A Trick of the Moon Read Online Free

this does turn out to be something other than a modern model that someone built, then it will sound better to say, we had an archeologist come look at it rather than just my friend Declan.”
    “Hire me?” Declan focused his gaze on her. “I'm not here to make money.
    I'm here because you, my friend, wanted my help. If you think I came here wanting to get paid, then—”
    “I don't think that's what she said, Deck.” Maura was happy to hear Dario's voice interrupt Declan, who was none too happy about her suggestion.
    “And she's got a point. If this is something that has to be reported to the government, who better to write a report than an archeologist who's been hired to survey the site.”
    She shot Dario a grateful glance, then looked back at Declan, who seemed to be carefully considering what to say. That was Declan through and through, she knew. He never said anything without thinking about the consequences.
    “I'm still an archeologist, whether or not I'm paid,” Declan replied, anger riding the edge of his words. “To offer me money for a favor insults me.”
    “That's not what he meant,” Maura said, putting her hand on Declan's thigh. This wasn't a professional thing to do, but she hoped it would soothe him just a little. “He's afraid someone could come back and say we didn't follow procedure, that we messed things up. If you're his employee, then it's obvious that he took it seriously and had it investigated.”

    A Trick of the Moon
    15

    “I would investigate as a friend too.”
    “Yes, but a report signed by you as an employee has more weight than a report signed by a friend,” Dario said. “I see Mr. Atwell's point. As a cop I'd be more likely to believe a report from an employee rather than one of a friend.
    Sorry, buddy, but it's the way of the world.”
    Declan leaned back against the couch, pressing his leg harder into her own. “Employees lie, you know. It doesn't mean it's totally truthful.”
    “But it means it was more than just a handshake agreement.” Maura leaned back so she didn't have to turn to look at him. “My father trusts you, as do I. Implicitly. It's not you we're worried about, it's the others who might come after, if we discover we have something big here.”
    There was a long, pregnant pause, and then Declan nodded. “Fine. I'm your employee. When do we go to work, boss?”
    She smiled, happy as he returned it. “Thank you.” She turned to Dario.
    “And you too. Both of you will be employees while you're here.”
    “I don't know”—Dario lifted his eyebrows and tilted his head just a little—
    “how much are you offering?”
    Declan snorted out a laugh and Maura joined in. “My father suggested a hundred dollars a day, plus room and board.”
    “Oh no.” Declan stood and moved around the coffee table. “That's way too much. I'll go for twenty-five.”
    “Twenty-five?” Maura studied him carefully. “Way too low. Seventy-five.”
    “Fifty,” Dario put in. “That's in the middle.”
    “Done.” Declan nodded. “Do you want me to sign a contract, Ms. Lawyer?”
    “Yes.” Maura stood. “I've already prepared one. It's very simple and just says that you've been hired to examine the site and verify exactly what we have. I just need to change the money amount, and print off two now, for you and Dario.”

    16
    Melinda Barron

    “Well snap to it, boss.” Declan glanced around the room. “Where's the computer? We're burning daylight and I want to see the site today.”
    Maura headed toward the back end of the house. “You guys can bring in your gear while I'm printing. There are three bedrooms behind the kitchen.
    Mine is there, and you can choose between you from the other two.”
    She'd just entered the hallway when Dario's voice reached her ears. “Is there an archeological union we need to join? We want to be sure we're treated fairly, you know, make sure management doesn't take advantage of us.”
    Maura backed out of the hallway and glared at