Читать книгу Treasure of the Romarins - Ronda Williams - Страница 10

Kieran decided the best way to get to Paris was to head down the Côte d’Opal to Boulogne-Sur-Mer. “From there we can take the A16 straight into Paris.”

It was a crisp and clear November morning, and the White Cliffs of Dover were easily visible across the Channel. “The Côte d’Opal is of the same geological makeup as the cliffs on the other side,” Kieran noted. “That’s why they’re also white.”

“It certainly is beautiful,” Natalie remarked, sighing. “I’m going to pretend we’re going on vacation, rather than fleeing the country.”

“I agree,” Calvin said. “It’s a much pleasanter thought, to be sure.”

“Well, once we sort everything out, we’ll all take a nice, long cruise in the Mediterranean,” Julien promised. “I didn’t get much of a chance to sail this summer.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to involve the police in this mess?” Kieran asked Julien.

“If it becomes unavoidable, certainly, but I think it’s important that we follow the leads Richard has provided us with first. He’s directing us somewhere, I’m sure of it, and we must see this thing out,” he finished emphatically.

Natalie locked eyes with Calvin in the backseat. Had Uncle Julien told Kieran why they had left England together? they wondered.

“Kieran must know the danger he faces if he’s to assist us,” Julien said, reading their thoughts, “and I trust him implicitly.”

“As do we,” Natalie agreed readily.

They lapsed into silence, content to watch the countryside roll by. The sky, which the night before had been so full of the promise of an early snow, was now gloomy and featureless. The coastline was far behind them now, and Julien and Kieran spoke softly in the front seat while Natalie and her brother dozed.

Calvin woke as they were nearing the Pont Neuf bridge and past the Île de la Cité. Calvin nudged his sister awake excitedly as they approached the Faubourg Saint-Germain, which was Julien’s neighborhood. “Wake up. We’re almost there!”

She rubbed her eyes and peered out the window. ”Mmm … the Seine,” she murmured dreamily.

“I’ve always found it ironic that the name of the oldest bridge in Paris literally means New Bridge,” Kieran noted, as they crossed the seventeenth-century landmark.

“I’m feeling a bit like an antique myself,” Julien said, stretching. “I can’t wait to get home and take a hot bath.”

They drove down the Rue Dauphine and soon arrived in front of a stately stone mansion, encircled by a tall wrought-iron fence.

“Do drive around back, Kieran. You can park in the courtyard,” Julien suggested.

Kieran nodded, turning onto a side street, and pulled into a cobblestone driveway. Julien Romarin’s home took up a large corner of Rue Dauphine. On the surface, it was very elegant and understated, but once you entered the building, all pretenses of conservatism were gone. The structure was three stories not including the basement, which boasted a cavernous wine cellar. There was an indoor pool and a fantastic rooftop garden, which was filled with fruit trees, fountains, and even an aviary. In addition, the interior of the house was crammed with more artwork than some museums could boast, and Julien’s vast library put his brother’s to shame.

Upon entering his beloved home, Julien let out a long sigh. “How good it is to be back!”

He reverted to his native French upon entering the house, and they all followed suit. It was the family’s habit to switch back and forth, depending on where they were. Just then a squeal of joy was heard from upstairs, startling the new arrivals. Calvin looked up as a beautiful young woman came hurtling down. He stood transfixed as she descended, her long auburn tresses trailing behind her.

“You’ve returned!” she cried, and eyed the little group with an appraising eye.

“Angelique,” Julien said sternly but with a twinkle in his eye, “you must try to contain yourself. I’m too old to be greeted with hysterics.” He gave the girl a quick hug. “But you are a sight to behold, as always,” he added, before introducing her to the others. “This is my intrepid assistant, Angelique.”

“Enchanté,” Kieran said gallantly.

Natalie shook Angelique’s hand warmly. “Uncle Julien told us he had a brilliant new assistant. Very pleased to meet you.”

Calvin hung back while introductions were made. He was being unusually shy, and Natalie realized he was a little dumbstruck by the lovely Angelique. She pulled him forward a little roughly and said, “This is Calvin, my brother.”

Angelique looked at him mischievously. “So this is the nephew of Julien! I’ve seen a picture of you and your pretty sister in Julien’s office, and was hoping I’d get to meet you some day!”

“How do you do?” he managed to croak out.

She wagged her finger at him playfully, saying, “You can’t be shy with me! I simply won’t allow it.”

