The Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries Boxed Set by Ellery Adams

Author:Ellery Adams
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, southern, anthology, antiques
Publisher: Beyond the Page Publishing

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The science museum was quiet at night. The clamor that filled its enormous halls during the day died away by six o’clock in the evening. Except for the two security guards making their usual rounds past the dark exhibits, no footsteps echoed down the wide corridors. To save money, the museum administration had decided to keep lights on only in the entranceway, so the guards were forced to use powerful Maglite flashlights as they toured the vast building.

Just before midnight, the guards moved off to the small break room near the front door. The middle-aged guard named Chuck poured two cups of coffee and emptied a packet of sugar into each cup. The second guard, a young man named Bruce, shuffled cards with the quick, practiced motion of someone who has played many rounds of poker.

“What’ll it be first?” Bruce asked his partner.

“Let’s warm up with Gin,” Chuck said, placing the coffee cups on the table as Bruce dealt their hands.

“What did your wife fix you tonight?” Bruce asked as he examined his hand.

Chuck peeled back the aluminum foil covering his sandwich and moaned. “Bologna and peanut butter again.”

Bruce laughed. “I’ve got salami, ham, and Swiss. Ah, the life of a bachelor.”

“At least I’ve got the good chips this time,” Chuck said, ripping open a bag of sour cream and onion Ruffles. Over the noise of the crackling bag, the guards heard a pounding resound through the front hall.

“What the—” Bruce began, but Chuck was already on his feet, his flashlight raised though not yet switched on.

“There’s someone at the front door,” Chuck said, pointing toward a waiting figure.

As Bruce approached, the figure held up a Hidden Treasures identification badge and pressed it against the glass for inspection.

“Ah, just one of those nutty appraisers,” Bruce grumbled. “Some time of night to be working.” He wrestled with a large bunch of jiggling keys until he had succeeded in unlocking the door’s formidable dead bolt.

“Evening, ma’am.” Chuck smiled at the woman. She blinded him with a brilliant smile and her beautiful face immediately captivated both men.

“So sorry to trouble you both,” she purred, holding open the heavy glass door, “but I suddenly recalled a mistake I must correct before the show opens tomorrow. I’ll only be back there for an hour or so.”

At that moment, the woman dropped her trendy rectangular purse and several items spilled out and rolled hither and thither across the marble floor. Bruce bent to retrieve a lipstick case and a pair of sunglasses while Chuck picked up an expensive fountain pen and a roll of breath mints.

“Oh, how clumsy of me!” the woman cooed, taking advantage of the distracted guards to quickly stick a piece of duct tape firmly over the door latch so that the knob could not automatically lock when closed. She released the door and watched with satisfaction as it closed but did not issue the soft click indicating that it was locked.

“Thank you ever so much,” the woman said as Bruce returned her purse with the gawkiness of a teenage boy.

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