“We’ve been unable to find any record of this graveyard,” Donovan said. “That made it a little difficult to locate the remaining graves.”

“Then how was that accomplished?”

“The FBI has several ways of searching for clandestine graves. Sometimes we find depressions created when the ground settles—these graves were too old for that. We can use thermal imaging to detect the heat from decomposing bodies—but again, these are too old. Sometimes we can use ground-penetrating radar, but the soil around here is just too rocky. In this case we sought the assistance of a forensic detection dog— sometimes referred to as a cadaver dog.”

“They can detect graves this old?”

“Fortunately for us, yes. Every little red flag you see behind me marks a grave, and every one of them was found by a cadaver dog just last night.”

Decker looked at the yellow crime scene tape that surrounded the entire graveyard. “Any chance of letting us in to get some close-up shots?”

“What’s the matter, Mr. Decker? Can’t WRTL afford a telephoto lens? Sorry—the entire area is considered a crime scene until we determine otherwise. That means it’s off-limits to all unofficial personnel. We can’t have people trampling over possible forensic evidence.”

“Just one quick shot?”

Donovan looked at the group and smiled. “Perhaps I should remind you all that crossing our crime scene tape would be a violation of federal law. I’m sure none of you need that reminder, but you might want to pass it on to some of your less scrupulous colleagues.”

“What does Senator Braden think about all this?” another reporter asked.

“I have no idea. You’ll have to ask him that yourself.”

“This land belongs to him. The Patriot Center is his project.”

“Yes, and I’m sure he’s thinking what any other developer would be thinking right now: Where did I put that checkbook?”

Decker waited for the laughter to die down. “This land has been in the senator’s family for generations—isn’t that true?”

“That’s my understanding, yes.”

“But you don’t believe there’s any connection between these bodies and the senator himself.”

“None that I know of.”

Decker paused. “Did he tell you to say that?”

Donovan looked at him; there was no change in his expression, but there was a definite intensity in his gaze. “No one tells me to say anything.” He broke eye contact and turned to the rest of the group. “Are there any other questions?”

No one spoke up.