“I’m afraid Angelique is rather too demonstrative with her thoughts and feelings,” Julien explained to them with a look of contrived long-suffering. It was obvious he was very fond of her.

“You know I’m the best assistant you ever had,” she replied, without a trace of humility.

“She’s right,” Julien said with a sigh. “I guess I’ll have to keep her around for now. Ever since I retired from the Bibliothèque, it seems that I’ve had more work than I can possibly manage. Angelique has become invaluable to me. Well, prove yourself so,” he turned to her, “and tell me who is currently in residence.”

“Finley Constance has just left. He thought you were still in town, but I told him you had to leave suddenly for England. And now it seems you have made a liar out of me.”

“Well, invite him for dinner, by all means,” Julien said. “Who else?”

“Lorraine and Becky have just arrived. They’re in the Sarah Bernhardt room, and have brought their obnoxious hound.”

“Excellent,” Julien said. “They will lighten our mood considerably. Please tell them I will see them before dinner, won’t you?” He excused himself to make a few phone calls, and left instructions for Kieran to claim any unoccupied room to which he took a fancy.

When at home, Julien observed cocktail hour religiously. It was his special time to meet with any friends or family who happened to be staying with him. He kept a very lively household, and a variety of people came and went at all hours of the day or night.

Natalie wondered who Becky and Lorraine were, not to mention the “obnoxious hound.” Whenever she or her brother stayed at the house in the Faubourg, they were sure to meet new and interesting characters. As a patron of the arts, her uncle fancied himself a modern-day Gertrude Stein, though of the male variety, and it wasn’t unusual to have musicians, writers and artists occupying rooms in his home for weeks or even months at a time. Julien enjoyed the company and was never satisfied unless there were at least two or three guests in residence at all times.

When Angelique left to ready Kieran’s room, Natalie and her brother trudged up the stairs, grateful to have their own familiar sanctuaries kept at the ready for them.

“It’s good to be back, even under our present unhappy circumstances,” Calvin remarked as they climbed the main staircase. The walls were lined with an odd assortment of paintings. Now that he and his sister knew the truth about their heritage, Calvin realized that his favorite painting seemed to take on a different meaning. He wasn’t sure who the artist was, and Julien couldn’t remember either. It was a picture of a dark forest with a stag peering through the trees. A pretty, dark-eyed girl with bare shoulders, wearing layer upon layer of emerald and gold shawls, spun around in front of a fire. Her dark hair reached to her waist and swirled about her as she danced, heedless of anything around her. Calvin loved the painting and felt happy just looking at it.

Natalie’s favorite depicted an ancient temple covered with twisting vines, enormous white flowers drooping heavily from them. Inside the arched entrance a man and woman stood together in a close embrace, at their feet a long, green snake. Natalie had always admired the painting and felt it symbolized love and spirituality, as well as nature. In light of their remarkable discovery of the manuscript, she now wondered if the snake symbolized Satan, and the couple were Adam and Eve. She parted with her brother and went to her room at the opposite end of the gallery.

Calvin entered his room and looked around; it was just as he’d left it a few months before. As Julien had no children of his own, he spoiled his niece and nephew almost to a fault. Not only did he keep rooms for them, but he also helped Richard pay for their education, sent them lavish gifts and took them on exotic vacations. When they protested his unabashed generosity, as they often did, Julien waved at them dismissively, invariably saying, “What good is having wealth if you can’t share it with the ones you love?”

At the moment, Calvin was glad of his uncle’s largesse. He dropped his duffel bag on the bed and lit the fire in the hearth. He thought about sending an email to his office at National Geographic, but decided against it. The men who tracked them down at Mckella’s house might be able to find him here if he logged into his email account. He decided not to risk it and scowled darkly at his computer, thinking it seemed to be nothing more than a tracking device, so little use was it to him now. He flung himself onto the bed, intent on reading a biography of John Milton, which might distract him from dwelling too much on the beguiling Angelique.

When Natalie got to her room, she immediately took a shower and found her favorite fuzzy slippers under the bed. Her nap in the car had refreshed her and she decided to work on her latest project, but, like Calvin, was careful not to do any online research for the time being.

She worked steadily for a few hours, and finally took a break to stretch. It was starting to get dark out and she realized it must be close to five. She dug through her wardrobe and pulled out a midnight-blue dress made of silk. Uncle Julien would approve, she thought as she looked in the mirror, but after adding combat boots to her ensemble, told herself he might not, after all.

