Curiosity Didn't Kill the Cat
Page 25
“And those FBI men went over this place with a fine-toothed comb.”
“It would take more than a fine-toothed comb to get at Meg’s hiding places.”
She was silent for a while, watching Meg at her predatory antics. Finally, she breathed a profound sigh.
“Well…I guess it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.” Conan winced at the platitude, but made no comment. “Otherwise, you might never have found out about Dr. Demetriev.”
“Possibly. Or perhaps I—or someone else—might have found out sooner.” He straightened, squaring his shoulders decisively. “Anyway, you can send that card to Inspector West with my compliments. And Meg’s.”
He reached for the File and began leafing through the cards while Miss Dobie watched curiously. Finally, he pulled out the Luigi Benevento card, and his features relaxed into a quiet smile.
“You know, Miss Dobie, you’re absolutely right.”
“I am?”
“Didn’t you say the best way to get a lead on that Fabrizi project was to see Benevento in Florence?”
“Oh. Did I say that?”
“Of course you did.” He grinned at her. “And I always take your advice.”
She laughed at that. “Oh, yes. Always. I can think of at least…well, let’s see, at least two occasions in the last seven years when you’ve taken my advice.”
“That isn’t a bad record.” He reached for the phone. “Now, if you’ll excuse me—”
She smiled knowingly, and as he dialed gathered up her coffee cup and Meg, and started for the door.
“Give my regards to Miss Hartford,” she said as she closed the door behind her.
He nodded, then turned his attention to the phone.
“Trans-World Travel Agency. May I help you?”
“May I speak to Miss Hartford, please?”
When the connection was made, he smiled and leaned back with a luxurious sense of anticipation.
“This is Miss Hartford, may I—”
“Lisa, this is Conan Flagg.”
“Conan! It’s been months. I thought maybe you’d found a cure for itchy feet.”
He laughed. “Never.”
“That’s good news. What can I do for you?”
He closed his eyes, smiling at a warm-toned image of the Duomo; the wide piazza with the flapping, cooing clouds of pigeons; the soaring campanile….
“Lisa, you can book me on the first flight available—to Florence.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
M.K. WREN is a pseudonym for a West Coast writer of crime fiction and science fiction. In addition to her skills as the creator of Conan Flagg, Ms. Wren is also the author of the acclaimed science-fiction trilogy, THE PHOENIX LEGACY. As an artist, she has exhibited in numerous galleries in Texas, Oklahoma, and the Northwest. She has been lauded for her watercolor miniatures—detailed paintings with subjects tending toward Victorian houses and ghost towns. CURIOSITY DIDN’T KILL THE CAT was Ms. Wren’s mystery series debut, and she has subsequently completed seven more novels featuring Conan Flagg.