The Grotto's Secret: A Historical Conspiracy Mystery Thriller Read Online Free PDF

At the door, Jimmy stopped. ‘Ah, I nearly forgot. Your herbs are sitting in the boardroom.’
    For a moment Kelby didn’t understand, then it dawned on her. As she readied to meet the new mentee, she recalled the cryptic note. Could it be linked to this sudden and urgent meeting?
    Intrigue spiked into her, and she hurried towards the boardroom. She couldn’t wait to find out the ancient secret. And what made it deadly.

13
    Before she entered the boardroom something prickled at Kelby’s neck. She jiggled her shoulders to stop the tingle taking control of her whole body.
    Then, it dawned on her. He was close by again and now she was imagining he was in her office.
    Oh, my God! He was!
    The Pewter Fox sat right there in front of her, his finely carved fingers draped over a petite woman’s arm. Her nerves went into overdrive. Firstly, at the sight of him, and secondly at seeing him so intimate with another woman.
    Get a life, Kelby!
    She moved to the boardroom table and as she took his outstretched hand, a sensual current sizzled through her.
    The Pewter Fox said, ‘Hello, Miss Wade. Thank you for seeing us at such short notice. I’m Doctor Roy Robson.’ He shook his head, ‘I know how that sounds. Rob Roy and all that.’ He smiled. ‘Mum loves history.’ As his hand clutched hers, she tried to release herself from his grip. He suddenly let go as though he had been jolted by a spark. ‘Sorry.’
    Kelby smiled. She sank into a chair opposite him, thankful to be off her wobbly feet and stared at the attractive Spanish woman sitting in front of her.
    ‘And this is my sister, Marina Peña.’
    Marina’s face appeared as though someone had painted it with its sultry stare, its arched, thick eyebrows and pouting lips.
    Kelby’s mind was spinning as she muttered, ‘This morning …’ She couldn’t think of how to ask if he’d been following her. That was stupid; he was simply another businessman on a flight. But she couldn’t help blurting out, ‘Were you follo—’
    The doctor interrupted, ‘We just happened to be on the same flight.’
    Marina’s eyes lit up. ‘Roy was visiting medical colleagues in Dublin to help me find the right home for my discovery. That’s why the big rush to see you today, Miss Wade.’
    ‘Please call me Kelby; formalities give me a headache.’
    Marina started to open a folder, thick with documents, but Kelby stopped her. ‘Wait, I have very little time now. Give me the nuts and bolts. Sum up your pitch in one sentence.’
    Marina opened her mouth to speak, but Doctor Robson jumped in first. ‘We’ve stumbled on an ancient secret. Something incredible. But there’s a problem …’ His voice dropped as he fixed his eyes on Kelby, ‘It could be deadly if it falls into the wrong hands. We’re hoping you’ll help us stop that from happening.’
    Kelby gasped.

14
    Kelby stared at the doctor, ‘So it was you who left the note.’
    His mouth twisted into a sheepish grin.
    ‘Good pitch.’ She grinned. ‘Tell me more.’
    ‘Aside from being extremely rare, Marina’s herb has extraordinary healing powers.’ He turned to his sister. ‘Will you tell Kelby how this started?’
    Marina explained, ‘My husband and I live in a rural part of Andalusia. Inland of Malaga. It’s in the middle of nowhere. You wouldn’t believe what we’ve found!’
    ‘What?’ Kelby tried to focus on Marina, but her brother butted in before she could continue.
    ‘Marina’s home has been in her father’s family for generations. They own thousands of acres of land. There are some ruins Marina wanted to develop.’
    ‘My husband, Pepe, he thinks it is good for me to keep busy.’ An elaborate shrug showed her amusement. ‘At first I thought of renovating the ruin as a yoga retreat, but I changed my mind.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘ ¡Dios!
    ‘I found a skeleton in the ruins.’
    Kelby pulled a face.
    ‘I found it in a cellar. Buried underground. I think they used to store preserved food in there. Once