Page 24 of The Death
“They don’t tell everything.” He was pouring her wine. “For instance, I don’t know your preference in wine. I had to guess.”
“If you had thought it important, you would have known. You probably thought an occasional misstep or lack of information makes you seem more vulnerable. You’re something of a perfectionist, aren’t you?”
“Mistakes do annoy me if they’re caused by either laziness or ego.”
She smiled. “Then I have to agree with you. I chose a specialtythat doesn’t tolerate either of those faults. Either one can cause death in brain surgery.”
Dominic shook his head. “You’re far too intense to let anything distract you.”
“But I’ve allowed you to distract me ever since you brought me to this penthouse today.”
“I guarantee I didn’t regard that as a distraction.” His eyes were twinkling. “I’m really much better than that. And if you did allow me to casually amuse you for a few hours, I’d guess it was because you’d had a bad couple of days. This afternoon was particularly painful, and you needed to put it behind you for a short time.”
How did he know that about her? Her gaze flew to meet his own. Warmth. Intelligence. Intensity. She inhaled sharply and glanced quickly away. “Perhaps you’re right.” She moistened her lips. “At any rate, I no longer need to hide away and avoid facing reality. Tell me about Eve Duncan and why she and I are on the same list.”
“Caldwell evidently has a reason to believe he can use both of you for whatever he’s planning.”
“Something to do with a gold mine?”
“That was the general idea of the plan I uncovered with one of Caldwell’s men. I’m still trying to find out all the details. I’ve sent a team to do research in the general area where it was found. Word of mouth is everything when it comes to searching out archaeological sites. Stories and legends passed down from generation to generation until you find the mother lode.”
“Or you don’t,” she said curtly.
“Caldwell believes it’s there or he wouldn’t have decided to go after it.” He paused. “Or Zakira might have already taken itover, and Caldwell is only waiting for his opportunity. And if Caldwell has gone mine hunting, then Jossland will be tagging after him.”
“And what does Eve Duncan have to do with looking for this gold mine?”
“Perhaps nothing for the search itself.” He paused. “But it could mean everything if she created the death mask. The gold in the mask itself is probably worth at least a billion dollars. If it was created by a famous sculptor like Eve Duncan, it could possibly bring in double that amount.”
“Incredible,” Celine murmured. “It seems impossible.”
“Not if you look at the history of other burial areas. Five thousand or so gold treasures were found in Tutankhamun’s tomb alone. Which included six gold chariots and many priceless weapons. And according to scientists, there are still other burial places without number beneath the sand in Egypt and other surrounding countries in the Middle East. Remember, those ancient dynasties had thousands of years to establish their traditions and build their belief in the afterlife before the world even knew they existed.”
“Like those mountains in South Africa?” she asked skeptically.
He nodded. “It wouldn’t be beyond belief that an ancient tomb might be found in those mountains. The priests were always on guard to hide the pharaohs’ tombs in out-of-the-way places to protect them from grave robbers. From the recent reports I’ve had from the team I sent scouting those mountains, that area is damn well impassable.” He shrugged. “Another thing that attracted the pharaohs was that they were always looking for rich gold fields that were fairly close to where thetomb was being built so that the gold for their afterlife was easily obtainable. They’re still not entirely certain where the gold from Tutankhamun’s tomb originated, but they think it may be from a long-lost mine in the Sahara Desert. It must have been extremely difficult to transport, and for the laborers to build the treasures for the tomb.” His lips tightened. “But that’s evidently not Caldwell’s problem. He’s making deals and he’ll go through hell and high water as well as murder to get his hands on his own private gold mine.” He lifted his glass of wine to her. “But then you know that. No one could know it better.”
“You’re wrong,” Celine said bitterly. “Barnaby died because Caldwell wanted that damn gold. And there’s no telling how many other people will die because of that greedy bastard.” She put her glass down on the table. “But the one I’m most worried about is Eve Duncan. I was just a young med student when I went to one of her seminars and saw the sculptures on display. I was too intimidated to even speak to her, so I just found a seat in the back and watched her talk to the other students and tried to learn as much as I could.”
Dominic smiled. “I can’t imagine you being that withdrawn. It’s not the woman I know.”
“What can I say? I admire her and I didn’t want to get in her way.”
“Ah, I see the problem.” Dominic leaned back in his chair, his eyes slowly traveling over her face. “You didn’t want to risk overshadowing your heroine.”
“Don’t be stupid,” she said curtly. “I’ve just told you how wonderful she is. I couldn’t do that.”
“But you were afraid anyway.” His eyes were narrowed onher face. “Because it’s caused you so much trouble in the past? Yes, that’s probably what it is. You take the backseat, you avoid drawing attention to yourself unless it’s perhaps a written exam or you’re masked and operating on a patient. Because that’s sufficiently anonymous to be comfortable. Unfortunately, there’s always someone ready and willing to take potshots at someone as wonderfully endowed as you if they get the chance.”
She shrugged. “Guesswork. I’m not so vulnerable, Dominic.”
“No, you’re extremely tough. But you’ve probably been hurt many times before the way you were today—by people who think you’ve gotten everything you’ve ever wanted because of that really incredible face.”
“Really? I wasn’t even sure that you thought I was anything special. You’re different from anyone else I’ve ever met. You’ve probably run into other women with similar problems with people who didn’t understand they weren’t just a pretty face. Most of the time, I was just relieved that you didn’t seem to have any problems with it and accepted me as I am.”
“Oh, I’d have to be blind not to notice how unusual you are. But I choose to regard it as a gift, and I enjoy it every time I see it. There’s no way I’d ever resent that gift.” He smiled. “But I don’t pity those idiots who do resent it. Instead I’m tempted to clobber them.”
Her lips twitched. “Don’t bother. I can do that myself.”
