It Takes an Archeologist Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Blurb

  Copyright Statement

  Dedication

  Trademarks Acknowledgement

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Titles by Edward Kendrick

  Blurb

  Gideon Monahan is a man dedicated to what he does—recovering stolen art—to the exclusion of anything else, including a personal life. There's a reason for that, something that happened in his past that he can't forget.

  Cole Newell is an archaeologist with a problem. He needs to find out who looted a dig he worked the previous summer. When an artifact from that dig shows up at his gallery, Cole calls on Gideon to lend his expertise.

  One of the looters is murdered, so they set out to find answers with the help of Detective Quint Hawk. In the process, Cole realizes he's attracted to Gideon, even though he's certain the man is straight—but is he?

  Cole helps Gideon open up about—and accept—his past. But once they overcome the myriad of problems facing them, can the two men become more than friends?

  Fireborn Publishing Copyright Statement

  It Takes an Archeologist...

  Copyright © 2016 by Edward Kendriick

  eBook ISBN: 978-1-943528-87-5

  First eBook Publication: July 2016

  Cover Artist: Allison Cassatta

  Photo Credit: 123rf

  Editor: Jamie D. Rose

  Logo copyright © 2014 by Fireborn Publishing and Allison Cassatta

  Licensed material is being used for illustrative purposes only. Any person depicted in the licensed material is a model.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED UNDER INTERNATIONAL AND PAN-AMERICAN COPYRIGHT CONVENTIONS: Payment for this title grants the purchaser the right to download and read this file on any/all personal electronic devices personally owned by the purchaser, now or in the future, and to maintain backup copies of the file for the purchaser's personal use. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or electronic storage and retrieval, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. File sharing, with or without payment, is an international crime, prosecuted by the United States DoJ, Division of Cyber Crimes, in partnership with Interpol. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is punishable by seizure of computers, up to five years in federal prison, and a fine of $250,000 per offense.

  Please remember that authors are paid per legal purchase. We thank you for your support of author’s rights and their earnings. If you spot illegal cut-rate or free copies of this work being passed on peer-to-peer or other pirate sites, even those masquerading as legitimate retailers, please let us know at [email protected] or via the author’s personal email.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is strictly coincidental.

  This book is written in US English.

  PUBLISHER

  Dedication

  To Jamie, who came up with the idea that I should do Gideon's story. Thank you!

  Trademarks Acknowledgement

  The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

  Alphonse and Gaston: Frederick Burr Opper

  Facebook: Facebook, Inc.

  GCC / Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle: Cherry Creek Trail LLC

  Jeep: FCA US LLC

  Rabbi ben Ezra: Robert Browning

  Realtor: National Association of Realtors Corporation

  The ART: LVX Preferred Hotels and Resorts

  The Denver Post: Denver Post LLC

  The Hornet: The Hornet / 76 Broadway Street, Denver, CO

  TSA: Department of Homeland Security

  Twelfth Night: William Shakespeare

  Chapter One

  Gideon congratulated Lou and Rory one more time, said his goodbyes to them and to Quint and Clay, then left the restaurant. As he walked to where he'd parked his car, he turned up his coat collar against the chilly, late February weather, before turning his phone back on. Seeing he had some voicemails, he decided to put off checking them until he returned to the hotel.

  I'll be glad to get back home, back to work. Not that I wasn't working while I was here, but I need to get away from…from all the happy couples. Back to concentrating on what I do best.

  What he did best was recovering stolen art. It was his passion—the one thing that had made his life bearable since… No. I'm not going there. Not again. It happened twenty years ago. Robin died because of me. He clenched his jaw against the soul-numbing pain, trying to push the memories away.

  His phone rang, which helped. Checking the caller ID, he saw his assistant's name come up.

  "Evening, Alex. You're up late," Gideon said. It was the truth, as it was almost eight, Denver time, making it ten in New York City where his business was headquartered.

  "If you'd keep your phone on…"

  "Sorry. I was attending Rory's wedding, so—"

  "I can't believe he actually found someone who'd put up with him," Alex replied with a laugh. "However, that's not why I'm calling. We received an email from a Doctor Colten Newell. He's an archaeologist based out of Denver, where he also owns an antiquities gallery. He asked for our help, and since you're still in the city—"

  "With a ticket to fly home in the morning," Gideon replied tartly.

  "I know. Still… Gideon, since you're there, why don't you reschedule and talk with him?"

  "Did he say what he wants?"

  "Something to do with thefts from a dig he was working and wanting to find out who was responsible, as well as locating the people selling and buying the artifacts. He didn't go into details."

  "That does not come under our—" Gideon started to reply.

  "It's art, Gideon. Sure…not canvases or what have you, but Native American artifacts are still art, and you know it."

  With a sigh, Gideon agreed. "Email him back. Set up an appointment for sometime tomorrow."

  "At the hotel?"

