The Other Crowd

by Alex Archer

  “Magic mushrooms?”

  “You have to know which ones are the right ones because the wrong one will kill you.”

  “You indulge in mushroom-eating often?”

  “Not a once. Though some of the ladies were giggling mightily the other night on the way to the pub after-hours. I had to wonder if their noontime gambol through the woods had netted more than just a few ticks.”

  He smirked and took the wet cloth from her to press against his bare shoulder. “So you’ve come all the way from America to investigate? Doesn’t feel right.”

  “I’m not here on an official policelike means. We reporters go anywhere the stories are, most especially on our show.” A show that chased monsters like Frankenstein and Dracula and the bat boy. “Have the authorities done a search?”

  “Sure, the gardai took a look about. They’re a couple of good blokes. Took names and asked all the right questions, but what can they do when people disappear into thin air?”

  “Thin air is a remarkable statement. Did anyone actually see them disappear?”

  “Nope, happened at night.”

  “At night? You work at night?”

  “No, we head for the village come suppertime, which is right about now. Though some stay until the sun sets. Night is when ‘the other crowd’ most likely will come out.”

  Annja winced. Seriously? Did grown men believe that tiny people with wings existed? Though her research told that the faeries of Ireland were originally human-size. It wasn’t until they’d been defeated by mortal warriors that they’d glamorized their shapes smaller and retreated underground for safety.

  If a person bought into the whole faerie thing.

  Wesley licked his cracked, swollen lip. Stubble lined his jaw and upper lip. A young female in tight T-shirt and shorts wandered up and offered him a pair of black-rimmed sunglasses, which he accepted with a grateful nod.

  “I know what you’re thinking,” he said, “And I won’t elaborate, because you won’t believe it. You’ll have to learn for yourself.”

  She appreciated his respect for her skepticism. But that she didn’t detect a hint of tease in his tone troubled her.

  “So have all three disappeared from your dig?” she asked. “Not the other?”

  “One from our camp, two from the enemy camp.”

  That was interesting. And it almost ruled out dirty dealings from the other camp. If they’d had two disappear.

  “The enemy camp, eh?”

  “I know it’s not subtle, but ‘camp one’ or ‘two’ is mundane.”

  “Michael Slater must be the director of that one,” Annja said. Wesley nodded. “He doesn’t strike me as an archaeologist,” she said.

  “He’s not. Can’t be. Hell, I have no clue what he is, but I haven’t seen him lift a trowel yet. He just paces their stretch of bog, eyes keen to his surroundings.”

  “So you two don’t get along? Aren’t you both working toward the same end?”

  “I thought so. But I’m not so sure anymore. The bloke won’t provide any information on what they find, nor will they allow my people to cross that imaginary line they’ve drawn in the grass.”

  “What is the end goal? My producer mentioned something about a spear shard. Doesn’t seem like much to go on. Certainly no reason to stretch out the dig into two separate camps. What time period are you dealing with?”

  “The spear shard is only seventeenth or eighteenth century. I haven’t had it radiocarbon-dated yet, but it’s a good guess. Initial excitement spread rumors that it was the spear of Lugh,” Wesley said. “I think it was the farmer whose land we’re squatting on was responsible for that. Legend says Lugh’s spear is one of four gifts the goddess Danu granted the Tuatha Dé Danaan. The spear always makes a kill when thrown, and returns to the thrower’s hand. If it doesn’t find its target, it kills the thrower.”

  “Not something I’d ever want to test.”

  “Come on, Annja, where’s your sense of adventure? I know you’ve got it. You’re the real thing, aren’t you? You like to dig for the truth.”

  “And what is the truth here?”

  “Nothing spectacular. Like I said, the shard is only a few centuries old, and was found too near the surface. Since arriving three weeks ago, we’ve only uncovered some tin pieces and pottery shards that date to the nineteenth century. I’m going to have the soil tested. There was a lot going on in Ireland mid-nineteenth century.”

  “You mean the potato famine?”

