“We’re already in the beta testing stage. That’s why I’m in so early— I’ve been poring over the data.”
“And?”
“It’s very promising. Get me your sample and I’ll run it through. It’ll be a good test.”
“I’ve got a whole skeleton here. What piece would you like?”
“Play it safe—something small like a tarsal. When can I expect it?”
“I’ll see if they’ll let me send it for overnight delivery. Hopefully I can get it to you by tomorrow.”
“It will be processed immediately. In fact, I’ll handle it personally.”
“Thanks, Evan.”
“Say hi to the pope for me. And Charlotte...”
Here it comes, she thought. “Yeah?”
“Just want to let you know it isn’t just my best scientist I miss around here.”
She smiled. “I miss you, too. Bye.”
Charlotte returned to the workstation, trying like hell to fight off a sudden surge of regret welling up inside her. She should have told him why she couldn’t be with him in that way—the way he wanted. Drawing a calming breath, she resigned herself to the fact that when she returned to Phoenix, she would tell him everything. Then they would need to figure out how to move forward. Lord knows she didn’t want to scare him away.
Back to work.
Bagging the metatarsal, she stuffed the sample into a DHL box. As she wrote BMS’s address on the shipping label, she tried to suppress a sudden bout of homesickness, realizing how far apart she was from Evan.
As she completed the form, Dr. Bersei joined her. He put his hands on his hips. “Far as I can tell, the patina wasn’t tampered with. It’s the real thing. You?”
“I had a nice conversation with Signore Ciardini,” she said, managing a smile. “Very charming man. He’ll have the results for us tomorrow.”
“What’s that package you’re working on?”
“Another sample I hope will provide a genetic profile for our man.” She held it up. “I’m sending it to Phoenix for analysis.”
“DNA?”
“Mm.”
Bersei glanced at his watch—just past five. “We got a lot done today. I’ve got to get home for dinner. My oldest daughter is stopping by tonight.”
“What’s Carmela making?”
“Chicken saltimbocca.” He raised his eyes and began stripping off his mask and gloves, then lab coat.
She laughed out loud and it felt good. “Good luck with that.”
“Watch out or I’ll bring you the leftovers,” he threatened. “Anyway, tomorrow maybe we can take a look inside the box, and I’ll see if I can’t decipher that symbol. I’ll also show you an instrument that will be a nice complement to your DNA analysis. See you in the morning—just hope my daughter doesn’t tempt me into a second bottle of wine.”
“You have a good evening, Giovanni. Thanks again for lunch.”
“You’re welcome. And try and get some sleep tonight, eh? I don’t want you getting sick on me.”
Too late for that, she thought. She smiled and waved.
“Ciao.”
As the door closed behind him, just for a moment, Charlotte Hennesey envied him.
When she finished preparing the packages, she buzzed the intercom for Father Donovan. He responded almost immediately, as if he knew she was still in the lab.
“Good evening, Dr. Hennesey. What can I do for you?”
She told him about the packages and he assured her that if she left them in the lab, he would have the courier handle both. She also confirmed with him that sending the overnight DHL package was okay, despite the hefty cost for overseas delivery.
Once the business issues were resolved, he asked her, “Are you going into Rome tonight?”
“It is a beautiful evening. I thought I’d take a walk and get dinner somewhere.”
“If you don’t mind splurging a bit, I could give you a recommendation for a superb restaurant.”
“Sure. That would be great. You know what they say—when in Rome...”
28
******
As Charlotte exited the Vatican Museum through the upstairs service door, the early evening sun was still warm. She’d decided that her khakis and blouse were good enough not to have to trail all the way back to her room to change. Besides, she had to adhere to the Vatican’s strict dress code or she wouldn’t be allowed back in. That didn’t leave many other wardrobe options.
