Read A.W. Hartoin - Mercy Watts 04 - Drop Dead Red for Free Online Page B

sound like he was doing us a favor by sparing The Girls the humiliation,” spat Aunt Miriam.  
    “That’s all ridiculous. They can’t prove any of it. Stella smuggled those things out of Nazi-occupied territory at the request of the families. She was a spy for Britain, for crying out loud.”
    “The Klinefeld Group will say that she was a double agent and everyone was fooled by her pretty face.”  
    “They can say whatever they want. It’s stupid.”  
    Aunt Miriam frowned and put a hand on my leg.  
    “What?” I asked. “Stella was a hero, even if the world doesn’t know it.”
    “The world doesn’t know it. Her records have never been declassified.” Aunt Miriam’s eyes got all misty. “She had to do a lot of things that could be construed in a negative light. She got close. She knew them.”  
    “Who?”  
    “Top Nazi officials. Stella played many roles and they never knew who she really was. She did things that she regretted. They can use those things against the family now.”  
    “She was a hero.”  
    “I believe that, but what will the public believe?” Aunt Miriam asked. “The Girls are old. Do you want them put through this?”  
    “They won’t give up those pieces. They swore to protect them. You know that.”  
    “I do know. I wanted to find out what you think about it. They are your godmothers and you know them better than anyone.”  
    “I don’t know about that,” I said.  
    She scoffed, “Don’t be silly. Everyone knows that you are their child and you know them best. Hoff wants to speak to you.”  
    “I have nothing to say to him.”  
    Aunt Miriam gazed at me, searching my face, and I waited. Asking what she was looking for wouldn’t help at all. There might be yelling or a pinched cheek. Aunt Miriam was the boss and I always knew it. Just when I was about to get nervous, she said, “I can see that. Good. I told him nothing and I’m glad you won’t either.”
    “Of course, I won’t.”  
    She took my hand between hers and pressed it firmly. I could feel the bones under the thin blanket of translucent skin. “It’s not the collection that he wants.”  
    “Huh?”  
    “There’s something in particular he’s after. They’re only using Stella and the pieces she smuggled out to get it.”  
    “How do you know?” I asked.
    “He was asking questions about the size of the pieces.”
    I frowned and planted my elbows on my knees, rubbing a bit of mustard into my skirt. “Like…how big are the paintings?”  
    “He wasn’t interested in the paintings at all or the sculptures. He asked about boxes and furniture.”  
    “What kind of boxes?”  
    “The kind that The Girls might not have opened. Do you know about anything like that?”  
    “No. Why would they have a box and not open it?”  
    “I have no idea, but he wants something, and he thinks it’s hidden within the collection. He thought he was too smart for an old nun like me. A fool to the marrow, he was.”  
    “Are you sure?” I asked.  
    “I know people, Mercy. I’m a nun.”  
    That didn’t sound like the greatest recommendation for knowing people. Knowing God, sure. People, not so much.  
    “Okay. I’ll look into it.”  
    “What’s your plan?” she asked.  
    “I guess I’ll figure out what he wants and keep him from getting it.”  
    She gave me a peck on the jaw. It was the highest point she could reach. “Good girl. Now to the movie.
    We watched Annabelle and, for once, being totally exhausted worked out for me. I kept falling asleep, so I missed most of the horror. The horror in the movie anyway. I dreamt of Blankenship in the fishbowl with his smile. It wasn’t a nightmare exactly, but it certainly wasn’t pleasant.  
    When the movie was over, Aunt Miriam stood up and rummaged around, coming up with The Exorcist . “I’ll start it and make some popcorn.”  
    She was almost gleeful. Talk about creepy.  
    “I can’t. Work,” I said, stretching.