[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

Had someone killed him to protect the secret?
Diamonds in the Sand 73
Chapter 7
By the time the guys finished their explanation, Maura found
herself more perplexed than ever. Assuming what they said was
true and, as a scientist, she wasn t quite ready to make that leap
how did Septimus fit in? Suddenly, all his notes about underwater
archaeology and mysterious life forms began to take on new meaning.
Had the wrong person overheard him at Irissa s party? Had he
gone off to find proof?
Daq s voice interrupted her drifting thoughts.  Well? He had
obviously said more, but she hadn t heard the preceding words. When
she looked at him, he seemed to understand.  I asked if you had any
questions, he said gently.
Maura exhaled heavily.  More than I can formulate right now.
 We know, Janko said, getting up from the table.  Septimus had
a lot to ask us, too. We just took things slow with him.
 I think I need to process this for a while. Maura followed him to
his feet.  Do you mind if I& ?
Her voice trailed off, but Daq nodded.  Take as much time as you
need. When you re ready to talk, just tell us. We have nothing to hide
from you, Maura. We want to explain everything. The truth is...Cyra
is right about one thing. We do hope you ll stay here with us.
 You mean& permanently? She swallowed. In some ways, his
admission didn t come entirely as a surprise, but to hear him broach
the subject of cementing their unusual relationship made her nervous.
 That s exactly what I mean. Don t bother telling me it never
crossed your mind.
74 Cassandra Pierce
 Of course it has, she said quietly.  I don t deny this place is
beautiful& and I d say my feelings about all of you are pretty
apparent, too. But don t you think it would be premature to make any
plans for the future until we know what happened to Septimus?
 She s right, Ivar said. He moved to stand beside Maura and
gave her hand a squeeze.  Now that this whole thing is out in the
open, we need to get back to searching for Septimus. Is it worth
making the rounds of the guest houses and tourist spots again?
 Couldn t hurt, Ejan said.  I was going to drop by my mother s
place today anyhow. Without all the party noise, Tagin and I can ask
around more efficiently.
 Get to it, then, Daq said with a nod. The pair left the room, each
kissing Maura s cheek on their way out.  What about you two? he
asked Ivar and Janko.
 I hate to say this, but I guess we could search the bottom of the
bay one more time, Janko said.  I don t want to believe Septimus
drowned, and trust me, Maura, all of us spent days down there making
sure he wasn t snagged on a reef or something. But it wouldn t hurt to
take another peek.
 You mean you re going to go diving for him? Maura asked.
 Not in the way you might think. Janko gave her a wry smile and
puffed out his neck the way Cyra had done. The black slits she d
thought were tattoos flared open, then receded.  No oxygen tanks
required. We can stay down there as long as we need to. Want to help,
Ivar?
 You bet. Just to be able to say once and for all that we found
nothing, and he isn t down there.
They followed their friends out of the house, leaving Maura and
Daq alone again. Maura couldn t help marveling at the prospect of
Janko and Ivar wandering the deep without any need for diving
equipment. How could such things be possible? And even if they
were, she, too, hoped they would find no trace of Septimus at the
bottom of the bay.
Diamonds in the Sand 75
 He either left by swimming or walking, Daq told her.  The boat
and the Jeep were both still here. He smacked a fist into his open
palm.  This is my fault. I should have started looking right away, and
more aggressively. I just never dreamed he wouldn t come back by
nightfall. He always did before.
 We ll figure it out. We have to be optimistic, she said and then
paused.  Daq& do you think it s possible someone wanted to hurt
Septimus because of what you told him? You know& silence him?
Could there be others& like you who didn t want to take a chance on
him spreading your story?
 Hard to believe. My people are peaceful and always have been.
It s one of the reasons our ancestors were driven from Lemuria eons
ago. Besides, a handful of humans in various places already know
about us. Others dismiss them as New Age fanatics or the like. We ve
had thousands of years to learn how to keep a low profile.
Maura nodded, admitting to herself that she would have been one
of the first to label anyone presenting such a tale as fact, but inwardly
she continued to wonder. Was Daq being naïve? How could he say for
certain that no one on the island wanted to stop Septimus either from
telling about or possibly profiting from his knowledge?
One thing seemed certain she needed to go back to the
bungalow and reevaluate everything she d seen in the journals,
keeping this new information in mind.
 I still need some time to myself, she said.  I just can t help
thinking the answer is in front of us. The right code will decipher it.
Daq nodded. Then he gathered her in a tight embrace she found
more reassuring than any encouraging words in any
language& known to mankind or not. They kissed hungrily, almost [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

  • zanotowane.pl
  • doc.pisz.pl
  • pdf.pisz.pl
  • moje-waterloo.xlx.pl

    •