“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” she said, smiling weakly at the compliment and wishing there was normal seating in the room instead of the standing cocktail tables. Her neck was hurting as she was forced to tilt her head back to watch his face. She shifted from one foot to the other. Her feet were starting to hurt and she was just way too close to him. She could feel her body betraying her, wanting to move closer, invade his space, feel his heat. “Celtic and Nordic mythology often play second fiddle to the Titans and their offspring the Olympians. It just doesn’t get the respect it deserves. I’ve actually been working with Eric to try and develop some software that will allow me to overlay historical and geological data in an attempt to identify mythical sites. Once I’ve identified one and can connect it to a myth, I can then unravel the myth and decipher the true meaning of the legend.”
His gaze caught hers, locking her in place. She tried to break the connection but she just couldn’t bring herself to look away. Damn, she was reacting like a teenager.
“That would be amazing if you’re successful,” Alec said. “As for Celtic and Nordic mythology getting short shrift, I couldn’t agree more. And perhaps because they’re not as well known, there’s much yet to be discovered.” He lifted his glass and took another sip. His arm bumped hers as he set the glass back on the table. She jerked her arm away, feeling the scorch of his touch race up her arm.
He continued, “Wouldn’t it be something if you did identify a site. I could set up an excavation. Who knows what we might find working together, side by side.”
“Aye,” Eric added, “the culture goes back millennia here in the British Isles, much still hidden in the misty past, just waiting to be discovered.”
Alec nodded in agreement. “That’s where I think your creative genius is critical, Katie. I’ve heard nothing but praise regarding the new correlations you’ve extracted from the Institute’s database. And your validated results are proving to be incredible in terms of their depth. You’ve managed to nuance brand new interpretations. ”
“And invalidate a few long-held ones along the way,” she murmured.
“The whole Nordstrom community is clamoring to use her software and the verified results,” Eric said. “The ability to leverage the data across disciplines is just beginning to bear fruit. I was honored when she asked me to work on her overlay project. Actually, I work for the Institute, albeit remotely, thanks to Katie’s recommendation. She’s well respected.”
Katie chuckled softly. “Well, you’re slightly biased, Eric. You know there are some at the Institute that wish I would disappear, especially since my results succeeded in negating their life-long work.”
Eric nodded. “They’re just jealous of your success.”
“Probably, but I’d still watch my back if I were you,” Alec offered. “Research can be a cutthroat business, and yes, it is a business, driven by the bottom line just like the factory that makes widgets, maybe even more so.”
She shrugged. “You know what I find odd, Alec?” she said, tilting her head slightly and continuing before he could answer. “I can’t ever recall Robert talking about you. Are you the black sheep of the family?”
He flashed a smile that sent her already racing pulse into overdrive. “I haven’t been around much. I’m often at a dig somewhere.”
“Yeah, you archaeologists are just like dogs, always digging for bones.” She heard herself speak, not aware until it reached her ears what she’d said. Eric choked slightly on his drink and shot her a disapproving look. She looked at him and offered a half-shrug as if to say “sorry, too late to take it back now.”
“You should try it sometime,” Alec replied, and then raised his glass, languidly sipping his scotch. “The fresh air might do you good. Get you out of the rarified lab air and put a little more color in your cheeks.”
She narrowed her eyes, glimpsing the smirk on his face. What an ego this guy had. She picked up her drink, sloshing some it over the rim as she raised it quickly to her lips before quietly slurping the excess liquid dripping from the edge of the glass. She swore she could see laughter in Alec’s eyes as she tried to neaten the mess, hoping no one else noticed.
Alec leaned an elbow on the table and asked, “Speaking of digging, have you ever heard of Norland?”
She whipped a furtive look at Eric and then searched Alec’s face, trying to read him. “Norland is a myth and a rather obscure one at that. I can’t imagine why a digger would be interested in a myth. I mean, it’s not as if there’s anything to dig up.” She glanced at Eric but directed the question at Alec. “Why would you ask about it?”
“My brother tells me you’re rather an expert on it. What do you know about it?”
She took a deep breath, choosing her response carefully. She remembered how easy he was to talk to that night. It was as if they’d known each other and were not only comfortable talking together, but were comfortable with the silences. That was a rare thing, comfortable silences. Still she didn’t know him or what he was fishing for. She had to be careful. “Well… Norland is believed to have been a settlement somewhere on the west coast of present-day Scotland. Legend has it that it pre-dates the Norse, Roman, and even the Celtic people.”
“That would place it thousands of years ago, wouldn’t it?”
She nodded. “Possibly as far back as the end of the last ice age.” Her voice was low, almost conspiratorial.
He whistled softly. “That would make it about ten thousand years ago.”
“Somewhere about then. There’s been no hard evidence, just the legend. The legend also alludes to the settlers as magi, or wise ones, and that these were the teachers of the druids.”
“I thought the druids were Celts.”
“Well, their descendants were, are, but the original druid caste pre-dates the Celts in Britain. You see,”—she leaned in toward the two men and kept her voice low—“many people think the Celts had always been in Britain, but they actually came to the island from what is now France. The druids were here before them.”
