The Last Oracle Read Online Free PDF Page B

that was how his mother had described Kat.
    And Gray knew what haunted her.
    Despite what Kat had decided that day, she had grasped that lifeline. What the mind attempted to set aside, the heart could not. And it was torturing her.
    For her sake, for Monk’s family, Gray needed to face a harsh reality.
    “Thank you for your efforts, Captain,” Gray finally mumbled.
    “You did right by him, Commander. Know that. But eventually we have to move on.”
    Gray cleared his throat. “My condolences for the loss of your man, sir.”
    “And the same to you.”
    Gray ended the connection. He stood for a long breath. Finally, he stepped over to the opposite locker, placed a palm on its cold metal surface, as cold as a grave.
    I’m sorry.
    He reached up, peeled a corner of the duct tape, and ripped it away.
    Gray was done chasing ghosts.
    Good-bye, Monk.
    4:02 P.M.
    Painter spun the ancient coin atop his desk. He watched the silver flash as he concentrated on the mystery it represented. It had been returned from the lab half an hour ago. He had read the detailed report that had accompanied it. The coin had been laser-mapped for fingerprints, both its metallic content and surface soot had been analyzed with a mass spectrometer,and a multitude of photographs had been taken, including some taken with a stereo-microscope. The coin’s spinning slowed, and it toppled to the mahogany desktop. Carefully cleaned, the ancient image on the surface shone brightly.
    A Greek temple supported by six Doric pillars.
    In the center of the temple rested a large letter.
    E
    The Greek letter epsilon .
    On the opposite side was the bust of a woman with the words DIVA FAUSTINA written below it. From the report, at least the origin of the coin was no longer a mystery.
    But what did—?
    His intercom chimed. “Director Crowe, Commander Pierce has arrived.”
    “Very good. Send him in, Brant.”
    Painter pulled the research report closer to him as the door swung open. Gray stepped through, his black hair wet and combed. He had changed out of his bloody clothes and wore a green T-shirt with ARMY emblazoned on the front, along with black jeans and boots. As he entered, Painter noted a shadow over the man’s features, but also a certain weary resolve in his gray-blue eyes. Painter could guess the reason. He had already heard from the Office of Naval Intelligence through his own channels.
    Painter waved Gray to a seat.
    As he sat, the man’s attention noted the coin on his desk. A flicker of curiosity flared.
    Good.
    Painter shifted the coin toward Gray. “Commander, I know you asked for an indeterminate leave of absence, but I’d like you to take the lead on this case.”
    Gray made no move to take the coin. “May I ask a question first, sir?”
    Painter nodded.
    “The dead man. The professor.”

    “Archibald Polk.”
    “You mentioned that he must have been on his way here. To see you.”
    Painter nodded. He suspected where the line of questioning was leading.
    “So Professor Polk was familiar with Sigma? Despite the top secret clearance for such knowledge, he knew about our organization?”
    “Yes. In a manner of speaking.”
    Gray’s brow crinkled. “What manner is that?”
    “Archibald Polk invented Sigma.”
    Painter took a small measure of satisfaction in the man’s surprise. Gray needed a little shaking up. The man sat up straighter in his chair.
    Painter held up a hand. “I’ve answered your question, Gray. So now you answer mine. Will you take the lead on this case?”
    “After the professor was shot in front of me, I want answers as much as anyone.”
    “And what about your…extracurricular activities?”
    A wince of pain narrowed Gray’s eyes. The planes of his face seemed to grow harder as a part of him clenched internally. “I assume you’ve heard, sir.”
    “Yes. The navy has discontinued its search.”
    Gray took a deep breath. “I’ve pursued all angles. There’s nothing more I can do. I admit that.”
    “And do you