Liddy Lobok stepped outside.
When Bass joined her, she said, “That!” She pointed at a large crate. “It’s from the devil.”
Built of raw white wood, the transport box was about three feet by five feet, and another two feet plus high. The grass around it was flattened.
Bass could see the rough areas where she had pried the lid open. She had left it unattached. The long shiny nails pointed downward. He carefully lifted the lid.
“Curse him,” Lobok said. “The devil dropped it here yesterday and now I want it out.”
Inside the crate, Bass saw a large single piece of uncut white marble surrounded with packing material. “I don’t understand?” he said, turning back to the woman.
“I’d move it myself, if it wouldn’t give me a hernia.” she said. “I want it out of here.”
Bass still had trouble unde
