The Island of Dangerous Dreams Read Free Page A

obviously know nothing about art collecting.”
    “I know that a lot of the collections owned by wealthy collectors in this country are made up of stolen artifacts,” I told her. “And a lot of museums once got their collections in the same way. It isn’t right, Aunt Madelyn. It isn’t fair.”
    She made an impatient shooing motion with her right hand. “But it’s business,” she said.
    I was shocked. “Is the artifact stolen?” I asked. “You didn’t answer my question.”
    “Darling Andrea, if you had the vaguest idea of the type of work I do, you would know that there are times it is best
not
to ask questions.”
    “Your judge friend stole the artifact.”
    “Of course he didn’t! He—he obtained it from someone.”
    “Who stole it.”
    “Andrea! I should just leave you here!”
    I thought about those clean beaches with the clear, turquoise water I’d seen in photographs and said quickly, “No. I’d rather go with you.”
    “Then promise you’ll keep your opinions to yourself!” Aunt Madelyn said. “This will be a business deal with no room for childish, ignorant, pseudo-moralizing.”
    One of the purple profiles looked as though it was about to gag. I didn’t want to stay and see if it would. “I’ll keep quiet,” I answered.
    “Very well then,” she said, still irritated enough to add a miffed sniff. “Go to the ladies’ room and comb your hair. We’re going to meet Justin for lunch.”
    “Just one more thing,” I said. “There’s something I don’t understand. Why couldn’t the judge show you the artifact here? Why do you have to go to his island? It all sounds weird to me. Urgent telephone calls, secret information, maybe even a boat slipping through the dark water at night—”
    “Andrea!” Madelyn snapped. “I told you to comb your hair! No more nonsense!”
    But as I left the room I could see the indecision in her eyes. I could guess that I wasn’t the only one who had some questions about the judge’s actions.

CHAPTER
2
    Judge Justin Arlington-Hughes and my aunt matched as well as salt and pepper shakers. They both stood tall, their backbones held up more by pomposity than by devotion to good posture. His mane of white hair contrasted nicely with her sleek, dark hair. His navy-blue suit was impeccable. Her navy-blue suit seemed exactly right for the curator of the Sartington.
    The judge looked me over thoroughly, then glowered. I knew what he was thinking. He hadn’t planned on including me, and he was trying to figure out how to rework the invitation so that I’d be left out.
    Aunt Madelyn, who was studying the menu, didn’t seem to notice. I was thankful when the waitress arrived to take our orders and interrupted his scowl.
    After we got past the opening conversational trivialities and my aunt’s mild embarassment because she and the judge ordered black coffee andsalads, while I scarfed down a burger with everything, double fries, and a large strawberry shake, I heard enough to make me disgusted with both of them.
    Someone, with whom Judge Arlington-Hughes had “connections,” had smuggled the artifact into the United States and into the judge’s hands by way of his sizable bank account.
    The judge leaned across the table and murmured, “Wait until you see it, Madelyn! It’s a rare find. Gold with an unbelievably large blue topaz. I’ve never come across anything like it.”
    I didn’t miss Aunt Madelyn’s quick glance in my direction before she spoke to the judge. I’d been right. She’d shared some of my suspicions. “Don’t make me wait to see it! Why can’t I see it now?” she coaxed. Her breathing became even more erratic, and I tried to remember what to do for people who are hyperventilating.
    The judge leaned back against the booth and smiled. His words dripped with a smug superiority. “As I told you, you’ll see it tomorrow, when we reach my island.”
    Aunt Madelyn was so impatient, she almost snapped at the judge. “You’re up to