Ghost's Treasure Read Online Free

two appraisers who worked with top-notch auction services in order to help learn more about her find. In none of those emails did she list a phone number. She simply sent from her work email, which would give a reader her name and the library. At the moment, the move seemed to beg trouble. Dumb on her part. Real dumb.
    This guy had to do his own research to track her down. Definitely unsettling and a bit scary.
    "I don't know what you're talking about, Mr Riley." She hoped her voice held conviction and didn't shake with nerves.
    His tone grew gruff. "The pictures of the jewels. You emailed them to my associate for a possible appraisal."
    "I'm sorry. You must have the wrong number." She clicked off before he could say anything more.
    Before she could put her phone away, it rang again. Josie hit the silence button and let the call roll over to phone mail.
    What in the world have I gotten myself into just trying to find out some simple information about an impulsive estate sale purchase?
    Dozens more questions whirled through her mind with no answers. One thing she did know, those items must be worth a pretty penny in order to garner such attention. The fact both thrilled and concerned her at the same time. If Harris wasn't bad enough, she hated to think his prediction might come true. Who else would be climbing out from under rocks, landing on her doorstep, and doing their best to part her from her lucky find? What about the guy who just called? Where did he get his information and her phone number?
    More importantly, what am I going to do?
    Again, she stared at the screen before her. Quickly scanning the information, she sucked in a breath as an idea came to her. After Harris, she couldn't trust anyone who came looking for her. She shuddered in remembrance of his commanding tone, his cruel mouth. No. She needed a more upfront approach with a way to ensure the legitimacy of the man she spoke with.
    She wasn't prepared to fly to Washington, DC to talk to a member of the team directly, but perhaps, she could start with the local FBI office and go from there. After all, if these jewels were what Harris led her to believe, the FBI would surely want to know.
    Finding a phone number and address of the local office, she jotted both down. As a second thought, she pulled up a security picture from earlier and printed it off, used her tweezers to pick up the business card and drop it into a clear storage bag used for frail documents. After gathering up all her documentation, she slipped everything in her purse, shut down the computer, and headed out.
    Trotting down the stairs, she waved at Mary, letting her boss know she was leaving for the day.
    "Miss. Oh, miss?"
    Turning her head, Josie spied an elderly lady shuffling up to her with the assistance of a cane. "Can you help me, please?"
    Impatient, Josie stepped closer and tamped down on her desire to dash off, leaving the pudgy, silver-haired lady to her own devices. "What can I do for you?"
    "Can you point me to the biographies, please, dear?" The woman stopped right in front of Josie.
    "To your left."
    "What?" The woman leaned in. "I can't hear well. What did you say?"
    "To your left." She spoke up and gestured down the hall.
    "Thank you. Ohhh." The woman grabbed Josie's arm to steady herself as she wobbled a bit. Once she regained her balance, she smiled. "Thank you. I was sure I was going to take a nasty tumble."
    "No problem." With a quick grin, Josie resumed her hasty exit, hoping no more patrons stopped her along the way.
    "Oh, Josie?"
    Well, crap. Recognizing Mary's voice, Josie turned to her. "Yes?"
    "Will you be attending the monthly meeting Tuesday evening? I'm trying to get a head count."
    Barely refraining from rolling her eyes, Josie pasted a wan smile on her face. "I hope to, but I need to check my schedule. Can I get back with you?"
    "Sure. Just let me know as soon as you can." With a quick wave, Mary returned to her work.
    Finally. Hurriedly, she strode from the building