reaching the top of your field. Now, because of haste and stubbornness and ego, my professional integrity is in question, and your reputation may very well be ruined. The bronze is being transferred to another facility today.â
âTransferred?â
âWeâve been fired,â Elizabeth snapped, then snatched up the phone that rang on a table beside her. Her lips thinned, and her breath hissed through them once. âNo comment,â she said in Italian, and hung up. âAnother reporter. The third whoâs reached me on my private number.â
âIt doesnât matter.â Though her stomach was jumping, Miranda spoke calmly. âLet them transfer her. Any reputable lab will only verify my findings.â
âThatâs precisely the kind of arrogance that put us in this position.â Her eyes fired such icy temper that Miranda didnât notice the strain or dark circles under them. âIâve worked for years to reach this point, to build and maintain a facility that is without question among the finest in the world.â
âThis wonât change that. Leaks happen even in the finest facilities.â
âThey donât happen at Standjo.â The silk of Elizabethâs robe swirled as she paced. The matching slippers made nosound as they trampled the pink roses blooming on the carpet. âIâll begin repairing the damage immediately. I expect you to avoid the press, and take the first available flight back to Maine.â
âIâm not leaving until this is finished.â
âIt is finished, for you. Your services are no longer required at Standjo, Florence.â She turned back to her daughter, her face set, her tired eyes chilly and direct. âYour security clearance will be voided.â
âI see. A quick execution without a trial. I shouldnât be surprised,â she said half to herself. âWhy am I?â
âThis isnât the time to indulge in drama.â
Because her nerves were raw, Elizabeth indulged herself and moved to a cabinet for the brandy. There was a dull drumming at the base of her skull that caused her more irritation than pain.
âItâs going to take quite a bit of work to put Standjo back on an even keel after this. And there will be questions, a lot of questions.â With her back to Miranda, Elizabeth splashed two inches of brandy into a snifter. âIt would be better for you if you arenât in the country when theyâre asked.â
âIâm not afraid of questions.â The panic was creeping in now, sneaking slyly up her spine. She was to be sent away, The Dark Lady taken from her. Her work questioned, her integrity shadowed. âI didnât do anything illegal or unethical. And Iâll stand by my authentication of the bronze. Because itâs right. Because itâs real.â
âFor your sake, I hope so. The press has your name, Miranda.â Elizabeth lifted her brandy in an unconscious toast. âBelieve me, theyâll use it.â
âLet them.â
âArrogance.â Elizabeth hissed out a breath. âObviously you havenât taken account that your actions will reflect on me, personally and professionally.â
âYou thought of it,â Miranda shot back, âwhen you brought me here to verify and corroborate your own suspicions. You may head Standjo, but you donât have the qualifications for this kind of work. You wanted the glory.âMirandaâs heart hammered painfully in her throat as she stepped closer. âYou sent for me because I share part of your name, and your blood, however much we both regret that.â
Elizabethâs eyes narrowed. The accusation wasnât inaccurate, but neither was it complete. âI gave you the opportunity of a lifetime, because of your qualifications, and yes, because youâre a Jones. Youâve damaged that opportunity, and my organization in the
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