Free Homeport by Nora Roberts

sober.
    Though he wanted a drink, he sat down across from her. It was easy to spot the signs of simmering temper. But he knew her better than anyone, and could also see the misery under it. “So, what’s the deal?”
    “She had a project for me.” Because she’d hoped he would come home before she went to bed, Miranda had brought two cups. She poured tea into the second now and pretended she didn’t see Andrew’s wince of distaste.
    She knew very well he’d prefer a glass of whiskey.
    “An incredible project,” Miranda continued, holding out the cup and saucer. “A bronze was discovered in the cellar of the Villa della Donna Oscura. Do you know the history of the place?”
    “Refresh me.”
    “Giulietta Buonadoni.”
    “Okay, got it. The Dark Lady, a mistress of one of the Medicis.”
    “Lorenzo the Magnificent—at least he was her first protector,” Miranda specified, grateful that Andrew’s knowledge of the era was thorough enough. It would save time. “The bronze was of the lady herself, no mistaking that face. She wanted me to do the tests, the dating.”
    He waited a beat. “Elise could have handled it.”
    “Elise’s field is broader than mine.” There was a hint of annoyance in Miranda’s tone. “Renaissance is my era, bronzes my specialty. Elizabeth wanted the best.”
    “She always does. So, you ran the tests?”
    “I ran them. I ran them again. I had top members of the staff assisting me. I did everything, personally, step by step. Then I went back and did it all again.”
    “And?”
    “It was genuine, Andrew.” Some of the excitement leaked through as she leaned forward. “Late fifteenth century.”
    “That’s incredible. Wonderful. Why aren’t you celebrating?”
    “There’s more.” She had to take a breath, steady herself. “It’s a Michelangelo.”
    “Jesus.” He set his cup aside hurriedly. “Are you sure? I don’t remember anything about a lost bronze.”
    A stubborn line dug its way between her eyebrows. “I’d stake my reputation on it. It’s an early work, brilliantly executed—it’s a gorgeous piece, echoing the sensual style of his drunken Bacchus . I was still working on documentation when I left, but there’s enough to support it.”
    “The bronze wasn’t documented?”
    Miranda began to tap her foot in irritation. “Giulietta probably hid it, or at least kept it to herself. Politics. It fits,” she insisted. “I’d have proven it without a doubt if she’d given me more time.”
    “Why didn’t she?”
    Unable to sit, Miranda unfolded her legs and got up to jab at the fire with a poker. “Someone leaked it to the press. We weren’t nearly ready for an official announcement, and the government got nervous. They fired Standjo, and she fired me. She accused me of leaking it.” Furious, she whirled back. “Of wanting the glory so badly I’d have risked the project to get it. I would never have done that.”
    “No, of course not.” He could brush that aside without a thought. “They fired her.” Though it was small of him, he couldn’t quite stop the grin. “I bet that set her off.”
    “She was livid. Under other circumstances, I might get some satisfaction out of that. But now I’ve lost the project. Not only won’t I get credit, but the only way I’ll see that piece again is in a museum. Damn it, Andrew, I was so close.”
    “You can bet that when the bronze is authenticated and announced, she’ll find a way to get Standjo’s name in it.” He arched a brow at his sister. “And when she does, you’ll just have to make sure yours isn’t left out.”
    “It’s not the same.” She took it away from me, was all Miranda could think.
    “Take what you can get.” He rose as well, wandering over to the liquor cabinet. Because he would have to ask. “You saw Elise?”
    “Yes.” Miranda slid her hands into the pockets of her robe. Because she would have to answer. “She looks fine. I think she’s well suited to managing the lab