Descending the stairs, she found her brother pacing nervously at the entrance to the drawing room. He looked as if he had put a little more thought into his appearance than he was accustomed to, sporting a black jacket and gray tie. Natalie took his arm and sniffed the air near his ear delicately.

“You look quite dashing, brother,” she said with an innocent smile. “And are you really wearing cologne? That means you’re trying to catch some one’s eye!”

“Maybe,” he answered, noncommitaly. “But she rather scares me.”

“Oh, Angelique seems harmless enough,” Natalie replied. “Although I bet she could eat you for breakfast if she wanted to.”

“Gee, thanks for that boost of confidence,” he said with heavy sarcasm.

When they entered the salon they made a beeline for the wet bar, where Calvin mixed a Campari and soda for his sister and helped himself to a bottle of Peroni.

“Well then! Aren’t you going to mix a drink for me?”Angelique asked, sidling up to him unexpectedly. She had spotted them as they came in and immediately made her way over.

Calvin took in her sparkling eyes and slinky black dress and became hopelessly tongue-tied for the second time that day.

“My brother makes the best champagne cocktails,” Natalie jumped in, realizing Calvin probably needed a moment to compose himself.

“Oh, I’d love to have one,” Angelique said. “Every Frenchwoman adores champagne, in all its various forms.”

Calvin nodded and rummaged under the counter for a chilled bottle. He was grateful to his sister for buying him some time and giving him a task to occupy his hands. For some reason, this woman made him terribly nervous and obliterated his normal confidence. Normally he didn’t suffer from shyness when it came to the opposite sex, even if they were beautiful, as Angelique most certainly was.

“So,” Natalie asked her, “how are you enjoying working for Uncle Julien? I’ve heard he can be rather fussy and demanding.”

“Oh, Julien is a pussycat!“ Angelique cried. “He tries to be tough, but I have him wrapped around my little finger.” She held up her pinkie and winked at Calvin, who nervously took a hasty swig of beer.

Natalie laughed. “Oui! He’s a sucker for beautiful women, my uncle, I mean!”

Angelique turned serious for a moment. “It’s hard work hard, though, and the best job I’ve ever had. I’m learning so much, and I don’t want to lose it,” she confided. “I was an accountant for about six months, but it was so boring compared to this!”

Calvin had regained a bit of composure and asked, “What exactly do you do?”

“Well, lots of things. Julien has the oddest requests sometimes, and I do my best to tackle any task he hands me. I hunt down rare books or handwriting samples. Once, he was sure that a certain gentleman was trying to pass off a simply gorgeous Modigliani as a forgery! Can you imagine that? Usually it’s the other way around.” She took a sip of the champagne Calvin handed to her. “Mon Dieu, this is wonderful! I’ve had such a trying time with Julien gone!”

“But why would anyone want to pretend an authentic painting is a fake?” Natalie pressed.

“Well, this family bought an old house in Montmartre a while back and found a painting in the attic. It’s a little complicated, but they decided they’d find a buyer on their own and sell it themselves. Not a good idea, if you ask me.”

“Then what?” Calvin asked.

“Oh, they found a buyer all right,” Angelique continued, “who knew he was looking at the real deal, but he kept that opinion to himself and asked if he could have the painting authenticated before he made an offer. They agreed, and he told them they could choose the person to perform the inspection. The couple brought it to Julien, of course, because he is of course regarded as one of the foremost experts in the field.”

“But who was trying to make it look fake?” Natalie asked.

“Oh, that was the tricky part,” Angelique said. “The buyer had contrived to be left alone with the painting before it was taken to Julien, and he actually had some acrylic paint with him, and, rather ineptly I might add, touched it up. He figured that if he could get it declared a forgery, he could buy it for next to nothing. Then he would clean it up and sell it for what it’s really worth.”

“I take it his plan didn’t work?” Natalie asked.

“Of course not. Only a complete fool would have been taken in by such a thing, and Julien is no fool. My part in the affair was to find a buyer for the couple who would give them a fair price. In the end, they came away with a more than fair price, if I might be allowed to brag a little.”

Calvin saw an old acquaintance waving him over from across the room, and excused himself.

“Your brother is so handsome!” Angelique gushed after he’d gone. “Is he seeing anyone special?”

“Not at the moment. He’s been in Africa for several months, and he would have mentioned it if he was. We’re pretty close.”

“Hmm …” she said, looking pleased. “I think I’ve found my next victim.”

