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Stuart thought about it, then said, “Go ahead I have nothing to hide”

“Were you in China when Brian died?”

“I was visiting Cat at the site when they found his things We used my hydrofoil to look for him”

Why had no one mentioned this?

“Tell me more about Brian and Lily I understand they were lovers”

“More than lovers They were business associates”

“He did research for her—”

“Research! That’s funny! He was her courier” Stuart rubbed the nap of the suede on his aruess it doesn’t matter, but she wasn’t exactly on the up-and-up”

“Meaning what?”

“She got stuff out of China, then doctored the records so that an artifact would have untraceable provenance She hired people like Brian to work for her I give fellowships to kids like him, but it doesn’t surprise me when they do a little extra work on the side”

Three knocks on the door announced the arrival of the tea girl Stuart cleared a spot on his side of the desk and told Hulan to move whatever was in her way

Once the tea girl left, Hulan said, “You still haven’t explained how Lily could get artifacts out of China or how she sold them”

“I don’t kno she did it exactly People don’t usually tell you the ins and outs of their cri”

“But you’ve given soht to it,” she prompted

“Sure,” he said “Who wouldn’t? I figure Lily used kids like Brian and other archaeologists who’re working on sites in China and need extra cash—I guess that would cover the lot of thes After all, they’re on a site It would be very easy to find yourself alone with your brush and sieve, uncover so No one would know”