Page 35 of Max's Mission

“1982 D Small Date Copper Alloy Lincoln Cent,” Annabeth read from the list.

Pointing a finger at the coins, Margot scanned the text on the cardboard surrounds. “Found it.” She plucked it from the tray and set it with the others they’d already been through.

Max set the sack he carried on the table and sat down. Plastic rustled as he dug into the bag.

“What’s that?” Annabeth asked.

“It’s me.” Max tore open the package of gloves.

“What else did you buy?” A curious frown wrinkled Margot’s forehead.

“Ziploc bags. We can take a few pieces of your jewelry to get them appraised. And I want to preserve any evidence on thejournal before we turn it over to the authorities. Did you find anything else while I was gone?”

Margot tipped a finger toward the metal box. “A safe deposit box key for another bank.”

His gaze sharpened. He turned to the box and used a gloved hand to lift it out. “It’s the same number as the one from Tad’s keychain.”

“Seriously?”

He nodded. “Do you recognize this bank?”

“Yeah. There are several in the area.”

He set the key back in the box. “We’ll go there next, I guess.” He waved a hand at the stuff spread over the table. “Continue your inventory. I’m going to look through this journal and take pictures.” Extending an arm, he picked up the notebook.

“Did you change our flight?”

“Yeah. I just canceled it. I don’t know how long we’ll have to stay. Gallagher will probably send an agent from the field office here to collect things, but we may have to stay a day or two for questions.”

Margot’s mouth twisted. She knew that was the case, but secretly she’d been hoping he’d say differently.

“Annabeth, are you and Dean all right with the girls for a couple more days?” she asked.

“Of course we are. They’re being angels.”

Max snorted. “I highly doubt that. Lily, maybe. But I’m guessing you’ve rescued Emily from atop a chair or table at least once.”

Annabeth’s low chuckle came over the line. “Possibly. There’s also the possibility I piled pillows on the floor and told her to have at it.”

Margot groaned. “She’ll be unstoppable when I get back.”

“Then she’s your problem.”

“I love you. So much.” Wrinkling her nose, amusement crinkled the corners of Margot’s eyes.

Annabeth laughed. “I know. Let’s get back to this list now, shall we?”

With a dramatic sigh, Margot sent Max a grin. “Sure.”

It took another fifteen minutes to go through all the coins. Just two were missing.

Margot rubbed her forehead and picked up the phone. “Can you find the provenance for those two coins in the folder and send me pictures?”

“Yep. I’ll send this list too.”

“Sounds good. You might have to scan and email it later.”

“I’ll just do that now. My printer is one of those three-in-one things.”

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