by Gina Conroy
“Whoa.” The cowboy gripped Alex’s shoulder, his drawl dripping molasses. His rugged looks and wild blond hair reminded her of Brad Pitt in Legends of the Fall.
“What’s got you chomping at the bit?”
Alex wiggled free and scurried to Samantha. “Buried treasure.”
Cowboy gazed from Alex to Callie. “This your little mustang and pretty filly, ma’am?”
“Yes, this is Allie… Callie and Alex.” Her cheeks warmed as his cobalt eyes locked on hers. It’d been too long since a man looked at her that way.
“I’m Samantha Steele. The new intern.”
“You don’t say! I expected someone taller with whiskers.” He smiled, and Samantha reminded herself she was a twenty-eight-year-old mother of two. “I’m your boss, but call me Cody.”
He extended his hand.
Alex shook it, but Callie scrunched her nose. “You’re filthy.”
Cody winked. “Where there’s muck, there’s brass, darlin’.”
Samantha cringed. Time for damage control. “I know it’s unprofessional to bring the children. Their sitter canceled last-minute, and they don’t start Camp Summerwood until Monday. The security guard said he’d watch them while I explained my situation to you, but…”
“No harm done.” Cody handed Alex a brush. “How about searching for treasure?”
“Sure!” Alex jumped in the pit.
“Aren’t you compromising the site?”
“We’ve cataloged that section. He can’t hurt anything.”
If Cody only knew. “I wondered if we could reschedule my orientation.”
“Sure, we can start Monday.”
“Thanks for understanding.” Samantha turned to Alex sifting dirt through a screen. “We leave in five minutes.”
He hopped like a frog to the other quadrant. Something fell from his pocket.
“What’ve you got there?” A skinny guy in a suit snatched it.
When had he arrived?
“This is Professor Timmons.” Cody slapped his back, knocking his glasses out of place. Timmons turned the dirty penknife in his hand, ignoring the introduction. “He works at the Smithsonian and moonlights here.”
Samantha glanced at the knife. “Alex, where’d you get that?”
“Found it.”
“Let me see.” Cody revealed a rusty blade.
“They sell these in the gift shop. Some kid probably lost it awhile ago.” Professor Timmons stared at Samantha.
“Where are my manners? This is Samantha Steele. My new intern.”
“You seem familiar. Have we met?”
“No, we moved to Arlington recently.”
“Nice place. Whereabout?” Professor Timmons’s cheek twitched.
“Cherry Blossom Estates.”
“That’s quite a commute,” Cody said.
“My grandmother owns a condo there. We only pay utilities since she moved to assisted living.”
Timmons stepped away to answer his cell.
“May I see it?” Samantha asked.
“It’s pretty dull.” Cody handed it to her. “Won’t hurt him.”
“It’s a wonderful replica of Washington’s mother-of-pearl penknife. Legend says this knife saved our nation.”
“How could a knife save a nation?” Callie questioned.
Cody squatted. “George Washington wanted to resign as commander-in-chief during the winter at Valley Forge. Then he remembered his mother’s words when she’d given him the knife.”
“She said, ‘Always obey your superiors,’” Samantha added. “It was given to young George as a reward when he honored his mother’s wishes to give up his commission in the English Navy and return to mathematics and surveying.”
Cody stood. “Aha. Beauty and brains.”
“Can I have my knife?”
Samantha slipped it into her purse. “I’ll keep this for now.”
“But—“
Cody patted Alex’s head. “Better do as George did and obey your superiors.”
Callie tugged on Samantha’s shirt. “Mom, can we go to Pizza Town?”
“But I haven’t found any treasure.”
Professor Timmons ended his call. “I must skedaddle. Pleasure meeting you, Ms. Steele.” He glared at Cody then fled, peering back several times.
Samantha’s anxiety eased as he disappeared.
“I’m starved. I want pizza! Now!” Callie whined.
“They have pizza at the food court. My treat.” Cody dusted off Alex’s shirt. “We could start orientation over lunch.”
