Page 23 of Disciplining Dana

“Which’ll make our job easier.”

Kurt frowned. “Dana. We’re not breaking in. We’re going to get permission.”

“I know, I know,” Dana grumbled. “I’m just… noting it.”

She and Kurt continued their examination until there was nothing left to see. The gate was anchored on each side to the main posts of the entrance, secured with heavy bolts and hardware that, while old, were clearly still in good condition. Dana used the flashlight on her cellphone to look beyond the obstacle, but there wasn’t much to see. The tunnel extended back, but where the light faded into black, nothing could be discerned. The only detail that struck her was that the dirt and dust on the tunnel floor hadn’t been disturbed by boot or shoe prints, which suggested no one had been beyond the gate in some time.

“Well?” Kurt asked quietly after several minutes’ inspection.

“I’ve seen what I came for. You?”

“Yep.”

“Okay, let’s go talk to Mr. Zenturio and convince him we need to look for our sapphires on the other side.”

They walked the short distance back into the gift shop, approaching Roman where he sat behind the counter.

“You found your sapphire already?” he asked looking up, sounding surprised.

“So, about that…” Dana splayed her hands on the countertop.

“Aww, you’re not giving up, are you?” Roman frowned.

“See, here’s the thing.” Reaching into her pocket, she came out with a business card. “We weren’t entirely truthful with you when we first came in. We’re not just guests. We’re from a company called McKerr-Dennison, and we represent a prospective client who’s looking to increase their footprint in the precious gems market.” She laid the card down on the counter in front of him.

Roman glanced at it, his brow furrowing. “Uh… okay?”

“Specifically, sapphires,” Kurt added.

Roman looked up slowly, recognition pulling his eyes wide. “Oh.”

“Yes, sir.” Dana smiled warmly. “Are you familiar with the gem market?”

“No, ma’am,” he replied. “Honestly, I just run the operation here. I’m betting both of you are probably aware this isn’t a real mine. This is simply for the guests to have a little fun and come away with something nice to remember it by. I’m not a trained gemologist or lapidarist.”

Dana snapped a glance at Kurt. “The fact you know both those words, Mr. Zenturio,” she said looking back at Roman, “suggests you’re a bit more knowledgeable than you’re letting on.”

He laughed. “Just enough to be dangerous, ma’am.”

“Fair enough.” Dana took a deep breath. “I’m going to lay my cards on the table here. We were sent to ascertain whether there might still be a viable deposit of sapphires in the mine. I’m sure you realize we’re aware how you run this attraction”—she waved her hand back toward the Exploration Zone—“but we need to find out if there’s a chance there might still be a lode of commercial-grade gems inside. To do that we need to get deeper into the mine. To do a survey.”

“A survey?”

“Yes, sir. What we call a walk-over assessment.”

Roman blew out a long breath. “So…. you want me to let you into the mine? The actual mine.”

“Yes. Beyond that security gate you’ve got back there.” Dana pointed back into the other room.

“Umm…” Roman ran a hand along the side of his head. “Listen, this all sounds very intriguing, and I’d love to help, but I’m not the right person to ask for permission. A decision like that would have to come from Master Derek.”

“Master Derek?” Kurt said.

“Yeah, Derek Hawkins,” Roman replied. “The owner of Rawhide Ranch.”

“Can you put us in touch with Mr. Hawkins?” Dana asked quietly.

Roman nodded. “I can try. Hold on.”

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