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"What do we do with our time off?" Jessica asked. "If it's going to be a couple of days before we hear from the lawyers." "We need go get back to the farm," Alex said. "Make sure nobody's dug up that gold. And get some security in place." "Good idea," Jessica said. "It's been a couple of weeks. The neighbors should alert us if anyone is fooling around there but there's no point in taking chances. Want to go tomorrow?" "Yeah. Let's just hang out the rest of the day."
They walked along the fence, looking for signs of digging. There was evidence where Alex had dug up the canister earlier but it was faint, the grass having grown back. "If we didn't know it was there," Jessica said, "we wouldn't think anything of it. Everything else looks normal." "We'll have to figure out a place to store it when we do dig it up," Alex said. "Maybe build a big safe in the new house. What do we need for security - cameras at the house?" "Something to let us see who comes and goes," Jessica replied. "Vehicles have to come in by the driveway, we could have cameras covering this area in case anyone drives out here." "Anyone you know in the business?" "Just the security company B&H used. They did the alarms and surveillance system. I forgot the name, I guess Doug will know. Or Alysin." "I can call Doug and ask. These trees need work. Know an arborist or whatever they call them?" "There are several in Jonesbro," Jessica replied. "These poplars got out of control while you were away." What'd I do? Yeah, the roots. Knots where the little trees got cut off by the mowers. Used to dig them out. "The tools should be in the shop," Jessica said when he mentioned. "I remember watching you do it sometimes. "It should be raining regularly soon and the ground will be soft enough to dig." Inside the shop he found them. A fire axe and hatchet, the red paint worn away in places, the fiberglass handles wrapped with friction tape. He lifted the axe and almost dropped it, not expecting the weight. Be a while before I'm swinging this thing again. The hatchet weighed less than half as much and was easier to handle. He put it back on the bench - it was going to be a while before he used it. "If Henry is good with keeping it mowed," Alex said, "we might as well have him do it. I don't know what we'll eventually do with it." "He seemed OK with it," Jessica replied. "If you want it to be long-term it would be a good idea to let him know. And we need to pay him or whoever he got to do it. It looks like it was mowed again recently." "You know where he lives?" Alex asked. "Up the road, I think. He came from that way. I'll see if I can locate him and get in touch. When whoever we get to do the security cameras comes out we can go see Henry." "Sounds good. After a walk around the perimeter they returned to the house and sat on he back porch of the house and talked for a while before returning home. "When do you want to move into your new house?" Jessica asked. "Haven't thought about it," Alex replied. "Busy as we've been. I guess this would be a good time to start. Probaby we need to get out and look at it, see Scott and Michelle." "Neither have I," Jessica said. "I haven't even had the utilities turned on. I should have already gotten insurance on it, I forgot that too. Your half million dollar house is sitting there uninsured. Tomorrow morning let's start getting that done." "Probably a good idea," said Alex. "I would like to get moved out there, out of that rental. So we got a plan. Want to get some pizza or something?" "In or out?" Jessica asked. "There are a couple of DiGiornos in the freezer." "Sounds good. We can bypass town, miss the traffic."
"Want a beer or something harder?" Jessica asked. Jessica set the pizza on the counter and turned on the oven. She opened the refrigerator again. "Want a beer or something hard?" she asked. "I believe I'll have some more of that Wild Turkey," Alex replied. "Since we seem to be pretty well off might as well enjoy it. Hand me a glass of ice and I'll fix it. Want some wine?" "Some Arbor," Jessica said. "Pick a flavor that goes with pizza." Alex went over to the bar andpoured three fingers of 101 Rye into the glass and added five of Coke, then opened the fridge. Lessee, what goes with Red Baron three meat? What's the clear one? He poured a glass from the mango strawberry bottle and took the glasses to the table. He went back into the kitchen where Jessica was watching the pizza. "Another two minutes," she said. "You had it worked out - preheat to 375 and six minutes. I still peek to be sure." She opened the oven door halfway and looked. "I'll get some plates," Alex said. Suddenly he felt awkward, something he never felt when they were alone together. What's up? Something... Jessica set the pizza on the table and sat down. "Everything OK?" she asked. She doesn't miss a thing. What am I missing? "I don't know," Alex replied. "I had a weird feeling just now, don't know why." "Thinking about what we're about to do?" "Yeah, probably. Like it's about to get real as they say." "I get it," Jessica said. "Harry knows what he's doing, knows people, the right people. He'll let us know if there's likely to be any danger." "We both need to be carrying any time we go out," Alex said. "Even around the house." "You think... yeah, I get it." I shouldn't have gotten us into this. Sensing his mood Jessica said "We're doing the right thing." "Yeah." Say it like I believe it.
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