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interrupted. “Most of the time. And we both share an interest in Joan of Arc artifacts and history.”
    “So do I.” Scout stood and gestured to Kard, who tossed him a bottle of beer that he’d taken from a mini-fridge. “More so on the da Vinci stuff, but I like a good saintly knickknack any day.”
    “Whatever will earn you a few bucks, eh?”
    “Creed, please. You calling me a treasure hunter?”
    “I’ll reserve judgment. But what’s in it for you? What is Roux paying you for this job?”
    “I don’t share salary information, sweetie. Would you?”
    Salary? From Roux? That was a joke. She’d be lucky if he didn’t stiff her with the hotel bill. She might have to call Doug yet. “Sorry, that was crass.”
    “If it matters, I approached Roux. I overheard him discussing Joan’s history at an auction, and having been studying this theft-gone-wrong for a few months and yet not put together the budget to recover the lost relics, I sought Roux out. Wanted to see if he’d like to invest in something that would net a valuable artifact for him.”
    “So you’re just going on the dive for the thrill?”
    “And the fame, of course. Maybe a spot on your show?” he added.
    “As you pointed out, we only feature monsters. You fall into that category, Roberts?”
    “Me? No way. I’m as harmless as they come.” He gave her a wide, warm smile and took a long drink of his beer.
    “Again, I’ll reserve judgment.”
    Yeah, the man would be able to work fame like a pro, she guessed. But with his background? If he were seeking fame, that didn’t jibe with the dossier that marked him a pariah among his fellow archaeologists.
    “Why don’t you two suit up?” Scout said. “Then I’ll show you the maps.”

Chapter 4
    Scout hadn’t expected that someone would be scrutinizing his every move while he recovered the case. But he could live with it. Actually, he could use the backup when diving. And the backup was gorgeous. That would make the day go a little faster.
    But the cameraman?
    Scout shot a look toward Ian Tate, who pulled on a wet suit as he chatted with Kard about the tidal flows in and out of the canal. Scout had found Kard and hired him late last evening. The boat wasn’t the greatest, biggest or best, but it was cheap and would ferry them around the canal safely, and Kard seemed reasonably able, even with a few beers down his gullet. While he wasn’t footing the bill, Scout did like to keep expenses to a minimum. Fat bills attracted questions.
    With luck, this operation should prove an in-and-out foray. Even with the close proximity to the sea, Scout didn’t suspect the tides could have moved the lost treasure that far. Or he hoped they had not.
    Too bad the tides weren’t so rough they could wash a cameraman out to sea.
    “You want a beer?” he asked Ian.
    The cameraman shook his head. “You crazy, man? We’re getting ready to dive.”
    Scout shrugged. It had been worth a try.
    * * *
    S O R OBERTS WAS the one who had gone to Roux with the information about the Lorraine cross. Interesting. Roux rarely trusted those not within his circle, so he must have a serious need for this thing. That it had possibly belonged to Joan of Arc and then Leonardo da Vinci made it valuable, but again, Roux had to know if Annja found it she would insist it be returned to the museum that had formerly owned it.
    Dialing Roux’s number, Annja tugged up the zipper at the back of the wet suit using the long cord. She padded about in the small room belowdecks. Roux didn’t answer.
    “You ready, Creed?” Scout called down from above.
    “Always.”
    On deck, Scout had laid out a laminated map on the bench beside the steering wheel. Kard sat back, visor cap pulled down to shade his eyes from the afternoon sun and a beer bottle in hand nestled against his stomach. Ian had suited up and looked over Annja’s shoulder as Scout explained what he’d learned about the heist.
    “So the thieves, who were also lovers,” Scout