Aegean Intrigue by Patricia Kiyono Read Free Book Online Page A

visions that haunted his dreams. But working together in the tiny kitchen was sheer torture. Without much room, their bodies constantly touched, brushing against each other. Food and utensils needed to be passed, and fingers inevitably made contact.
    He would have to be careful and guard his feelings for her. She is still a suspect, he reminded himself. But a part of him knew it was too late. She was already entrenched in his heart. His body stirred again, and he turned his eye back to the water. No time for another dip. He’d have to control his wayward thoughts and get to work.
    This afternoon the crew had made several small finds, insignificant to him, but enough to make Professor Theo and Francie dance with excitement. Her enthusiasm was so infectious he’d joined in the celebration. Her pure delight made him doubt her guilt no matter what Zotis claimed. If she were inclined to steal things, why would she go to so much trouble to make certain each piece was properly documented? Wouldn’t she quietly “take care of things” herself and tuck the items away, conveniently “forgetting” to catalogue them? Perhaps she was waiting for a larger, more profitable item.
    But something in him protested the thought. Francie couldn’t possibly be capable of such deceit. She was too open, too…
    â€œAlex?”
    Wrapping his towel around his lower half, he turned toward her voice. “Good afternoon, Francie. Surely it’s not time to begin preparing the meal?”
    â€œNo, it’s still early. I needed to talk to you about…something else.”
    Her eyes cut away from him, and she began pacing, her hands fluttering as she spoke. He stepped toward her, wanting to hold her, to ease her consternation. Instead, he forced himself to listen to what she was saying.
    â€œâ€”and I know I counted all the pieces carefully before putting them in the boxes. I gave each piece a number, and the last number I entered was forty-three.” She turned a wry glance at him before explaining, “I remember the number because it’s my birthday – April third.” The pacing resumed as she continued. “We took the pieces and the catalogue cards to Professor Theo’s office at lunchtime, as we always do. This afternoon, I went back to the office to set out the pieces to be washed, and there were only forty-one pieces. And the catalogue cards are missing.”
    Alex’s eyes narrowed. “Are you saying that someone took some of the pieces and doctored the catalogue?”
    She hesitated. “I don’t want to say that—I don’t want to think of anyone here as a thief. But apparently someone has not put the pieces and cards where they belong.”
    Either she’s very diplomatic, or she’s building an excuse in case the pieces are found and someone points a finger at her, he thought. “Do you have any ideas about where these items might have been…misplaced?”
    She shook her head. “I can’t think of anything. As I recall, the last two pieces were small, so they could be hiding anywhere. One was a necklace, and the other was a coin. I remember because Josh was teasing Jane about using the coin to pay for the necklace.”
    â€œAnd those are the two items missing? It seems odd someone would be so bold as to take the last two items, especially if an event like that would make them memorable.”
    â€œThat’s why I’m so hesitant to believe they were stolen. I’d like to believe someone was just looking at them and forgot to put them back. But that doesn’t explain why the cards are missing.”
    â€œLet’s take a look. Does Professor Theo know about this?”
    â€œNot yet. I was on my way to talk to him when I saw you.”
    In the office, they found the professor, his journal open but his mind elsewhere. A sack containing the morning’s finds lay on top of the journal, its dusty contents coloring