Trove (The Katie Walsh Mysteries)

by KJ Montgomery

  “I will, but not yet. The more she’s invested in this, the more likely she’ll see it through to the end. Need I remind you that she’s our last hope at translating those damn runes? Without her, I’ve got no way to draw out Josh’s murderer,” Alec said. “I can’t let the bastard go free, regardless of Josh’s less than stellar past.”

  “I understand your point, but I don’t like the fact that you’re using her. What if the note is from the murderer? He knows who Katie is, where she lives.”

  “Dammit. I have to find out what happened to Josh. The fact that there’s no clue that I’ve been able to find that identifies the Doctor means that I am forced to rely solely on his notes. That means that she’s my last hope. I can’t let this go. I owe him that at least. ”

  Robert sighed. His expression revealed the conflicting emotions he felt. “I understand, Alec, and I realize that we need her help to translate his work. But she has a strong sense of justice. Don’t leave her in the dark. You’re putting her at risk and she doesn’t know it. She deserves to be told and soon. You wouldn’t want to walk blindly into danger, particularly if you knew that there was a strong possibility your life may be in danger. You owe her that. She needs to be told so she can be aware, be prepared.”

  “I will. I just want to get a better feel for whom we’re up against. Josh’s murderer must be very knowledgeable and well connected, otherwise why hide the meaning of the runes… unless… unless Josh couldn’t translate them either. I still believe his benefactor is the most likely suspect in his death. For all his meticulous documenting of his work, he never names him outright. He always refers to him as ‘doctor’ or ‘the Doctor.’ ” Alec swirled the whiskey momentarily lost in thought. “As soon as Katie translates the runes, I’ll head to Josh’s last work site where I plan on advertising the fact that I am there to pick up where Dr. Mason left off. My guess is that this doctor will find out rather quickly and then I can draw him out. I’ll use the translation as the bait. In the meantime, I can keep an eye on her both at the Institute and at home.”

  Alec continued, “You were right about Katie and Eric. They’re working on a monumental project concerning geologic overlay. Her next phase is to incorporate satellite photos to further refine their search capability, at least that’s what I read in her project notes. If it comes to fruition, we may be able to leverage that to finally discover Norland.”

  “’Norland,’” Robert said after swallowing, “do you think that it’s more than a myth?”

  “I’m more convinced than ever. You should have seen the look that passed between her and Eric when I brought the subject up in London. It confirmed my guess that they’re searching for it as part of their project. So you see, Brother, we are not the only ones convinced that Norland is not a myth. And I’m convinced she knows more or suspects more about it then she told me. She admitted as much, letting on she has a few theories she wants to prove first.”

  Alec drained his whiskey and headed to the credenza for a refill. “Ready for another?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Do you have any idea what her theories may be?”

  Robert shook his head. “I’ve heard a few whispers, rumors really, but nothing concrete.”

  “What sort of rumors?”

  “Well, and take it for where it comes from, but some of the other researchers at the Institute think she’s searching for Atlantis.”

  “Really? But that’s a myth.”

  “Uh, yeah, did you forget that’s what she specializes in?”

  Alec rubbed his chin. “At first glance I’d say she’s nuts but…”

  “But what?”

  “She told me in London that the Norland may be about ten thousand years old. That would place it right around the time as Plato’s Atlantis, assuming there was a translation error and it was nine thousand years before him and not the nine hundred years the common translation states.”

  Robert whistled. “I think she’s onto something. It may be conjecture, but she’s not one to chase fantasies.”

  “Do you know what happened to Katie’s parents, how they died?”

  Robert shook his head slowly. “I’ve known her almost eight years and can recall her saying no more than a few words about her parents,” he said before taking a sip of the whiskey. “And I’ve never heard her talk about their deaths. She actually told me when I asked once, and this is a direct quote, ‘you don’t want to go there, Robert, and if you don’t respect my wishes then you’re not my friend.’ I dropped the subject.”

