Trove (The Katie Walsh Mysteries)

by KJ Montgomery

  His eyes were hooded, narrowed, his eyebrows knitted together, and his mouth drawn tight. He sat back in the chair and rubbed his chin between his thumb and forefinger.

  “I’m sorry that this monster has chosen to drag you into this and I’m sorry I couldn’t comply with his request and stop what he’ll probably unleash very soon. Nobody at the Institute deserves the notoriety, least of all you.” She twisted the sheet in her hand, his silence unnerving her.

  “What hotel did this happen in?”

  “The Uber Metro in London.”

  “I see. And you’re sure Dr. MacGowan had no prior knowledge?”

  She nodded. “I’d stake my life on it.”

  He sat back in the chair, apparently absorbing the full impact of what she’d just told him. His stare focused on the window on the opposite wall, his fingers steepled, the forefingers tapping lightly against his lips. She watched him for a moment but looked away after noticing a distinct frown behind his fingers.

  The silence was overwhelming and her discomfort grew more noticeable as the ticking clock provided the only sound in the room. She picked at the blanket, then rearranged the covers. After five minutes, she couldn’t stand it any longer. She glanced at Dr. Austin.

  “You want me to resign?” she asked softly.

  He laid his hands on his thighs. “Absolutely not. While I’m not happy that this cretin would impugn the fine reputation of the Institute by turning it into a tabloid soap opera, I’d be a fool to let you go. You’re much too valuable.”

  “Thank you, Dr. Austin. I appreciate your vote of confidence.” She exhaled audibly. “I have something else to tell you.”

  “Do I want to hear this?” he asked, as he eased back into the chair, his hands gripping the armrests.

  “I discovered something when Josh and I were climbing through the mountain tunnel.”

  He leaned in close enough so they would be no chance they’d be overheard even if someone abruptly charged into the room. “What was it?”

  She told him of the glowing crystals and how they seemed to have been activated by the emerald blade, which he assured her was safe, hidden in his office. His eyes danced as she relayed the details of her conversation with Josh and how she believed they’d located Norland.

  “You think the trove is there?”

  She nodded. “Assuming that no one’s discovered it and I don’t think anyone has or we would have heard about it.”

  He sat upright in the chair. “Did you tell anyone about this?”

  She shook her head. “No, and when I translated the runes for Josh Mason, I didn’t quite translate them correctly.”

  He narrowed his eyes.

  “I provided him with a valid translation, one that would stand up to scrutiny, but I didn’t give him what I consider to be the correct one.”

  He grinned. “I knew you wouldn’t disappoint me. I knew you were destined to find the trove.” He stood, leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Don’t tell anyone about what you’ve found and don’t resign. I need to set a few things in motion before anything else happens. Promise me.”

  “I promise,” she stated, loud and clear. “What happens now?”

  “I think we should act as if nothing’s happened. We continue with business as usual. I’ve already begun securing permits that will allow the Nordstrom Institute to be the lead researchers of the crystal cave, since Alec informed me what Josh had claimed he’d discovered.” He leaned closer. “A word of advice regarding the site. I haven’t released any information as to what we think we’ve uncovered. Without any hard evidence connecting this site to Atlantis, I would prefer to keep our speculations to ourselves. Hopefully, because I personally think it is related, we’ll be able to identify a link and then reveal our theories.”

  She nodded. “I totally agree and I’d like to offer my services on site, if that’s okay with you?”

  He chuckled. “I think you’re suffering from ‘Discovery Fever’ but I think that might not be a bad idea. It would get you away from the Institute, and due to the remoteness of the site, it would make it harder for the blackmailer to contact you. Besides, you are the expert in this matter.”

  “Can I ask another favor?”

  “Mm?”

  “Can you assign Alec as the lead archaeologist? He does have expertise in excavations in the British Isles.”

  He smiled warmly, his eyes reflecting his feelings for her. “He was actually the first team member I put on the list. I was hoping you’d want to join the expedition.”

  “Are you sure the dagger I had on me is safe?”

  “Are you asking about the Blade of Grass?”

  She nodded.

  “I took it and locked it up in my safe at the Institute. I’ll give it back to you when you leave here.”

  “I’d like your opinion, Dr. Austin. Do you think it is the Blade of Grass?”

  He nodded slowly. “Yes, and I must say that I’m jealous you bought it before I even knew it was available.”

  She laughed. “I’ve had feelers out for a while. And,” she leaned forward, “I think I’ve found the Dirk of Skye.”

  He whistled. “Are you planning on buying it?”

  “I don’t think I could afford it. Maybe you can though. I believe that Lord Anthony Chester owns it and that it’s part of his massive collection of artifacts at Willowton, though I haven’t seen it yet. I don’t want to alert anyone to its potential significance at this point.”

  “Katie, if you ever need a second career, you should seriously consider detective work.”

  She smiled. “It’s not such a big stretch from investigative mythology, all things considered.” She covered her mouth with her good hand, trying to hide a yawn.

  Dr. Austin stood. “Get some rest so we can get you released. The doctor thinks you’ll be able to go home tomorrow providing you rest a few more days before returning to work.”

