The Forty Column Castle Read Online Free

making hollow clicking sounds on the terrazo floor. “You mean this could take
     weeks to resolve? We can’t live here indefinitely. I’ve got a mutual fund to manage.”
     I couldn’t help throwing my arms about as I paced.
    Mikolas started owl-like blinking which evolved into a fit of throat clearing. Finally,
     he said, “Please do not be upset. I am sure we can resolve this matter. I know this
     is difficult for you. Please sit down. I will summon the Chief of Investigations,
     who came today to help you. I will get him.”
    He hurried from the room, and I collapsed into my chair.
    Yannis slid his arm around my shoulders. “We will secure your aunt’s release. Don’t
     worry.”
    I was scowling. My mood didn’t want a comforting arm.
    “Yannis?”
    “Yes, Princess?”
    “Who are the three widows?”
    “He didn’t say.”
    “We need to find out.”
    “All right, we will.”
    Double footsteps echoed in the hallway, and we both looked up in expectation.
    “Here you are,” Mikolas said. “This is Chief Inspector Polydeuces.”
    The Inspector bowed to the room in general. We all murmured introductions at once,
     and Yannis spoke up. “Inspector, can you help us? We would like to see Miss Davies
     and secure her release today.”
    The Inspector looked like a younger version of Mikolas and was, indubitably, a cousin.
    “It is possible to see her, but I am not sure about leaving today. It is Sunday, you
     see, and the people who process the paper work do not work today. Tomorrow perhaps,
     but that may depend upon legalities. However, I can allow you to visit her.”
    “Thank you, Inspector,” Yannis said.
    Clueing me with a smile, he said in a low voice, “One step at a time.”
    I wasn’t pleased but acquiesced, grateful for some action.
    “Follow me then,” the Inspector said.
    * * * * *
    “Marie-Claude! Marie-Claude! Over here, dear. Oh, I am so glad to see you.” Aunt Elizabeth
     bounced on her toes and stretched her arms through the bars to try to reach me. I
     shoved past my escorts and rushed toward her voice. Awkwardly, we embraced through
     the bars of the door. I pushed back, still clasping her shoulders.
    “Am I glad to see you,” I said, trying not to tear up. She looked so forlorn. Her
     fly-away white hair was pulled back into a wilting French twist. She wore her favorite
     olive traveling trousers, the ones with all the pockets, and white cotton pullover.
     Judging by her bare cell, the clothes on her back were all she was allowed. Her face
     was crinkled into unhappy lines, not at all in keeping with her usual perky smile
     and lively blue eyes.
    “However did this happen?” I needed to hear the story from her.
    “Marie-Claude, this is such a mystery. I don’t know how those relics got into my bag,”
     she said, lowering her voice. “My souvenirs were neatly packed into my canvas bag.
     You know, the pretty green tapestry carry-on I use on trips. My needlework was on
     top along with my paperback romance, and I had my purse, my red leather one with all
     the compartments that I just adore for traveling. You know the one.”
    I certainly did. It was never far from her side.
    She hurried on, as was her custom when she was nervous, her words tumbling over each
     other. “I got pulled out of line as we waited to board, you know in one of those random
     searches they do now, and they brought my check-in luggage and went through everything.
    “Wouldn’t you know right there under my needlework in a cotton sack carefully wrapped
     in what looked like gauze were these adorable little statues and four very small pots.
     They looked like they had been broken and glued back together.
    “The man asked me where I had gotten them and did I have a permit. Of course, I didn’t.
     I mean they weren’t mine. I had never seen them before. So he asked me would I go
     with him to talk to the head of customs security. They wouldn’t let me go, and I missed
     my flight.”
    Tears spilled down