  “I want, no, I need to find out more about their deaths. There’s something there, something I may be able to leverage in getting her to help me if things don’t work out as planned,” Alec said.

  “Just what do you have in mind?”

  “I need some time with her, alone, away from prying eyes and interruptions.” Alec smiled. “And I think I know how I can get it. I’ll need your help. Can I count on you?”

  Robert frowned. “I don’t like that devious look on your face. Just what are you up to?”

  Alec laid out his plans. When he finished, Robert whistled. “It just may work. Count me in. I’ll arrange everything.”

  Alec smiled, pleased that everything seemed to be falling into place. He stared at the amber liquid in the glass. “Can I ask you something?”

  “You’d do it anyway, so ask.”

  “Is there or has there ever been anything romantic between you and Katie? I can’t help notice that you’re very protective of her. Is it just because you’ve known each other for so long?”

  Robert swore. “Cut right to the chase, why don’t you.”

  “Sorry, but I need to know. She considers you a close friend. I’m just trying to find out how close,” Alec said.

  Robert sighed. “No, there isn’t, nor has there been anything other than friendship between us. I don’t know why. I mean, we have a great friendship, but nothing beyond that.”

  “Have you ever asked her out?”

  “Well, yes, of course. We go out to dinner fairly often.”

  “No, Robert. Have you ever asked her out on a date, a real date?”

  “It’s not that easy, Alec. We’ve been friends for a long time. It’s just never turned into anything beyond that. I think it’s much easier if the dating comes first and then the friendship.”

  Alec rose and walked to the penthouse window looking out over the Charles River towards Cambridge.

  “Why are you asking?” Robert said.

  Alec didn’t answer.

  “Alec, why are you asking? Are you interested in her?”

  Alec’s jaw tightened and twitched. “That’s a complicated question.” He drank the last of his whiskey and walked back to the sofa. “And it’s one that I’m not prepared to answer yet. Remember I told you I hooked up with a woman about five years ago in London.?”

  Robert nodded. “A night of pure carnal bliss as I recall.”

  “Remember how I told you she wouldn’t tell me her name?”

  Robert nodded again and then sat straighter, his knuckles turning white as he clenched his glass. “Yeah?”

  “Well, I found her. She has a name and it’s Katie Walsh.”

  Alec left the glass on the coffee table. “I think I better pack.”

  “Yeah,” Robert said, “I think that’s a good idea.”

  R

  Chapter Five

  Laura and Katie were huddled over Laura’s workstation reviewing Laura’s research results when Alec strode into the office just before nine and dropped off a garment bag in his office. He reappeared and just as quickly disappeared into the kitchen. He emerged with a cup of coffee.

  “Morning, ladies.”

  “Morning,” they echoed.

  “Katie, my office, now.”

  She offered a mock salute to his retreating back. She stood and smoothed her body-hugging lilac dress. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  Laura giggled. “Don’t hurry on my account.”

 
; Katie shook her head as she headed into Alec’s office. He was smiling. That’s a good sign, she thought. He leaned back in his chair.

  “Have to say, Katie, that I enjoy your Technicolor wardrobe. My guess is your first box of crayons was the Crayola sixty-four, not the box of eight.”

  She tilted her head, not sure if she’d been insulted. “Are you making fun of me and my clothes?” she asked, her eyebrows drawn together.

  He shook his head. “No, I’m not. I actually loathe the dark clothes and business suits most people wear around here.” He winked. “Especially the women.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that last bit. Some people might take that as sexually inappropriate.”

  “I particularly like the color you’re wearing today.” He narrowed his eyes and smiled. “I remember seeing you in that purple color when we spent the night together.”

  She dropped her gaze, trying to ignore the heat. “It’s lilac, not purple.”

  He laughed. “Well, whatever it is, it suits you.”

  She smiled. “Thank you.”

  “How’s the translation going?

  “Laura and I are working on it. I should have a fairly decent first pass by the end of the week.”

  “Any chance it’ll happen faster?”

