by R D Hathaway
“At least you’re doing something meaningful. I’m just pushing books around and helping people look stuff up.”
“You’ve been a big help to me.”
Angie swirled the ice around in her glass. “By the way, what’s the latest with your professor? Are you done with that?”
“No, in fact, I just hit the gold mine. I came across these books that I had ignored. I was looking at paperwork and trying to piece everything together. Then I came across his journals from when he was in England. It’s like him writing to me. It’s incredible.”
Angie sat up straight. “Did you find out how he died?”
“No. He couldn’t have told about it. But the end isn’t the story. Somebody killed him, and that’s the story. I can only find out by reading the whole thing. Bud, my editor, constantly told me to get the whole story, and then, tell it.”
Rennie looked away. Her eyes narrowed. “From what I’ve read so far, I’m wondering who did it. There’s this rich gal he seems interested in and a creepy guy who’s some church official. Heck, maybe he just said the wrong thing in a bar. I don’t know what happened, but I intend to find out. He deserves to have his story told. From what I’ve seen in the world, the bigger the story, the more closely it is kept.”
Rennie took another drink of her beer and pointed the bottle at Angie. “Okay, your turn again. Just what did you say in that restaurant?”
They chuckled.
“It wasn’t so much what I said, but that I stood up and looked down at him when I said it. He’s not accustomed to that.”
“Details, I want details, I’m a reporter.”
“It wasn’t much. In fact, it was pretty tame. I said something like, ‘you jerk, I hope you and your career are happy together.’ He’s not used to people talking to him like that, especially me. I suppose I’d better call him tomorrow.”
“You might want to give it a day or two. He’s a lawyer and probably into playing tactical games. If you call him right back, then you’re in a subordinate position.”
“Yeah, I can’t stand all that game stuff.”
“You may have to with this guy. You might be better off taking a rest from him. Have you got any hobbies or anything?”
“Nothing much. I help students set up Web sites. It’s kind of fun. I also got into digital photography a year ago. That’s really satisfying for my creative side. You know, modern library work is heavily computer based.”
Rennie leaned back, “Whoa, I’ve got a techie here!”
Angie laughed, “Hardly. It’s easy once you get into it. Hey, it’s getting late. I’d better take off. Thanks Rennie. I appreciate your being there tonight. Your entrance was pretty special, too!”
“It would have been more interesting if there had been a bad guy in there.”
“So, would you have decked him?”
“I don’t know. I don’t like trouble, but I’ll deal with it.”
London, UK
The British Museum
III - 2
Matthias jogged up the entry steps to the British Museum and entered the hall. He greeted the stoic security guard with a wave and stopped.
He pointed at an imposing marble statue. “Is that William Shakespeare?”
The guard looked at the statue, then returned his dull gaze to the energetic newcomer. “Yes sir. I believe it is.”
“Wonderful! How far is it from here to Stratford?”
The guard studied the statue. “Actually sir, I don’t know.”
Matthias grinned broadly. “We haven’t met. I am Professor Matthias Justus and I’ll be working here for the summer. I thought you should know.”
“I believe we do know, sir.”
“Very good. I’ll see you later.”
Matthias breezed down the hallway and ran up the stairs to the second level. As he entered the work room, he noticed that Miss Shefford was already at her desk shuffling the inventory cards and paperwork. “Good morning, Miss Shefford!” he shouted across the room.
The cards in her hand spilled to the desk, and she turned to look at him. When he reached his desk she responded, “Good morning, Professor. Is all well this morning?”
“Excellent, and how are you Miss Shefford? I’ve never seen such a beautiful day!”
“Professor, are all Americans this energetic in the morning?”
“My students certainly are not. When they enter my morning classes, they nearly crawl through the door.”
He laid his black leather attaché case on his desk and removed his suit coat, arranging it on the back of his chair. “Is it acceptable to not wear a coat in the office? I don’t want to appear inappropriate.”
“I don’t know, Professor. Your situation here is unique.”
He paused for a moment and tilted his head. “Hmm, unique. That’s interesting.”
As he sat down, she organized her cards. “I don’t mean that in a negative way, sir.”
“Of course not, Miss Shefford. In fact, I like unique. Perhaps, that’s why I am in this profession. I look for what is unique. Say, am I supposed to report to Mr. Warrington, or do I just come here and get at it?”
“I believe Mr. Warrington would prefer the latter. He comes by now and then to see if there are any particular problems or if anything is needed. But, he tends to, … well, he appreciates the distance I believe, between himself and staff. Then again, your situation is … ”
“Yes, unique!”
They laughed.
Matthias was delighted that the young woman appeared to be more relaxed today. He looked through several inventory sheets in a neat stack on his desk. “Yesterday, Mr. Warrington mentioned that Archbishop, what was his name, would be stopping by to meet me. What can you tell me about him?”
She stopped handling her paperwork and became still for a moment. “Archbishop Worthy is an influential person. His promotion of the Museum’s interests is appreciated by Keeper Budge.”
