Read Online Blind Fury by Linda I. Shands - Free Book Online

Tribe.”
    â€œI see that.” Kara scanned the pages. “But what I don’t get is how Ishi’s brain got to the Smithsonian Institution in the first place.”
    Tia scrolled to page two of the report. “Remember Theodora Kroeber, the lady who wrote that book?”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œIt says here that her husband was the head anthropologist at the University of California when Ishi was found. He’s the one who sent Ishi’s brain to the Smithsonian in 1917. Eewww, gross! They lost it or packed it away or something. Now they’re going to send it back.”
    â€œCorrection. Look at the date on this, Tia. Page one. They already sent it back.”
    Tia scrolled back to the beginning of the report. “April 1999. Wow. Last year! You’re right, that means it should be a done deal. Ishi’s brain and the rest of him are probably reburied by now.
    â€œThis is too cool. Am I going to get an A on this project, or what?” Tia jumped to her feet and grabbed the papers Kara had stacked on the end of her bed.
    â€œAnne’s got to see this. Do you think she’s still in the kitchen? I could use another piece of Greg’s birthday cake.”
    Kara laughed. “Tia, you’re amazing. How can you eat so many sweets and not get sick? Chocolate before bed gives me weird dreams.”
    Tia grinned. “Mom says I’ve got a great metabolism. Pops says I was born with an iron gut—whatever that’s supposed to mean. Either way, I’m not complaining.”
    â€œAll right. But I’ll get the cake. Anne is in the family room, and we’re not supposed to disturb her unless it’s really important.”
    â€œHow can you say this isn’t important? They’re your ancestors!”
    â€œAnd most of them have been dead for nearly a hundred years,” Kara said as she threw an arm around her friend’s shoulder and led her to the bedroom door. “If you want cake, we’d better get it now. Your dad will be here in ten minutes.”
    Kara had a glass of milk, while Tia polished off a huge slice of birthday cake. When a horn honked in the driveway, she walked her friend to the porch and waved good-bye. She watched until the taillights on Tia’s father’s pickup disappeared around the corner, then leaned against the porch rail and looked up. It was cold and clear, with no moon, and the sky was studded with at least a zillion stars.
    Diamonds on black velvet . That’s what Mom always called them. Look, Wakara, have you ever seen anything more beautiful? Just try and count those stars, then remember God’s blessings are more numerous than the sky can hold .
    Kara hugged herself and closed her eyes. She could almost feel Mom’s arm slip around her, warming her shoulders. I love you, Wakara . The words flashed through her mind as if someone had actually spoken.
    She shivered and gazed once more into the sparkling sky. “I love you too, God,” she whispered. “And Mom too. Please tell her for me, okay?”
    Suddenly she realized her feet were freezing. Even thick, wool socks and a heavy sweatshirt weren’t enough protection for a night like this.
    She closed the door quietly behind her, turned the latch, and then hung her sweatshirt on the rack in the entryway. She was halfway across the living room before she noticed Colin watching her from the bottom of the stairs. “Whoa! You scared me. How long have you been there?”
    Colin grinned. “Sorry. It’s after nine o’clock. You’ve been out there for awhile, so I was just coming down to see if you were all right.”
    Kara didn’t know if she should feel irritated or pleased that he was keeping track of her. She decided it didn’t matter. “I was just coming up to check on Ryan.”
    â€œHe’s out for the count,” Colin chuckled. “I couldn’t even interest him in a second piece of cake. Too much