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He heard a tap at the door.
“Yes?”
“It’s me, Professor,” said Liza.
He rose from the chair as she opened the door. She was dressed in a long nightgown with a beige wool robe over the top. Her hair hung down to her shoulders. Slippers covered her feet.
“Is everything all right?” he asked.
She sat down on a small worn leather couch across from him as he retook his seat. “I just heard from Whit. He and Reggie have confirmed the site and the details have been worked out for the final phase.”
“That’s excellent.” He studied her. “But you look concerned.”
“It was something in Whit’s voice. He sounded upset. So I called Reggie and spoke to her. She also sounded upset, but when I pushed her on what was the matter, she refused to talk about it. When I tried ringing
Whit back, he didn’t answer.”
“So you think they might have had a row?”
“It seems so. And it couldn’t have come at a worse time.”
Mallory put his pipe aside, wandered over to the window, and looked out past the rain-splattered glass. “Did you contact Dominic too?”
“No, he and Whit are rooming together, so I didn’t think he could be candid. And I don’t want to create even more tension.”
Mallory clasped his hands behind his back and stared moodily out into the dark. “I should have anticipated this. I should have had Whit remain behind and sent either Caldwell or perhaps David Hamish with Dominic. Whit has resentment, a great deal more than I had thought, apparently.”
“You don’t think that will interfere with him performing his duties?”
“If I had the answer to that I wouldn’t be worried, would I?”
She glanced over at his desk. “Burning the midnight oil again?”
“I seem to do my best thinking after dark.”
“Any further word on funding?”
Surprised, he turned to her. “Why, what have you heard?”
“Folks know it takes a lot to keep this place functioning. It’s not like we do this for money, but people are paid some wages. And the upkeep here. And then there’s the mission expense. The rent on the villa where Reggie is staying is quite staggering. It all adds up.”
Mallory remained silent for a few moments before sighing and sitting back down. “Things are a bit tight, I won’t deny it. The villa lease is all right, though. A gentleman of considerable means with a Ukrainian background stepped up for those funds. And I have one or two other prospects. It must be done discreetly, of course.”
“Of course.” She added, “When was the last time you had a holiday, Miles?”
“A holiday?” He chuckled. “I could be incredibly saccharine and say that what I do here is a holiday, but I will refrain from doing so.”
“Seriously, Miles, when was the last time?”
His eyes took on a faraway look. “I suppose while Margaret was still alive. Rome. And Florence. She always loved the statue of David. She would sit and stare at him for hours. Quite the fan of Michelangelo was my dear wife. It was a nice visit. She became ill after we returned. Six months later she was gone.”
“If I recall that was eight years ago.”
“Yes, yes, I suppose it was. Time does march on, Liza.”
“Everyone here is under considerable strain, but some more than others. You are our leader. We cannot afford to lose you.”
“I’m fine. Or as fit as an overweight and sedentary old professor can be.” He looked around. “I do love it here, this old wreck of a place. Regina loves it here too. I hear her wandering around at all hours of the night.”
