Homeport Read Free Page B

cocktail of ibuprofen and aspirin she’d taken at midnight had given her three hours of relief. But she was awake now, and chasing the pain. Might as well finish it off, she decided, and face the music.
    With the time difference, Elizabeth would be at her desk. Miranda picked up the phone and put the call through. Moaning a bit, she shifted her pillows against the curvy wrought-iron headboard and eased back against them.
    “Miranda, I was about to call to leave a message at your hotel for your arrival tomorrow.”
    “I’m going to be delayed. I—”
    “Delayed?” The word was like a single ice chip, frigid and sharp.
    “I’m sorry.”
    “I thought I made it clear this project is priority. I’ve guaranteed the government that we would begin tests today.”
    “I’m going to send John Carter. I—”
    “I didn’t send for John Carter, I sent for you. Whatever other work you have can be delegated. I believe I made that clear as well.”
    “Yes, you did.” No, she thought, the pills weren’t going to help this time. But the cold anger beginning to stir inside her was bound to outdistance a little pain. “I had every intention of being there, as instructed.”
    “Then why aren’t you?”
    “My passport and other identification were stolen yesterday. I’ll arrange to have them replaced as soon as possible and rebook my flight. This being Friday, I doubt I can have new documents before sometime next week.”

    She knew how bureaucracies worked, Miranda thought grimly. She’d been raised in one.
    “Even in a relatively quiet place like Jones Point, it’s foolishly careless not to lock your car.”
    “The documents weren’t in my car, they were on me. I’ll let you know as soon as they’re replaced and I’ve rescheduled. I apologize for the delay. The project will have my full time and attention as soon as I arrive. Goodbye, Mother.”
    It gave her perverse satisfaction to hang up before Elizabeth could say another word.
     
    In her elegant and spacious office three thousand miles away, Elizabeth stared at the phone with a mixture of annoyance and confusion.
    “Is there a problem?”
    Distracted, Elizabeth glanced over at her former daughter-in-law. Elise Warfield sat, a clipboard resting on her knee, her big green eyes puzzled, her soft, lush mouth curved slightly in an attentive smile.
    The marriage between Elise and Andrew hadn’t worked, which was a disappointment to Elizabeth. But her professional and personal relationship with Elise hadn’t been damaged by the divorce.
    “Yes. Miranda’s been delayed.”
    “Delayed?” Elise lifted her brows so that they disappeared under the fringe of bangs that skimmed over her brow. “That’s not like Miranda.”
    “Her passport and other identification were stolen.”
    “Oh, that’s dreadful.” Elise got to her feet. She stood just over five-two. Her body had lush feminine curves that managed to look delicate. With her sleek cap of ebony hair, her large, heavily lashed eyes and milky white skin, the deep red of her mouth, she resembled an efficient and sexy fairy. “She was robbed?”
    “I didn’t get the details.” Elizabeth’s lips tightened briefly. “She’ll arrange to have them replaced and reschedule her flight. It may take several days.”
    Elise started to ask if Miranda had been hurt, then closed her mouth on the words. From the look in Elizabeth’s eyes, either she didn’t know, or it wasn’t her major concern. “I know you want to begin testing today. It can certainly be arranged. I can shift some of my work and start them myself.”
    Considering, Elizabeth rose and turned to her window. She always thought more clearly when she looked out over the city. Florence was her home, had been her home since the first time she’d seen it. She’d been eighteen, a young college student with a desperate love for art and a secret thirst for adventure.
    She’d fallen hopelessly in love with the city, with its red rooftops and majestic