Treasure Hunt (Part VIII)
Bruce's shoulders straightened, whether in acceptance or relief I wasn't sure. “I see.” He walked to the partially open door and turned. “You do understand, Kathryn, that I cannot, in all conscience, leave without preparing a full report of the theft and Tom's role in it for the new administrator. I am sure he will deal with the situation as I would.”
Without a backward glance, he disappeared down the hall. I slumped back in my chair and closed my eyes, relief intermingled with pain. Bruce would be all right, I knew, but I saw no future happiness for myself.
“So the prince turned out to be a frog after all,” a voice said from the doorway. “I couldn't help but overhear.”
“Andy!” I jumped up, conscious of the rush of warmth flowing through me. The lopsided grin was still there, but his face was drawn and pale under its layer of tan. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to make amends for being impolite. I forgot and left the party last night without saying goodbye. And after all my mother's efforts to teach me manners.”
My words came out in a rush. “The floor nurse did say when I phoned this morning that you might be released soon, but surely you shouldn't be at work.” I bit my lip. I hadn't intended to let him know of my call.
He seemed not to notice. “Outside of a sore arm where Mendoza 's bullet grazed me before hitting Tom in the chest, I'm fine. In fact,” he added with a grin, “just since I arrived I'm feeling remarkably better.”
“And you'll use that as an excuse to overdo!”
“Aha! Am I to take it that the lady cares? I'm overwhelmed.”
“Idiot!” My cheeks flushed, knowing the truth.
Andy perched on the side of my desk, resting his black-slinged arm on his knee. “The doctor assures me that Tom will be released before long, too,” he said.
“Just in time to face another inquiry,” I replied worriedly. “Once the new administrator acts on Bruce's report, he's sure to press charges.”
“There won't be another inquiry.”
I looked at him questioningly. He went on to explain. “Technically, no crime was committed. After all, the statue never left the premises.”
“But doesn't that mean Mendoza will go free?”
“The police have enough evidence against him on half a dozen other thefts to put him and his henchman driver behind bars for a long, long time. And Tom will quietly be allowed to take his pension and retire.”
“But isn't that a decision for the new administrator? How can you be sure he'll agree?”
“Well, I could say I've taken up mind reading, but you probably wouldn't believe me. Besides, my mother always told me that it's best to tell the truth.” His eyes searched my face. “I'm the new administrator, Katie.”
“You?”
“The Board was well aware of Bruce's ambitions and realized it was only a matter of time before he'd leave. Mr. Forrester's son Dick and I are old friends. When his dad happened to mention the Board's predicament, Dick thought of me. The position of librarian that he suggested suited perfectly. It provided the Board with a replacement, and allowed me an opportunity to become familiar with the museum's operation. At the same time, I had access to the materials on North American Indian art I needed to complete my doctoral dissertation."
Too distracted to think of all the implications, I voiced the one thought uppermost in my mind. “Then you'll be my new boss. That is,” I added, my heart squeezed by the thought, “unless you're planning to make other arrangements.”
“Well, I was thinking of some changes in your duties.”
Was I to be relegated to a position where I would see him only at staff meetings? Or worse, might I be dismissed? I strived to make my question casual. “What is it you want me to do?”
“Want?” he exploded suddenly. “I want you to marry me! Why do you suppose I was so willing to help you on this crazy treasure hunt? I love you, Katie.”
“But you never said anything...”
“I figured if the rumors were true that you were committed to Bruce, I didn't stand a chance. I could only trust to luck and wait it out.”
“But the other night...”
“My dear, I'm not exactly made of wood. You looked so lost, standing there in the hall, I couldn't help myself. Then when you told me what had happened, I was afraid your response was merely an emotional reaction to the ordeal you'd just been through.”
“Well,” I said primly, “I'm clear-eyed and level-headed now.”
The space between us vanished. His good arm encircled me, and I yielded to the remembered magic of his kiss.
Minutes elapsed before his lips left mine to travel slowly, tantalizingly, to my ear. “Let's stop at Jimmy Chen's tonight for dinner,” Andy said. “I have a feeling we should ask him to start preparing those special Chinese wedding cakes of his right away.”