“Oh dear,” Natalie said, giggling. “I’m afraid he might enjoy that position very much.”

They were still laughing and making bawdy jokes when a man appeared at their side. He was very tall and good-looking, with dark, seductive eyes and a warm smile. “Hello Finn,” Angelique said warmly. “Have you met Julien’s niece yet?”

“I haven’t had the pleasure,” he replied, extending his hand. “Finley Constance. I’ve worked with your uncle on various projects.”

’An American,’ Natalie thought, deciding she rather liked his deep voice and charming accent.

“Finn works tirelessly for Verdipax,” Angelique interjected.

Natalie brightened. “Oh! Then you’ve already earned my utmost respect. I have always regarded Verdipax as one of those nonprofits that are above reproach in its efforts to fight big business and clean up the environment.”

Finn beamed, warmed by the lavish praise.

“And it’s especially admirable that you do all of that without accepting any funding from governments or corporations,” she continued.

“Yes, it’s essential we remain independent from all outside influences that may only have their own best interests in mind,” Finn replied. ”But I’m honored to be so regarded by you.”

Angelique drifted off in search of Calvin, and Finn told Natalie that he too, respected the work she was doing in the field, and had read many of her articles on the subject, as well as her last book. But that wasn’t the only reason he stayed with her, however. He found Natalie Romarin to be a woman both restful and mysterious, and wanted to know more about her. She seemed to be in her own world, and almost untouched by it, but at the same time, an integral part of her surroundings. He could not have explained to anyone how she had immediately taken hold of his senses.

“What brings you to Paris?” he asked her. “I’m told I was very lucky to find your uncle in town. Julien said he has just returned from fetching you and your brother.”

Natalie bit her lip, disconcerted by both the man and the question and unsure how to answer him at first. “Well, we needed an escape,” she said evasively.

“I can’t think of a better place to go towards that end,” he replied. “I work in Amsterdam, myself. It’s where our head offices are, but I spend very little time there. In fact, I can hardly remember what my apartment looks like.”

“Oh, I’m the same way. I live in London, technically, but I probably spend at least half of the year traipsing around the globe.”

“We are similar creatures then,” Finn smiled down at her. She glanced up and locked eyes with his for a moment, and suddenly felt butterflies. She frowned. Mckella was always feeling butterflies, she said, but Natalie had never known what she was talking about until this moment.

“May I give you my card?” he asked. “I would love to work with you sometime. Verdipax always has a great need for people like you to join our ranks, authors and activists who are not afraid to take on the big problems.”

“Certainly. I’m already a member, but I would love to do more than just donate.” She took his card, saying, “I had better go and find my brother. He’s having a minor personal crisis right now and might need my help.” She didn’t mention that Calvin’s “crisis” involved a very beautiful woman and a sudden attack of muteness.

Finn said he’d hope to sit near her at dinner and talk some more. “I’ll be here overnight, as Julien has asked me to discuss a new development.”

As Natalie walked away from him, she took a deep breath. Her heart was beating annoyingly fast. To compose herself, she gazed up at the enormous Alphonse Mucha fresco that adorned the ceiling. It was a singular work of art and Natalie had always been fascinated by it. It depicted a beautiful woman, of course, as Mucha’s work invariably did. Her arms were spread wide across a starry night sky and her hair swirled from an unseen wind, and around her spiraling golden tresses drifted flowers and leaves, which were also scattered across the field at her feet. The moon was huge and glowing behind her head, and looked like her diadem. After a few moments, Natalie regained her composure and rejoined her brother and Angelique, who were engaged in a heated, though muted, discussion with her uncle. When Natalie approached the trio, Angelique grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the little circle.

“Julien insists that we must search through the Bibliothèque Nationale tonight!” she hissed. “I ask him what could be so pressing, and he is silent!” She glared at her employer defiantly, complaining earnestly about being left out of Julien’s confidences. “He is too secretive,” she complained, “yet he wants me to participate in his schemes. If I am going to go along with his plots, I must know why!” she insisted.

Uncle Julien gave her a long look. “My dear, I’m simply going to look for a book. It’s that simple. I can’t tell you every detail about everything I do. It just won’t serve!”

Angelique crossed her arms stubbornly and stamped her foot. “Well, if you want me to help you, you will have to tell me why. Something’s up, I just know it! You’ve been acting strangely this evening, and I know we aren’t allowed to break in there in the middle of the night. You’re no longer the library’s director, you will recall!”

