Excerpt: Digging Up the Past

“Dr. Smutny didn’t actually accuse Constans. But from the information that he found in the metal lockbox he does not feel like it is worth examining any further.” Tate reaffirmed. The look Lance shot in her direction suggested that she had just accused Lance of murder. “I am not saying I agree. I am just telling you what he let me know.”
“But you think his conclusion is correct?”
“I never said that.” Tate tried to understand Lance’s accusatory tone. He had adored his Uncle and could not conceive of him having failings. However, an isolated event more than fifty years old didn’t undermine Constans’ overall character.
“I don’t buy it.” Lance leaned back in his seat and crossed his arm like a petulant teenager. He glared at Tate turning the pleasant breakfast into a tense meeting.
Tate turned over options in her mind. She couldn’t come up with an easy resolution. Needless to say turning back time and convincing Constans to change his mind was not a possibility. Tate ate a few bites of her waffles in silence mulling over the options. How could she resolve this problem?
Huffing at her husband’s childishness she finally asked, “What exactly do you expect me to do about it?”
Lance continued to sulk but Tate knew that reason was returning to her husband. The crease between his eyes softened while his arms remained crossed. “Fix it?” he finally asked with a hint of a smile.
“And I can do that, how?” Tate queried between bites.