She turned to Matthias. Her face had lost its color. “He is a determined person. You should be …”
She suddenly looked back at her work.
“I must be what?”
“I understand things may be different in America. Here, people of my class do their jobs and do their best to remain invisible unless they are called upon by others. I imagine America may be more open to all people.”
“Yes, it is. Of course, all societies have social strata. America has less history to create the traditions or perceptions of class, but it is definitely there. Wealth, of course, does not need time to create influence.”
For the first time, he felt an anxiety that was more than simple nervousness. He removed from his attaché case the biscuit tin in which Mrs. Whitley had again placed his lunch. “I think I’ll put this in the staff room. Please excuse me.”
He left their work area and placed his food tin in the cupboard where others had left their items. He leaned back against the counter and studied the floor. His eyes followed the pattern in the marble, but his inner vision was looking for something else. He realized he had found an exceptional work opportunity at the Museum, but he had also joined an intense and conflicted group of people. He worried how their tensions might affect him.
When he returned to the work room, he removed his coat from the back of his chair and put it on. They worked quietly next to each other for nearly an hour.
Matthias noticed that Miss Shefford had stopped working. She was sitting still and looking straight ahead at the wall. He realized that someone was quietly approaching them. He turned to look just as Mr. Warrington arrived at their desk area.
“How are we doing today?” Warrington asked.
“Very good, sir.” Matthias attempted a smile. He stood up, awkwardly close to the old man and looked down at him. They both stepped back a bit in a polite dance of comfortable distance.
&
nbsp; Warrington cleared his throat. “Well then, as I mentioned yesterday, Archbishop Worthy will be visiting you today. I am sure two scholars of the ancient Bible will have much to talk about. He said he is quite pleased that you are here. I’ve indicated to Miss Shefford that any time he needs you, do not hesitate to accommodate him. He has spoken highly of the assistance Miss Shefford offered to him in getting to know the collections.”
Warrington nodded in her direction.
She looked at her hands in her lap.
“On another matter, there has been a slow down in the delivery of new shipments.” Warrington allowed a smile to begin on his face. “I imagine you may not have noticed that, but for the next few days to a week perhaps, we will await the clearing of some delay at the docks. Keep busy as you can. Very good, then.”
Warrington turned and began his procession across the room and down the hall.
Matthias peered out the door at the outer hall for a moment, then noticed Miss Shefford. She was busy with paperwork again. Scratching his head in this moment of uncertainty, he looked over at the racks of artifacts from yesterday’s delivery and walked in their direction.
For a few minutes, he examined a tiny wooden boat with accents of color and gems. His morning joy returned. His wide eyes darted across the precious object that he carefully turned in his hands. He gently laid the boat on the heavy wooden shelf and shifted his attention to a small gold box. In his peripheral vision, he noticed that Miss Shefford was walking out of the room. He listened for her footsteps in the hall, trying to determine where she was going.
After looking at two more items, Matthias realized she had not returned. He decided to go into the hall to see where she was. He found her on the far side of the Fourth Egyptian Room. She was slowly moving through the collection, looking studiously at each exhibit description card. When he came up behind her, she spun around with shock on her face.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to surprise you.”
“Oh, Professor, I was just taking a short break. I enjoy going through the collection.”
“I certainly understand. It is marvelous. We stand in the midst of history and treasure. Have you always been interested in the ancient world?”
“Perhaps, we choose that which interests us. I don’t know why. For me, these things represent something wonderful and everlasting.”
She returned to her review of the exhibit descriptions as they came upon them. Her lips slightly moved as she read them.
“Did you study history or archeology in college, Miss Shefford? I would assume there are some excellent opportunities for that, considering the treasures that England has.”
She did not answer but continued to review the exhibit descriptions.
“Miss Shefford, I can’t help but observe your study of these exhibits. May I ask why?”
Still, she did not answer. After a few more moments, she finally stopped and looked straight into Matthias’ eyes.
“Professor Justus, I was able, or I’m not sure how to put it, but I have been quite fortunate to secure the position I have here as a result of knowing the collection, the Egyptian Collection. My knowledge of these things came as a result of self-study. I have not been to college. My entire schooling opportunity lasted six years. That is considered more than sufficient for someone of my place in society; especially for a girl. I am here, at the British Museum, as a result of my hopes and hard work. It is a concept not limited to men.”
Her beautiful eyes grew bright and she tilted her head. “Perhaps you would like a demonstration, sir. Please go there, to the entry to the Third Egyptian Room, and look into the room. Please, go ahead.”
Matthias was puzzled and intrigued. He walked to the entry of the next room and as he moved, he occasionally looked back at Miss Shefford. When he got to the entry he looked into the room, then looked back again at the young woman. He shrugged his shoulders.
From far away, still in the Fourth Egyptian Room, she began. “Professor, you will see that this room contains primarily coffin lids, cartonnages, and mummies. Most of the artifacts in the room are from the period of the 26th Dynasty to the Roman occupation. That would be from what is called the Late Period, about 650 B.C. to 30 B.C. In perspective, the find of Tutankhamun is currently dated at around 1300 B.C. in the 18th Dynasty.”