Natalie looked at her brother, who shrugged his shoulders in silent bewilderment. They seemed to be in the middle of Julien and Angelique’s power plays, and neither of them knew what to do about it. It was amusing to witness their uncle already so completely bowled over by his newest employee.

“Now, now,” Julien continued in a pacifying tone, “I still have my keys, and my security clearance. It’s only a matter of finessing the guards, and you know that’s my specialty. I can’t wait until morning because someone might get the book before me.”

“Before you?” Angelique asked, disbelievingly. “Who’s going to be checking out books at two in the morning?”

“Won’t you just trust me?” Julien pleaded. “You don’t have to come if you feel you shouldn’t.”

“Well,” she sniffed, relenting a little, “as you are well aware, I never thwart your plans. I just wish you would trust me enough to confide in me.”

“Mon cher, I do trust you. That is why I want you to come with us.”

She didn’t look mollified.

Calvin and Natalie had been watching their argument like it was a tennis match, their heads swiveling back and forth between opponents. Finally Natalie interjected. “Angelique, our uncle has very good reasons for keeping you in the dark, and I wouldn’t like it either, but you can trust him. You do, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do,” she began, “but …”

“It’s for a good cause,” Julien interrupted before she could argue more, “and as I said, you may remain here if you are worried, but should you decide to come with us, you may trust my nephew to protect you.” Those were the very words to get Angelique to cease all her arguments.

“Oh, well, in that case, I will protest no more!”

Calvin blinked, taken off guard somehow. Had his uncle just been playing Cupid? He couldn’t tell.

~

After dinner, at which Julien had cunningly seated Angelique next to his nephew, causing Calvin to wonder afresh at Julien’s romantic manipulations, most of the guests departed. Julien excused himself and closeted himself in his office with Finn. While they waited to leave for the library, Natalie suggested they return to the salon and play a game of poker next to the fire. Calvin’s initial nervousness with Angelique had eased considerably during dinner. Natalie noticed with satisfaction how often her uncle’s assistant broke out in infectious laughter while conversing with her brother. After a couple glasses of wine, he was more himself, and kept Angelique entertained at dinner with relative ease. The presence of Becky and Lorraine, the two artists currently in residence, also lightened the atmosphere considerably.

Upon entering the salon, Julien and Finn found Natalie happily winning everyone’s pocket money. “I see you found some new victims,” Julien said dryly to his niece and arching his eyebrow. “Kieran and Angelique probably have no idea that they’re playing with a totally unscrupulous card shark.”

Angelique tapped Natalie’s shoulder playfully. “And you were acting like you barely knew the rules! Shame on you!”

Natalie smiled ruefully. “I’m sorry, I can’t help it. But you have to admit, it’s a useful skill to possess. I’ve gotten out of quite a few scrapes when I’ve found myself on foreign soil and devoid of the required funds to return home. Once I was able to buy a train ticket with my winnings after my satchel was stolen in Barcelona. I challenged a bartender to a game, and won 200 euros off him!”

“It’s the gypsy in you,” Julien said matter-of-factly. “That kind of survival instinct has always served our family well.”

Calvin glanced at his sister, both wondering how many of Julien’s acquaintances knew about their unusual birthright. Had everyone known they were Roma but themselves?

Julien and Finn joined them at the table. “We must have a powwow, as they say in America,” Julien began, and cleared his throat. “Finley is here on important business. I’m afraid it concerns our recent flight from England, and he has some unsettling information.”

“About Uncle Richard?” Calvin asked.

“That’s right,” Finn answered. “I was recently in California, meeting with some members of a company called Sofonte, based in Los Angeles. I imagine you’ve heard of them, Natalie. They’ve been giving Verdipax a great deal of unrest in recent years.”

“Oh God, I hate them!“ Natalie cried vehemently. “I’ve written so many articles condemning their herbicide, which is proven to be so toxic to amphibians and other wildlife.”

Finn nodded. “Unfortunately, most of the world’s food suppliers use the herbicide as well. We have been trying to convince these suppliers to use better alternatives, but it’s been an uphill battle, to say the least. Whatever is the easiest and most cost-effective treatment is generally what is applied to crops,” Finn explained.

“I’ve noticed that I just don’t hear frogs croaking anymore,” Kieran added. “When I was a child, I heard them all the time.”

