Instantly I thought of the treasures found in King Tutankhamun's tomb. These sarcophagi were perfect miniature reproductions. The detail was exquisite. Some were the visages of male pharaohs and others of queens. Each face was different. Even on this tiny scale, I could see details as fine as braided beards, the jewels embedded in the scepters, and the eyes of the sacred serpent on the headdresses.

  I straightened while rubbing my eyes that suddenly felt like someone had thrown dust in them. Wishing I had a tissue to blow my nose, I got back to taking pictures until I circled back to the office's front door.

  Noise from the party still found its way to this part of the building. It sounded like a distant rumble of one hundred bees. The noise got louder all of sudden, then quieted. Someone had opened the outer door. I put my ear to the crack in the door, listening. At one point, I thought I heard footsteps coming this direction but the sound faded. A few seconds later, the outer door opened again. I breathed a sigh of relief.

  Alan hung up but jumped when he saw me by the door. “Is someone coming?”

  “No.” I shook my head. “For a second it sounded like it, but whoever it was left.”

  He breathed a visible sigh of relief and said, “Oh, okay. The ambulance is coming. Are you going to wait and bring them back here?”

  I waved him over to the door. It was time to go. “No, Alan. How would it look later if your friend was the person leading the EMTs to your dead boss?”

  “Oh, yeah. That might look suspicious.” He paused, looking at me. “Are you crying?”

  It took a minute to process what he was talking about. I rubbed at my eyes, “No, I think I'm allergic to whatever paint Elsa used on her art project over there. I had the same reaction outside by the cake display. This happens every once in a while. I walk into a newly painted room and sneeze my head off.”

  I cracked the door and listened. Other than the hum coming from the party, I didn't hear anyone moving about. “Anyway, I'm not an employee. Get Jessica to meet the ambulance. Hopefully we'll be able to spot her when we get back to the party. Then you do the opening remarks, start the tour of the exhibition and I'll...,” I paused because I wasn't sure what I was going to do. “I'll figure out something.”

  “You're going to stick close to me so the minute I've finished the tour, we can come back here and you can start investigating or whatever it is you do.”

  I didn't respond because I wasn't sure if that was a good idea either. I opened the door wider and stepped out. The hallway was clear. I whispered, “C'mon.” And tiptoed about five steps before realizing Alan wasn't behind me.

  In the hallway, he nonchalantly shut Elsa's office door. “What are you doing?”

  Oh right. We hadn't done anything wrong. I didn't need to sneak around. “Sorry. Got carried away.”

  Alan strode past suddenly confident. “And you're supposed to be the private investigator.”

  “I'm not an investigator. I'm a baker.” A baker who enjoyed snooping—er, I mean investigating.

  We reached the outer door almost too soon. Next to the brass doorknob, I noticed a square black panel. Alan opened the door, and we were enveloped by the din of party guests. On this side of the door, another dark square was affixed to the wall.

  I touched my friend's arm. “Hey, is that for security? I didn't see you use a key card.”

  “We had a fire so the museum is having some electrical work done. Long story short, the building's wiring is a mess, some of it goes back to the 1900s. Internal security has been offline for three weeks.”

  “Internal? So security outside the building is working?”

  He nodded. “Of course. We can't risk a burglary. Plus there's the museum's security staff. They patrol at night, and they'll be in the gallery once the exhibition opens.”

  Alan checked his watch. “I don't see Jessica. And it's three minutes to nine.”

  “I'll track her down,” I volunteered. Though in this crowd it was going to be a challenge.

  “Okay, but hurry. I don't want the EMTs coming through the front door. After you find her, come find me.”

  “Wait,” I said and held his arm. “Did Elsa have asthma attacks a lot?”

  He nodded, “Working in a dusty museum? All the time. She even carried an inhaler in a fanny pack. Why?”

  “There were two inhalers on the floor in her office. I thought it was strange. But never mind. Go, go.” I assured him I'd find his assistant and said he better hurry if he was going to start on time.

