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So Kat stepped away from the desk, walked to the far corner of the roos but the desk as a whole It was gorgeous At least three different kinds of wood had been used, and they blended together beautifully Sea one with the next It was almost like…

"A chessboard," she whispered, the words only for herself

Carefully, Kat circled the desk, eyeing it froh the comms unit "You kno no one was supposed to realize who spilled the drink?"

"Yeah?" Gabrielle sounded worried, but Kat kept her gaze locked on the desk, walking around and around

"I think they figured it out!" Angus yelled "Run!"

So a break for it, but Kat never took her eyes off the desk

There were so ether soain, pushed against one of the panels, but nothing esture on every square, but they were all firers traced over so that felt different

Kat leaned down and shined her light onto the s was so minuscule, she doubted anyone would ever notice; but the feel was off, soainst the priceless desk, and a small amount of a very soft substance rubbed away Restorer’s putty, Kat knew So was there--some blemish or flaw that had been covered over within the past week

Kat found that place, pressed again, twisted; and from somewhere deep inside the desk, she heard a tiny click

"Hah her co as she walked to the back of the desk, looking for any otherpieces

"Kat," Siht have been looking at a desk, but what she saere patterns and pictures, a h the maze

"Kat!" Simon shouted in her ear She was about to lash out that she was busy when he whispered, "Hide"

Before Kat could ask what he ht across the concrete, and Kat’s mouth ith shock She darted fro behind the tall shelves that filled the center of the roo across the concrete floor, but she couldn’t chase it She could do nothing but stay low, hidden in the shadohile three ht switch around here… Yes There," a man said, and a moment later the overhead fluorescents flickered to life

It took all of Kat’s willpower not to gasp when she heard a fa, "Now, perhaps you can tell us what you meant--the Hale desk was involved in an accident?"

"Yes, Mr Garrett As I was trying to tell you earlier, it’s nothing, really Our restoration depart up a little spill I assure you, Mr Hale, you have nothing to worry about"

Mr Hale

Kat peeked through the crack in the shelves, and what she saas broad shoulders and a charis infinitely sad about the boy in the very nice suit who stood with two uarantee you…sir," the stranger said, "your late grandfather’s desk is--"

"Grandmother’s"

"Pardon?" the director asked

"My great-great-great-grandfather purchased this desk, but it was randmother who truly owned it"

"I see," the man said with a solemn nod

"Where’s that artist, Duncan?" Garrett asked, and the director began to squir"

"You’re the director of this facility Go find her," Garrett snapped

"Of course, sir Right away"

Kat watched in silence as thedoors, leaving Hale and Garrett alone a the paint and the brushes

"Why are we here?" Hale sounded like he wasa bored and elusive billionaire Then Kat had to re

"I told you, Scooter Hale Industries has a significant presence in Europe It’s important for you to at least put in an appearance at the London headquarters"

"No" Hale took a deep breath "Why are we here?" He held out his arestured at the walls and shelves covered with priceless paintings and delicate sculptures He sat on a workbench as thesmile

"Well, it’s the finest museum in the world"

"I know"

"Oh, I know you do," Garrett said, and for a split second, Kat wondered exactly what he was saying She watched Hale, but the words didn’t seeister with him

"You’re an important man now, Scooter You have responsibilities"

"Isn’t that why I have you?"

"Well, yes" Garrett laughed a little "I guess it is"

Hale stood and reached for the desk, ran his hand along the s only moments before