Chapter 26
The next morningIan worked on the plane, with the mayor giving useless advice from his perch on an overturned crate. Piper arrived waving a piece of paper just as he was taking a break from the recalcitrant engine that refused to turn over today.
Matt took the paper from Piper, read it with a creased brow and handed in to Ian.
It was from the State of Mississippi and mentioned a surveyor coming out the next week to take clay samples to compare to the ones they'd already received. It's now clear that the digging he'd found outside had been done by Jason. But why?
"Why would Jason send clay samples to the state?" he asked. "Is there any kind of value in it?"
"There's a pottery down the road from here that's been in business for quite a while. The pottery is pretty well known in this part of the country. And I think it's been displayed in museums in various parts of the country. But I can't imagine why the state would be interested in the clay here." Piper said.
"I can't believe the boy went sneaking around digging and sending samples to the State without saying a word." Matt exclaimed. "Who does he thing he is meddling in my business?"
Piper put her hand on his arm. "Now, Daddy. Heisfamily."
Ian wondered what that had to do with the whole situation.
"I don't care if he is." Matt blustered. "This is my land and he has no business doing what ever it is he thinks he's doing."
Ham raised his head from his paws and looked toward the barn door. Ian caught the movement and looked that way, too. Was the dog hearing someone outside? He sidled discreetly in that direction to see.
"Ian? Where are you going?" Piper inquired.
He glanced back at her. "I think Ham heard something outside. It may be nothing, but the two of you stay alert while I go take a look around."
Ian paced around the perimeter of the barn as he looked for any indication that someone had been, or still was, out here. After a moment, Ham joined him. The two made a full circuit of the area and found nothing. Ian looked at the dog. "You heard someone out here, didn’t you? But you didn't run out here barking. Some guard dog you are."
Ham gave him a disgusted look and went back into the barn. When Ian entered, he shook his head in answer to their silent question.