  Chapter Five

  The moment he left, I scanned the crowd. I didn't see Jessica. The next best place to check? The ladies’ room. The restrooms were set along a long hallway just off the rotunda.

  Half way there, I bumped into Oscar holding two glass tumblers filled with brown liquid.

  He said, “I've been looking for you. C'mon, they're about to start. But let me give Lois her drink first.”

  “Um, I'll meet you up there. I have to find Jessica. Have you seen her?” Then I added, “Or Nia?” Since Nia was Elsa's assistant finding her may have been an even better idea. She could tell the ambulance people how Elsa had been feeling. In fact, I should talk to Nia, too, I decided.

  Oscar waved to a silver-haired woman propped up on a walker. “I still have to tell you that joke, Lois. Don't you move.”

  I put my hands on my hips and stared. “How do you do that?”

  “What?”

  “Walk into a room and know everyone in an hour.”

  He lifted and dropped his shoulders in a shrug. “It's the teddy bear effect. People see me, think I'm harmless, then want to cuddle up and tell me their secrets. And the people in this crowd—all they wanna do is gossip. Too much leisure time. Give me fifteen more minutes I could probably find out someone who knows someone who knows where Hoffa is buried.” He downed half of a tumbler, then narrowed his eyes at me. “What's up? You look weird.”

  “How in the world can I look weird? What's weird looking?”

  “You just do. Something is going on and you're leaving me out.”

  Of course he was right. I debated if I should involve Oscar. He was a great person but also a gossip monger of momentous proportions. “Yes, something has happened, but I can't speak a word of it until I find Jessica or Nia. Alan needs them to do something.”

  He pursed his lips but folded. “I haven't seen Jessica, but Nia I saw heading toward the rear lounge a little while ago.” Oscar gestured further along the hallway past the restrooms.

  In the front of the room, Alan had stepped onto a small platform. He held a microphone. “Hello, everyone. Welcome!”

  I turned back to Oscar. “Thanks. Go enjoy. I'll catch up with you in a minute.” And then I walked off before he could complain. I wasn't sure how long it would take an ambulance to navigate the park’s road in the dark. They could get lost or already be here.

  I pushed open the door to the ladies’ room. It opened onto an anteroom. Much to my relief, Jessica was there busy securing a dress strap with a safety pin.

  She immediately turned. “Is that Alan I hear doing the opening remarks?”

  “Yes, it is,” I waved her over. “Let's go. Alan needs you to do something.” I couldn't see it but could hear water running behind the door that led to the stalls. I didn't want to be overhead.

  Jessica must've seen the expression on my face. She stopped fussing with the strap and followed me out.

  “What's the fastest way to get to the employee's side entrance?”

  “This way. Near the kitchen. Now what's wrong?”

  A couple headed toward us. I lowered my voice, “Alan called an ambulance for Elsa. He needs you to meet them at the side entrance.”

  “What! What's wrong with her?”

  “I don't know exactly, but the EMTs should be here any minute.”

  She led me down the hall and into an empty atrium that had Rococo fainting couches and circular lounge chaises. A connecting door led to the kitchens and the side employee entrance.

  Once outside, I expected to see flashing lights and hear the screaming whine of sirens. But all was quiet. The night air was crisp but warm enough to go without a jacket.

  Jessica said, “What happened? Nia told me she gave her final checklist report to Elsa. She didn't mention anything was wrong.”

  I looked in the direction of the road. “Things happen quickly, I guess.”

  “What did Alan say was wrong with her? Who's with her now? You know, maybe I should check and you can wait here?”

  It was a string of too many questions I didn't want to answer. “No, I don't know how to get to her office from here.”

  “It's easy, I'll show you—”

  I interrupted. “It's not just that, Jessica. I don't work here. And I picked up some tension between Elsa and Alan earlier. I don't want to get involved any more than I already am.”

  She went very still. “What? You think Alan did something bad? I thought you were his friend.”