“Frogs are the canary in the coal mine,” Natalie replied. “They’re the best way to tell if the ecology of a place is healthy. Frogs and toads are extremely sensitive to environmental pollutants, and it’s a known fact that their populations are dwindling around the world. Not only that, but there are alarming numbers of mutated frogs appearing in highly polluted areas.”

Finn agreed. “Exactly so. I met with representatives from Sofonte, but it wasn’t a successful trip.” He frowned at the memory. “In fact, I got into a very … heated argument with them, and was pretty much thrown out by security. Normally I’m a pretty diplomatic fellow, but for some reason, my passion gets the better of me with this particular corporation.”

“It just seems so hopeless,” Calvin said. “How can anyone hope to change things when we’re dealing with people who don’t care about the damage they’re causing, as long as they turn a profit?”

“Well, Natalie has the right idea,” Finn said. “The best way to combat these companies is to create public awareness, and hence, public outrage.”

“But science must play a big part as well, if we are to provide enough food to our ever-expanding population,” Calvin argued, playing devil’s advocate. “Crops must be protected from pests and disease somehow. Worldwide famine isn’t a pleasant prospect, and we must provide options for these corporations.”

Uncle Julien had been listening attentively, and said, “Without a healthy ecological environment, neither humans nor animals can thrive. The symbiosis of our world must be restored, and I don’t believe toxic chemicals will ever be the answer. The answer lies in environmental protection. Man must put his intellect to the challenge and come up with workable solutions.”

“It’s strange times we live in,” Kieran mused. “We are at a crossroads where our technological advances and world population are at odds with nature. We must find the balance or we will lose the ability to sustain our existence.”

“So what does all this have to do with Uncle Richard?” Natalie reminded Finn.

He rubbed his face tiredly with his hands. “I was at work a few days ago and inadvertently stumbled on an email from Sofonte, addressed to my boss. I only saw it because I was looking for a report in his office, and the phone rang on his desk. I went to answer it, and saw the email.”

“What did it say?” Calvin asked eagerly, though dreading the answer.

“I wrote it down on a scap of paper. Here it is.”

Calvin took the note of hastily scrawled words and read it aloud. Colin - Lead from Richard R. was false. We are in pursuit of N&CR. JR not presently in residence. Manuscript must be obtained at all costs. MB

“But wait,” Kieran asked, “how did you know this email was referring to Julien’s family?”

“I didn’t know,” Finn replied. “But my attention was caught by the word manuscript. I had been in contact with Richard Romarin right before he died, and he asked if he could leave a manuscript with me. He died before he was able to do that, however. For the rest of the day, after I read that email, I couldn’t help but feel that it was important. I puzzled over it all night and couldn’t sleep. It finally occurred to me that Richard R. could very well have been referring to Richard Romarin, and the manuscript he mentioned, and of course I already knew Julien. Finally, in the morning, I decided to try and get in touch with Julien, just to rule out the possibility that the note referred to the Romarin family. Angelique answered and told me that Julien was in England. I knew Natalie’s name, because I have read her books, but I didn’t know her brother’s name. Angelique confirmed that it was Calvin, and N&CR was explained.”

Natalie was still confused. “But why would our uncle leave a manuscript with you? Did you already know each other?”

Finn glanced at Julien. “No, but Richard told me he’d gotten my name from Julien, and that he had a valuable manuscript that he needed to entrust to me temporarily. He implied that it could be a significant asset to Verdipax. I was intrigued, and puzzled about his decision to entrust a manuscript to me, but like I said, it never arrived, and I found out from Julien that Richard had died quite unexpectedly. I’ve known Julien for several years and we’ve worked on a variety of projects together. I was grieved for his loss of his brother.

“Our most recent project involved a land dispute in Spain. A small Roma community had been living for at least six generations on a secluded region of the Picos de Europa. They had cared for it admirably and were more settled than the Roma usually are. The land itself was beautiful and unspoiled. A large corporation was trying to force them out in order to establish a copper mine there. We were able to win the rights to the land, thank God. The range was deemed a Biosphere Reserve, which helped our case a great deal.”

Uncle Julien interrupted, “That’s right, and I told Richard about Finley’s efforts on our behalf, and of his unimpeachable character.” He smiled warmly at the younger man and added, “After he got the death threat, I believe my brother was trying to get the manuscript completely away from his family and placed in hands that he could trust. He could not have known that Sofonte had a connection with Verdipax. That was just an unhappy coincidence, although now that I think about it, perhaps it was providence. Finn has inadvertently discovered a likely candidate for Richard’s murder. I didn’t realize any of this had happened until my conversation with Finn, just now.”