  “Indeed. I think we’ve uncovered a homestead from the period. Well, there was an obvious stone wall jutting about a foot out of the earth. The farmer had been dismantling it over the years, using the stones to plug up holes in his yard dug by a dog. No bodies, though, which is either a damned blessing or a strange misnomer. Lots of people perished during the famine. Unless this homestead was abandoned, I’d expect to find bones.”

  “Could have been buried in a mass grave closer to a village,” Annja said.

  “True.”

  “Why the secrecy from the other camp?” Annja asked. “And what prompted the other camp at all? Daniel said it’s been a few weeks since the split?”

  “Like I said, Neville has taken over the reins from my employer, NewWorld. I haven’t received any information from them since about a week after my arrival. And I have called and left messages.”

  “NewWorld being the overseeing company?”

  “It’s a relatively new outfit. I think they’re getting their bearings. That’s why it was so easy for Neville to sneak in. And Slater treats me as if he has to tolerate my presence.”

  “So officially you’re working for whom?”

  “NewWorld.”

  “So the digs are managed by two separate companies?”

  “Far as I know. Haven’t a clue what Neville’s outfit is called.”

  “That’s out of the ordinary. You know this Neville guy?”

  “Frank Neville. Never met him, and don’t think I want to. I’m just here to do a job and report my findings. So long as Slater keeps his gun in the holster we’ll all be fine.”

  “He was waving it around? He wasn’t wearing it just now.”

  “Handed it to a buddy before we got in the scuffle. He was shooting coots. Idiot. It scared the women on my crew something fierce. This job doesn’t pay well, as you should know. It’s not worth the angst of having to endure a loose cannon.”

  “It certainly isn’t. You have any theories on the disappearances beyond…well…?” Faeries.

  “Nope. Haven’t had time to think about it much. I know that sounds callous. I’m losing crew and I don’t know how much longer before Slater scares them all off. Someone goes missing, or decides this work isn’t for them, and leaves without warning, I just gotta let it go.”

  “You think any of the three wandered off because they didn’t like the work?”

  “Possible.”

  “What were the two men’s names?”

  “Brian Ford, he was from Kansas. I’ve worked on a dig previously with him in Africa. He’s a curious sort, but easily distracted. If he hooked up with a looker one night in Cork, well, yes, he could have just wandered off without notice. The other guy is Richard something-or-other. Didn’t know him. He joined us the day the camps split and ended up on the enemy side, so I didn’t get to know him at all.”

  “Did you ask around Ballybeag for Brian?”

  “Annja, I said I’ve been busy.”

  His lack of concern disturbed her. Had he reneged all responsibility for his crew when the sites had split? He didn’t seem like a man to do so. And could frustration be a reason for lack of interest? Doubtful.

  If Wesley had something to do with the disappearances he would be less concerned than if he had not, she thought.

  “I’ll want to poke about the other camp, as well.”

  “I’d watch your back around Slater. He’s tough, coiled tight as a spring. He’s no bone kicker. Looks like some kind of corporate thug hired to keep the l
essers in line, if you ask me. I don’t like him one bit.”

  “So he was the one to physically ensure the camps split?”

  “Yep, packed our tent and supplies up one night. Next morning we arrive over at the bog, only to find our stuff sitting over here. Thinks he’s going to get to the prize before we do and then he’ll hand it over to Neville.”

  “What could the prize possibly be if the spear of Lugh has been ruled out?”

  “Fungus.” Wesley chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t know, Annja. What I do know is that Slater charged in two weeks ago all generous and ‘let’s find the treasure,’ ensuring me I had the financing to hire a few more hands. But since he’s added the additional camp, he’s no longer providing for our side. I’ve had to scramble for funds to keep it going.”

  “Why continue without the support?”

  He turned a look on her that Annja knew she had given many a doubter over the years. She answered her own question before he could. “Because something could be there.”

  “You never know what will turn up from the depths of history. And if someone wanted so desperately in on the other dig, then there must be something worth finding, eh?”