  “No, no. I'm not saying that at all,” I said defensively but then saw an opportunity. “I am his friend. It's just that, you know, I haven't been in touch with Alan for a long time. I'm sure he's still a nice guy. But people change. He even told me they got into a dustup.”

  Jessica snickered. “All Elsa's fault. You should've heard what she called him. She was completely out of order. But she usually is. Her job is the most coveted in the museum, and she lorded it over everyone, especially Alan. And yes, Alan is still a nice guy. The best, even.”

  “I'm sure he is,” I said slowly.

  “I just knew Elsa was going to get him fired. I knew it. She's such an extreme elitist. To the point where it would've been hard for me to get a job here, never mind Alan.”

  Still no ambulance in sight. I thought it was probably safe to hang around for a while more. “What do you mean?”

  “This field.” She hesitated as if choosing her words carefully. “This museum especially is rampant with nepotism and preferential treatment. And my name would've worked as a detriment if it hadn't been for Alan going against the grain and hiring me.”

  “Oh, okay. You're like almost everyone then. Average Joe family.”

  She tilted her head. “No. Yes, of course I'm like anyone else, but my family is well off. Though I did go to college on a swimming scholarship. It's just that there was this, um, scandal some time back, and we're sort of personae non gratae in all the circles that matter.”

  A scandal, huh? Boy, I wanted to pry so badly my teeth were itching. Better not to push my luck. Maybe a Google search would turn something up.

  “I hope Elsa is okay, but there's a laundry list of people who have it out for her. Though I hope that's not what happened.”

  Oh really? I asked, “Because of her management style?”

  Alan's assistant nodded. “Like I said before, her position is coveted. Elsa's salary is quite generous, but it's the prestige that comes along with it. Half of her income comes from guest lecture spots on the university circuit, a non-fiction book on ancient tribal societies, and she's co-writing a fiction mystery novel about a female detective by night, museum curator by day.

  “Curator is a gateway job. Anyone who has it can pick and choose what they want to do next. The guy before Elsa secured a gig at the Louvre. But Elsa has made it very clear, she's digging in for the long haul. A few people, even some on the board, didn't like that.”

  Her venting session didn't sound unusual. Most jobs had coveted positions for one reason or another. Lots of people under the boss vied for it. However, most people wouldn't kill for it.

  I asked, “Is Elsa close to anyone who works here?”

  “Um, well, she gets along with Nia. I don't think they're close or anything, but Nia adjusted fast to Elsa's quirks.”

  Guess I'll be talking to Nia next. She may know if Elsa had been threatened by anyone. I pushed away the thought that Alan may be on that list.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I watched his assistant. Jessica seemed anxious but not unsettled. The strap of her black dress had slipped off her shoulder again. She tucked it back in place. “They should've been here by now. I'll call 9-1-1. Maybe they got lost.”

  “Yeah, sounds like a good idea. I'll go tell Alan you've got everything handled.”

  Jessica would've been better off calling and asking for the city morgue.

  Chapter Six

  Air hissed out of an ancient brass door closer. I stood listening in the all-white hallway between the kitchen and the museum's offices. Everything was happening very quickly, and I needed a minute to process it all. Yes, I enjoyed the tingling thrill of figuring out a puzzle, but my friend's livelihood and maybe his freedom, was on the line.

  The muted sounds of clattering pots, rolling carts, and voices came through the wall. But beyond that, or maybe in addition, was the oddly loud quiet of vacant offices. Despite being able to hear the reassuring noise from the kitchen, I felt a little weirded out.

  Though I found museums fascinating, they also had a certain creepiness factor. It was sort of like waking up in the middle of the night and just knowing my dolls had been moving. I couldn't help but feel some wax Neanderthal or petrified mummy would stagger around a corner at any minute. (And not the fun kind like in Night at the Museum.)

  Okay, okay. Focus, Ali. What next?

  Nia. Find Nia. I started down the hallway. Oscar had said he'd seen her heading toward the rear lounge, but that area was vacant when I walked through. I passed an entrance for the kitchen and peeked in. Nope, didn't see her. Had to rule out that she’d stopped in to check on the catering.