  “I’m working as fast as I can. It’s not like I can look up the meaning in a dictionary. As I said before, the translation is contextual. I may actually need more information before I can put my signature on it.”

  He scowled. “I need it ASAP, Katie. Do I make myself clear?”

  Her blood began to boil. Did he think she was stalling, playing games? “Let me ask you something. How long did it take for the other translations?”

  “One was about four weeks and the other almost five.”

  Katie stood with one hand on her hip and the other resting against the edge of his desk. “And I’ve been working on this since yesterday. Do you see a problem with this arbitrary timeline you seem to have imposed on me?”

  Alec shook his head. “No, I don’t. You’re the expert and you have the whole Institute’s resources at your disposal. I think you should be able to complete it quickly.”

  “Are you deliberately trying to torque me off?” she asked as she braced both hands on his desk. “Because you’re doing a damn good job if it.”

  Alec narrowed his eyes. “No. Based on your reputation I thought this would be a no-brainer for you.”

  Katie stood upright and crossed her arms, her mouth tightened into a thin line. She was seething when she oh-so-quietly said, “So now you’re questioning my intelligence?”

  “No. I just think you might be distracted.”

  “And just how would that be?”

  “You and Laura spend too much time socializing. I think you need to distance yourself from her.” He leaned back in his chair. “At least until you’ve completed the translation.”

  Katie braced her fists on the desk and leaned towards him. “What is your problem? Because clearly you seem to have one. Laura is my assistant and provides a valuable resource. She’s actually data mining through the Institute’s catalogs looking for any connection however remote. We’re not sitting together gossiping, if that’s what you think.”

  Alec shook his head. “I think you’d be much further along with the translation if you two were separated, at least for the short term.”

  Why was he doing this? He seemed totally irrational. Was this a test or a game? Whatever it was, she didn’t like it. She and Laura were working, not socializing. “Did your tête-à-tête with Lucy yesterday injure your brain? I know she has a voice like fingernails down a blackboard, but I’ve performing my work to the best of my abilities—”

  Katie heard someone waltz into the room. She turned her head and saw Lucy Millar. God, every damn time she shows up, something goes wrong in my life. She’s like a banshee screaming about upcoming doom.

  “Well, maybe, just maybe, someone else has realized what I’ve been saying all along. You don’t belong here, Katie.” Lucy smiled as she walked over and stood beside Alec.

  Katie swore she saw Lucy bat her eyelashes at Alec. What the hell! Was she actually trying to make a play for him? And she was wearing a dress in dark green, a dress! Where the hell was her man-tailored suit? “I think I’m going to be sick,” Katie said, not aware she’d spoken until she heard the words echo through the room.

  “Mm, yes, I do think you look more washed out than usual,” Lucy said in a saccharine voice as she laid her hand on the back of Alec’s chair.

  “You do look pale,” Alec agreed.

  “I’m fine. It was just a figure of speech,” Katie replied. The hair on the back of her neck twitched. “What game are the two of you playing?” She glared at Lucy. “I know you had something to do with Alec getting hired. I just haven’t been able to puzzle it out yet.”

  Alec ignored her questions and exhaled as if he were dealing with an obstinate child. “You know what? I think you should work from home the rest of today, and since you’re leaving tomorrow, you have my permission to work from home then too.”

  “What?” Katie said, wondering if she’d had an aneurysm, because clearly he wasn’t expelling her.

  “Ooh, now her hearing’s affected. She’s definitely not well,” Lucy said. She scowled at Katie. “He told you to go home, so shoo.” She flipped her hands at Katie as if she were an insect buzzing around.

  Katie’s hands were firmly planted on her hips. “Butt out, Lucy. I don’t work for you. This is between me and my boss. As a matter of fact, why don’t you take a hike? Sure looks like you could use the exercise to improve the muscle tone in your legs.” Alec coughed. Katie glanced at him to see if he was choking down a laugh.

