Standing in the Shadows (McClouds & Friends #2)(67)
Were it not for her intense awareness of Connor's presence and the bizarre turns her life was taking lately, she would've been in heaven. But even while she was busy crunching data, she felt him behind her, watching her with the same quiet, potent intensity with which he did absolutely everything. He was a huge, warm, distracting presence.
Her ex-boss Lydia would have cheerfully killed to acquire any of these pieces for the Huppert, but something was odd about two of the torques. They were strangely similar to a style she'd studied in Scotland. She'd been lucky enough to work on an Iron Age cemetery in Wrothburn, Scotland, which had been unearthed during the construction of a shopping mall parking lot only two years before.
It had been the biggest discovery of Iron Age grave goods since the 1970s, and a very distinctive style of torque had been uncovered, characterized by bearded dragon-headed finials, the writhing symmetrical dragons' tails hiding the gap in front of the torque. She'd never heard of that style being found elsewhere. She'd even written an article speculating on the possible ritual and magical significance of the bearded dragons.
And yet, the provenance stated that they'd been discovered in Switzerland in the 1950s. Very odd. She clicked off the recorder.
"I need to do some research before I can write my final report," she told Nigel Dobbs.
"But they are authentic, of course?" He twisted his hands.
"Oh, good heavens, yes. They're stunning. Some of the most beautiful examples of early La Tene art that I've ever seen. Museum quality, each one of them. Mr. Mueller's taste is impeccable."
"Exquisite," Connor muttered. "Remarkable. Truly stupendous."
She ignored him stonily. "May I keep the copies of the provenance papers, and return them to you later on this week?"
"Of course, of course," Dobbs said. "Keep them, by all means."
The door swung open. Tamara Julian appeared, bearing a silver tray with four steaming demitasse cups and a plateful of petit fours. She bestowed a dazzling smile upon Connor. "If I can't tempt you out to the bar for coffee, then I'm forced to bring it in to you," she said.
Erin saw herself knocking the tray up into Tamara's face, sending espresso splashing all over the fawning bitch's perfect designer suit. She clamped down on the childish impulse and snagged a cup off the tray. "Thank you so much," she said. "I was fainting for some caffeine."
"Refresh yourself, by all means," Dobbs said, rubbing his skinny hands together. "I trust you and Mr. McCloud will stay to lunch?"
Erin's eyes slid to Connor. He looked back at her, impassive.
"Ah, thank you, but I have some pressing business at home," she said. "I would prefer to get back to Seattle as soon as possible."
To say nothing of the fact that watching Tamara drool all over Connor would do absolutely nothing for her appetite. She'd thought that she actually liked the woman on the three other occasions that they had met. She'd even been impressed by Tamara's intelligence and wit.
She was liking Tamara a whole hell of a lot less right now.
Tamara pouted. "Oh, must you? The chef here prepares a stunning bouillabaisse, and the lobster pastry is absolutely divine."
"Not this time," Connor said. "We'll grab something quick on the road. Are we done here, sweetheart?"
"Not quite." Dobbs opened a briefcase on the table and pulled out a folder. "Mr. Mueller had intended to make this proposal to you at dinner last night. In fact, that was the reason he made this long journey in one single push. He suffers from rather delicate health, you see, and it was quite a sacrifice for him to—"
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Dobbs," she said hastily. "I didn't mean—"
"I'm not reproving you, Ms. Riggs. I am simply telling you the facts as they are so that your future decisions can be more informed. Mr. Mueller has authorized me to make this proposal on his behalf. We are aware that you worked at the Huppert. Is this correct?"
"Yes," she said. "I was there for two years."
"Mr. Mueller was intrigued by your organization of the Bronze and Iron Age Celtic exhibit last year at the Huppert. He thought it inspired, even brilliant. You have an innovative spirit to go along with your formidable technical skills, Ms. Riggs."
"Ah… thank you." She was flustered and confused.
"Mr. Mueller has been considering a grant to the Huppert for a new wing. Devoted principally to Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Romano-Celtic artifacts. His Celtic collection will be donated, as well."
"Oh. That would be, ah, amazingly generous of him," she said. Lydia was going to have kittens for joy. Hurray for Lydia.
"Yes, Mr. Mueller is very altruistic," Dobbs said. "He believes that the beauty of the past is for everyone's enrichment."
"How incredibly admirable of him," Connor said.
Erin cringed, and Tamara's lips quirked, but Dobbs just nodded as if he didn't hear Connor's sarcasm.
"Indeed it is," Dobbs agreed. "Mr. Mueller is not interested in the circumstances behind your dismissal from the Huppert, but it was a terrible error in judgment on the part of the museum administration."
"I, uh, rather thought so myself," Erin said desperately.
"To put matters simply, Mr. Mueller would be disposed to donate these funds only if he could be assured that you and you alone would be the curator of the Celtic collection."