Matthias looked in disbelief at Miss Shefford, far away in the long Fourth Egyptian Room. He hardly breathed. He looked back into the other room.
“Professor,” she continued. “you will see located in the room, there are several children’s mummies, as well as the mummy of one Artemidorus, who was thought to be Greek. Continuing around the room, there are several gilded masks and plaster heads, the mummy of Ankh-Pa-Khart from around 600 B.C., some painted wooden chests for canopic jars, and a large floor case containing the mummy of Arit-Heru-ru. Please note the porcelain beadwork.”
Matthias looked back at the young woman. She was not looking in his direction but seemed to gaze at some distant object in the air.
“Miss Shefford, you need not continue. I am more than impressed.”
As he returned to her, her chin eased downward, and her distant gaze turned to hardened determination. She crossed her arms in front of herself.
“Professor, if you wish, I can describe for you every display item in the collection.”
“You need not do that,” he said. “I could not do that myself if I worked here for the rest of my career. You have a remarkable mind, Miss Shefford, and I am delighted to be able to work with you.”
Her arms loosened and slid down until she had one hand on top of the other.
“However, you came to work here, it is a credit to your resolve and to your vision. As far as …”
“Priscilla, my dear!”
A man’s voice startled him.
Entering the room was a short, stocky man in a black, three-piece suit with a clergy collar. He had broad shoulders and a thick chest which seemed to cause him to lean forward as he walked. His thin, black hair was combed straight back. His eyes darted from Matthias to Miss Shefford.
Matthias noticed a slight pink color flushed into Priscilla’s cheeks. She closed her eyes.
As the man reached them, he grabbed her hands and gently shook them both.
“Ah Priscilla, what a delight to see you again.” Releasing her hands, he turned to Matthias and offered his hand. “You must be Professor Justus. Another delight!”
Matthias took his hand and felt a vigorous response. The man held his hand for just a moment longer than what Matthias was used to.
“Welcome to the British Museum and to England, sir. I am Robert Worthy, Archbishop, Canon, Reverend and all that title folderol. Please call me Robert. I look forward to getting to know you. We must get together during the short time you are here.”
Before Matthias could respond, Worthy leaned toward Miss Shefford. “Priscilla, I hope you don’t plan to keep him to yourself.”
She looked down but did not respond.
Worthy quickly turned back to Matthias. “Professor, are you free for lunch? I can’t wait to hear about your travels here. Lady Jane and I were immediately delighted to see your application for this assistantship. I told Keeper Budge this is the man. Please get him here!”
He threw his hands wide and kept his arms up for a moment. “Well then, I’m very sorry. I’ve done all the talking, and it seems I have interrupted something you were both doing.”
He squinted as he looked back and forth at Matthias and Miss Shefford. There was something ominous about his look.
“Not at all, sir,” she whispered. “The Professor and I were discussing the collection. He is beginning to become familiar with what is here.”
“Well, Professor, there is no one better to tell you about the collection. Priscilla has a phenomenal mind. Watch this, Professor. Priscilla, please tell us what is in the Nimroud Centr
al Saloon.”
He folded his arms across his chest and beamed at her. The young woman gazed into the distance.
“The Nimroud Central Saloon displays sculptures from the palace of Esarhaddon, dating from the seventh century B.C. and earlier. There is the ‘Black Obelisk,’ recording on five rows of reliefs the campaigns of Shalmaneser II. Beyond that, two statues of …”
This is not necessary,” Matthias interjected. He looked with concern at her.
Her chin lowered again.
Matthias stepped forward. “Archbishop Worthy, I would be delighted to join you for lunch or at whatever time is convenient for you.”
He looked into the small, brown eyes of the cleric.
“I see, well then,” the Archbishop hesitated as he looked at Matthias and Priscilla. “Very good, we shall have lunch. What do you say, one thirty today? Will that work for you?”
He leaned toward Matthias as though pointing with his nose.
“Well, today sir, today is good.”
The cleric displayed a wide grin with crooked, yellow teeth. “Wonderful. I shall return and collect you at that time. Good day, Professor!”
He turned to Miss Shefford. “Priscilla, I am so delighted to also see you again,” he said. “If there is anything you need, please do not hesitate to let me know.” He reached out and slid his fingers under her hand.
“Thank you, Archbishop. I appreciate your courtesies,” she whispered.
Matthias’ nostrils flared slightly. As he watched the man march away, he felt a hint of disgust and intimidation. For an awkward moment, he didn’t know what to say. Then, he said. “So, who gets to call you ‘Priscilla?’”
She took a deep breath and looked at the entry where the Archbishop departed. She then looked at Matthias with a sly grin. “We shall see, Professor.”
She quickly left the hall and went to their work room.
At 11:30, Priscilla excused herself to go to lunch. Matthias offered to share with her the modest meal in his biscuit tin, but she declined. After she had gone, he got up and walked along the rows of shelving, looking for something new to examine.