Alec tilted his head. “If the druids pre-dated the Celts and they were taught by the magi…”
She laughed softly. “You want to know who the magi were, am I right?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
“No one knows. Without any physical proof, there is only conjecture.”
“Any ideas?”
She deliberately held back her interpretation of the legend and what she really thought Norland was and who settled it. She offered him the facts, pure and simple, scant as they were. She nodded, but added, “None that I’m willing to share.”
“But you think there’s more to it, more to the legend, don’t you?”
Again she nodded.
“Then tell me, what makes it so important that legends were created and kept alive through the ages?”
She smiled warmly, enjoying the moment, the company. Most people would’ve ended the discussion, but he was interested in the why of it. He was genuinely interested in the legend, the mystery. “Ah… that’s what I’m seeking. I have my own theories, but that’s all they are until I can prove them.”
“‘Can’ prove them? Don’t you mean ‘if’?”
She shook her head. “No. I’m certain it existed not just because the legends were important enough to be sent through time, first by oral recitation and later through written documents, but I just know it.”
He laughed. “You’re very sure of yourself,” he said, following it with a quick wink.
She ignored the gesture and replied, “Only when it comes to this. I can’t explain it, but I just know it.”
“So, assuming I believe it existed, what makes it so important and not just another Stone Age settlement?”
“Sorry,” she said, shaking her head vigorously, “I’m not ready to share my theories. I need to protect my work until I can either prove or disprove their validity. I will however share this with you… you’d be foolish to think of it as a Stone Age settlement.”
He nodded, but wore a puzzled look. “I guess I can respect that, wouldn’t want someone else stealing your glory, but if it’s that old, it has to be a Stone Age settlement. Or am I missing something, something big?”
She smiled. “Something like that.”
“Perhaps we should change the subject,” Eric offered.
Alec straightened. “Eric, you’re very lucky to enjoy the friendship of Dr. Walsh. I understand that she doesn’t tolerate fools, which is something we have in common because neither do I.”
Eric flashed a genuine smile. “You’re well informed. She has a small circle of intimate friends.”
“Well, I certainly hope that I’ll be included in your intimate circle,” he said as he faced her, his eyebrows arching mischievously. “Actually, I’d love to take you to dinner tonight and get to know you better. Would you do me the honor?”
Did he stress the word “intimate” or were her nerves so on edge that she was imagining things. Why? Why did Grey Eyes come back into her life? This just had to be a nightmare. It was the only logical explanation. She couldn’t go to dinner with him, not without Eric for backup. She feared where it might end up if she was left alone with him. She didn’t trust herself and she couldn’t trust him. Hell, she didn’t know him, except in the biblical sense. And she had no intention of ending up back in that situation.
Alec’s cell phone started playing the “Imperial March” theme from Star Wars before she could answer. She raised her eyebrows. “I would have expected something from the Indiana Jones movies.” She laughed softly.
“That would be a tad too cliché, don’t you think?” he said, winking at her. He checked the caller ID and said, “Excuse me, but I need to take this.” He turned and headed out to the lobby.
“Eric, I don’t think he was including you in the invitation. That’s rather rude. As soon as he returns, I’m going to call him on it.”
Eric chuckled. “I’m quite sure that I’m not invited but that’s fine with me. I’d only be in his way. He wants to have dinner with you. He’s staking his territory. He doesn’t want me hanging around.”
“If he insists that we go to dinner, promise me you’ll come? Please?” She clasped her shaking hands, willing them to stop.
“Katie, what is it?” Eric asked.
“Eric, honestly, is it me or did you think it odd when he just tossed in the question about Norland?” she asked as she grasped her glass between her hands, leaning her forearms on the table and ignoring his question. “I mean, that’s such an obscure myth, yet it’s a large part of what you and I are hoping to find.”
“Aye, I think it is a wee bit too coincidental. Do you think Robert might have mentioned it to him?”
She thought for a moment, relaxing a bit, and then nodded. “Yes, I think that’s a strong possibility. We all know that the directors of the Institute are kept abreast of what employees are working on both on and off the clock.”
“True. That seems to be the only downside to using the Institute’s resources to work on un-official projects.”
She allowed herself a small, tight laugh. “Yeah, but that’s a small price to pay considering that we get a portion of any financial success and credit for any scientific findings.”
“You’ll be able to retire early with the royalties from your software when they start disseminating it to other research institutions,” Eric said.
The thought of finally being respected, accepted by her peers as well as financially able to do what she wanted with her future, was heady. “Yeah, I do like the ability to use the Institute’s resources for off-time research, though the downside of that is we can’t accept freelance work.” She drained the last of her drink. “It’s just that… it bothers me that he just appears tonight, Robert’s brother, one that I never knew about, and asks about Norland. Just what the hell is he up to? Maybe he’ll let something slip as to why he’s interested in it over dinner. Just please promise me you’ll come?”
“Ready for the next round?” Alec asked, tilting his head, catching her eyes as he returned to the table.