Samantha sighed. “Okay.”
“Then it’s a date.” Cody smiled.
Was that what it was? Correcting her boss on her first day might not be smart.
Nick’s heart ricocheted as he searched the museum galleries. One minute they were there, the next gone. How could he face Samantha after he lost her kids?
Where to look next? Perps sometimes returned to the crime scene. Maybe little boys did, too. Nick scrambled up the bowling green toward the mansion, then slipped through the back door and into the study. No kids, but Althea Washington hovered near the bookshelf.
“Excuse me. This room is closed to tourists and guides.”
Althea hid something behind her. “Masta, please don’t whip me.” She trembled, her eyes glassy.
Adrenaline spiked. “Show me what’s behind your back.”
“Masta Washington lets me come in. Says it’ll be mine when he’s dead and gone.”
Either this lady played her part really well, or she was higher than the Goodyear Blimp. “Ma’am, slowly bring your hands in front and drop whatever you have.”
She set a worn black book on the floor. Nick’s pulse settled, disappointed she wasn’t smuggling an antique. Or maybe she was.
“I did it no harm.” She inched toward the door.
“Stay out of here until I say this room’s open.” Something was squirrelly about Althea. “I have some questions before—” His walkie squawked. When he reached for it, she disappeared.
“Porter.” Nick grabbed the Bible by the edges.
“Cody Sparks at the dig behind the slave quarters. I’ve uncovered some artifacts you’ll want to see.”
“Why would I care—“
“You’ll be interested in this pair. One has pretty brown eyes, the other hazel. They’re accompanied by the cutest specimen who’s fit to be tied. If you don’t get here quick, I might supply the rope.”
Chapter 3
Nick hustled from the mansion toward the archaeology pit. How would he explain losing Samantha’s kids? Too bad he’d put the Bible in his locker. Angie always said it was a sword. He might need a weapon against Samantha or a visual aid, distracting her with suspicions of Althea.
Laughter echoed through the garden as he neared the site. Little Houdini picked at the grass while some cowboy, too big for his boots, nestled way too close to Samantha. Nick’s stomach knotted. He jogged toward them, wearing his apology on his sleeve. Though Samantha wouldn’t see it with the way she stared at that overgrown cowpoke.
“One minute they were near; the next they disappeared.”
“Nice of you to arrive.” She smiled, but her tone stung.
“It’s not easy keeping up with your kids.” Nick pointed to Alex. “That one needs a tracking device.”
She crossed her arms. “Maybe you shouldn’t have taken your eyes off him.”
“Even with both eyes on him, he’s slippery.” Nick’s hand gesture mimicked a telescope. “And dangerous.”
“You two need to sort this out.” Cody stepped between Nick and Samantha. “I’ll run the kids to lunch.”
She glanced at Alex. “That’s probably not a good idea.”
“I’ve got seven younger siblings.” Cody winked, then met Nick’s glare. “I promise not to lose them.”
Nick inched toward Samantha. “How about we sort this out at lunch?”
“Cody already invited us.” Samantha turned to Cody. “I won’t be lo
ng.”
Cody moseyed between the kids, placing a hand on their shoulders. He shot Nick a triumphant look.
Callie shrugged off Cody’s hand as they walked away. Nick chuckled. Cherub-face was a good judge of character. Tension eased until Nick noticed Samantha smiling at the trio. “Sparky has no idea what he’s in for.”
Samantha spun around. “I’m sorry my kids burdened you. I’m sorry I asked you to watch them. I assumed they’d be safe with a police officer.”
Samantha regretted the remark the moment the fire in Nick’s eyes faded. Her throat tightened. “Forgive me.”
“I should’ve been more careful.”
“Let’s forget it. What’d you learn about the telescope?”
“Carole confirmed it should be the original. And I found the mansion guide handling a Bible in the study.”
“Althea Washington’s our forger?”
“Not until I match her prints on the book with those on the telescope.”
“How? You’re not in law enforcement anymore.”
