Read Online Airtight Case by Beverly Connor - Free Book Online Page A

and theft. You must have known about it when you first suggested I spend time up here.”
    “Yes, I did. Keith York and I were in school together. His company, Sound Ecology, could be held liable if, well . . .”
    “If one of his employees committed murder?”
    “Or stole something. I don’t really think she killed anyone. Even the authorities say it was a heart attack. The woman was old, with a history of heart disease and two previous heart attacks. Keith is worried mainly about the accusation of theft.”
    “And you told him, ‘No problem, one of my faculty members is a detective.’”
    “That, and that he would be getting an expert at the department’s expense. They have made use of your talents there, haven’t they?”
    “Yes, as the village idiot. Look, Lewis, they don’t want me here. They don’t like me, and I’ve had more restful times in faculty meetings.”
    As Lindsay talked, she watched the conversation, or at least one side of it, going on between Marina on the front porch and someone in the shadows. Marina gestured with some intensity. The person stepped for a moment into the sunlight. It was a woman Lindsay didn’t recognize, possibly the elusive Drew. Whoever it was stepped back out of sight again.
    “I know you love the Smokies,” Lewis was saying in her ear.
    “Yes, I do, and I can enjoy them without working here. I just called to tell you I’m quitting.”
    “I wish you wouldn’t. Just as a favor to me, find out if there is anything to the accusations. You don’t have to do any real detective work. Just talk to the sheriff and a few people. You’re good at that, and you know those law enforcement types.”
    From her rearview mirror, Lindsay saw Broach Moore in the distance, ambling toward the house, his hands in his pockets.
    “I’ll give it a week, and if I’m not having fun, I’m leaving this place.”
    “I knew I could count on you. What quality of work are they doing?”
    “I don’t like to critique another archaeologist’s work.”
    “What do you mean? You do that all the time. I just read a letter by you in American Antiquity . . .”
    “That was different. I wasn’t spying on them.”
    “York is hearing some rumors about that site.”
    “If it’s important to him, tell him to get his butt down here and take a look for himself.”
    “He can’t. Is Drew doing a fair job?”
    “It’s not being excavated the way I’d do it, but it’s not bad . . . yet. I’d fire a couple of people and sit the site director down and have a talk with her. By the way, I’ve never met Drew. She’s been conspicuously absent . . . avoiding a process server.”
    “Indeed? Can you find out about that?” Lindsay didn’t need to ignore the question, for Lewis continued on as if she had agreed. “The site’s had a frequent turnover of staff from the very beginning.”
    “I’m not surprised.”
    She watched Moore crossing the bridge. He stopped and looked over the side at the water below. He seemed reluctant to cross. Maybe he was looking for a troll, she thought.
    “The site director is one of the most unpleasant people I’ve ever worked with.”
    “You’re good with unpleasant people. Is there anything you need?”
    Lindsay rolled her eyes. “I’d like to read the proposal and look at the historical documents.”
    “They won’t let you? Do you want me to call—”
    “No. I’ll work it out. As I said, I’m only giving it a week.”
    “Fair enough. Call if you need anything.”
    “Sure.”
    Lindsay put the phone back in its cradle and got out of the Explorer. The sound of the door closing brought Marina’s head around. She saw Moore on the bridge and pushed whoever she was talking to farther into the shadows. It had to be Drew. Lindsay stepped in front of Moore, blocking his path.
    “I assume that you still need a ride to town.” Lindsay reopened the driver’s-side door and started to get in.
    “I need my truck.”
    “Then, you don’t need a ride to town?”