Natalie was chewing on her thumbnail again. “What I can’t figure out is how anyone knew about the manuscript in the first place. I can’t imagine Uncle Richard being so careless as to go around telling people about it.”

Calvin shook his head emphatically. “No, he would never do that. Uncle Richard liked keeping secrets. He was the most secretive person I knew. I think he must have been trying to do what we are doing, following the manuscript’s trail, and maybe in doing so, he asked the wrong person for help. That could easily happen to us.”

Natalie and Uncle Julien were thinking the same thing. Hadn’t they already engaged several people not of their family in this crazy quest?

Angelique had been trying to follow the discussion without interrupting. She was the least-informed person in the room, and didn’t like it one bit. Presently, she smacked her palms down on the table and made a pronouncement. “I don’t know what this manuscript you’re talking about is, or much else for that matter, but I can see that Julien’s family is in danger. I can see that very plainly. I am not a member of your family, but I solemnly offer my loyalty to you, and I want to help, whatever the danger may be.”

Kieran and Finn likewise promised to help them figure out who killed Richard Romarin, and Julien stood up and thanked them sincerely. “Now let’s see if we can find that Bible.”

The excursion to the Bibliothèque Nationale was made up of a larger contingent than Julien had originally intended, but everyone wanted to go, in case there was either excitement or trouble to be had. They met in the courtyard and divided into two cars. Natalie drove Finn, Angelique and Calvin in Uncle Julien’s Audi, and Kieran drove the Bentley with Julien. On the way to the library, Calvin sat in the back with Angelique and explained all of the events that had led to their coming to Paris. He felt it only her due, since she was placing so much trust in her family.

She listened intently to his narrative and when he finished, was quiet for a moment. “Now I see the gravity of the situation,” she said at length. “I am so sorry. I didn’t know your poor Uncle Richard was murdered. How Julien must have suffered!” She grabbed Calvin’s hand. “And you and your sister!” She wiped a stray tear off her cheek. “He raised you, did he not?”

Calvin nodded and looked at Angelique’s hand in his. He didn’t want to let go of it—ever—he realized with a shock. Could it be that he had fallen in love at first sight? He certainly had never felt such a strong connection to anyone outside his family before.

Natalie followed her uncle’s Bentley down the Rue de Richelieu, to the library of the same name. When everyone met at the entrance, she asked Julien why he decided to search the old library site and not the François Mitterand Library, a few miles away. “Don’t you think we stand a better chance of finding what we’re looking for in the larger library?”

“When the library was transferred from the old Richelieu site to the new huge complex, I was still working at the Bibliothèque, although not as its president,” Uncle Julien explained. “I was mainly there in the capacity of a consultant, and I helped to decide which collections and manuscripts would remain in the old library. We are looking for an Italian Bible, printed between 1607 and 1651. I am certain I would have recommended leaving a book such as this at the Richelieu site, especially if it was in manuscript form.” Julien gave them a smug smile. “Besides, Angelique has already inquired about the Diodati Bible at the Mitterand Bibliothèque.”

“When did you do that?” Calvin asked her.

“Julien asked me to look into the matter as soon as he returned home, but I didn’t know what it was all about,” she replied.

“I thought it practical to narrow our search as much as possible,” Julien explained. “Angelique has saved us a great deal of fruitless searching.”

“Well done, Ange!” Calvin commended. “I’d much prefer exploring this place anyways. The Mitterand Library is so modern.” Calvin was not a fan of most things considered modern. His sister always teased him and said he should have been born during Victoria’s reign.

Finn looked anxious to be inside. “I think we’d better hurry,” he recommended.

Julien led the party to a side entrance. “I called ahead and informed security I’d be arriving shortly with a small group. There are advantages to being a former president of the BnF,” Uncle Julien told them, using the abbreviation for the library. “They think I’m bringing a few acquaintances here for a private tour.”

He pushed the buzzer next to a small service door and it opened automatically. Everyone filed in and met the guard who was waiting for them. “Welcome back, Monsieur,” he said to his former boss. “It’s so good to see you again.”

“It’s good to see you too, Victor,” Uncle Julien smiled warmly, and shook the guard’s hand. “And thank you for allowing me this little tour.”

“Not at all, Monsieur. I’ve turned some of the lights on for you, and please just let me know if you require anything else.”