Nick shifted his weight. “I’ve got connections.”
“What if they don’t match?”
“Security has access to employee prints.”
“This is like CSI.”
Nick’s trademark scowl returned. “This is nothing like that voodoo science.”
“Sorry.” Guess she touched a nerve. Way too easy to do with Nick Porter. “Does Carole know how it was broken?”
“Yes. She’ll keep it quiet for now.”
“How do you know?”
“We go way back.”
“How much time do we have?”
“A few days.” Nick hesitated. “I promised to file a report this afternoon.”
“You didn’t!”
“I’ll keep your name out of it.”
She couldn’t depend on Nick to watch her children, so how could she trust him with this? But she needed him. “What’s the plan?”
“Leave the detective work to me.”
“But—“
“I assure you I’m a better investigator than babysitter. When something develops, I’ll tell you. Fair enough?”
No, it wasn’t fair. She needed to ride shotgun on this investigation, not be shoved in the backseat. Still, she had no clue where to begin. “What choice do I have?”
“None. You’d better catch Sparky. Enjoy your lunch.” Sarcasm tainted Nick’s words. “I’ve got work to do.”
Guilt overcame her. “Care to join us? My treat, since Alex destroyed your lunch.”
He shook his head, his frown softening. “Another time. Three-wheeling’s not my style.”
“I thought you weren’t in law enforcement anymore.…”
Samantha’s words rattled in Nick’s head as he followed the path to the mansion. Why’d she keep bringing that up? It was obvious she didn’t trust him. Why should she? He had lost her kids.
Like he’d lost his.
The ache inside deepened. No matter how hard he tried, he’d never wiggle free from the noose hanging around his neck. The one with his wife and kids’ blood on it.
Nick’s thoughts froze at the sight of Cody Sparks jogging from the mansion down the bowling green. Where were the kids? Obviously not by his side, and Samantha couldn’t have reached the food court. Nick snickered. Alex give Cowboy Sparky the slip?
Nick followed, hoping to catch the cowpoke falling off his horse in front of Samantha. But instead of cutting through the grass to the food court patio door, Sparky headed toward the parking lot. Nick’s inner radar blipped. Something was off.
With pulse quickening, Nick ducked behind cars, cutting the cowpoke off at the pass. His adrenaline surged. The thrill of the chase. That was what he missed. Sparky answered his cell. That was when Nick dashed behind the warehouse outside of Carole’s open window.
He overheard Carole’s raspy one-sided conversation about the telescope. The bell on the front door jingled. Sparky called to Carole, something about checking on an artifact. Nick detected deception in his tone. Classic. Get her talking about one thing while you assess the scene for another.
Was he looking for the missing telescope?
Samantha paced outside the food court restrooms. From the moment she begged Nick for help, her independence had slipped. Then she accepted Cody’s lunch invitation and lost all grip.
“Alex, hurry,” Samantha called through the men’s door.
Alex emerged.
“What took you so long?”
“A man’s business is a man’s business.”
Samantha giggled. As much as he drove her nuts, the laughter he brought made forgiveness easy.
Callie and Alex scrambled to the table as Cody ambled from the cash register, breathing heavily. “That took longer than expected.” He set down the tray and held out Samantha’s chair. “Wasn’t sure what dressing you fancied so I grabbed them all.”
“How thoughtful.”
Cody sat. “Alex mentioned you toured the mansion. Anything exciting happen?”
Samantha dislodged the lettuce from her throat with a sip of water. “A typical day at Mount Vernon, I suppose.”
Cody fingered the cross around her neck. “You churchgoing folks?”
Samantha nodded, her face flushed.
“Maybe you’d join me at Christ Church on Sunday. The architecture is exquisite.” Cody lingered on the last word.
“I’ve wanted to visit since we moved here.”
“I’ll collect you at nine, then treat you to lunch.”
“Again?”
“What good’s money if it can’t be spent?” He winked.
So not fair. “Okay, on two conditions. We’ll meet at Christ Church, and I’m buying.”
