Ghost Mine Episode 5

Trading information with Joe

While Joe is getting the coffee and juices the detectives discuss how they should approach him for information.

	"OK - take it easy everyone. We don't want to give away what we know - just get new information."
	"You needn’t worry about Joe. I’ve known him since I was a kid."
	"Still, we have to be careful. We don’t want your mum to know we’re asking questions around town."

Joe comes back carrying a large coffee pot and a tray with glasses of orange juice. Everyone is silent around the table. Joe hands out the glasses then pours the thick black coffee. Linda grins at him and Megs decides to start a conversation.

	"Laura tells me you know a lot about Indian history, Joe – and that you teach it."
	"I don’t actually teach it. I belong to a Native American inter-tribal group that tries to keep the values and traditions of our people alive. What that means is, we talk about the old ways and show them to kids who think that Transformers are the greatest warriors around."
	"Yeah – Danny, an Aboriginal friend of ours in Australia, gets similar lessons from his grandfather."

At that moment, Megs decides to trust Joe. She pulls the photo of the Shaman’s rattle from her pocket and holds it out to him.

 

 

"Can you tell me what this is?"

Still holding the coffee pot, Joe takes the photo and stares at it. A flicker of surprise and recognition crosses his face, and then fades as he studies the print. He stares at Laura.

"Where did you get this?"

Laura doesn’t know whether to speak and shuffles slightly in her seat. Megs nudges her under the table to keep her quiet.

"A friend sent it to me. She’s interested in Native American history and thought I might be able to do some research while I’m here. Do you know what it is, Joe?"

Joe stares at the photo for a long moment, then puts the coffee pot down on the table and looks at Megan again, as if deciding whether to trust her or not. The others watch him silently.