Julien thanked him again and led them out into a hallway, which opened up into the main reading room. “I’ve always liked Victor,” Julien said, “and not just because he’s named after my favorite writer.”

“Victor Hugo?” Kieran asked.

“The very same, although my niece isn’t bad either,” he amended, and tugged Natalie’s ear playfully.

“Thank you, Uncle,” she smiled. “Now where should we start?” She looked up at the soaring oval dome and around the cavernous interior of the reading room. “This is considerably larger than the Radcliffe Camera,” she observed.

“Thankfully, we don’t have to search from top to bottom,” he said. “This way.” They followed him across the expanse of the reading room to the Reference Desk. “The easiest way to find a book in the library is to ask the librarian,” he smiled. He logged in to the library’s database, and typed in a search for the Diodati Bible. Everyone fidgeted nervously as the computer scanned its files. “Ah, here we are,” Julien finally said. “There are three copies of the translation we are looking for, but only two of them fall between the printing dates of 1607 and 1651. They are in one of the upper galleries. Follow me.”

Once again, Natalie and Calvin found themselves in an ancient library with their uncle. This time, however, they were here to “borrow” a book. Julien led them up a couple flights of stairs and guided the group unerringly to the row they needed. He scanned the shelves until he found what he was looking for, and pulled out a very old and decidedly shabby looking Bible.

“That’s odd … only one of the Bibles is here,” Julien said. “The database said there were two.” He sighed. “Well, hopefully this is the one, the possible hiding place of the mysterious poem John Milton asked Lucy Diodati to stow for him.” He laid it down gently on a table. “Now then,” he said, a little uncertainly, “this is both very delicate and very precious. I know everyone in this room, with the exception of Finley perhaps, has dealt with old manuscripts, so I won’t lecture you on proper handling.”

Calvin interrupted. “Uncle, I think you should do the honors. You’re the authenticator in the group, after all.”

“Very well. This could take a while, though.” He began turning the pages, starting from Genesis. “I hoped that a piece of vellum or parchment with John Milton’s handwriting on it would just fall out of the book. I don’t think we shall be so lucky, however.”

Everyone huddled around Julien as he turned page after page.

“I rather thought the poem might be stashed in Genesis,” Natalie said.

After a few more minutes of fruitless page-turning, the group began to get a little restless. “Please feel free to wander about,” Julien said. “Be assured I will alert you should I find anything interesting. I feel my collar wrinkling, with all the breathing down my neck,” he teased.

“Sorry, Uncle,” Calvin apologized. “Is it okay if I go look at that database again? Maybe I can find out why there’s only the one copy here.”

“Yes, yes …” Uncle Julien murmured distractedly.

“I’ll come too!” Angelique volunteered readily, and the pair traipsed back down the stairs.

Kieran went in search of the section of the library dedicated to Indian history. “Who knows, maybe I’ll find information on the Romani,” he shrugged.

That left Natalie and Finn, who looked at each other a little awkwardly. “What should we do while we wait?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” Natalie replied. “Is there anything in particular you were needing to research?”

Finn smiled down at her suggestively. “That’s a loaded question, if ever I heard one.”

Natalie felt her cheeks grow hot. “I didn’t mean it like that!” She took his arm and pulled him along. “Come on, let’s get out of Uncle Julien’s way. I’d like to look up a certain naturalist, Maria Sybilla Merian. You can help me find her.”

Seemingly like hours later, Julien finally emerged at the bottom of the stairs, looking defeated. After wandering around the library, everyone had gathered at one of the tables in the lower gallery and waited for him to finish his examination of the Bible.

“Nothing,” he said sadly. “I searched every inch of that Bible.”

Calvin put a comforting hand on his shoulder. “All is not lost, Uncle. Ange and I found out where the other copy went.”

Angelique was practically jumping out of her skin. “Oui, oui! We have found the other Bible, and it is not here! It is in l’Arsenal!”

Julien shook his head in confusion. “What do you mean? Why would it be there?”

“Because they’re going to start renovations on this place,” Calvin explained, “apparently they’ve moved some of their collections to various libraries around the city.”

“Oh, dear. I do remember reading something about that in the paper,” Uncle Julien sighed. “Well, I guess we’ll head to l’Arsenal in the morning.”

Natalie held up a large picture book of botanical prints. “This visit wasn’t a complete waste of time. I think I know how Maria Sybilla Merian figures into all of this mess. We’d better take this book with us.”