  “Well, I’ve never been spoken to by a subordinate like that before. I think I’ll lodge a formal complaint.”

  “Save the paper, Lucy. It will be my word against yours… another stalemate.”

  “Au contraire, Katie. I have a witness this time,” Lucy said as she brushed her body against Alec’s arm.

  Katie narrowed her eyes, taking in Alec’s expression. He wouldn’t dare side with that witch over her. Lucy had provoked the whole episode. She tossed him a “you wouldn’t dare look.”

  Alec cocked an eyebrow. “I’m afraid I’d have to support Dr. Millar in this instance.”

  Katie gasped. “But she… you can’t…”

  “He can and he will,” Lucy purred. It looked like she was going to stroke his hair but stopped herself at the last minute. Really? What the hell is going on? Katie felt her anger grow. She wanted to slap Lucy’s hand away from him.

  “Katie, I’m ordering you to work from home today and tomorrow,” Alec said. “And if you don’t, I’ll write you up for insubordination.”

  Her eyes swept from Alec to Lucy then back to Alec. She swallowed, trying to find her voice and the words she needed to say, but for one of the rare times in her life, Katie Walsh was speechless, absolutely freakin’ mute.

  ****

  Katie stomped across the lobby’s tile floor. She was furious. Alec had kicked her out of the Institute and effectively barred her from coming back until she returned from Willowton. She muttered as she headed for the main door. “Who does he think he is? He’s a damn dictator.” He’d made it clear his word was law. There was no chance to reason with him. She believed he was probably one step away from physically pushing her out the main door as he watched her pack up her laptop and then escorted her out of their work area. The final insult came when Lucy Millar held the door open for her.

  “Dr. Walsh, Dr. Walsh, excuse me…”

  Katie spun around and scowled at the receptionist, but quickly morphed it into a neutral expression. “Sorry, Diane. What’s up?”

  The receptionist held a manila envelope in her hand as she approached Katie. “This was delivered by bike messenger for you.”

  “Thanks,” Katie said as she took it, tucked it into her laptop bag, and then headed
for home.

  She was still stomping as she entered her condo and kicked her heels off before she closed the door, sending one of them crashing into the sliding balcony window clear across the room. “Argh, I am so mad I could just kill him.” She seethed as she set up her laptop. “No, killing would let him off too easily. He needs to suffer some major pain. And that witch… what the hell was she up to? Besides getting into his pants.”

  She set her cell phone on the desk and glanced at the missed call list. Laura had called three times. She was tempted to call Laura, but after the fiasco this morning she decided against it. She didn’t want Laura getting in trouble with the Dastardly Duo of Alec and Lucy. She’d call her at lunch.

  She spent the rest of the morning working on the runes. “He thinks I’m goofing off… I’ll show him. I’ll finish his damn translation and then throw it at him. Then he can leave me alone and head out on his… his...” She stood. “That’s it,” she practically screamed. “He’s a damn treasure hunter, that’s why he wants the translation. He’s looking for something and there must be someone else seeking the same thing. He needs me to complete the work soon so that he can beat the other hunter to the treasure.” She shook her head slowly as the pieces fell into place. “It all makes sense, except… what is he looking for?” She called Laura at lunch to let her know she was fine. She warned Laura to keep a low profile and not give Alec any grief. She wasn’t sure if he would threaten Laura with work-performance issues but that was the last thing she wanted Laura to have to deal with. Laura agreed to keep working on her assigned tasks and promised to push any of Alec’s requests to the top of her priority list.

  When Laura asked her why he’d treated like a disobedient child, Katie could only reply, “I don’t know. He won’t tell me what’s going on, but I think I’m beginning to understand. Rest easy Laura, I fully intend to confront him when I get back to the office.”

  One thing for sure, Katie would make damn sure she’d get that witch out of the picture at the very least. She grinned. “Take that, Lucy Millar. You don’t stand a chance. If anyone’s going to find the treasure with him, it sure as hell isn’t going to be you.”