Read The Stolen Da Vinci Manuscripts for Free Online Page B

of ethnic
cultures brings food aromas that titillate the senses and draw you
inescapably to their doors. It reminds me that I haven’t eaten for
some time so I choose a curry house and am delighted with the red
Thai version with papadums, washed down with sugar water and a
glass of Beringer’s oak barrel chardonnay.
    I make Russack’s Fine Art Emporium my first
port of call and Anastasius showers me with hugs and kisses of
welcome.
    “Arcadia, how absolutely marvelous to
see you – how long has it been?”
    “Far too long, but in actual time it’s been
about three years - I would visit more frequently if you had
something exciting to show me.”
    “Ah, I wish… How many pieces has the museum
bought from me so far?”
    “Seven – all of them are on display and well
received by our members.”
    “They should be – you practically stole them
from me.” He chides.
    “Come on Anastasius – you got a fair price
for everything. Do you have anything for me this time?”
    “Nothing exquisite.”
    “Keep your ears open – I believe something very interesting might come on the market any day now.
You’ll know what it is. I’m staying at the Raffles.”
    “Of course.”
    Next on the list is Sir Bartholomew Spencer,
knighted by the queen for his contributions to British architecture
and specifically to improvements of London museums – he has several
designs gracing Singapore’s unique skyline.
    “Barty…” I call on entering his office
suite.
    “Arcadia!” He responds from out of sight.
“What a wonderful surprise - how the devil are you?” He asks when
setting eyes on me.
    “I am well – and always the better for seeing
you.” I flatter.
    “This old man?” He doubts.
    “You don’t look a year older that when I last
saw you. Life must be good.”
    “It is, it is. A few hiccups here and there
but by and large I cannot complain. To what do I owe this most
unexpected pleasure?”
    “Can we go into your office?” I request.
    “Certainly…” He agrees with knitted brow.
    “What’s going on?” He asks when we are
seated.
    If there’s anyone on this earth outside my
family that I can trust, it’s Barty, so I tell him the whole
story.
    “da Vinci’s lost books – Are you positive?
This is absolutely immeasurable.” He gasps.
    “Without having the facilities to test them I
cannot be totally sure, but yes – I am ninety nine percent sure
it’s them. My father will call me with confirmation soon, I
think.”
    “If word gets out about this there’ll be
fireworks – but you know that already. What is your plan?” He
asks.
    “I really don’t have one until I can locate
Gavin. I stopped in to see Anastasius Russack and asked him to keep
an ear open for anything that will help me find him – I didn’t tell
him about the books.”
    “I am astounded that Gavin would turn traitor
like this – it certainly reinforces your decision not to
marry.”
    “Well I didn’t see it coming – I’ve thought
about it ever since but I still don’t know why he did it.”
    “Revenge? Scorned love?” Barty suggested.
“Greed? Fame?”
    “Maybe all of the above.” I agree. “I’ll know
when I have his neck in my hands.”
    “Well my dear, I will see what I can do – I
can still muster up a few good men. I assume you are at the
‘Raffles?’”
    “Yes – room 438.”
    “Very well, I will be in touch.”
    “Thanks, Barty.” There’s nothing else I can
do for now – Sir Barty will cover all my bases and some I don’t
know about.
    I take a leisurely stroll along the
waterfront and take in the sights, smells and sounds that make
Singapore so incredible. I see a sign that promises to reclaim land
for tree and shrub planting which makes me very happy and would
have Raffles smiling if he were still here. There is time for a nap
before the neon signs will announce the coming of night and tempt
me back to the streets again. I’m hoping the ‘East of India’
nightclub has not changed and in