Free The Columbus Code by Mike Evans Page A

connect your Esteban Torme to the third duke of Liria, Jacobo-Franscisco Eduardo Fitz-James Stuart y Colón.”
    â€œSay again?”
    â€œAnd . . . you can only do that here in Spain.”
    Winters sat back in his chair. Until now Sophia seemed like a woman as passionate about her obsession as Donleavy was about his. At this point, though, he smelled a lure to spend money.
    She was waiting, patiently it seemed. Winters decided to tread lightly. “Why is that?” he asked. “Why can I only do it from there?”
    Sophia turned her head to listen as she’d done before. “We must find the ship’s original manifest. The one created on this side of the voyage. It should have their names listed correctly. We know three people traveled together—your Esteban, Magdalena, and Antonio—and that makes it easier.”
    â€œI can’t do that online?”
    She shook her head. “I have already checked. The online sites do not have that information and if they did, we cannot trust that they are reliable.”
    â€œWhy?” He knew he was pressing, but as intrigued as he was becoming, he couldn’t let that sway him from knowing whether this was on the up and up.
    â€œThe entries will be handwritten,” she said. “Someone would have to read them, translate them, enter the information on the website. Too many opportunities for error. Far better to see the actual documents.”
    â€œSo you’re saying I have to come to Barcelona.” Winters ran hishand over his face. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Ms. Conte, but why can’t I pay you to do it and send the results to me?”
    â€œYou can,” she said.
    â€œHowever . . .”
    â€œI am not certain I could be as effective as you, Mr. Winters.”
    â€œI don’t follow.”
    The faint smile reappeared. “Because people don’t say no to a man like you.”
    Winters looked for a trace of a tease, but there was none. She was waiting again, and he had the feeling she’d wait half the night for a response.
    â€œI’ll give it some thought,” he said.
    â€œAnd I will give it some prayer,” she said. “Good night, Mr. Winters.”
    â€œGood night, Ms. Conte,” he said.
    But she was already gone.

Is it customary for
Señor
Tejada to hold business meetings in his home?” Maria asked.
    Elena looked at her from across the seat in the limousine. “I’ve never known him to do it, but then I don’t know everything about the way he works. No one does.”
    â€œAnd you’re sure Snowden is going to be here with his mi—his two guys.”
    â€œI don’t know that either.”
    â€œWhat good are you then?”
    When Elena didn’t respond with the usual laugh behind her hand, Maria leaned forward.
    â€œThat was a joke.”
    â€œI know.”
    â€œThen why the stressed face? What aren’t you telling me?”
    Elena leaned her head back against the leather seat. “If I knew anything I’d tell you. That’s why I’m stressing. I don’t like not having the information you need.”
    â€œI don’t need information. I have that in here.” She tapped the red briefcase at her side. “I’d just like to know what I’m walking into so I don’t make another social ‘faux pas.’”
    Elena did laugh then. “Just about everything you do is a social faux pas, Maria. I haven’t been able to teach you anything.”
    â€œI beg to differ. You’ve taught me how to eat barbecued leeks. And that seafood with its head still on—”
    â€œI mean something that doesn’t have to do with food.”
    Maria felt a sudden—and unfamiliar—shyness. “You’ve taught me that another woman can be trusted.”
    â€œI’m sorry?”
    â€œMost of my friends are guys. Okay, both of my
real
friends are guys, and