  So that left the museum offices. A foot away was another door marked ‘staff only’. On the wall next to it, was the square security panel. Sure enough, I pushed down on the lever knob, and the door opened without any resistance.

  Then another short hallway. I paused, listening. Silence. The creepy kind when something around the corner is waiting for just the right second to pounce.

  Ali, stop it. I walked defiantly around the first corner forcing myself not to flinch. Of course nothing was there. Just another hallway leading to a larger juncture. Again I stopped and listened. More silence. The floor wasn't carpeted but was semi-covered with an imitation Persian runner.

  When I rounded the next corner, a distant hum started. It sounded like music. I must be getting close to the doors that led out to the rotunda. This area looked a little familiar. I kept moving, making an effort to tread lightly.

  Then as if someone had clicked on a radio, I heard a man's voice.

  “This is the last time. She accused me flat out.”

  A woman replied, “Is that why you called me back here?”

  I froze. The very next office's door was ajar. I'd almost walked right on top of them. I ducked into the closest room but left the door cracked just enough to hear.

  “We didn't have time to talk properly earlier,” the man said. He spoke just above a whisper; I had to strain to hear him.

  I heard rustling. Then the woman said, “Listen, I told you I was taking care of it. I was forced to move up the timetable some, but it works out to our advantage. Stop worrying. Since we're here, where is it anyway?”

  A long pause. “I-I, I'll give it to you later.”

  “No. No. You're stuttering. You do that when you're lying. Tell me the truth this instant. Where is it?”

  Silence.

  “Tell me!” The female raged. Her voice was somewhat familiar, but I couldn't place it.

  “Calm down, someone will hear you.” His voice had dropped to a coarse whisper.

  “I swear, if you don't tell me this instant!”

  “All right, all right. She has it.”

  Another pause. Then the woman said, “You let her take it? You fool!”

  He said, “She didn't give me a choice. But don't worry, I can convince her to give it back.”

  Then I heard something like a fist smacking a cushion.

  The woman sounded as if she spoke with her teeth clenched. “I swear, if the buyer didn't want this last piece, I'd cut you off. In more ways than one. But okay, this isn't a big deal. Just get it back and...what? Why are you looking at me like that? You don't think she'll give it back, do you? Fine, I'll get it. And then you know what? After that, you're out. I don't care who you know. I'm doing the last transaction. Now get out my way. I've got even more work to do tonight.”

  A door rebounded off a wall and feet pounded away. I strained to get a glance of who it was but only glimpsed a shadow retreating. I held my breath and waited for the second person to leave. Whoever it was stepped into the threshold of the doorway and stopped. He was listening, I guessed. Listening to make sure they hadn't been overheard.

  I shifted the tiniest bit back, just enough so he couldn't spot the white of my eye, and the floorboards underfoot creaked. Fudge! Inwardly I groaned and froze in place. I was afraid to move. Suddenly I was too afraid to take another step away from the door.

  Instead he moved, and the tip of a black patent-leather shoe came into view. But that was all. I prayed the floor wouldn't creak and pulled back from the door even more, hoping the shadows in the room were enough to mask my presence.

  The man's phone buzzed. The ringtone kicked in and Fifty Cent serenaded about taking a girl to the candy shop.

  Who in this crowd would have a hip-hop artist's song as their ringtone?

  “Yes? I'm coming. Don't nag,” the man said as he moved off down the hall.

  I stayed perfectly still, hoping he wouldn't double back. Eventually the outer door opened and closed.

  Yeah. I wasn't going anywhere for a while. Though I really wanted to know who those people had been, Ali Daniels wasn't risking confronting a killer in the deserted back rooms of a museum. And there was no rush to let anyone know I was snooping, er, I mean investigating, until it was absolutely necessary.

  Later I'd just have to figure out who had been doing the talking. Hopefully, I'd recognize the voices when I heard them again.

  I nudged the door closed with my foot. I'd give it ten minutes for whoever it was to clear out. For the first time, I looked at the room I was in.

 

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