Night Diver: A Novel by Elizabeth Lowell Read Free Book Online Page B

didn’t even imply that,” Holden replied. “However, since you’ve opened the subject, in the past some people working on contract have found more than has been reported. That will not be happening on my watch.”

CHAPTER 4
     
    T HE QUIET IN the dive center was so profound that Kate could hear her heartbeat. Even Volkert had stopped crunching. Then came a sound over the dive loudspeaker.
    “Holy,” whispered the diver, almost inaudible over his respirator. “Holy holy holy holy holy. Golden Bough, you be seein’ what I be seein’? Or maybe I be down here too long?”
    Kate looked at the screen and gasped, which drew Holden’s attention from Larry. Volkert dropped a chip from his thick fingers and began muttering words in his native South Afrikaans.
    The diver’s glove gleamed red as he put his hand closer to the camera and light, driving out the normal blue filter of deep water. Something glimmered in his hand, a glow that only came from high-quality gold. The links were about as big around as a pencil.
    “The sixteenth-century version of a portable ATM,” Kate said, recognizing it from the books that had filled her childhood. “The gold links are pure, soft enough to be parted and re-formed without tools. Need a blanket, food, a horse? Just break off the right weight in links and pay on the spot.”
    “Indeed.” And how very lovely to find for my arrival. Holden took his smartphone out of a pants pocket and snapped a picture of the screen. “Lucky timing, eh? This might not be a total cock-up after all.” With a quick motion he leaned over and took Volkert’s headset. “How long is the chain?”
    Holden’s brisk question jarred the diver into a more formal kind of English.
    “The length of my arm, twice. Maybe two meters. There might be more, but I’m running low on air.”
    “Right. Good work.” He handed the headset back to Volkert and looked at Larry. “Tell your divers to concentrate on that part of the grid. I will see you in the main salon after I check in with Antiquities. Do be sure that your grandfather attends our little meeting.”
    Nodding, Larry got out of the way.
    Kate didn’t.
    Holden looked at her, wishing he had more time to enjoy the effect of her smoldering in the light bath from the monitors.
    “Are you going to tell me what is going on?” she asked in a level voice.
    “That is what I’ll be discussing with the chap who is actually running the show—Patrick Donnelly. Do join us.”
    Though the words were polite, it was another command.
    Holden was gone before she could tell him what a nice man he wasn’t.
    After a moment to check her temper, Kate tilted her head toward the door and raised her left eyebrow at her brother.
    “What?” Larry asked, yawning. Then, “Oh. Damn, Kitty, I should be taking a nap.”
    He followed her out the door and waited while she closed it firmly.
    “You should be hiring a permanent business manager,” she said, “not napping.”
    “Easy for you to say. I’ve been pulling extra dive shifts. Damn divers these days like drinking better than working.”
    “At the wages you’re paying, you shouldn’t be surprised.”
    He shrugged. “If we get above a certain amount in expenses, there are penalties. That’s why we asked for an advance and got bloody Holden Cameron instead.”
    “You never should have signed that contract,” she said.
    “You’ll get us sorted out.”
    “And we’ve had this conversation before.” She hesitated, lowered her voice, and went to the point that had been worrying her. “How well do you know the diving crew?”
    “They’re cheap and competent enough. Same for Volkert, except the amount he eats, he should be paying us.”
    “That’s not what I asked. How well do you know them? Are they trustworthy?”
    Larry’s pale blue eyes narrowed. “Even though you hate everything about diving, that’s no reason to think divers are rotten.”
    “Do you think any of them are thieves?” she insisted.
    “I