For the briefest of moments, she didn’t think he was referring to the drinks. “Sorry,” she said, lowering her eyes. “I’m drinking on an empty stomach so I’m at my limit until I eat something more than hors d’oeuvres. Which,” she said as she glanced around, “I didn’t even manage to get us a plate of.”
She added softly, “Guess I was distracted.”
“Oh, right, well, how about dinner?” Alec chuckled.
“Yes, I’d actually love something to eat. I’m starving.” She tried but couldn’t resist putting him on the spot and letting him know that she would not let him push her around.
She looked at Eric and asked, “So, Alec, where are you taking Eric and me for dinner?”
“Well, I… I was hoping… that is to say...”
She had caught him off guard and was enjoying his momentary confusion. His eyes narrowed and locked onto hers like a laser beam. “It would be my pleasure to take both of you wherever you’d like to dine. I haven’t been in London for a while, so I’ll leave it up to the both of you to decide.”
Katie inhaled and held her breath.
“Thanks,” Eric said, “I’d like to take you up on your offer.
She exhaled, relieved to know Eric would be by her side.
Alec smiled and faced Eric. “Shall we go?”
She walked on Eric’s right side, making sure that Alec remained on Eric’s left.
As they stepped outside, Alec hailed a cab. Both men waited for her to enter first. Alec offered her his hand as she stepped into the cab but she took care not to touch him, afraid she’d surely be electrified by his touch. Lord, what a coward, she thought. As if he could read her thoughts, he winked at her.
“Any particular place you’d like to dine?” Alec asked.
Katie sat on the far side of the cab with Eric planted next to her. “I bet you’re planning on some fairly expensive meal.”
“Well, yes. I wouldn’t expect anything less,” he replied, a puzzled look on his face. “Wouldn’t that be acceptable?”
“I’m sorry. You don’t know me.” She hesitated, mortified at her poor choice of words and inhaled, thankful the cab interior was rather dim. “My tastes run to the rather simple and understated. I’d actually love a dinner of fish and chips.” She didn’t think she could survive a lengthy meal and having to converse as if she’d just met him, or worse, letting it slip in front of Eric that she did know him, but knew nothing about him. Besides, she really did want some delicious fried fish.
“Are you serious?” he asked cocking his head, trying to catch her sight in the ambient light. “I can take you to any restaurant in London.”
“I’m one hundred percent serious. I could murder an order of fish and chips.”
“I’m never one to turn down fish and chips.” Eric chuckled as he patted his stomach.
Alec laughed, shaking his head. “Driver, take us to the best fish and chips place.”
“How about that place near the walkway that overlooks Parliament and Big Ben?” she offered. Plenty of space and it was out in the open, she thought. “It’s such delightful weather.”
The driver answered as he pulled into traffic, “I know exactly where you mean, miss. We’ll be there shortly.”
****
Alec and Eric had their dinners in hand as they headed to the benches along the Thames.
“The best view in London and it’s still free,” she said, her voice filled with awe. “I love how Parliament and Big Ben are lit up. You can feel the rich, ancient history flowing like waves out of those icons. It’s too bad that our civilization seems to be in decline considering its moments of greatness.”
“I can see that you revere history and not just the obscure. And by the way, I couldn’t agree more,” Alec said as he handed her the food after they sat on the bench with Eric a buffer between them.
The nose-twitching aroma of the fried fish teased her rumbling stom
ach before she took the first succulent bite. She then proceeded to devour her food as if she hadn’t eaten in days, finally ending the meal by licking her fingers noisily, not due to a lack of manners on her part but because neither man thought to get napkins.
Alec watched her under the glow from the street lamps and chuckled as he finished the last of his meal.
“What’s so funny?” she asked as she narrowed her eyes.
“You. It’s rare to find a woman who enjoys her food with such relish. It’s actually quite refreshing.”
“So glad I could provide the evening’s entertainment, but it would’ve been nice if you got napkins, paper towels, anything to wipe the grease off,” she offered as she reached into her purse for a tissue.
“Katie is a very down-to earth-person with simple tastes and simple demands,” Eric said with a smile. “All she demands is honesty.”
“Honesty, hmmm. How far does that extend? Does that include your personal life?” Alec asked.
She turned and faced him. “I’m not following you. Just what are you trying to get at?” She glared. “I don’t tolerate deceivers or liars.”
Alec cocked an eyebrow. “Really?”
She clamped her jaws together. This is so not the time to get into anything personal. Perhaps he was right. I should have come to dinner with him alone, but I’m such a coward.
They sat in silence. She tried to concentrate on enjoying the view.
After several minutes, Alec’s sigh cut through the quiet, parting the unspoken fog that enveloped her thoughts. He leaned his arms on his thighs to look past Eric at Katie. “Katie, I have something to tell you and I’m not sure how to say it. I think that maybe you and I should speak in private because it concerns your work at the Nordstrom Institute.” He turned to Eric. “If you’ll excuse us for a few minutes?”
Katie spoke before Eric had a chance to reply. “You can say what you need to in front of Eric. It will remain confidential. Won’t it, Eric?” she asked as she softly nudged his side.
Trove (The Katie Walsh Mysteries) Page 3
