Homeport by Nora Roberts Read Free Book Online

downward, deep into the metal, which would be typical of a bronze of four hundred years.”
    â€œWe need to pinpoint the rate of growth.”
    â€œNever easy,” he said. “And she was in a dampbasement. The corrosion would have grown quickly there.”
    â€œI’m taking that into account.” She removed her glasses to pinch out the pressure in the bridge of her nose. “The temperature and the humidity. We can calculate an average there. I’ve never heard of corrosion levels like this being faked. They’re there, Giovanni, inside her.”
    â€œThe cloth is no more than a hundred years old. Less, I think by a decade or two.”
    â€œA hundred?” Irritated, Miranda turned to face him. “You’re certain?”
    â€œYes. You’ll run tests of your own, but you’ll find I’m right. Eighty to a hundred years. No more.”
    She turned back to the computer. Her eyes saw what they saw, her brain knew what it knew. “All right. Then we’re to believe that the bronze was wrapped in that cloth and in that cellar for eighty to a hundred years. But all tests indicate the bronze itself is a great deal older.”
    â€œPerhaps. Here, eat your breakfast.”
    â€œUm.” She took the roll absently and bit in. “Eighty years ago—the early part of the century. World War One. Valuables are often hidden during wartime.”
    â€œTrue enough.”
    â€œBut where was she before that? Why have we never heard of her? Hidden again,” she murmured. “When Piero Medici was expelled from the city. During the Italian Wars perhaps. Hidden, yes, that could be accepted. But forgotten?” Dissatisfied, she shook her head. “This isn’t the work of an amateur, Giovanni.” She ordered the computer to print out the image. “It’s the work of a master. There has to be some documentation, somewhere. I need to know more about that villa, more about the woman. Who did she leave her possessions to, who lived in the villa immediately after she died? Did she have children?”
    â€œI’m a chemist,” he said with a smile. “Not a historian. For this you want Richard.”
    â€œIs he in yet?”
    â€œHe is ever punctual. Wait.” He laughed a little, taking her arm before she could hurry away. “Have dinner with me tonight.”
    â€œGiovanni.” She gave his hand an affectionate squeeze, then drew hers away. “I appreciate the fact that you’re worried about me, but I’m fine. I’m too busy to go out to dinner.”
    â€œYou’re working too hard, and not taking care of yourself. I’m your friend, so it’s up to me.”
    â€œI promise, I’ll order an enormous meal from room service while I work at the hotel tonight.”
    She touched her lips to his cheek just as the door opened. Elise lifted a brow, mouth tight in disapproval.
    â€œI’m sorry to interrupt. Miranda, the director would like you to come to her office at four-thirty for a discussion of your progress.”
    â€œOf course. Elise, do you know if Richard’s free for a moment?”
    â€œWe’re all at your disposal.”
    â€œThat’s exactly what I was telling her.” Obviously immune to frost, Giovanni grinned, then slipped out of the room.
    â€œMiranda.” After a brief hesitation, Elise stepped farther into the room and shut the door at her back. “I hope you won’t be offended, but I feel I should warn you that Giovanni . . .”
    Darkly amused by Elise’s obvious discomfort, Miranda merely smiled blandly. “Giovanni?”
    â€œHe’s brilliant at his work, a valuable asset to Standjo. But on a personal level, he’s a womanizer.”
    â€œI wouldn’t say so.” Head angled, Miranda slipped on her glasses, tipping them down to look over the copper tops. “A womanizer uses. Giovanni gives.”
    â€œThat may be true,