  “Exactly.”

  “What’s your focus, Annja? You spend any amount of time in the field when you’re not filming?”

  “Whenever I get the chance. Medieval studies are my specialty, but I’d never pass up a chance to help on a dig. Can you use an extra hand?”

  “Hell, yes. You won’t be too busy with the television show?”

  “I won’t get in your way. Just want to dig about a bit, get my hands dirty. And yes, I’ll be filming segments. Okay, here’s the truth. My producer wants me to track faeries.”

  “Seems to be the consensus on the disappearances.” Wesley shrugged. “Be difficult getting the other crowd on film.”

  Could someone please be on her skeptical side? she thought. “I’m sure. But maybe I can help solve the disappearances. If someone is kidnapping people who are generous enough to volunteer their time for such grueling digs, I want to find out who that someone is.”

  “I like you, Annja. You’re a flash of sunlight on this sorry camp. If it’s not the weather giving us headaches it’s Slater. You want me to show you around?”

  “I’d love that—”

  Shouting from across the way alerted Annja. Slater was stabbing a finger into Eric’s chest. Eric had wandered too close to the enemy line.

  5

  Daniel had wandered off somewhere. A sweep of the camp’s periphery did not reveal the eccentric plaid-clad Irishman. Wouldn’t a guide have explained the lay of the land to Eric? That he probably shouldn’t wander onto the other camp, which was headed by a pistol-packing director? On the other hand, Annja was already taking sides and she hadn’t begun to learn the real facts. It wasn’t like her to make off-the-cuff judgments.

  She insinuated herself between Eric and Michael Slater, and asked Slater, “Now what? Your bloodthirst not satisfied yet?”

  Slater stepped back and smirked a slimy grin. Wesley was right; he did look too polished to be an archaeologist. And a bit too much with the angry, tight neck muscles.

  “You have no fear, do you,” he countered, “stepping in the middle of a confrontation like that?”

  “I doubt it was a mutual confrontation. Are you okay, Eric?”

  “No problem,” he said. He clutched the camera to his chest and didn’t look fine. His face was flushed as red as his hair.

  “Don’t worry, he’s a trooper,” Slater said. “I was just blustering with him. Seems you’re the lady in charge, so I best direct my concerns toward you. No cameras on the grounds,” Slater barked. “You were not granted permission to film here.”

  “Mr. Pierce already gave me approval,” Annja said. “Don’t tell me the two camps are like two separate countries. Do I need a visa to access your dig?”

  Slapping a palm over the gun holster, not as a means to pull it on her but perhaps just a security reassurance, Slater shook his head.

  “Does Frank Neville have say over Pierce’s camp?” she challenged.

  Slater crossed his arms high across his chest. “How do you know Neville?”

  “I don’t, but I’m learning more and more each minute. Like the camp was split right after Mr. Neville’s men showed up.” Aware Eric was filming over her shoulder, she raised a hand and blocked his view. “Take a break, Eric. This isn’t necessary for the show.”

  “But it shows the volatile mood on the dig,” he protested. “A mood probably created by the presence of the otherworldly.”

  Slater’s brows waggled. He smirked and spat to the side. “Lookin’ for faeries, then, are you?”

  “No. Erm…” This assignment was so lacking in credibility. But she’d never let that stop her before, or make her look bad. “I’m here to investigate the disappearances.”

  “That’d be the fair folk,” Slater offered. “Good luck with that.”

  He turned and stomped off, delivering her a smirking sneer over his shoulder.

  “Good luck with that,” she mocked at his back. “This is hopeless, Eric. No one will take me seriously if they think I’m tracking faeries.”

  “You won’t be saying that when we have them on film. I can feel the eerie mystical presence in the air.” He scanned his camera around to her face.

  “Can you?” She sighed. “Good for you, Eric. The land is steeped in the mystical. I guess I need to relax and let it take hold of me, too.”

  “Want to do the introduction now?”

  “Save it. I want to walk the area with Wesley and see what’s what.”

