The Cult of Osiris by Andy McDermott Read Free Book Online

Hogarth was scheduled for afterwards, so when she comes out I 'll see if she'll talk to you.'
    Or even if she'll give me the time of day,' said Nina. The thought of Rothschild was causing her long-simmering anger to rise again. She fought it back. The chances of her actually changing anything were slim to none, but now she was here she was determined to say her piece, and needed a clear mind to do so.
    I'll do what I can to convince her.' Lola glanced at a tray beside the monitor. Oh, that reminds me - there's a message for you.
    For me?'
    Yes, from one of the interns . . .' She flicked through a small pile of papers. Here - Macy Sharif. She phoned yesterday, asking for your number. I didn't give it to her, of course, but I said I 'd pass on the message. I tried calling your home number, actually, but it'd been disconnected.'
    We moved,' Nina said stiffly as Lola handed her the paper. What did she want?'
    She didn't say. It's funny, actually - people here have been wanting to talk to her. She was on Dr Berkeley's dig, but she left suddenly. Nobody's told me why, but I think she might have gotten into trouble with the Egyptian police. Hard to imagine - she seemed nice, but who knows?'
    I guess the IHA's hiring policies have gone downhill since I left,' said Nina with dark humour She gave the paper a cursory glance - a brief transcript of the message in Lola's florid handwriting, and a phone number - then folded it.
    So where are you living now?' asked Lola.
    Nina's expression soured. Blissville. It was about the only place we could afford that was still in the city and wasn't an actual war zone/
    Oh,' said Lola sympathetically. 'Well, it's, er . . . convenient for the expressway, I guess.'
    Yeah. And the cemetery.'
    They shared a smile, then Lola's look became slightly hesitant. 'Dr Wilde?' Nina, please. What is it?'
    I hope you don't think this is kinda presumptuous, but . . . I 'm getting the feeling you're not having a great time right now.'
    Whatever gave you that idea?' They both smiled again.
    The thing is,' said Lola, I booked tomorrow afternoon off because I was supposed to be seeing an art gallery with a friend, and then we were going to have dinner. Only now he can't make it, so ... I wondered if you might want to come?'
    Nina almost turned down the offer out of hand before the part of her that had been stirred back into action by Eddie's prodding reminded her that all she had on the agenda otherwise was another evening with David Caruso. 'Where's the gallery?' she asked instead.
    Soho. And the restaurant's in Little Italy. It's a nice place, a friend of my cousin runs it.'
    I didn't know you were into art.'
    Lola blushed faintly. 'Sculpture. It's a hobby; I make little birds and flowers and things out of metal and wire. I 'm not very good at it, but I thought the gallery might give me some ideas.
    Nina considered the offer, then decided: what (he hell. It might take her mind off her gloom, if only for a few hours. Okay. Yeah, why not?
    Great! Let me give you the addresses.'
    She looked for a notepad, but Nina handed her the sheet of paper with Macy's message. Here. Save a tree.'
    Thanks.' Lola wrote down the details, then returned the page. Three o'clock?' Two, if you want. The less time I spend in the apartment the better!'
    A door up the corridor opened. Nina turned to see Maureen Rothschild emerge, and freeze as she saw Nina in the reception area. After a moment the professor walked towards her with a pinched, utterly insincere smile. 'Nina.'
    Nina gave the older woman a response in kind. 'Maureen.'
    I didn't expect to see you here again. What do you want?'
    To talk to you, actually.'
    Rothschild's eyes narrowed behind her glasses. T have a very busy schedule, Nina. In fact, I'm about to meet Roger Hogarth. I'm sure you remember him.
    Oh, I do. As a matter of fact, he asked me to represent him. He's indisposed.
    Oh.' Rothschild's face revealed no sympathy. 'Nothing serious, I hope.'
    No, but he'll be off his feet