Adduné - the Vampire's Game Read Online Free PDF Page B

fire.
     
    “ Right here. It’s why I built the fire. The collection pieces you’re looking for are downstairs, although I pray you’ve changed your mind about sending them off to Fairlawn or Fairway. Where is it again? Do you even know?”
     
    Miranda turned to him ready for a fight.
     
    “ It’s Fairfield …”
     
    “ Don’t tell me you’re going to spell it,” Reginald snapped sarcastically – interrupting and baiting her in one fell swoop.
     
    “ No, I’m not going to spell it because spelling does no good with someone that doesn’t want to learn. And Fairfield is in Ohio.”
     
    “ Oh, Ohio! A cultural hotspot if there ever was one! No wonder you’re transporting your father’s priceless treasures to a cornfield where they’ll be viewed by what? Two farmers and a bunch of crows?”
     
    “ You are really just soooo funny. Ha, ha, ha, ha!” Miranda retorted sharply. She used an exaggerated English laugh to irritate her barrister friend a little more. “Was that British enough for you or did my lower jaw actually move?” She paused a moment looking Reginald in the eye. She noticed that he ducked his face down using his finger to rub that upper lip of his. She knew it meant he was hiding a smile.
     
    “ Do you have the list?” she said taking off the cap of her magic marker.
     
    “ Right here,”
     
    “ Then let’s dig in!”
     

CHAPTER 2
     
     
     
    Reginald and Miranda worked diligently throughout the morning – cataloguing and recording every object. Each item was checked against her father’s ledger. The old handwritten ledger was what Miranda’s father had used to keep track of his finds. For years Miranda had urged him to put it in a computerized format, but he refused. He adhered to doing things the old-fashioned way. This was Miranda’s first chance to test her father’s outmoded system. Her process included writing down the name and description of the object on a tag. Reginald tallied the items and then called out a number which Miranda would add to the label. She’d then affix the completed tag to the object and move onto the next. In this way, they would make sure all the objects were present and accounted for. If not, they would have to look for it in other collections to make sure it wasn’t lost. Conversely, if an object were found that was not listed, it would be now. When the work was finished, all the results – descriptions, tag numbers, and histories – would be inputted onto a computer. If a customer wanted a certain object, rather than relying on memory, a simple computer search could be performed to see if Perry Antiques had a match for what they sought. And if an object – or group of objects – were sent to someone, they could be easily traced. Packaging and routing numbers would allow them to be tracked. While Miranda knew that her father’s memory was extraordinary, she wasn’t going to take the chance of relying on hers to chronicle his finds.
     
    When they’d finished tagging everything in the first room, Reginald checked his silver pocket watch. It was a little past noon.
     
    “ Miranda, are you up for lunch and a spot of tea?”
     
    Miranda looked down at her Cartier.
     
    “ Oh, my goodness! I had no idea it was that late. Yes, I definitely could do with a little refreshment.”
     
    “ I’ll retrieve it from the refrigerator. I had Willie tuck something away for us.”
     
    “ Willie?”
     
    “ Willie Figgs. He’s the caretaker – has been for years. Good man, Willie. Does a fine job.”
     
    “ Oh, right! Yes, he does,” Miranda said looking around at the polished floors and gleaming woodwork. “I was wondering why this place wasn’t buried under dust. It must keep him busy indeed. I hope father was paying him enough.”
     
    “ Yes, and then some,” Reginald answered patting the pocket holding Figgs’ new salary upgrade plus bonus. “I’ll just be a minute,” Reginald said pushing back his rolled sleeves. He had taken