  "Yes. Let me know when, then have him call me when he gets there."

  "Will do."

  After hanging up, Gideon headed back to the hotel. He was not at all happy with the turn of events, but business was business, so to speak. He'd hear what Dr Newell had to say, then…

  Then what? None of my operatives have any archaeology creds, so turning him over to one of them won't work—if I decide the man has a valid problem that we can help him with. At least I know a little something about the subject. Very little, but… He mentally shrugged, then went up to his room.

  *****

  "In for a penny, in for a pound," Cole Newell said under his breath as he waited just after nine thirty pm for the elevator at ART hotel. He knew he needed help. He just wasn't certain he'd get it from Gideon Monahan. He recovers stolen art, and while I know what's gone missing is art, he might not agree.

  The elevator arrived, Cole stepped in, then pressed the button for Mr Monahan's floor. A few moments later, he rapped on the door to Monahan's suite. When it opened, Cole saw a man who was perhaps six or seven years older than his own thirty-eight. He had dark blond, well-styled hair and light-blue eyes. There was s
adness in them, despite the smile on Mr Monahan's face as he said, "Doctor Newell? Welcome. Come in."

  "Please call me Cole, Mr Monahan," Cole replied.

  "Only if you call me Gideon. Let me take your coat, then have a seat." Gideon gestured toward the sofa and chairs in the suite's living room. "Would you care for something to drink? Coffee? Or something stronger?"

  "Coffee would be great," Cole said, handing Gideon his coat. He sat in one of the armchairs, putting his messenger bag down beside it.

  Gideon went to the refreshment bar, pouring already brewed coffee for both of them. "Cream? Sugar?"

  "Black is fine. Thank you." When Gideon handed him his coffee, Cole tasted it before setting the cup on the side table.

  Gideon took the other chair. "Shall we get down to business, Cole?"

  "Direct and to the point," Cole said with a small smile. "All right. For starters, I own a gallery here in the city—Newell's Southwest Antiquities. I buy and sell legally acquired Native American collectibles. I also do appraisals on items someone might bring in, wanting to know what they have and if it has any real or historical value."

  "Wouldn't that be one in the same?" Gideon asked.

  "An item, say an Anasazi bowl, could be a poly-chrome one from around twelve-seventy-five AD, with no restoration, valued at between two-fifty and three-fifty—dollars, that is, not thousands of dollars. Or it could be a poly-chrome bowl from 1400 to 1600 AD that, even with some minimal restoration, is valued at four thousand or more. The rarity of the item counts for more than the condition or age."

  "Makes sense. What makes something legally acquired?"

  "That's a complicated issue," Cole replied. "Is the item from public lands or private? Are they grave goods or made from an endangered species? Does the seller have good title to the item? Is it stolen?" Cole paused to take a drink of coffee. "When it comes to grave goods—objects from burial sites—or sacred items, then legally the items must be returned to the tribe or Native American group they came from. That's call cultural patrimony."

  As he talked, Cole watched Gideon. From his expression, Cole had the distinct feeling Gideon knew most of what he'd told him, so he asked if he did.

  "I'm far from an expert," Gideon told him. "But while I was in school—way too many years ago—I took a couple of courses in archaeology. For one of them, we spent a month on a dig. It was definitely edifying. I knew about grave robbing, of course, but having it happen there…" He shook his head. "Do they still call them pothunters?"

  "We do, although 'looters' is the preferred description."

  Gideon nodded. "Whoever did it at the site destroyed it, looking for marketable artifacts. We found a shovel, some screens, and a rake they left behind in their hurry to get out of there before anyone caught them. Unfortunately, what they left wouldn't have covered the sale price of a potsherd."

  "I'm sure." Cole shook his head. "That's what I face on every dig I work."

  "You're an active archaeologist, as well as running your gallery?"

  "You bet. That's where my training is. That and appraisals. The gallery… Well, it's not a hobby, per se, since I'm there when I'm not off on a dig. But my primary focus is on the digs themselves."

  "All right," Gideon said. "Now that we've covered the generalities, what is the problem?"

  Cole opened his bag, took out a box, then handed it to Gideon. In it, wrapped in cotton batting, was a black and white bowl with a red design on the interior. "Anasazi-Four Mile Polychrome," Cole told him. "Circa 1325."

  "Stolen?" Gideon asked.

  "Yes. From a dig I was on last summer. Looters hit it twice in three days."

  "How do you know this is one of the items?"

  "I recognize it. Or I should say, I saw part of it. We were in the process of unearthing it, and several other pottery items, as well as shards, when it got too dark to continue."

  "You didn't have anyone guarding the site?" Gideon asked in surprise.

  "Of course we did. But it was a large area, approximately twelve acres, with perimeter fencing. The looters obviously knew what they were doing, since they were able to get inside through one of the gates without the two guards patrolling the site seeing them."

  "If they used a gate, doesn't that presuppose they had an inside contact among the people working the dig?"

