An Unexpected Viking: Sveyn & Hollis: Part One (The Hansen Series - Sveyn & Hollis Book 1)

by Kris Tualla

  Hollis went to the house early that morning and opened the casket, Sveyn by her side. She was originally going to leave it for Tony to open, but once she mentioned that the artifacts existed, and he asked to come see them, the box needed to be opened before he got there.

  How else could she explain how she knew what was inside?

  My Viking apparition friend stuck his head inside and told me.

  Right.

  Sveyn stood off to the side, his sharp gaze missing nothing. When she pried the lid open, Hollis asked him if he saw or sensed any spirits evil or otherwise, and he said no.

  “That does not mean there is not a curse,” he warned.

  “I understand.” Hollis was too mesmerized by the riches in front of her to argue that point again.

  “Do not touch anything. We should leave now,” Sveyn urged. “You will be back soon enough.”

  Hollis nodded, but until Sveyn placed his face in between the artifacts and her, she could not tear her gaze away.

  “Do you see?” he growled. “There is power there.”

  Startled, Hollis set the lid back in place. She turned on one heel and strode quickly toward the front door—and away from the beguiling treasures.

  Now she stood beside Tony and saw the incredulous look on his face as he stared at the treasures for himself. “Do you believe in ghosts?”

  “What?” Tony turned to face her. “Why do you ask?”

  “Oh, you know. All the myths surrounding certain old icons and relics.” Hollis squinted at her colleague. “Do you?”

  Tony huffed a dry laugh. “Like that ridiculous Nordic icon you posted as the Mystery Item of the Week?”

  Her cheeks flamed. “Well, not just that.”

  His attention returned to the gleaming contents of the casket. “What then?”

  Hollis affected a casual stance. “Have you ever experienced any otherworldly happenings? Encountered a ghost, say?”

  He shrugged. “Nope. I’ve never seen one.”

  “Felt one, then?” she prodded. “Like walking through a cold bit of fog when you are indoors?”

  Tony’s gaze shifted to hers, his dark brown eyes intense. “Maybe. Why?”

  Hollis realized with a start that she had talked herself into a corner. No way out now but going balls first. “On Monday? In the hallway?”

  Tony’s face blanched. “Yeah…”

  Now what?

  “I did too. I assumed it was some air-conditioning draft until I saw you flinch at that same spot.” Time to work backwards. “And that’s exactly what that had to be, right?”

  “Sure.” He swallowed and looked at the wall above the coffin. “I mean, what else? There was nothing there.”

  Hollis chuckled in a way she hoped sounded relieved. “I guess being immersed in this stuff is making me a little crazy. But you’re right. There was nothing there.”

  Tony cleared his throat and made a slow turn. “So everything here that’s tagged is Egyptian?”

  “I think it’s all Egyptian. But when the contingent arrives, they’ll have to open the crates to make sure before they carry them off.”

  Tony gave a slow nod. “And how did you decide this?”

  “I, well—I’ve gotten familiar with Ezra’s methods.” Hollis concocted a reasonable explanation on the fly because the truth never would. “He was OCD, so everything is organized and grouped by country of origin.”

  He nodded again. “Interesting.”

  Hollis clasped her hands together. “I need to get back to the office. I’ll see you there?”

  “Sure.” Tony was back to staring at the myriad of objects in the long box. “See you there,” he mumbled.

  *****

  Hollis’s MatchPoint phone app chimed. She forced herself to finish the description for this week’s Mystery Item—a carved round stone that looked like an oversized Oreo with a seven-pointed star where the Nabisco logo should be—and post it before picking up her phone.

  The notification read: VideoPoint from Everett Sage.

  Hollis gasped, her heartbeat going into overdrive. They had not made any plans for another video session in any of the messages they had exchanged since their first one.

  Was this good news? Or bad…

  She grabbed her purse and walked quickly to the employee restroom, where she combed her hair into some semblance of submission and applied the rosy pink lipstick that Stevie made her buy. She straightened her lace-edged t-shirt, glad that the faded khakis she had on would not be visible to the computer-mounted camera.

