They did, and the object soon came into view.

 

A metal box.

 

It was heavily stained and one side was partially crumpled, but it was still

intact. Whatever was inside was not visible.

 

For that Puller breathed a silent prayer of thanks.

 

The box was loaded into the back of a waiting van. It pulled off while the team

continued to process the scene.

 

Puller watched them for a bit and then he turned and looked at his brother. “You

ready to go?” he asked. “In a bit.” Robert walked around the area for a few

minutes, seemingly taking in everything about the patch of ground that might

have constituted the resting place of their mother for the last three decades.

Puller followed his every move with his eyes.

 

Rogers finally came over to him, rubbing the back of his head. “I’m…I’m sorry,

Puller.” “You had nothing to do with this.” “But if she hadn’t seen what I was

doing.” “I don’t blame you. As far as I’m concerned, next to my mother you’re

the most blameless person in the whole thing.” Rogers turned and walked over and

stood next to Knox. She started quietly talking to him.