Hidden Fire Read Online Free PDF Page B

Aha, so you do know where it is.
    She tiptoed closer to the open door and listened to his conversation. Shame bit at her, but she ignored it. Too much was at stake.
    â€œCan you book me a room at the Welcome Home Motel in Longreach for Tuesday night? I forgot to do it. Weather permitting, I’ll be home the following day.”
    An idea crystallized in Gili’s mind. Instead of flying to Townsville and then out to Winton, why not head to Longreach and then hire a car from there? Perhaps she’d be able to make it up to Opalton before Morgan even arrived.
    She turned and crept away from Morgan’s office. It wouldn’t do for him to find her listening to his conversation. His next words halted her on the spot.
    â€œDamn right, I’m pissed off. Want to guess who turned up here today? Gillian Adams. Yeah, that’s right, Gili from the dig in Iran. I should have kicked her out as soon as she arrived.”
    He laughed, but the sound contained no real amusement. More anger than anything else. “I don’t care what you say, she’s a pain in the ass. And she’s still working for Jeremy Grissom. You know what she’s after, don’t you? The Dreamtime Fire .”
    Well, they say eavesdroppers never hear any good about themselves. Guess this is one of those times. If only she’d kept her comments to herself.
    Angry with herself, Gili backed away from Morgan’s office. She should never have spoken to him like that, but she’d wanted to lash out, to hurt him as he’d hurt her. For his attitude now and his distrust six years ago.
    A deep sigh caught her unawares. She couldn’t blame Morgan for his attitude, given he thought she’d set him up six years ago. And now she wanted to take something he was supposed to protect?
    Damn Jeremy Grissom. He had a lot to answer for.
    Shaking her head at the futility of it all, she headed out of the building. The sun had dropped low in the sky by the time she stepped into the Great Court, the central area around which the powers-that-be had designed the university. She’d been in Morgan’s office longer than she’d realized. Despite the lateness of the hour, there was still a fair amount of heat in the sun. Mindful of her fair skin, she moved into the shade and took the time to look around. She’d been in too big a hurry when she’d arrived. Built of sandstone blocks of creamy-white and soft ochre, the architecture was beautiful. Towering buildings opened onto the courtyard. Tall pillars, topped with shields cut into the sandstone, supported the arches that framed the covered walkway connecting all the buildings. Gargoyles, the silent guardians of the educational facility, perched atop cloisters, staring down at all who passed. A few students were sprawled on the lush lawn in the middle of the semi-circle, but their low-voiced chatter and laughter did little to disturb the peace of the place.
    Gili caught herself before she released another sigh. Much as she wanted to stay and soak up the atmosphere, she needed to get a move on. She had to catch the ferry to the city. She’d only been in Brisbane a day and didn’t know the city well enough not to get lost on her way back to her downtown hotel.
    After a quick look at the map of the campus she’d picked up earlier, Gili cut across the Great Court and followed the route to the terminal. A good twenty minutes of walking brought her to the ferry building on the edge of the Brisbane River.
    She frowned. The place was deserted. No ferry tied up to the end of the pier. Maybe it hadn’t arrived yet. She dashed inside and checked out the timetable posted beside the closed ticket booth.
    â€œNo, I don’t believe it. It’s already gone.” She flicked a glance at her watch before smacking the palm of her hand against her forehead. “I am such a dummy. There’s no late ferry on Sunday.”
    God, could this day get any worse?
    Footsteps