  Sveyn stepped up behind her. “You look lovely, Hollis.”

  “Thank you.” She flicked a glance at his reflection.

  He looked a little sad. “Will you want me to stay in the hallway again?”

  “Yes.” She turned to face him. “I’m sorry, but I’m nervous enough when no one is listening. Having you there would make me incoherent.”

  Sveyn gave her a small bow and walked out of the ladies room through the closed door.

  Hmm. I’ve actually gotten used to that.

  Hollis returned to her office and settled into her chair. She pulled a deep cleansing breath before opening the MatchPoint website and accepting the invitation.

  Everett’s handsome smile lit up her monitor. “Good afternoon, Hollis. I wasn’t sure if I would catch you.”

  “I was away from my desk,” she said. “In fact, I spent the morning at the hoard site. I hope you didn’t have to wait long.”

  Only seventeen minutes.

  “No, not at all. But I have something to tell you and I thought I’d give this a shot.”

  “Oh? What?” Hollis’s fingers were laced so tightly below the desk that they ached.

  Please be good news.

  “I have my flight to Phoenix booked.”

  Hollis untangled her fingers, which tingled with pins and needles as blood returned to them. “That’s great! When do you arrive?”

  “Next Thursday at three twenty—and I know you’ll be at work. But I’m renting a car for the trip and won’t be asking for a ride.”

  Hollis smiled. “I would have picked you up, Everett.” But I’m glad I don’t have to. Airport pick-ups were always a pain.

  He smiled back. “Maybe next time.”

  He already thinks there will be a next time. “How long will you be here?”

  He shrugged. “I’m not sure. That depends on how long it takes to complete my research.”

  Research? “What exactly do you do, Everett?”

  “Well, that’s a bit complicated.”

  Deflection. Not a good sign. “Try me.”

  “All right.” He drew a breath. “I work for Calico Labs. Our mission is to harness advanced technologies to increase our understanding of the biology that controls lifespan.”

  Hollis blinked.

  “Exactly.” Everett chuckled. “Simply put, we investigate ways to extend human life expectancies.”

  “Oh! Well that sounds interesting.” Great.

  More single years ahead.

  Stop that. You have a live one on the line.

  Or online.

  Hollis smiled at her mental joke. “What are you looking for in Phoenix?”

  “The University of Arizona’s medical department is doing quite a lot of research at the DNA level, so that is my official purpose.” He winked. “My unofficial purposes, however, involve researching a variety of myths and folklore.”

  Hollis felt her face warming. “You said purpose-es.”

  Everett’s smoky smile sizzled over the internet and set her nether parts aflame. “It’s a well-known fact that married men live longer.”

  *****

  “He said that?” Stevie’s eyes were round as plates. “Oh, Hollis!”

  Tony walked into Miranda’s office and took a seat. “Anyone know why we’re here?”

  Hollis shook her head, too distracted by her video chat with Everett to take the time to wonder. Miranda was always calling her in to talk about somethi
ng relating to the Kensington bequest, so she assumed this would be more of the same.

  “What are your plans when he gets here?” Stevie was like a miniature bulldog when her attention was claimed. “Where is he staying?”

  “The Marriott at the Buttes.”

  “Nice. Will you have dinner that night?”

  “I don’t—”

  “Pack your toothbrush.”

  “Stevie!”

  “And deodorant. You don’t want to use his, or you’ll smell like a man.”

  Tony snickered.

  Before Hollis could choose one of the many retorts clanging through her thoughts, Miranda strode into the office, her brown hair blown wide by the force of her entrance.

  “Good news, people!” She dropped into her desk chair, grinning like a gecko. “The Egyptians will be here Monday!”

  Hollis stuck her thumb in Tony’s direction. “Tony will be the point person. I showed him everything this morning.”

  “Perfect.” Miranda turned to the permanent collections manager. “Do you feel confident that you are up to speed with this?”

