Homeport by Nora Roberts Page B

the bedside clock. “It’s three in the morning.”
    â€œI’m perfectly aware of the time. As is the assistant minister who was awakened some twenty minutes ago by a reporter who demanded to know the details of the lost bronze by Michelangelo.”
    â€œWhat? But—”
    â€œI don’t choose to discuss this over the phone.” Elizabeth’s voice vibrated with cold and barely suppressed fury. “Do you remember how to get here?”
    â€œYes, of course.”
    â€œI’ll expect you within thirty minutes,” she said, seconds before the phone clicked.
    Miranda made it in twenty.
    Elizabeth’s home was small and elegant, a two-story dwelling typical of Florence, with its yellowed ivory walls and red-tiled roof. Flowers spilled out of pots and window boxes, and were cared for religiously by the maid.
    In the dark, the windows gleamed, bright stripes of light leaking through the louvered blinds. It was roomy, as Miranda recalled, an attractive arena for entertaining. It would have occurred to neither mother nor daughter to share the space while Miranda was in Florence.
    The door was wrenched open before she could knock.Elizabeth stood, neatly groomed and perfectly presented in a peach-colored robe.
    â€œWhat happened?” Miranda demanded.
    â€œThat’s precisely my question.” Strict control was all that prevented Elizabeth from slamming the door. “If this was your way of proving your point, of exerting your expertise, or of causing me professional embarrassment, all you accomplished was the last.”
    â€œI don’t know what you’re talking about.” Miranda hadn’t taken time to tame her hair, and scooped an impatient hand through it to shove it out of her eyes. “You said a reporter called—”
    â€œThat’s correct.”
    Straight as a general, Elizabeth turned and strode into the front parlor. A fire was laid, but had yet to be lighted. Lamps blazed, shooting shine from polished wood. There was a vase of white roses on the mantel, and nothing else. The colors were all soft, all pale.
    Part of Miranda’s mind registered what it always did when she stepped inside this, or any, room in the house. It was more showcase than home, and just as cool.
    â€œThe reporter, of course, refused to reveal his source. But he had quite a bit of information.”
    â€œVincente would never have gone to the press prematurely.”
    â€œNo,” Elizabeth agreed coolly. “Vincente would not.”
    â€œCould the plumber—what was his name—have talked to a reporter?”
    â€œThe plumber couldn’t have provided him with photos of the bronze, with test results.”
    â€œTest results.” Because her knees were suddenly loose, Miranda sat. “My tests?”
    â€œStandjo’s tests,” Elizabeth said between her teeth. “Despite the fact that you conducted them, it remains the responsibility of my lab. And it’s the security of that lab that has been breached.”
    â€œBut how . . .” It hit home then, the tone, the look in her mother’s eyes. She rose slowly. “You think I called areporter and fed him information? Secured photos and test results?”
    Elizabeth merely studied Miranda’s furious face. “Did you?”
    â€œNo, I did not. Even if we hadn’t discussed the ramifications, I would never undermine a project this way. It’s my reputation on the line as well.”
    â€œAnd it’s your reputation that could very well be made.”
    Miranda looked into Elizabeth’s eyes and saw the opinion had already been formed. “You can go to hell.”
    â€œThe reporter quoted from your report.”
    â€œStraight to hell, and take your precious lab with you. It’s always meant more to you than your own flesh and blood.”
    â€œMy precious lab has provided you with training and employment, and with the potential for