Guarding the Treasure Read Online Free Page A

Kevin Gates bent to help her.
    “Here, let me get that for you,” he said, settling his eyes on her. “I seem to have rudely interrupted your thoughts, and the least I can do is pick up your book for you.”
    “Thank you,” she said, returning his gaze but only momentarily as he put the diary in her hand. “So Mr. Gates, if you don’t mind my asking, can you tell me just how you know who I am?”
    Kevin looked past her to the round table where he had seen her put her purse and backpack. “If you don’t mind me joining you,” nodding toward her table, “I’d love to tell you everything I know about you,” he said, flashing a questioning look her way.
    Sophie’s cheeks warmed, and she knew color would quickly follow. She gave him an uncertain smile then turned and started for her table. As they sat, the muscles in her shoulders tightened and her breathing quickened. She glanced around to make sure they weren’t completely alone in the library. No matter how great Mr. Gates looked or how sincere his voice sounded, she didn’t trust him. Normal, sane people don’t just pop up to make suggestions on what you should read and then, without missing a beat, tell you they—and everyone else in the city—know your name.
    She shifted in her chair, scanning the library again.
    Kevin knew he had come on a bit strong, a trait he had acquired from his earlier days as a reporter in New York City. It often made people uneasy, but in the right situation it could be an effective tool for getting information. As he slid his chair out, he sensed he’d done it again, but this time not on purpose. He needed to ease Ms. Hanes’ anxiety as quickly as possible. That is, if he still wanted to get to know her better—and avoid being arrested for harassment.
    “So Ms. Hanes, I said I’d tell you what I know about you, and I think it’s only fair that I first tell you how I know what I know.” Kevin continued, noting the perfect shape of her brown eyes. Everything about her was exquisitely shaped, but he tried not to be too obvious with his assessment. In fact, he was finding it difficult to stay focused. The facts , he told himself. Stick with the facts and you’ll be just fine .
    “I have a friend who’s a cameraman for the television station, and a couple of months ago, he asked me to fill in for him. I had no idea I’d be filming an interview at the university featuring the top-ranked history professor in Pullman, and soon, I’m sure, in the entire state of Washington.” He continued, trying to focus on her eyes but struggling because she wouldn’t look directly at him.
    “Needless to say, it was a privilege, and I found it very interesting— that is, after we were finally able to get through the entire interview—how such a young professor rose to the top of her profession in such a short amount of time,” he said, a hint of laughter in his voice.
    Sophie shifted in her chair, self-conscious that Mr. Gates had been at the interview. She glanced at him and then back at the books on the table, feeling the heat of embarrassment on the tips of her ears and on her neck as she remembered all the takes they had to do, and the frustration that had emanated from the reporters and the despondent looks on the faces of the stage people. She also reluctantly remembered her nerves, which gotten the best of her. Several times, she’d had to ask to leave the set. Sophie had tried to tell them she was a really private person and all the attention was making her sick to her stomach, but they’d had a job to do and reminded her that they needed the piece for the news that evening.
    Looking up, she saw Kevin’s eyes fixed on her.
    “I don’t know what to say, Mr. Gates,” she said, dropping her eyes back to the diary. She tapped her finger nervously.
    “You don’t have to say anything, Ms. Hanes. I can see I’ve made you uncomfortable, and if you’d like me to leave, I will. But before I go, I just want you to know I wasn’t