  “Sure.” Tony lifted one shoulder. “Ms. McKenna has labeled everything that she suspects might contain stolen Egyptian artifacts. Anyone can take it forward from here.”

  Hollis detected a distinct tone of irritation, mixed with sarcasm. Maybe Sveyn was right. Tony was jealous.

  Judging by the smug look on the Viking’s face, he heard it too.

  So did Miranda. “Tony, I know you came into this situation late, but I would never allow just ‘anyone’ to take it forward. This is an important discovery and it needs to be handled with the utmost professionalism.”

  “Of course it does.” Tony flashed a condescending smile. “I’m never anything but professional. I’ll handle our guests like royalty.”

  “Thank you.” Miranda turned to Hollis. “There will be plenty of media attention, of course. Mr. Benton has already contacted all the local stations. I want you at the press conference.”

  “Me?” The request made Hollis feel trapped. “Why me?”

  “Because the Kensington bequest is your baby. And you discovered the artifacts.” Miranda glanced at the clock. “It’s three thirty now. We are scheduled to meet the press at four thirty. Go get changed.”

  Well that wasn’t in any way subtle.

  Hollis stood. “I’ll have to run home. I’ll be right back.”

  Miranda’s smile was half encouragement and half warning. “Don’t be late. Mr. Benton was adamant about you being there.”

  *****

  Hollis stood to Mr. Benton’s left and tried not to squint. She wore an outfit which Sveyn helped her put together: the slim navy blue skirt and a peach-colored sleeveless blouse with layered lace along the placard. A chunky necklace in dark blue and gold peeked through the V of the blouse’s open neckline. A light-weight navy blazer completed the professional look.

  Her loosened red curls rested briefly on her shoulders before tumbling down her back.

  “You look great,” Miranda said as she hurried Hollis into the lobby where the conference was to be staged. “Don’t be nervous, just answer the questions.”

  Sveyn was right behind her and spoke into her left ear. “You will triumph, Hollis. But I am here if you encounter any trouble.”

  Thank you.

  Mr. Benton was droning on about the importance of the Kensington bequest and how it would add value to an already amazing museum and how so many new items were being added to the collection and not only the items being posted twice a week on the website but there were too many more fascinating acquisitions to post online and how everyone should become a museum member to see all the latest information and secure tickets for the opening of the wing on December first.

  “Hollis McKenna!”

  Startled by the sound of her name, Hollis’s drifting attention snapped back to the press conference.

  “You are the heroine now,” Sveyn said. “Show them.”

  Hollis stepped in front of the microphone, barely necessary in the echoing lobby. “Thank you. I am honored to be a part of not only the initial bequest, but in the discovery of the Egyptian artifacts which are being repatriated.”

  Questions started popping:

  “Is there a mummy?”

  “How much do you think the artifacts are worth?”

  “What else have you found?”

  “What can you tell us about Ezra Kensington the Fifth? Was he crazy?”

  Hollis answered as many of the questions as she could, smiling because Sveyn kept reminding her to.

  One man waited until the questions died down before calling out, “Are you afraid of a curse?”

  Several reporters snickered.

  Hollis shook her head. “No. Even if such a thing were real, we are returning the relics to their home, not removing them.”

  “Maybe instead of a curse, you’ll get a reward,” someone else suggested.

  Hollis laughed. “Wouldn’t that be nice?”

  “What about the Blessing of the Gods?”

  Sveyn hissed behind her.

  Hollis squinted and scanned the small crowd. “Who asked that?”

  “I did.” A non-descript blond man stepped forward. He was not wearing any press credentials.

  Benton stepped to the mic. “This is a press conference, sir. Not a free for all.”

  The man held his ground. “It’s a simple question. Are you afraid to answer it, Ms. McKenna?”

  She flashed a dismissive expression. “No, of course not. But what exactly are you asking?”

  “I am asking about the Blessing of the Gods—the velsignelse av gudene. The museum is in possession of one half of the icon. Isn’t that true?”

