Page 96 of Red Hawk's Woman

The other piece might be here too, she thought, lying close by to where she’d found this one. So she continued digging, reminding herself to go carefully, slowly.

Minutes later she hit something that made the same sort of sound. Was this it, then? Was she to have all four artifacts on her person? Could she be the cause to end the curse? Could it happen this morning?

Again, she scolded herself. “Don’t use any more metal on it. Be gentle, yet thorough. Brush the dirt away.”

One slow stroke after another, whatever this was, it was going to be pulled from the ground. She did so with care, taking the piece into her hand.

This was it! It was the missing piece.

She had done it. She felt like screaming, like running out of the cave to find Red Hawk and show him this morning’s bounty. In fact, that was exactly what she was going to do.

Getting to her feet, she twirled around and around with glee, as though she danced on a stage instead of being in a trench. “I’ve done it!” she said to the air around her. “I have all four artifacts!”

“You should say had when you say that.”

Oh no. It was that horrible, gritty voice again. She would never forget it. Fearing what she would see when she gazed upward, yet knowing she had to, she looked up toward the top of the dig.

It was the man in black, and this time, he had a pistol pointed directly at her.

“I’ll take those artifacts now,” said the man, gesturing toward her hands, where she still held the nuggets. “Pass them up to me.”

When she didn’t instantly comply, the man said in that terrible voice, “Pass them to me now, or I will shoot you.”

It occurred to her that she could extinguish the light, at which time no one would be able to see. They would then be on equal footing.

However, the man might shoot first and think later. And he might accidentally blast one of the artifacts.

“Hurry.”

“Yes, yes,” said Effie. “I am coming with it.”

“Now!”

“Yes, all right.” With one artifact held in her hand, Effie stretched up her arm. The man reached down, and as soon as he grasped hold of the thing, Effie pulled with all her might. Never in her wildest dreams had she thought she might be successful.

But she was.

The man fell into the pit, and Effie, knowing exactly where the shovel was, took it in hand and hit her assailant on the head.

At once, the man sank back on the ground.

Breathing out on a sigh, Effie realized she would have to tie him up. When he awoke, he could cause trouble again.

After grabbing hold of some rope that sat next to her, Effie tied the man’s hands and legs. Then she impatiently hauled off her assailant’s black mask.

Immediately, long, ginger-colored hair spilled forth. No! Not her!

“Madeline?” How could this be? Gentle Madeline? Sweet Madeline? But it was Madeline nonetheless. Madeline, who had tried to kill her three times.

As though the sound of her name awakened her, Madeline opened her eyes, only to find her hands and feet tied.

She let out a scream.

“Shut up,” said Effie, “or I’ll have to gag you too.”

“You won’t get away with it, you know.”

“Away with what?” asked Effie.