  “I’ll be right behind you.”

  “No, you are not my shadow—at least, not right now. You can film the countryside and get some pretty shots of the green rolling hills. The sunset is really enhancing the vivid greens and the sky as amazing. That’ll look great on film. Then skip down to the river and scan for mermaids if the mood takes you. But I don’t need you until I need you. Got that?”

  He tilted his head aside from the viewfinder to eye her. “You see? There is an aggressive mood hanging over us all.”

  She opened her mouth to protest, but thought better of it. Annja stalked off, wondering if there was something to what Eric had said. When normal people became aware of danger such as a gun-wielding dig director, they went on guard without realizing it. It was simply an innate reaction to the feeling of uncertainty. Who wanted to work a dig with that kind of menace in the air?

  No matter. She shouldn’t allow the volatile mood to creep into her psyche so easily, and would not.

  A fine mist veiled the camp, dulling the air, but not Annja’s determined attitude. Surely, if faeries did exist, they would be here in bonny Éire. The green was so intense it hurt her eyes. Rolling soft grass, untouched by dig tools or rut-forming tires, undulated up a distant hill and was topped by a scatter of scraggly pine trees.

  Breathing deeply, she concentrated on centering herself. She had let anxiety get the better of her. A deep inhale scented salty and fresh, mixed with earth and gasoline fumes.

  “Petrol,” she muttered, correcting her language for the country.

  “This way.” Daniel appeared, muddy fedora tilted to shadow his eyes. “I’ll show you about the camp. You’ve already met both dig directors.”

  “Yes, and Wesley offered to show me around.”

  “He’s nursing his wounds and letting the females fuss over him. This won’t take long. You’ve seen most of the layout already.”

  His footsteps were fun to follow. Toes pointed forty-five degrees outward, Annja tried to fit her steps into his prints in the drying mud but her balance wavered from the task.

  The sight of a little old lady in her peripheral view intrigued her. One was never too old to work a dig as long as they were eager. But Annja suspected perhaps the woman was a local who brought food to the crews, which was always a blessing when that happened.

  She caught up to Daniel’
s long strides. “Who is that?”

  “Ah? Me mum. She visits digs on occasion. We get a lot in the area. Wanders the countryside and riverbank endlessly. Always looking for geegaws and collectibles, she is.”

  “Collectibles? But whatever is dug up on-site is an artifact. She doesn’t try to buy things from the dig, does she?”

  “Buy? Oh, no. You’d be amazed what an apple pie and a string of fresh blood sausage can get you.”

  “You’re kidding me.”

  “It’s how I learned to barter, watching me mum. She’s an avid collector. Her cottage is filled overflowing with all sorts of things. You’ll have to pay her a visit while you’re here.”

  “I think I’d like that.” The idea of the old woman bartering for things found on digs—items that should normally belong to the landowner or government—stirred Annja’s curiosity. And her sense for protecting history.

  “She’d be pleased if you would stop in for supper one night. I’ll arrange it, then.”

  “So you have an interest in archaeology, Daniel?”

  “Nope.”

  “But you know the dig directors?”

  “Yep.”

  “What about this Neville guy?”

  “Frank Neville. He’s an…acquaintance. I met him a few years ago and traded him a bottle of Lafite.”

  Eric had referred to wine as being Daniel’s passion.

  Bartering was a way of life for some people. They lived off the land, didn’t consume anything that could not be recycled and basically existed off the electronic grid. She suspected Daniel was the sort, and perhaps got by on very little, save for what he obviously bartered for.

  “I know everyone in the area and most of West Cork, too, it seems,” he said. “Hear they believe they found some kind of faerie spear on this particular dig.”

  “Allegedly. The spear of Lugh. It’s connected to the Tuatha Dé Danaan.”

  “The tribe of the goddess Danu. I know the story. Don’t know much about the spear.”

  “One of four magical gifts brought by the Danaan from four island cities of Tír na nÓg. It’s supposed to never miss its target and always return to the hand that threw it.”