  The man spoke loudly enough to be heard and startled reporters began scribbling while their cameramen focused on the intruder.

  “Tell the truth, Hollis,” Sveyn cautioned. “They will find it out eventually.”

  That’s good advice.

  Hollis smiled politely. “If rumors of a second half are true, then, yes. We have one half.”

  “Where’s the other half?” he pressed.

  “We don’t know if it exists.” Hollis pinned him with an accusing gaze. “Do you have it?”

  The gathered reporters snickered again.

  “What’s the rumor?” one shouted.

  “Tell them,” Sveyn urged.

  Hollis squared her shoulders. “The myth, or legend, surrounding the Blessing of the Gods is that if the two halves are rejoined, the person who possesses the completed icon will become immortal.”

  Stunned silence was followed my murmurs and chuckles.

  “What happens if you only have one half?” the same reporter asked.

  “It will drive the owner mad.” Hollis shrugged and decided to take control of the crowd. “And while I can’t vouch for the authenticity of any curse, I can state with authority that Mr. Kensington was an obsessive-compulsive hoarder whose home was packed to the ceiling with his various treasures.”

  As the reporters geared up for more questions, Hollis grinned and leaned into the microphone.

  “Thank you, gentlemen.”

  And then she winked.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Friday

  October 2

  “Look at this!” Stevie pulled up the Arizona Central website. “You made the front page!”

  Hollis stared at the monitor. There she was, smiling and leaning into the microphone. “I’m famous?”

  “Not only that.” Stevie opened another tab and Googled Arizona History and Cultural Center. Under a couple of ad links were images of Hollis—winking. “They are calling you McKenna Monroe.”

  “Why McKenna Monroe?” Sveyn asked.

  Hollis backed away. “Oh, that’s not good.”

  Stevie turned away from the screen. “Whatever made you think of doing that?”

  “Why McKenna Monroe?” Sveyn asked again.

  Hollis folded her arms and s
hrugged. “I don’t know. I panicked I guess, I just wanted to bring the press conference to an end and stop talking about that damned Blessing.”

  “Well… you succeeded.” Stevie giggled. “It’s actually pretty funny.”

  “Who is McKenna Monroe?” Sveyn shouted.

  “Marilyn Monroe was a nineteen-fifties sex symbol!” Hollis shouted back.

  Oops.

  Stevie looked at her like she was insane. “What the heck, Hollis? I know that. There’s no reason to shout at me. Jeez.”

  Hollis covered her face with her hands, looking at Stevie between her fingers. Sveyn was mercifully silent.

  The petite blond stood up. “I’ll be working in my office. Don’t come see me until you’re in a better mood!”

  She slammed the door on her way out.

  Hollis dropped her hands and pointed at Sveyn. “You!”

  He winced. “I’m sorry.”

  “No! You. Can’t. Do. That.” Hollis stepped to her desk and closed out the internet. “You know you have to be patient, Sveyn. You have all the time in the world to find these things out. Don’t pester me with questions when I’m with other people!”

  When he didn’t answer, Hollis turned around. She was alone in the office.

  “And stay there,” she grumbled.

  *****

  Are you the sexy museum curator I saw on the news?

  Hollis made a face while she texted her reply to Everett: I told you, I’m a collector. My boss is the curator.

  Oh. Sorry. Forgive me?

  She sighed. Sure.

  I’ll make it up to you next week. Dinner at the Top of the Rock.

  Looking forward to it.

  Hollis turned her phone to silent and set it face down on the desk. She had no idea her silly impulse would be so interesting to the world at large. Must be a slow news day.

  Miranda appeared in her office doorway. “You okay?”

  “Sure. Why?”

  The tall brunette approached her desk. “Stevie said you yelled at her. That’s not like you.”

  “I know. I just didn’t expect…” Hollis waved a limp hand toward her computer screen. “You know.”

  “I do. And I think you should take the rest of the day off.”