“Perfect!” Nick scooted a chair next to Samantha. “I decided to accept your lunch offer.”
Nick wouldn’t normally barge in on someone’s lunch, but he couldn’t watch Samantha be devoured by that snake. He folded his hands on the table.
Samantha stared at him. “Don’t you have rounds to make or something?”
“A guy’s gotta eat. I’ll take a cheeseburger and fries.”
Cowpoke stood, eyed Nick. “You’d let a lady pay for your meal?”
Nick matched his stance. “I didn’t hear you refuse her offer to buy you lunch.”
“Didn’t hear me agree.”
“Sit, you two.” Samantha’s neck turned red, but they didn’t budge.
Cody pulled out a twenty. “I’ll be right back.”
“Coke, no ice,” Nick called after Cody.
Samantha glared at Nick.
“I didn’t come to ruin your lunch.” Nick leaned in. “I saw Cody leave the mansion and head to the archaeology building.”
“You followed him? There’s nothing suspicious about an archaeologist visiting the lab.”
“There is when there is a forger on the loose and he’s supposedly buying you lunch. Besides, he asked Carole about an artifact.”
“The telescope?”
“Not exactly.”
“What forger takes along two kids?”
“They weren’t with him.”
Samantha stopped mid-chew. “There could be a million explanations why—“
“I’m looking for one credible reason. Here he comes.”
“That was quick,” Samantha said in the skeptical tone she usually reserved for Nick.
“Sure was.” Cody slid the tray to Nick, who caught the cup before it toppled. “Lunch crowd must be thinning.”
Like his hair? Maybe that was why he wore a cowboy hat.
“Thanks for the grub.” Nick whispered to Samantha, “Everyone’s a suspect.” He sat at the table behind her in direct view of Cody. Nothing covert about his position. He wanted Cody to know he was being watched.
Samantha tried to tune out the noise behind her, but Nick emphasized every bite and chew like those mouth-drooling burger commercials, only grosser. Cody, the forger? The only threat he held was to her neglected heart.
Why would Nick lie about seeing Cody without the children? Jealousy topped her suspicions.
“Cody, did the kids give you any trouble?”
“Nope. Had my eyes on them the whole time.” Cody swallowed his bite.
“Excuse me.” Samantha grabbed her children’s hands. “Forgot to wash up.”
She let Alex dart ahead. “Callie, did Cody leave you alone?”
“Not really.”
“What do you mean?”
“We stayed at the table while he ordered; then you took us to the bathroom.” Callie hesitated.
“And?”
“Before that, I went to tell him I wanted sausage instead of pepperoni. He wasn’t in line.”
The food court was crowded. If Callie couldn’t find Cody, did that mean he wasn’t watching them? She hadn’t checked the lines for Cody before she whisked the children to the bathroom. Had he run to the mansion and lab like Nick said?
When they caught up to Alex, he stood in front of the men’s room. A yellow Cleaning in Progress marker blocked his entry.
“Go with Callie.”
Callie pulled Alex into the restroom.
If Cody had an errand to run, why not take the kids?
“Don’t mess up.” A gruff voice boomed behind the men’s door.
“I need more time.”
Samantha froze as the door flew open. A gorilla of a man in a suit ogled her, then plodded away. Seconds later, the janitor exited, his fingers shaking as he pushed a bucket to the women’s restroom.
He fumbled for his ringing cell. “You’ll have it by Thursday.” He wiped blood from his lip and glanced around.
Samantha dropped her stare, searched her purse.
“Something’s in the works, I promise.” He lowered his voice.
If this janitor had access to the mansion, maybe he had something to do with the telescope. She smirked. Nick wasn’t the only one who could play detective.
After hanging up, the janitor pushed open the women’s restroom door.
Samantha rushed to block his entry. “My kids are in there.”
He shook his head. “I make sure it’s clear before I go in.”
Younger than Samantha first thought, the janitor looked college age. Samantha gazed into his troubled eyes, her compassion overriding her doubts. “Having a tough day?”