Secret Histories

Then he pul ed out the bottom drawer of his bureau and checked the space

below. Two sheets of paper lay there. He pul ed them out and checked them in the dim light.

Yep. Weezy’s copies, safe and sound.

He replaced them, slipped the drawer back into place, raised his shades, then

returned to the sidewalk.

“Right where I left them,” he said as he reached Weezy. “Want me to make

copies for you?”

“No-no-no!” she said. “Someone might have copiers staked out. Just leave them

right where they are.”

They stood in silence, looking around. Jack was beginning to wonder if whatever

Weezy had was catching.

“Wel ,” he said final y, “at least they didn’t get the pyramid too.” She slapped her forehead. “Ohmygod! I’ve been so crazy about the box I forgot

about the pyramid. We’ve got to get it back!”

“So it can be stolen too? At least we know it’s safe down at the Smithsonian.” “Don’t be so sure. I want it back. I’l have my mother rent a safety deposit box

and keep it there.”

Jack smiled and nudged her. “What about the international banking conspiracy?

Won’t they be able to get into the box?”

She frowned. “I never thought of that.”

“Weez, I’m kidding.”

“I’m not.”

Jack shook his head, then closed his eyes and pressed his fingers against his

temples.

“I see a visit to Professor Nakamura in the near future.”

Weez gave his arm a gentle slap. “Not ‘near’—immediate. Get your bike.”

8

A Japanese woman Jack assumed was Mrs. Nakamura answered the door.

“Ohayogozaimasu,” Weezy said, al sweetness and light as she made a quick little bow from the waist. “Would you please tel the professor that Jack and Louise wish to speak to him about the pyramid? He wil understand.” The woman smiled and bowed back. “Dozoyoroshiku.Wait here. I’l tel him.”

“Arigato.”

Jack made a conscious effort to close his dropped jaw as he stared at Weezy. She noticed. “What?”

“Since when do you know Japanese?”

“Since forever. I’m fluent in it.”

“No, real y.”

She smiled. “Okay, after we met the professor I started thinking about it, so I

picked up a Japanese phrase book at the library.”

“What did you say to her?”

“‘Good morning’ and ‘Thank you.’”

“And what did she say?”

She frowned. “Not sure. It came out so fast. But I think she said, ‘Pleased to

meet you.’”

The woman was back at the door, but no longer smiling.

“The professor is out at the moment. In fact, he is away for the weekend. He wil

get in touch with you next week.

Gomennasai.”

She looked guilty as she closed the door.

“Sayonara,” Weezy said in a low voice, then turned to Jack, her features constricted with disappointment and concern. “Do you believe that?”

“Not for a minute.”

Anger flashed through him. Nobody blew Weezy off and closed the door in her

face when he was around. Suddenly he knew what to do.

He hopped off the front steps and started walking around the side of the house. “Where are you going?”

He didn’t turn. “To see the professor.”

Jack led her around to the backyard. Immediately he was drawn to the stone