“We have to be on borrowed time anyway. I don’t know why Andreas hasn’t caught up with us yet.”
“We’ve moved fast, and we’ve had Galen.”
“And what about terms for you?”
Travis shook his head. “Andreas won’t be inclined to make any deals with me.”
“All done.” Melissa came out of the bedroom, carrying the duffels. “Let’s go and get it over with.”
Poor Mellie. She was so pale and tense that Jessica’s heart ached for her.
“I’ll bring the van around to the back and make sure there’s no one around.” Galen moved toward the door. “If I don’t phone you, bring Cassie down in five minutes.”
Jessica handed Melissa the cup of coffee. “Drink it. You look like hell.”
“I don’t need it.”
“Drink it, Mellie.”
Melissa smiled faintly. “Yes, ma’am.” She took a few swallows and handed the cup back to her. “Satisfied, Saint Jessica?”
“Yes.” She turned to Travis. “How do we get Cassie into the museum without being seen? Carrying her around is sure to attract attention.”
“We park the van in the alley and go in through the back entrance. Galen says the artifacts room is right down the hall.”
“The guards?”
“Two, and they’ve been bribed. One at the back entrance and one at the door of the artifacts room. Inside the room is a door leading downstairs to a storage area in the basement. Galen is stationing one of his own men at that door just in case.”
“Christ, I hope everything goes smoothly.”
“Jessica . . .”
Jessica turned to Melissa. Her sister’s eyes were glazed and she took a staggering step forward. “Jessica . . .”
“Catch her, Travis,” Jessica said.
Travis sprang forward as Melissa’s knees buckled and she started to fall.
Melissa’s gaze clung to Jessica’s face in horror. “ No . . . Jessica.”
“Shh.” Jessica plumped the pillow on the couch. “Don’t worry, Mellie.”
“Dear God. You don’t know what—” She slumped in Travis’s arms, unconscious.
“What the hell?” Travis murmured.
“A sedative in the coffee,” Jessica said. “Put her on the couch.”
“You drugged her? Why?”
“This was going to be too hard on her. You saw how upset she was about the Wind Dancer. This way she’ll wake up and it will all be over.” She draped a throw over Melissa. “And there was a possibility she might have interfered. Cassie deserves this chance.”
Travis gave a low whistle. “You’re pretty damn tough.”
“You knew she could be a problem. Are you saying you weren’t tempted to do something like this?”
“I was tempted.” He looked down at Melissa. “But I couldn’t do it.”
“Why not?”
“It seemed like dirty pool. A fighter like her deserves an even match.” He brushed the hair from Melissa’s forehead. “I like the shrew when she’s not stabbing me with her little poison darts. I decided I’d rather have the problem than the solution.”
“And I decided to not take the chance and protect both Mellie and Cassie.” Jessica checked her wristwatch. “Time to take Cassie downstairs.”
“How long will Melissa sleep?” He turned toward the bedroom. “She took only a couple of swallows.”
“I didn’t expect anything else. I gave her a hefty dose. Four to five hours.” She brushed a loving kiss on Melissa’s cheek and whispered, “It’s for the best. Good night, Mellie.”
12:45 A.M.
Paul Guilliame was a thin, graceful, dark-haired man in his late fifties. He was also extremely nervous.
“Come in. Come in.” He nodded to the guard outside the artifacts room and gestured for them to enter with one fluttering hand. “I must be insane to do this. Four hours. No more.”
“We’re not pushing it. Just find a chair for the lady,” Galen said. “And then go get a drink to steady your nerves.”
“I’m not leaving the premises,” Guilliame said. “And what’s that child doing here? You never said anything about a—”
“The clock’s ticking. If you want us out of here, leave us alone and don’t interfere,” Travis said. “Where’s the Wind Dancer?”
“On the worktable opposite the sarcophagus.”
Jessica’s gaze had already fastened on the statue. “My God,” she murmured. “I’ve seen pictures of it, but it’s different seeing it in person. It’s wonderful.”