The Florentine Deception Read Online Free

“Seriously? What do you think we’ll find?”
    â€œWho knows? Probably nothing.” I glanced over my shoulder conspiratorially and lowered my voice. “But maybe, just maybe, the directions to the Wellingsworth treasure.”
    â€œWellings-what? Treasure? Really?”
    â€œNo, not really.” I laughed. “It’s probably just a list of the last few porn sites the guy visited.”
    I slid the mouse back over to the file, but a fraction of a second before I could open it, the lamp’s filament flared and popped, and the power to the house died.
    â€œPerfect timing.” Speaking about timing, I looked down at my watch. It was 6:45 p.m. “Crap! I need to go. I’m late for Tom’s party!”

Chapter 4
    â€œTom!” yelled Gennady, “Alex is here.” Gennady grabbed me in a bear hug, then stepped aside for me to enter. “Long time no see!”
    â€œHey Gennady.”
    â€œCome on in. What do you want to drink? Wodka ? Jäger?”
    â€œJäger? I feel like I’m still in college. I’ll take a Diet Coke and save the shots for later. Thanks.”
    I walked down the hallway to the kitchen. A half-dozen people, most with familiar faces but unfamiliar names, were mingling around the living room with red party cups. Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon was playing in the background.
    â€œHey Alex!” A hand waved from behind the refrigerator door, then a second later, Tom popped his head up. “One sec, I’ll be right over.”
    Tom finished his rummaging and returned holding a can of Pabst.
    â€œHappy birthday, man.” I handed him a bag of Reese’s Pieces.
    â€œEpic—just like old times! Thanks!” Tom ripped open a corner of the bag with his teeth and tipped a handful into his mouth.
    â€œAnd here’s the real gift.” I placed an envelope in his hand. “Don’t forget to open it or you’ll regret it.”
    Tom gave me a quizzical look and placed the envelope with the others on the counter.
    â€œThanks. I won’t. Follow me,” he said, walking over to the other guests. “You remember Vic and Letty, right?”
    â€œHey guys,” I said, “good to see you again.” I had no recollection whatsoever who they were.
    â€œAnd this is Cindy.” Cindy was a well-endowed brunette, very good looking.
    â€œHi, nice to meet you. I’m Alex.” I shook her hand. “How do you know—”
    â€œAnd her girlfriend Vivian,” interrupted Tom, strategically.
    â€œOh. Hi Vivian, nice to meet you too.”
    â€œThe other two are Gennady’s friends from Russia.” Tom issued a polite smile and nodded. “They don’t speak much English, but boy can they pound the vodka.”
    â€œHello,” I said, nodding as well. The pair smiled.
    Tom motioned me back to their red leather Bugatti couch. “Take a seat.”
    â€œSo what’s up? Word is that you bailed from ViruTrax?” said Gennady from the kitchen.
    â€œThat word is right,” I said, shoving aside a bag of chips and taking a seat. “That was a while ago. When did we last talk?”
    Tom, clearly well on his way to inebriation, stared up at the ceiling and considered.
    â€œDon’t remember,” he said, taking a gulp.
    â€œI do. Camping last November in Sequoia.”
    â€œSue!” I hopped up from the couch to give her a hug. “How are things?”
    â€œGood! I started a new job last week, and Gennady and I are heading to Maui next month, so I’ve got nothing to complain about.”
    â€œExcellent! Come sit with me.” I sat back down and patted the couch. “I want to hear all about your job.” Sue sat down and wrapped her arm around me for a second hug.
    â€œAnyway, why’d you leave?” continued Tom. “All your options vest?”
    â€œNah. Things just got too political.”
    â€œLike he needed the stock