Mariah Stewart - Last Breath

“Why move the collection at all, if bringing in more guards works?”

“The bank feels that the artifacts will be safer if they’re locked away in a vault.”

“That’s probably what Mrs. Sevrenson thought, too.”

“What?” Louise frowned. “Who?”

“Elena Sevrenson. The woman in Philadelphia who was murdered. Her niece told us she had a vault in her basement. That’s where she kept the griffins.”

“And yet they were the only things stolen. Odd that nothing else was taken.” Louise took a seat at the table and motioned for Daria to do the same.

“Particularly since there were other highly valuable objects on display in the dining room at the time.”

“That couple out in Gladwyne-do we know what was stolen from their home?”

“I suspect I do, but I’m sure the FBI will let us know for certain.”

“And the gentleman from Delaware?”

“Someone will be searching the house to confirm what was stolen. The piece he owned from the university’s collection-a statue of the goddess Ereshkigal that’s almost two feet tall-should be easy enough to spot.”

“Good Lord, you’d have to be an idiot not to see the connection.” Louise swore softly under her breath. “It’s only a matter of time before this story breaks and the phones start ringing off the hook.”

“Louise, does Howe have a public relations person?”

“We did.” Louise sighed. “She left at the end of the semester and we haven’t replaced her yet.”

“Is there anyone on staff you could call upon as acting public relations director to at least see you through the next few weeks? Unless you have the time to deal with the media yourself, it could get ugly.”

“Good point. Let me think on this for a while. Maybe there is someone…” She bit her bottom lip. “In the meantime, I have some things to give you.”

Louise got up and walked to her desk, where a cardboard box sat on the chair. She carried the box to Daria at the table.

“In here is a copy of the catalog from the Oliver Jacobs exhibit.”

“The one that marked the opening of the museum?” Daria’s eyebrows raised in interest.

“Yes. Vita is still searching for the records Casper Fenn kept, detailing his acquisitions and sales. I haven’t had time to help her look more thoroughly. I imagine you would welcome the opportunity to see what transpired back in the 1940s and 1950s.”

“I would, thank you. Can I take the catalog back to the house?”

“Yes, of course.”

“I should tell you that I may have had a break-in at McGowan House last night.”

Louise frowned. “And you waited until now to tell me? Did you call the police? What was taken?”

“I meant to tell you as soon as I arrived this morning, but we started talking about other things. As far as I can tell, nothing was taken, but Connor thinks somebody got some information from my computer.”

“Why? And what?”

“I made a list of the artifacts I think were stolen. The file had been opened before I got home last night.”

“Did you call the police?” Louise asked pointedly.

“No. Since there was an FBI agent at the house, and the case has been turned over to them, we-Connor and I-didn’t think it was necessary to call the local police.”

“This is very serious, Daria,” Louise got up again and began to pace. “Our museum has been robbed. People who owned some of the stolen artifacts have been murdered. And now there’s been a break-in on our campus. I’m not sure what to do about any of this. I thought reopening the museum would be the answer to our problems, but it seems to be turning into the catalyst for more problems.”

“Do you have a choice?” Daria asked. “As upsetting as all this has been”-Daria touched Louise on the arm-“is there really a question of whether or not the museum should be reopened?”

“No.” Louise sighed. “I don’t know what else to do. We went over every other conceivable option weeks ago. The trustees and I agreed that there’s nothing else that will be of any lasting benefit to the university. So we will have to proceed, in spite of the murders and the thefts.”

She tapped her pen on the tabletop. “Of course, there’s no press like sensational press.”

“I’m afraid that’s true,” Daria agreed. “Which is why you’re going to want to find someone who can start fielding questions and act as a liaison between the university and the media.”

“As much as it pains me to say it, we will need the press when it’s time to open the museum. Yes, you’re right. I need to address this as soon as possible.”

“The sooner the better, I’m afraid.”

“About these art theft people from the FBI…when might we expect them?”

“Connor is arranging that. He spoke with his office yesterday.”

“Good, that’s good.” Louise nodded. “The security people have been at the museum since yesterday afternoon. If you’re thinking about getting in the building, you’re going to need this.”

Louise took a badge from an envelope that lay on the table and handed it to Daria. “No one’s getting in without one of these, so make sure you have it on when you go down there.”

“Thanks.” Daria put the badge in her bag. “By the way, what arrangements have been made to appraise the collection?”

“Penn is sending someone next week on the bank’s behalf.” Louise brightened. “At least we’re making progress in that quarter. Oh, and more good news. Dr. Bokhari will be back tomorrow evening, so you’ll have some help with the exhibit, if you want it.”

“That is good news. I’m looking forward to meeting her.” Daria pushed the chair away from the table. “If there’s nothing else, I’d like to get to work on those displays.”

“There is something.” Louise got up and opened the office door. “Vita, do you have those envelopes…yes, those.”

Daria followed Louise into the reception area where Vita was removing several large brown envelopes from her desk.

“I found this in one of the file cabinets downstairs when I was searching for Casper Fenn’s records.” Vita handed the envelopes to Daria.

“The photographs that were taken at Shandihar,” Louise told her. “They might help you plan your displays, since the artifacts themselves will be going into the vault soon. Not that you won’t have access to them, but having these right in front of you might make your job a little easier.”

“Definitely. Thank you. I can’t wait to look at them.” Daria opened the lid of the box and dropped the envelopes inside. “I’ll take good care of them.”

“Let me know when the FBI’s art people get here,” Louise called after Daria who was already on her way out of the office.

“I will.”

Daria closed the door behind her, her heart pounding. She fought an urge to dance down the front steps of the building. She couldn’t get back to McGowan House fast enough.

“Connor?” she called as she entered the house. From the kitchen, there was music playing softly, and she hurried toward it.

When she pushed through the swinging doors, she found Connor still seated at the table, Sweet Thing at his feet and a sweet thing with long blond hair sitting in the chair she herself had occupied just an hour or so ago.

“Daria.” Connor smiled when he looked up at her. “Meet Special Agent Polly Kingston. NSAF. Here to save the day.”

“Oh. Hello.” Daria exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “Nice to meet you.”

“You as well.” Polly looked over her shoulder and met Daria’s eyes.

Polly Kingston was older than Daria had first thought. Maybe early fifties, but she’d kept herself together very well.

Sweet Thing greeted Daria enthusiastically, and she leaned over to give the dog a pat on the head.