LITMIR.BIZ

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curve of his thin lips to his spotless uniform and the way he wiped his feet meticulously on the doormat before he’d entered Whisper Mountain Lodge.

      Ava had gotten the gist of her situation from the nurses. She’d been more or less out for ten hours. No, she had not lost any fingers or toes amazingly, and no, they knew nothing about her uncle Paul. She remembered Luca being there and although she’d willed herself to ask him, to beg him to tell her of her uncle, her body would not come out of its frozen stupor. Now there was no sign of Luca, but now she had a cop to pump for information.

      “Are the police looking for my uncle?”

      The question seemed to startle Towers, who raised an eyebrow and leaned closer. “Hello, there. I thought you were asleep, Ms. Stanton.”

      She repeated her question.

      “First off, I’ll tell you that we have not found your uncle. Why don’t you go over the whole series of events? I was already briefed by Luca Gage, but let’s see if you have anything fresh to add.”

      She told him every detail.

      The Sergeant wrote with precision on a small tablet. When she ran out of words he smiled, revealing a chipped front tooth. “Did your uncle tell you about anyone who might have wished him harm?”

      She shook her head.

      He eyed her closely. “But there are people, aren’t there? A long list, as a matter of fact, from disappointed investors, loan sharks...” He flipped back to an earlier page. “Disgruntled husbands.”

      Ava felt her face grow hot. “He wasn’t perfect, but he deserves to be found, doesn’t he?”

      “Of course. We’ll start a thorough background to come up with a list. In the meantime, we’ve got a crew up on the mountain searching.” He slid his pencil back into his breast pocket. “You should know,” he said, voice soft. “There has been a lot of snow movement where the machine went over, Ms. Stanton. It may be some time before we can locate the driver or anyone else.”

      Ava felt the walls crush in around her. She swallowed hard. “Are you saying if he’s down there, hurt or dying you can’t do anything about it?”

      He sighed, as if he had been expecting the question. “The dogs are out and Search and Rescue, but the snow is continuing to move and the ravine is extremely deep. There’s a storm coming in.” He patted her hand where it lay on the bed, his palm oddly cool. “We’ll do what we can, I promise.”

      Tears fell hotly down her cheeks. “He found something, some sort of treasure, and he was abducted. He’s still alive, I know he is. You’re not doing enough to find him.”

      The officer’s eyes hardened for a moment. “Actually, I’m quite eager to take custody of your uncle. He’s the reason I lost part of my front tooth last week.”

      Her mouth fell open. She was vaguely aware of Luca standing in the doorway, but she was too dumbfounded to pay him much heed. “My uncle broke your tooth?”

      “To be fair, I walked into a dispute between your uncle and a local here in town. The local was extremely angry and threw an ashtray which intercepted my tooth instead of your uncle’s face, although he deserved it more, no doubt.” Another ghost of a smile that left no warmth in his eyes.

      Ava groaned. “What did my uncle do this time?”

      “Seems he sold the gentleman a necklace claiming it was an expensive antique.” Sergeant Towers raised an eyebrow. “It was more along the lines of cheap costume jewelry. Of course the local was booked for assault, but by the time I’d sorted that out, your uncle had already taken off.” The slight smile didn’t leave his face. “So you see, if your uncle is still alive, I’m looking forward to speaking with him.”

      Towers wished her a good afternoon and promised to contact her soon before he left. Ava bit her lip. Uncle Paul’s sins were catching up with him. Or was he already dead? Buried under a ton of snow and ice until the spring would release his body?

      Through blurry eyes she saw Luca approach the bed. He was no longer the rambunctious teen she’d known. His shoulders were now impossibly broad, face filled out and the shadow of a beard showing on his unshaven face. How could he look so strong, so healthy in that all-American way as if he hadn’t nearly drowned along with her? Someone had supplied him with dry jeans that clung to his long legs and a T-shirt that was too tight for his biceps. She swiped at her eyes with the sheet.

      Luca stared at her, eyes wandering over her bruised face. “How are you feeling?”

      “How am I feeling? How would you be feeling if it was your uncle?” She clamped her lips together, mortified. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, she wanted to say, but she could not summon up the strength to make herself say it.

      His cheeks colored slightly, the only reaction. “Right. Dumb question. Sorry. Let’s stick to business, then. I’ve done some checking around. Your uncle didn’t make many friends here. He was looking for something, following the trail of a wealthy man who used to live up the mountain.”

      She looked Luca over more closely, noting a bruise that darkened his cheekbone. He had no business walking out on that frozen lake to get her. She should be gracious, express her thanks. Instead, she wished with all her heart that he would go away and take his calm “I’m in charge” attitude with him. Now, above all things, she did not need him around, this wealthy successful man who made her stomach jump for some strange reason.

      He continued to regard her with a contemplative look. “You said your uncle thought he found a treasure. What was it?”

      “I don’t know.”

      “He didn’t give you any idea? Coins? Old stock certificates? Did he mention anything like that?”

      “I said I don’t know.”

      He thought for a moment. “We have to find out. It will lead us to whoever did this.”

      She gritted her teeth. “Look, I know you hunt for treasure professionally now, but...”

      He suddenly flashed her a mischievous grin. “My exploits have reached even this humble hamlet?”

      Her cheeks burned at the slip. So she’d kept tabs on his career. Who wouldn’t? It was just an occasional internet search on an old high school friend. No, an acquaintance. She knew about the Gage siblings and their treasure hunting business that had recovered numerous rich prizes for private clients. But she had no intention of allowing him to become involved in her current mess. “You’ve done enough.” She swallowed hard. “Thank you for getting me out of the water.” She kept her eyes riveted to the faded Smokey the Bear on the front of his shirt. “I’ll find out what happened to him on my own.”

      “How?”

      “I’ll hire someone. A detective.”

      Luca cocked his head. “It just so happens that Treasure Seekers is setting up a temporary satellite office right here in town until Uncle Paul’s situation is resolved. Stephanie and Tate are already hard at work. Victor promises to join us when he can.”

      “No.” She shook her head, sending a pain shooting up her neck. “You have a business to run.” No doubt a girlfriend waiting in San Francisco. “I don’t want you involved.”

      His smile was gentle. “I already am.”

      “You’re not. You should leave.”

      He folded his arms, brows drawn together. “I almost didn’t make it out of that lake, either. That’s something I take personally. Whatever your uncle found, someone was willing to kill you to get their hands on it. Maybe it’s not a treasure, but then again, maybe it is.”

      She closed her eyes. “No, Luca. I don’t want your help.” When she opened them again, he was staring at her.

      He sighed. “All right. Cards on the table. I have another reason for staying. I got a call from your father.”

      She

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