CHAPTER 48
Havre, MT
Gideon stood in the guard tower watching the men scurry around below him. Lights glared across the space, making it look like a movie set. Although Gideon hadn’t slept, he felt energized.
“All these little men, running around like ants,” he murmured. They were close. He could almost feel it. Finally after all this time, it would end.
“Did you say something, sir?” the guard on the other side of the tower asked.
Gideon sighed. “No, officer. Why don’t you go take a break?”
The man turned around to face Gideon. “Sir, I’m not allowed to…”
He trailed off as Gideon fixed him with a stare. “Sure, sir. I could use a break.” The guard quickly opened the trap door in the floor and descended down the ladder.
“Close the door,” Gideon ordered.
“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.” The man reached back through for the top of the trap door and pulled it shut behind him.
Gideon turned his attention back to the dig site. He breathed in deep. He liked it up here in the tower. The stink of unwashed bodies didn’t rise this high. All he could smell was the crisp, mountain air.
He cast his eyes on the mountains in the distance. He had to admit, the Children had picked an incredible spot to bury the stone. They always did appreciate beauty. He’d gone out to the site in Turkey once he’d heard about the discovery there. That site was barren in comparison to this majestic location. Of course, back when Gobekli Tepe had been created, it had been lush. A veritable Garden of Eden, he though wryly.
If he’d gotten to the Turkish site sooner, maybe he would already have a Belial Stone. He’d heard about it only after the German team had taken control of the site. He could have wormed his way in at that point, but the site was too well known.
But it had inspired him. He knew it would only be a matter of time before another site would emerge. He’d heard rumors, eons ago, that a group of the Children had landed in the Northwest of the Americas. Gideon had inserted himself with powerful people in Oregon, Washington, the Dakotas and, of course, Montana.
He knew, though, down deep, that it would be Montana. He smiled. And Kensington was such a controllable puppet, with endless resources. Kensington’s tunnel vision on gaining power had blinded him to the real danger that was only an arm’s length away.
Gideon glanced quickly down at the site. He thought someone had called his name. He shook his head at his fancy. It was if the stones were calling to him to be found. And he would not disappoint them.