Dangerous Melody Read Online Free PDF Page B

buy your own.”
    Bittman kept his eyes on Stephanie. “This particular instrument was my father’s. It was made in 1741. It is unique, virtually a living thing and it is worth, to put a crude price tag on it...”
    “Eighteen million dollars,”Stephanie said with a groan. “It’s one of only a few made by an Italian craftsman named Guarneri del Gesu.”
    “How do you know that?” Tate asked.
    “Because it was reportedly destroyed in a fire at Bittman’s father’s shop.” Her stomach tightened. “I read about it.”
    Bittman’s eyes flickered. “That information is incorrect. The Guarneri was not burned, and I have recently acquired proofthat it has surfaced right here in California. Someone has finally shown their hand by approaching a music store owner for repairs.” His smile was terrifying. “I want my family’s violin back. The person who possesses it can identify the arsonist who burned down my father’s shop and killed my brother. I will be able to deliver the proper punishment, finally, after all these years.”
    Stephanieshivered. “There are plenty of other investigators and treasure hunters out there.”
    “I hired someone to gather information.” His tone hardened. “Until that someone decided to go after my Guarneri herself.”
    Tate sucked in a breath. “My sister?”
    Bittman glared. “Yes. It seems rotten apples are common on your family tree.”
    “Why would she want your violin? What did you do to her?”
    “Nothing at all. I suspect the eighteen million dollars was motive enough.”
    Stephanie felt a sliver of fear for Maria. “Has she found it?”
    “I am not certain. She took my research, a small matter as I have it electronically archived, of course. I’ll get it back, and she will pay.” The words had barely left Bittman’s lips when Tate was on him, hands wrapped around his throat.
    “You’re not going to touch my sister,” Tate barked.
    Stephanie pulled Tate away, using all her strength to pry at his arms, which felt like steel bands under her fingers. “Let him go. You’re not helping Maria.” She had to keep Bittman talking long enough to find out how to rescue her father and now, it seemed, Maria, before Bittman got to her.
    Bittman stood, adjusting his clothing. “Iwant you to locate my violin and the person in possession of it before Maria does. She might scare him off, and that would make me very angry, which, I am told, is a frightening prospect.”
    Tate’s breath came in short bursts, and Stephanie worried for a moment that he would try to throttle Bittman again. She spoke quickly. “You could hire an investigator, a professional.”
    “But I wantyou, Stephanie. You have the Treasure Seekers’ resources behind you and now, since your father’s life hangs in the balance, you have the ultimate motivation to complete the mission for me.”
    Tate moved closer, and she felt his hand come to rest on the small of her back. It was the only thing that kept her mind from spinning completely out of control. For a moment, she thought Bittman was goingto touch her, and she wondered how she would stand it. Tate tensed next to her, hand curled into a fist.
    Bittman leaned close. “It is time for Treasure Seekers to go after the ultimate prize. Find it, and we will have everything we desire.”
    We? She pulled back slightly, her back pushed into Tate’s chest. His fingers pressed her waist.
    I’m here. He’s not going to hurt you, the pressureseemed to say.
    “And if I can’t find the violin?” she whispered.
    Bittman laughed softly before he whispered, “‘I looked, and behold a pale horse...’” He gave her a smile that from anyone else would have been warm and filled with humor, but from him, held another meaning entirely. Icy trickles snaked up her spine in spite of Tate’s reassuring touch and the fact that he moved her away fromBittman, inserting his own body between them.
    Without a backward glance, Bittman was gone.
    The room felt as if it was