Monty waited until she hung up. Then he called his captain to find out if Burke had heard that news report—and if there was any possibility that some of the hands and feet found in the packages had been in salt water and had been shipped from Toland.

To: Simon Wolfgard

Four of the six bison released at the River Road Community have been killed. We found two carcasses well away from the houses. Scavengers were feasting when we arrived, but whatever attacked the bison must have been very big and very hungry to have consumed so much of the animals in such a short time.

The other two carcasses were left at the Talulah Falls’ town line. I know this because one of the terra indigene leaders called me to say the meat was appreciated. While talking to him, I had the feeling that the terra indigene who were sent to take control of the Falls are tired of dealing with humans and want to return home—or at least go to some other place that has minimal contact with humans. Another feeling from that conversation: if the humans who have the training necessary to run things like the hydroelectric plant and any other businesses that can’t be left unattended choose to stay, the terra indigene would allow the rest of the humans to leave town.

Like I said, this is just a feeling, but it’s the first time the Others have initiated contact with anyone in Ferryman’s Landing since the Falls was locked down a few months ago.

The Hawks and Crows are looking for the other two bison. We’ll let you know when we find them.

I’m pretty sure Ming Beargard knows what killed the bison, but I think he’s afraid to say. Is it safe for my people to be working at the River Road Community?

—Steve Ferryman

To: Steve Ferryman

Your people should be safe, but, for now, Ming or some other terra indigene should be with the Intuits if they need to go beyond the houses to look at the land we want to set aside for pasture and crops. The Others who live in the wild country are curious about what we’re doing at the River Road Community. They are observers.

We have decided that bison are too dangerous to live in a Courtyard, and it seems like providing wild meat to the terra indigene in Talulah Falls will help all of us. We have enough room to store the meat from one bison. Ask Jerry Sledgeman to bring his livestock truck and take the other four bison to Talulah Falls. That will be plenty of meat for everyone.

—Simon Wolfgard

To: Stavros Sanguinati

Have tried to contact you several times. I’m concerned about the rumors that the terra indigene have been driven out of the Toland Courtyard. Please contact me at your earliest convenience.

—Greg O’Sullivan, Investigative Task Force

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 23

Cel-Romano