Aegean Intrigue Read Free

present. The stranger from the previous night was definitely not Georges Vasileiou. Unlike her father, this man moved with purpose. His eyes were clear and focused. And right now they were focused on her.
    So the man had a name. Alexandros, or Alex. He greeted them before launching into specifics of the project. The dig was funded through public as well as private sources and would take place on the estate of a well-known shipping magnate, Constantine Zotis. The tycoon wanted the excavation done this summer and had asked Alex to oversee the selection of the crew and the logistics of the dig. As Project Director, he had selected Professor Theo as the Project Archaeologist, and the professor, in turn, had selected the rest of the crew.
    She started when she heard her own name and realized the professor was introducing the team members to each other. She felt her face heat and shrank in her seat as the professor listed her accomplishments.
    There were two other students she recognized from the university: Jane, a Brit, and Christina, a Greek. There was Dimitri, a native of Paros, who would serve as their guide, cook, and general gofer. Yannis, a tall, gangly young man with a penchant for his Blackberry, was the last member of the crew. He was introduced as a graduate student from the Hellenic Institute.
    Other details were covered, but since they were outlined on a handout, she listened with only half an ear. Having participated in several digs, she was familiar with the routine. But she perked up when he got to the part about accommodations.
    â€œSince the land owner wishes to have this project done quickly, he is hosting us all on his property. A campsite has been set up along the shore, including cooking facilities, so that we can work and take our meals there with a minimum of interruptions.”
    All heads popped up at this. The younger crew members looked disappointed.
    â€œYou mean we’ll be trapped on site the entire time?” Jane asked.
    Alex cast an indulgent smile at the young girl, and Francie berated herself for the twinge of envy she recognized.
    â€œYou’re not going to be trapped, Jane,” he told her. “The site is only seven kilometers from Alyki and ten kilometers from Parikia. Transportation will be available if you want to go into town in the evenings and on days off. But during the day we will be able to get much more accomplished if we don’t have to leave the site for all our meals. We’ll also get a much earlier start each morning if we are already there.”
    The girl pouted, but she refrained from arguing. Perhaps she realized the opportunity for experience outweighed the availability of entertainment.
    â€œAre there any other questions?” Alex asked.
    The only questions came from Jane and Christina, the two with the least dig experience. Alex promised to meet with them afterward and asked Professor Theo to answer the questions about process of the dig and their specific duties. Soon afterward, the crew was dismissed, and Francie gathered her things.
    ****
    Alex watched his suspect as he spoke to the class. She avoided eye contact, which didn’t surprise him. The alarm on her face when she recognized him soon faded, replaced by annoyance. Was it possible she would turn down her invitation to join the dig? From what he had read, her participation was almost guaranteed. Too bad her fool of a boss had decided to make his move last night. He hadn’t wanted to frighten her. He needed to gain her confidence and make her want to join this dig so he could catch her and discover her involvement in the thefts.
    The meeting ended, and the students headed toward the door. He moved to catch up with her. Not wanting to alarm her, he simply walked beside her into the hallway.
    â€œI trust you have no ill effects from last night’s excitement?” he murmured.
    Her posture stiffened and her step faltered, but only for a moment. “I’m fine,” she