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Milton Residence
St. Paul, Maryland

 

Milton couldn’t take it any longer, his back aching, his fingers fidgeting, his mind so preoccupied with thoughts of his friends, he hadn’t accomplished a lick of work all day.

He grabbed his phone and called Tommy Granger.

“Anything?”

“No, not yet.”

Milton cursed, then decided a line needed to be crossed now that there was a criminal element involved with the break-in. “Do you still have his call history?”

“Yup.”

“There was a call to Italy. Give me the number.”

There was a pause as keys were tapped. “Well, look at that. How did you know?”

“I saw it on your screen.”

“Good eye, Deano. Well, umm, are you sure you want to do this? I thought you didn’t want to violate their privacy.”

“Just give it to me!”

“Umm, yes, sir.” Tommy’s reply was meek, and Milton immediately regretted snapping at the kid.

“Listen, Tommy, I’m sorry. I’m just scared for my friends. This is getting more serious than we first thought.”

“Why? What’s happened?”

“I can’t say. In fact, I think it’s best if you back off. We’ll let the pros handle this one.”

There was another pause. “Pros, huh? As in, umm, pros?”

“Exactly.”

Tommy whistled. “So, this is serious.”

“It could be.”

“Then do you really want me to stop digging? I mean, I’ve helped these pros out before.”

Milton shook his head. “You’re going to no matter what I say, aren’t you?”

“So, you do know me!”

Milton groaned. “Fine. Just keep a low profile.”

“I always do.”

“Good. Now give me that number.”

Milton jotted it down then ended the call, immediately dialing Italy, his breath held.

“Giasson.”

Milton sighed in relief, his suspicions confirmed. “Hi, M. Giasson. This is Gregory Milton, Jim Acton’s friend.”

“Yes, of course, Dean Milton of St. Paul’s University. What can I do for you?”

“Well, I’m not sure how to say this, but, well, I’m concerned Jim and Laura may have stepped into it again, so I had someone pull their phone records, and noticed Jim called you.”

“Yes.”

Milton sensed some hesitation. “I was wondering if you know what they’re doing in Ethiopia.”

There was a long pause, and Milton wondered if the line was still connected. “I got the sense Jim didn’t want anyone to know we spoke, but if he’s in trouble—”

“I think he is. Two people broke into their house soon after they left, and took nothing. It was as if they were searching for something.”

“That’s disconcerting.” Giasson sighed. “I can’t tell you much, Greg, but I can tell you what I suspect.”

Milton tensed. “And that is?”

“I think they may have found the Ark of the Covenant.”