Love's Paradise Read Online Free Page B

began as she showed her ID. “We’d like to speak with someone about items found on this property.”
    â€œYou’re mistaken, there were no items found here.”
    â€œI believe there were, so please call whomever you need. We’d like to speak to them,” she insisted.
    He chuckled while looking deadly serious. “Look, this isn’t the place you want to be. So why don’t you girls turn your little Jeep around and get your selves back to the museum. Because you’re not getting on this property, that’s just not going to happen,” he said.
    Sheri raised her chin and glared at him. She had no intention of leaving and the man’s condescending tone and the fact that he insisted on calling them girls irked her. But what really made her angry was the fact that he was standing in the way of uncovering something of huge historical significance. “Don’t patronize us. And we’re not girls, so I suggest you get someone down here now!” she said. The tone of her voice was unmistakable. She meant business. He nodded and smiled again as he pulled out his cell phone and made a call. Moments later a woman approached dressed in jeans, a T-shirt, a lightweight jacket with a company logo and carrying a hard hat with her cell phone to her ear. She hung up as soon as she neared them.
    â€œHi, I’m Tamika Smith, the development’s operations assistant. How can I help you?” she said, friendly enough.
    â€œYes, hi, I hope so. My name is Sheri Summers and this is my assistant, Genie Hopkins.” They shook hands. “We’re with the Crescent Island Museum and Smithsonian Institution. I believe you found some items this morning that may be of significant historical value.”
    â€œHistorical value? Here? No, you must be mistaken,” she said, self-assuredly.
    â€œI don’t think so,” Sheri said firmly.
    â€œWe’re in the process of finalizing this development site. If something had been uncovered, we would have certainly found it months ago and contacted the proper authorities.”
    â€œI believe this was found in a new location.”
    â€œThe secondary site?” she asked with added interest. “Did someone from the site contact you?” Tamika asked.
    â€œIn a manner of speaking, yes. Photos were sent to the museum.”
    â€œOkay, hold on. Let me check with our on-site manager,” she called someone and repeated what Sheri had just told her. She stepped away out of earshot and continued her conversation.
    Genie leaned over to Sheri. “I had no idea thisplace was so big. It’s huge and it looks like they’re almost done.”
    Sheri nodded as she looked around. Genie was right. The site was a lot larger than she’d expected. Of course she knew about the huge construction project. Everybody on the island knew. For a while Hamilton’s real estate development had created a huge rift in the community. After a few minutes the woman turned back around to face them.
    â€œOkay, Ian Parker, the on-site manager, will meet you at the office trailers. He’s tied up at the moment, but you can wait for him. Follow me.”
    â€œThank you,” Sheri said as she and Genie followed her through the entrance to the construction site. Teetering on her high heels, she meandered her way through the puddles and mud around the largest building being constructed on the site, and continued until they reached a paved open space. They were headed toward what looked like oversize trailers parked at the opposite end of the site. As they walked, Sheri looked across at the main building. To her surprise the development was a lot further along than she’d expected. The roof had been completed and the windows had been framed in place. Bricklayers were perched upon scaffolding beside the concrete that formed the outside walls. It appeared that work had begun on the interior, with flooring piled high in front of