  “Thank you, Dr. Austin,” she called out as he left the room.

  R

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Dr. Austin glanced at the thermostat on the wall. It registered seventy-two degrees. He turned and faced the man seated in the visitor’s chair. The man, dressed in a navy blue Armani suit, had impeccably coiffed silver hair and ice blue eyes that seemed to lower the ambient temperature by at least ten degrees. “I just had to make sure it wasn’t really a cold day in hell.”

  The man responded with a deep, rich laugh. “Samuel, it’s been too long. I miss the days when we worked side by side, founding the Institute, using our vast personal collections as a basis for what’s become a preeminent depository and research facility. Tell me, have you ever told anyone the story of the founding?”

  Dr. Austin shook his head. “Never had a reason to. You always said that you wanted to be invisible when it came to the Institute. I’ve simply complied with your wishes, Marcus.”

  “Well, I think it’s time that I stepped forward, assumed a visible presence here. The time to rejoin with the others is quickly approaching, and the changes that will generate make it the perfect time to set a new direction for the Institute.”

  Samuel steepled his fingers. “Just what do you have in mind? I spent many years establishing and protecting the fine reputation.”

  “Yes, you’ve done an excellent job, Samuel, and it will make an excellent cover as my pet project moves to the forefront. I am, however, very disappointed that you’ve assigned Katie to field work. Did you encourage her to get out of the office quickly because you know I need her?”

  Dr. Austin said nothing, just continued to stare at him.

  “You’ve always had a soft spot for her, Samuel. Too bad for you that’s she’s my flesh and blood.”

  Samuel Austin barely restrained himself. His hands clenched behind the desk. In all likelihood this cold-hearted bastard, Katie’s own grandfather, was the monster who attempted to blackmail her. He knew, based on what Katie had told him about the Uber Metro, that the person responsible for the hidden cam
era in the hotel room could only be the owner, one Marcus Altun. His suspicions were solidified when she’d told him that Lord Chester strongly urged her to stay there. He held back a shudder as he thought about all the powerful people who’d stayed there and just how ruthless Marcus could be and how in all probability Chester was also under his control. Samuel Austin shook his head. “I, for one, will miss her.”

  “Ah, the irony of it, Samuel. By all rights, you should be her grandfather, but alas, you were never strong enough to take control. You’ll always be the beta to my alpha,” he sneered.

  Samuel glared at Marcus. “Do you ever plan to tell her who you are?”

  “Would she recognize the name Marcus Altun?”

  “Apart from being the co-founder of this Institute, no, I don’t imagine she would. I don’t think many people here would, but that’s not what I was referring to. Are you ever going to tell her you’re her grandfather?”

  “Why? I don’t acknowledge any relation to her except that she carries my DNA and the genetic marker. Her grandmother and I never lived our lives together. I’ve only watched Dr. Walsh remotely. I can’t recall ever meeting her in the flesh.” He drummed his fingers on the armrests. “She was doing so well until that nasty accident that took her parents.”

  “You’re an inhuman bastard, Marcus,” Samuel hissed, knowing now that Marcus was in all probability responsible for her parents’ murders, not Josiah Mason as he’d believed for the last ten years. And murders they were because Anna Walsh, Katie’s mother and Marcus’s daughter, was hunting him, determined to take him out, stop him before he gained the key that would unlock Nordstrom, literally the Power of the North.

  Marcus smiled. “You hurl that like I should be insulted. I, on the other hand, take that as a compliment. You forget, Samuel, I’m not capable of having emotional connections to people. The sooner you remember that the better.”

  R

  Chapter Thirty

  The following Monday Katie returned to work without her signature high heels. Instead, she was in running shoes and walking with a cane, and probably would be until her knee healed completely. Though she’d wrenched her knee when she fell, she was expected to make a full recovery within a few weeks. Her elbow was badly bruised but healing quickly.

  She managed to hobble into the Celtic Lore office with some grace. It was a few minutes before seven as she headed for the kitchen and some coffee. She paused outside Alec’s office. His desk lamp was on. She’d seen him every day since she left the clinic, except Sunday when Laura spent the day with her. He’d appointed himself as her personal valet, making sure she lacked for nothing, even having her evening meals delivered from her favorite restaurant.

  She leaned her head in. “Alec?”

  “Nice to have you back,” he answered from behind her.

  She jumped and teetered forward. He grabbed her around her waist and pulled her upright, releasing her when she regained her balance. “Thanks. I don’t quite have the weight distribution thing under control,” she murmured.

  “Are you still taking something for the pain?”

  “They gave me Vicodin, but I’m not taking it. The extra strength Tylenol works so much better for me and I can still drive.”

  He stepped around her and headed for the conference table. He held out a chair. “Have a seat.”

  She leaned her weight against the table and eased into the chair, hooking her cane over the chair’s arm.

  “I’ve made some personnel changes while you were away.” She arched an eyebrow. “Mostly I did it in preparation for our extended time in the field. Initially it may be awhile before we’re back at the Institute. ”

  “I remember when my parents would start a new excavation site. They were gone for months, spending most of the time just dealing with the logistics.”

