She yawns. “Well, both could provide a motive, I guess. So, we make sure she doesn’t leave. Should be fun. How long have you been up?”
“I slept the first shift for about six hours. I’ve been up for two.”
She nods and yawns again.
“Go sleep. I’m fine.”
“Okay, I’ll take the couch. Thanks.”
While she goes to the living room, I head to the back door and sit next to it. Through a window, I watch as the sun comes up. Well, as it comes up over the trees.
Harding was right; her boss isn’t dirty. This would have been his chance to take out Sylvia.
Davis hasn’t tried to do anything suspicious, either, that I can see. Nor Moose. No, my money is on Nancy. But is she working for Stanvich, too? Or does she have another motive?
“Good morning,” Nancy says as she walks into the kitchen. “I don’t suppose this place has coffee?”
“No coffee. No food, either,” I say.
She leans against the counter. “I need to leave. I have an assignment I must get back for.”
She’s talking about work. This is good.
“Oh yeah? What kind of assignment?”
She stares at me. “A professor at the university claims he has an old artifact he found. He wants me to verify its authenticity.”
According to the briefing by Harding on the plane ride over, Damien had no history in artifacts. He was known for brokering weapons deals. He was trusted because of his former military experience in Romania. Apparently, he was considered an expert in his field.
He was someone our government kept an eye on but had not interfered with, instead pursuing those higher up that chain.Nancy likely lied about working with Damien on artifacts, which means she is lying to me about her assignment.
“I can come with you,” I offer.
Her eyes widen. “No, I’m afraid you would scare the professor.”
I laugh. “How would I do that?”
She smiles. “Because he would think you were there to steal his find. Some artifacts can be worth millions.”
“Did you ever try to sell an artifact for Damien?” I hope my quick change of subject might catch her off guard.
“I did.”
“Is that why he owed you money?”
She laughs. “Something like that.” She pushes off the counter. “Well, it’s light enough out there. I’m going to head out.”
Dammit. I don’t want to cause a scene and wake everyone up, but we can’t let her leave. She walks toward the front door, and I follow. But Harding is up and grabs her left hand. Harding spins her around and pushes her against the wall. In seconds, Harding pulls a wire tie from her pocket and has Nancy’s hands bound.
“What the hell is going on? Am I a prisoner?” Nancy asks.
“No, you’re in protective custody,” Harding says. She turns her around, and Nancy glares at her.
“I don’t need protection.”
“Why? Because you’re the one who killed Damien?” Harding asks.
Nancy frowns. “What? No! I would never kill him. I loved him.”
