Annie raised both hands. “Please. One at a time. First of all, I’m the one who found the bone.” She couldn’t bring herself to say “the skull.” “And, yes, there are some legal protocols that have to be observed before we can finish up construction. But things are moving along, and we don’t see this as a problem. We still plan to open Memorial Day weekend.”

“The guy on the video says the thing is human.”

What guy? What video? Annie shifted again. She tucked her hair behind her ears. “It’s true. And it looks as if it’s ancient, but they’re testing it to be sure. Chances are, it’s from an old shipwreck.” She had no idea where that last idea had come from, but she thought it sounded plausible.

“Unless it’s the guy’s father,” Marty said. “Like he said it might be.”

The guy’s father? Was he talking about Jonas’s father—Derek Flanagan? Good Lord, Annie thought. Had Jonas shot a video? Was he as concerned as Kevin was that the skull might have been from that sailboat accident over twenty years ago? Cautiously, Annie said, “I haven’t heard that bit of ugly gossip. But there’s no basis for it. None at all.” She stopped herself from adding that she sometimes hated the internet and its opportunities to mislead while hiding under an umbrella of dispensing information.

“What if it’s one of my people?” Greg, the dark-haired one asked.

Wampanoag, Annie thought, and her stomach clenched. “We’ll know its history soon enough. And, please, be assured that every necessary step will be taken. If the archeologist determines that the bone is Native American, it will be turned over to the tribe.”

“What if there are more?”

“Believe me, the local and state police have scoured the area. To our knowledge, they haven’t found any more . . . fragments.”

Marty set her eyes squarely on Annie’s. “How long until you have the results?”

“Not long. But we’re prepared.”

“They might determine this is sacred ground,” Greg said. “Are you prepared for that?”