  “Yeah, the initial set-up is more grunt work than glamour,” he said as he sat down beside her. “Thankfully, you and I will be together.” He smiled. “I’m sure we’ll think of something to break up the boredom.”

  She lightly smacked his forearm. “About the personnel changes…”

  His smile vanished. “Well… see… I managed to find someone with a background in ancient languages, particularly from the British Isles. She’s a PhD with over fifteen years of experience at a prestigious research facility.” He glanced at Katie.

  She relaxed into the chair. “Well, that sounds like a perfect addition. She can help with the documents and interpretations.”

  “Exactly.”

  “So, where’s her office? Are you having another one built?”

  He shook his head. “Not yet. For the time being she’s been using your office. I’ve requisitioned another desk and expect delivery and set up tomorrow.”

  “So she and I will be sharing my office, at least until we head to Skye?”

  “Yes. Do you think that’ll be a problem?”

  Katie propped her right elbow on the table. “Not really. I don’t need much room and it would be a shame to lose any equipment space, so it makes perfect sense not to build out another office just yet.”

  He frowned. “Have you heard anything from the blackmailer?”

  She shook her head. “No, he seems to have crawled back under his rock, but that reminds me, I need to get a new cell phone.”

  He strode over to his desk, opened the drawer and retrieved a package. He returned and placed a cell phone on the table. “I was able to have your number ported to this one. It’s the latest model.”

  She picked it up. “Thanks.”

  The outer door opened then closed. She looked towards his office door as she listened to footsteps approaching, waiting to greet Laura.

  “Good morning. It’s good to see you back at work, Katie.”

  Katie knitted her eyebrows. “Lucy? What are you doing here?”

  “You didn’t tell her?” Lucy asked, directing the question at Alec as she smoothed her fitted pale pink dress over her hips.

  “I told her about the new addition and the office sharing…”

  Lucy gently shook her head. “But you didn’t tell her it was me.”

  Katie gasped, looking from Alec to Lucy and back to Alec. “Are you… my God, she’s my officemate?”

  Alec nodded.

  Katie bit her lower lip, hoping she wouldn’t draw blood. She inhaled slowly, counted to ten and then exhaled. Of all the people she could envision as the new team member, Lucy was not ever on her radar screen. Hell, she never knew what her background was in. How convenient that it encompassed ancient languages from the British Isles. She didn’t like it but strategically it made sense. They would definitely need someone to translate and interpret ancient documents. But she wasn’t comfortable with Lucy. Not only did she have a connection to Alec, but she had to be Josh’s contact here at the Institute. Stop it! If I’m going to change, I have to try to change my relationships with people, Lucy included. Katie pasted a small smile on her face. “Welcome on board, Lucy. I’m sure you’ll be a positive addition.”

  Alec looked at her quizzically.

  “See, Alec, I told you Katie would welcome me regardless of our… past interactions. I just know we’re going to be the envy of the rest of the Institute, especially since we’ll have an active dig.”

  Katie rose, balancing her weight between the cane and her right leg. “If we’re through here,” she glanced at Alec for confirmation. He nodded. “Then you’ll excuse me while I get my coffee.”

  Lucy scooted out the door before Katie could leave. “I’ll get it, Katie. You like it with just cream, right?”

  “Yes, thanks.”

  “I’ll bring it to your… our office.”

  As Katie headed for the door, she turned her head back to Alec. “Are you sure that’s Lucy Millar and not some Stepford version?”

  ****

  Katie peered over the rim of her coffee cup. She studied Lucy as Lucy rapidly typed into her laptop. Lucy’s style of dress had changed in the last few weeks, since Alec’
s hiring. Lucy had stopped wearing her man-tailored suits and was opting for more feminine attire, all since Alec started working at the Institute. Where Katie was short and somewhat curvy, Lucy was tall with a slender, almost athletic build. The only thing they had in common was chestnut-colored hair.

  Katie sipped her coffee. Alec, Lucy and Josh were all about the same age. Clearly Lucy knew both men. What was her connection to them? She set the cup on the desk. “Lucy, how long have you known Alec and Josh?”

  “Mm-hmm?” Lucy asked as she stopped typing.

  “I asked how long you’ve known Alec and Josh.”

  Lucy looked up and caught Katie’s eyes. She pursed her lips. “We did our post-graduate work together.”

  “And?” Katie asked.

  “Why don’t you just ask me what you want to know, Katie? Or better yet, I’ll ask. You want to know if Alec and I were ‘involved’?”

  Katie nodded.

  Lucy sighed. “Yes, we lived together for a year and a half.”

  Katie gasped. “Lived together?”

  “Yes.”

  “What happened?”

  “I think you should talk to Alec, Katie.”

  “I will, but in the meantime, I’m asking you. What happened?”

  “Josh happened.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means that Josh’s career was taking off, like a rocket. It was an exciting time. He was attending celebrity-packed parties. His photograph regularly showed up in the tabloids. He was a celebrity in his own right.” Lucy shrugged, “I was young, in a career where my head was wrapped around ancient translations, and I wanted some excitement.”

  “You left Alec for Josh?”

  “Yeah, one of the stupidest things I ever did in my life.”

  “You still love Alec, don’t you?”