Read Online Black Order by James Rollins - Free Book Online Page B

are, Bertal.” The girl bent down and poured the contents of one of her Styrofoam cups into a ceramic bowl on the floor. “The mangy sot’s useless before his first morning latte.” This last was said with obvious affection.
    The Saint Bernard reached their side and began lapping the bowl eagerly.
    “I don’t think coffee’s good for a dog,” Gray warned.
    The girl straightened, tossing her braid over her shoulder. “No worries. It’s decaffeinated.” She continued into the shop.
    “What happened to his paw?” Gray asked, making small talk while he adjusted to the situation. He patted the dog on the side as he passed, earning a thump of a tail.
    “Frostbite. Mutti took him in a long time ago.”
    “Mutti?”
    “My grandmother. She’s been waiting for you.”
    A voice called from the rear of the shop. “ Er det ham der vil købe bøgerne, Fiona?”
    “ Ja , Mutti! The American buyer. In English please.”
    “Send ham ind paa mit kontor.”
    “Mutti will see you in her office.” The girl, Fiona, led him toward the rear. The dog, finished with his morning coffee, followed at Gray’s heels.
    In the middle of the shop, they passed a small cash-register desk set up with a Sony computer and printer. It seemed the modern age had found its foothold here.
    “We have our own website,” Fiona said, noting his attention.
    They passed the register and entered a back room through an open door. The space here was more parlor than office. There was a sofa, a low table, and two chairs. Even the desk in the corner seemed more in place to support the hot plate and teakettle than for any clerical function. One wall, though, was lined by a row of black filing cabinets. Above them, a barred window let in cheery morning light, illuminating the office’s sole occupant.
    She stood and offered her hand. “Dr. Sawyer,” she said, using his assumed name for this mission. She had clearly reviewed some background on him. “I am Grette Neal.”
    The woman’s grip was firm. She was rail thin, and though her skin was pale, the indomitable health of her countrymen shone from her pores. She waved Gray to one of the chairs. Her whole manner was casual, even her clothes: navy jeans, a turquoise blouse, and modest black pumps. Her long silver hair was combed straight, accentuating a serious demeanor, but her eyes sparkled with wry amusement.
    “You have met my granddaughter.” Grette Neal’s fluency in English was smooth, but the Danish accent was evident. Unlike her granddaughter.
    Gray glanced between the pale elderly woman and the dark girl. There was no family resemblance, but Gray kept silent on this matter. He had more important matters to clarify.
    “Yes, we’ve met,” Gray said. “In fact, it seems I’ve met your granddaughter twice today.”
    “Ah, Fiona’s curiosity will get her in real trouble one of these days.” Grette’s chastisement was softened by a smile. “Has she returned your wallet?”
    Gray’s brow wrinkled. He patted his back pocket. Empty.
    Fiona reached into a side pouch of her pack and held out his brown leather wallet.
    Gray snatched it back. He remembered her bumping into him as she left to get the coffee. It had been more than impatient rudeness.
    “Please don’t take offense,” Grette assured him. “It’s her way of saying hello.”
    “All his ID checked out,” Fiona said with a shrug.
    “Then please return the young man’s passport, Fiona.”
    Gray checked his other pocket. Gone. For the love of God!
    Fiona tossed the small blue chapbook with the U.S. eagle on the cover.
    “Is that everything?” Gray asked, patting himself down.
    Fiona shrugged.
    “Again, please excuse my granddaughter’s exuberance. She gets overly protective sometimes.”
    Gray stared at the two of them. “Would either of you care to explain what’s going on?”
    “You’ve come to inquire about the Darwin Bibel, ” Grette said.
    “The Bible,” Fiona translated.
    Grette nodded at her granddaughter. The