling bone in his hands. He looked up at Luca Sanchez, who was leaning in the doorway of his barn, holding the banker’s box lined in newspaper that had been housing the bones up on a shelf for safekeeping.
“I thought it was a piece of petrified wood before I picked it up,” Luca said. “But then when I really looked at it, the size and shape and everything, I was pretty sure I was holding on to a piece of prehistory.”
Seth turned the bone over in his hands. It was heavy, like a stone, and cool to the touch, and reddish brown in color.
He knew from his research it was heavier than a regular bone due to the mineralization process.
The original bone material had been replaced by minerals, and the rusty hue came from the high iron content in the surrounding soil.
He’d seen dinosaur bones in museums, many times, and had been in awe of them as a kid.
The sheer size of the T. rex, towering like a deadly skyscraper in the Siebel Dinosaur Complex of the Museum of the Rockies.
The smaller but equally deadly velociraptor, pulsing with ghostly life like it was still about to attack.
The display cases holding smaller items, like a diplodocus claw and bird-like beak of the oviraptorosaurs, encased behind glass like jewels.
They’d all captivated him, but like animals in a zoo, their existence felt less real, less vital, less like the untamed life he could vividly imagine they once had.
Holding the bone in his hand, one that had been found within spitting distance—it was a surreal experience. “What are you going to do with them?” he said. “Is the state asking you to hand them over or anything?”
Luca shook his head. “Nah, they were found on private property, so technically they belong to the Kerwin family, but they didn’t have much interest in hanging on to them.
But I think I’ll probably get in touch with a museum or something.
They’re not doing much just sitting up there, and I’ve already shown my nieces and nephew, so… ”
“Do you mind hanging on to them a bit longer?” Seth said. He could already picture them—hopefully in a more complete set, if the dig was successful—as a display in the entrance of the park, reminding visitors why the park existed where it did.
“Sure,” said Luca. “But how come?”
“I’m investigating the feasibility of a business venture,” Seth said. “Something that would really put Tenacity on the map.”
Luca raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? Like what?”
“Like a theme park. Dino related. Something that would draw people to visiting Tenacity. Having these bones and maybe others on display would be kinda cool,” Seth said.
“And, where there’s a few bones, there are likely a few more.
I’m working with a…consultant, I guess. She’s a former paleontologist. I want to see about investigating the area a bit more thoroughly. ”
“Happy to take you there and show you exactly where we found everything,” Luca said. “I think some local residents have already combed the area clean hoping to find something else, but at least you can see the exact spot.”
Seth was pretty sure he knew where the discovery had taken place, but Luca was well-respected in the area.
It was his first time meeting the guy, but something about him was trustworthy, and there was nothing wrong with getting to know someone who had some pull in these parts a bit better, especially if he was going to have to convince the residents of Tenacity that his idea was going to benefit them in some way.
“Appreciate it,” said Seth. “Tomorrow good for you? Around noon?”
“I’ll see you there,” said Luca. “Park at the turnoff right before the fairgrounds.”
“Appreciate it,” Seth said, passing the bone back to Luca, who placed it back in the box with the others. “Thanks for letting me check those out.”
“So you’re a real dino guy or something?”
“I am. I’m also a real business guy. If I’m going to move forward with this project, I want to make sure it’s in the interest of the good folks of Tenacity.”
“It’s about time someone did that,” Luca said.
“I hope this upcoming election turns out well. That joker in office right now only cares about lining his own pockets, and those of his friends. If JenniLynn Garrett gets in, now there’s someone with a good vision for this place.
Or Graham Callahan. He’s cleaned up his image.
And Ellis Corey? Not much in the way of experience but comes from a family who has deep roots in this town.
I’d pick any of those three over our acting mayor, Marty Moore. ”
“I’ve heard some about him,” Seth said. “Nothing positive, I’ll tell you that much.” He pulled on his hat, then nodded to Luca. “Nice to meet you, man. And thanks again,” he said. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
A new mayor with an eye on growth. That was interesting.
He’d have to make a point to get to know whoever ended up winning.
Tenacity felt like a town that was on the cusp of something, a place where the past and future were about to collide.
He just hoped he could play a part in shaping which way that went.
* * *
“Now that,” said Daniel, wiping the corner of his mouth with a napkin, “is a burger. Sometimes I have to remind myself that our family does good work.”
“No doubt,” said Seth, after taking the last bite of his own.
He took a sip from his soda, and glanced around the Silver Spur Café, which was moderately quiet towards the end of the lunch rush.
“But explain to me why a local business wouldn’t support the smaller local ranches. Like Mike’s family’s business.”
“Some do,” said Daniel, dipping his last French fry in the ketchup puddle on his plate. “Like the Grizzly Bar. This place buys Taylor Beef. Helps with their overhead, I’m sure.”
Seth considered. It made sense, given that Tenacity residents were likely on the more cost-conscious side.
While the product being sold by Triple T was of high quality, the scale of production meant that they could offer it at a much better price than local providers.
It was something Seth knew Daniel was working on with the O’Connor family.
Their waitress approached the table. “Anything else I can get you two? Dessert? We’ve got an amazing chocolate mousse pie today.”
“Just the bill, please,” Seth said, waving away Daniel as he reached for his wallet. “You up for a walk?”
Daniel glanced at his watch. “I told Mike I’d be back in half an hour. So a quick one, sure.”
After paying the bill, Seth and his brother exited the warm diner to Central Avenue. The sun was out but the air carried no warmth, a reminder that winter’s heavy hand was poised to cover the landscape in white.