  Cole nodded. "Unfortunately, it does. The problem, of course, was determining who." His expression tightened. "While we narrowed it down to five people, we couldn't get any further than that."

  "How did you acquire this?" Gideon asked, tapping the bowl.

  "A man brought it in Friday to be appraised. He said he found it in his grandmother's attic after she died. I knew better."

  "When is he supposed to return for it?"

  "Tomorrow morning, at eleven," Cole replied.

  Gideon drummed his fingers on the box. "Since you know it was stolen from the site, why come to me and not the Bureau of Land Management? Shouldn't they be handing this?"

  "I have no proof, other than that I'm sure I saw part of this particular bowl in the spot we were working. I figured bringing them in would take time, and I know your reputation for recovering stolen art. I'll admit that I didn't expect to find out you were here in the city. I just hoped you'd have someone you could send to be at the gallery when the man returns for the bowl and my appraisal."

  Gideon smiled. "Well, I am here, and I'd willing to join you tomorrow when he shows up."

  "Thank you. What will you do, when he does?"

  "I can't arrest him, obviously. However, I can try to throw the fear of God into him, to find out where he has the rest of the stolen items—or, who has them, if it comes down to that." Gideon chucked. "I've been known to impersonate peace officers when the situation warrants."

  "Probably fairly well," Cole said, eyeing him. "You have that commanding look."

  "I do?"

  "Yes. Like you won't take any shit from anyone."

  Gideon laughed. "According to my people, that's sometimes the truth. All right. What time do you open your gallery?"

  "At ten."

  "I'll be there by ten fifteen, just to be on the safe side. It wouldn't surprise me if he tries to sell you the bowl, once he gets your appraisal. Did he have whatever verification papers he needs to prove legal ownership?"

  "Not that he said, but then, as I told you, he claimed he found it in his grandmother's attic, so it's unlikely he would."

  "A good cover story for not having them." Gideon handed Cole the box with the bowl. "I'll see you in the morning."

  After putting the box back in his bag, then giving Gideon one of his business cards, Cole stood. "Thank you for being willing to help. I hope…" He shook his head. "It would be nice if you really can convince him to give up the rest of what was stolen."

  "I can be very persuasive, when I have to be."

  "I'm sure you can," Cole replied with a smile before getting his coat then leaving Gideon's suite.

  Chapter Two

  Gideon arrived at the gallery at ten fifteen, as promised. Cole greeted him, escorting him into his office. On one wall there were shelves holding a variety of Native American artifacts—from bowls and arrowheads to what appeared to be tools and axe heads. Bookshelves lined the second wall. A quick perusal showed Gideon that most of them related to Cole's line of work. No surprise there.

  Cole's desk took up most of the third wall—a state-of-the-art computer setup in the center. Next to the doorway was a small seating area with two chairs and a coffee table, as well as a low chest with a coffeemaker sitting on top. After Cole offered Gideon coffee, which he declined, they sat.

  "I hope he shows up," Cole said.

  "Why wouldn't he? Especially if the bowl is valuable."

  "If I were to buy it from him, I'd offer somewhere in the neighborhood of five hundred dollars."

  "And sell it for?" Gideon asked.

  "Nine-fifty to a thousand, minimum."

  Gideon smiled. "So you'd both make out like ban
dits. Just kidding," he added, when Cole frowned. "If the rest of what was stolen was as valuable, the man… What is his name, by the way?"

  "Oscar Ellis. Or at least that's what was on his driver's license and how he signed the contract for the appraisal."

  "You doubt it's his real name?"

  Cole shrugged. "Let's just say that since he was giving me a stolen bowl to appraise, it wouldn't surprise me if it were an alias."

  "Good point. Do you mind if I take a look around the gallery while we're waiting for him?"

  "Not at all, after you tell me what you have planned."

  "Probably a good idea," Gideon agreed. "I presume you'll bring him in here? I'll join you a few minutes after I see that happen. I'm debating on being official, but understanding—or just the opposite."

  "Like a crook who wants his cut?" Cole asked, sounding appalled.

  "Good heavens, no. Official and stern, like I've got him dead to rights and plan on arresting him if he doesn't come clean on where he's stashed the rest of the items."

  "Whew. I don't think I could pull off being your criminal accomplice."

  Gideon laughed, then took his leave, going out to the gallery. In many ways, the main room was set up like a museum, with cases holding the various artifacts. There were paintings on the walls—which he realized were done by modern tribal artists—as well as two intricately woven textiles. There were also, he discovered, more recent pottery pieces. He suspected that was to catch the interest of the casual walk-in visitor.

  He was examining the intricate beadwork on a pair of leggings in one of the cases when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Detective Quint Hawk standing there. Almost at the same time, they said, "What are you doing here?"

  "You first," Gideon replied, fearing the worst.

  "I'm here to talk to Mister…no, Doctor Newell. And you?"