Seth surveyed the town’s businesses. Most of the storefronts were operational, but every four or five doors, a unit sat empty, waiting for a new occupant to serve the residents of Tenacity. Some might see failure, but Seth only saw potential.
“You’ve gone quiet. What are you thinking about?” Daniel said.
“Just imagining what this place could be,” said Seth. “It’s a great little town. Just needs some sprucing up.”
“Careful who you say that to,” Daniel said. “A lot of people around here are proud of this place, just as is.”
“I can’t imagine any of them would object to increased revenue for their businesses. More jobs. Better parks, sidewalks, public spaces.”
“Sure,” said Daniel. “But there’s always a compromise. More traffic. Environmental impacts. Change in the local culture.”
“You don’t think it’s a good idea?”
“I didn’t say that. I just think it’s a big idea.”
Seth considered. It was a big project. And he’d need his brother’s help to see it through. Or at least his affirmation that it had potential, given how much better he knew the area after spending so much time in Mike’s hometown.
“Anyway, I met with a paleontologist,” he said. “She’s the one who bought that ranch out on Five Point Road. We’re going tomorrow to see the site where the bones were found. She’s… She’s really smart. I’ll see what her sense is.”
He looked over at Daniel to find his brother giving him a knowing look. “Really smart, huh?” Daniel said. “Or is there another reason you seem distracted today?”
“You’re an idiot,” Seth said. His brother, as always, had a keen sixth sense for what was going on in his mind. “She didn’t seem too keen on it, actually. Or maybe I said something that rubbed her the wrong way.”
“Why are you so sure about that?”
“I don’t know. I guess because I’m Thaddeus Taylor’s son. It’s in my blood.”
“So am I. What are you trying to say?”
“Nothing,” Seth said. “Forget about it.”
“Anyway, there are lots of other experts in this state. If it’s not her, I’m sure you’ll find someone else.”
But Seth didn’t want anyone else. He wanted Andrea Spence.
He’d spent less than an hour of his life with the woman and had a nagging feeling that she was going to be instrumental in the project.
She was highly intelligent, there was no question about that.
But more than her smarts, the spark in her eyes when sharing her knowledge about paleontology told him that her fascination with prehistory mirrored his, in a way that felt like he could have more than just a consultant in her, but a partner.
“Just an idea at this point,” Seth said, but noticed that Daniel was waving at someone just down the street.
“Hey, Nina,” Daniel said.
“Nina,” said Seth. He’d met Nina once before, and knew that she was Luca’s sister.
Nina was engaged to Barrett Deroy Jr., whom he’d gotten to know recently through Mike.
Barrett was a good guy and had some influence around town.
Seth knew he was working to establish a fund meant to promote Tenacity’s growth, so he was another one he’d need to get on side with if the park had a chance of moving forward.
“I had lunch the other day with Tenacity’s newest resident,” Nina said, grinning. “She seems pretty great. She’s helping us with the auction fundraiser for the Holiday Hoedown. I told her Taylor Beef might be good for a donation.”
“Is that the woman who bought the ranch out on Five Point Road?” Daniel said.
Nina nodded. “Andrea Spence. She’s remodeling the ranch as a guesthouse. Not sure what her story is,” she said. “She was a little vague on the details when we asked what she used to do in Denver.”
Aha. So it wasn’t just him. It was a little strange how accomplished Andrea was in the field, and yet it seemed as though she wanted to keep all her professional achievements at arm’s length.
“Anyway, she seems great. And she’s a total babe!” Nina gave Seth a knowing grin, and Seth could feel Daniel’s satisfaction.
“Well, nice to see you, Nina,” Seth said. “Tell Barrett I’ll give him a call soon, get a drink or something.”
“Will do,” said Nina. “See you, Seth. See you, Daniel.”
“Now I remember her,” Daniel said, after Nina passed by. “We met at the Feed and Seed. I went in with Mike to get a replacement chain for his saw, and she was buying paint rollers. Not that she’s my type, but the woman really is a stunner.”
“Can’t a guy just be single in peace?” Seth said.
Daniel grinned and looked at his watch. “I’ve gotta run,” he said. “Thanks for lunch.”
Seth got in his car to make the drive back to Bronco, and as the engine warmed up, he opened a browser window on his phone and searched Andrea’s name again.
It felt a bit intrusive, but like any business venture, it was important for him to know the variables.
If Andrea agreed to help him—which was still an if, he knew, given her strange behavior—it was upon him to know who she was.
He scrolled through the first page, which listed some papers Andrea was involved in authoring, a write-up of an initiative she’d contributed to at the museum and an alumni profile from her university. All links he’d seen before. He executed a deep dive and something caught his eye.
“Settlement reached between Denver museum and former employee,” the headline read. Seth clicked on the link, and Andrea’s professional headshot filled the screen, along with that of a man with wavy brown hair and a smug, punch-me expression on his face.
Seth read on.
Paleontologist Andrea Spence has reached a settlement with the Colorado Institute of Natural History following a protracted legal battle.
Spence, who headed the museum’s dinosaur department, alleged sexual harassment by former director Dr. Harold Davies and subsequent wrongful termination after reporting the harassment.
The settlement was reached after a lengthy legal process.
Spence, who has since relocated, declined the museum’s offer of reinstatement.
The text swam in front of Seth’s eyes. Sexual harassment. A knot formed in his stomach. So that was the story behind Andrea’s distance. The fact that Harold Davies was gone, as Seth saw further down the article, was a small victory, but it didn’t lessen the impact of what she’d been through.
He tossed his phone on the passenger seat and put the car in Drive.
Andrea had agreed to go with him the next day, but their meeting now took on more weight. He’d have to tread carefully.