Page 36 of Troy Story
“Do you?”
“No, and I haven’t asked, either. I agreed to extend the parameters of our excavation, but only after he promised he wouldn’t venture onto the Germans’ site again.”
Would that mean they could get through the next five weeks with no hostilities between the two teams? If so, Stuart was on board. “Perhaps it’s worth it if we can avoid another confrontation with Dr. Wagner. What’s the plan?”
“Dr. Hughes is going to stake out a new trench and wants three of the Turkish laborers to help him, plus Mort and Clarissa.”
Losing the workmen was a minor inconvenience, but Stuart disliked the thought of Clarissa toiling under Dr. Hughes’ lecherous gaze. More than once, the older man had commented on her looks. Even if he’d done it in a complimentary way, his behavior made Stuart uncomfortable. “Is that what Clarissa wants?”
“She wants to make her dad happy, so she’s in. They’ll start digging there this morning. I’d rather keep the other students here. If Hughes finds something important, we can switch things up. Does that work?”
“Fine with me.” If Kerim was willing to go along with the plan, then he would, too. Besides, if by some miracle they found the cemetery, Dr. Hughes might be so pleased that he’d ease up on all of them.
“Then it’s settled.” Kerim made as if to leave but stopped. “One more thing. Dusty asked for help with her dissertation topic, so I said I’d work with her sometime this week.” He smirked. “Platonically, of course.”
After his awkward confession, Stuart suspected he’d be on the receiving end of many smirks whenever Dusty’s name came up. He’d gladly put up with them, knowing he was in no danger of losing her to Kerim.
* * *
An hour later,Dr. Hughes had staked out a new trench in a location fifty meters west of the large defensive ditch that ringed the lower city. Besides recruiting Mort, Clarissa, and three of the laborers as his excavation crew, he insisted on adding a graduate student to his team. With some reluctance, Stuart relinquished one of his students. Anything to keep his boss happy.
A half hour before the morning break, Mort left for the café, claiming he needed a cold drink. Dr. Hughes waited until the older man was out of earshot before striding over to Stuart’s trench and demanding more “muscle” for his site. This time, Stuart lost one of his best workers, a Turkish laborer with years of experience in the field.
Once Dr. Hughes had returned to his trench, Stuart focused on supervising his own crew, hoping he wouldn’t have to give up anyone else. At ten, just as he was about to announce that it was break time, Dusty sidled up to him. When she brushed her fingers against his bare arm, he relished the contact, however slight.
She tilted her head toward Dr. Hughes’ trench. “Our esteemed director seems to have carved out his own kingdom.”
Stuart nodded. “Kerim and I weren’t thrilled about it, but if it keeps him out of trouble, we’ll all benefit.”
“Agreed. It’s best to let him play in his own sandbox. Maybe if we’re lucky, he’ll uncover his army of skeletons.” She brushed the dirt off her shorts. “I should have mentioned this sooner, but Mort offered to treat me and Emilia this morning. During our break, he wants us to come to the café with Clarissa so he can buy us cake. Who am I to say no to cake?”
“Sure. No problem.” He gestured toward Clarissa, who was setting down her sieve. “Have you said anything to her about us?”
Dusty laughed. “I didn’t have much of a choice. When I went inside last night after our date, she and Em were hanging out together. Before I could tell Em to play it cool, she started grilling me, and I revealed everything.”
“That’s fine.” He was relieved Dusty had done the job for him. Telling Kerim had been awkward enough. “How’d she take it?”
“She wasn’t upset at all. If anything, she thought it was romantic.” She turned to leave. “Anyway, I’m off to enjoy copious amounts of cake. See you later.”
“Have fun, but don’t be too long. If Mort has his way, he’ll keep you at the café all morning, and we have work to do. What with Hughes’ side project, we’re spread a little thin.”
She gave him a cheeky salute. “Duly noted, Dr. Carlson. I promise we’ll work extra hard when we come back.”
He watched as she walked away, taking a moment to savor the view. As she headed toward the boardwalk with Clarissa and Emilia, he allowed himself to relax. Now that he and Dusty had confessed their feelings, he didn’t have to worry about losing her to Kerim. And if Dr. Hughes could keep his focus on his own trench, they could avoid any run-ins with the German contingent.
Then the next five weeks could proceed without a hitch.
Or was that too much to hope for?
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
After talking with Stuart, Dusty walked with Clarissa and Emilia to the café, where Mort was waiting. He sat at his favorite table—the one shaded by an expansive olive tree with a view of the giant Trojan horse. As planned, he’d brought the bag Clarissa had put together, containing makeup and a change of clothes for all of them. After they scrubbed their faces in the café’s tiny restroom, put on makeup, and donned sundresses, sandals, and sunglasses, they looked like a trio of tourists. Clarissa had also loaned each of them a floppy sunhat since she’d packed four for her trip to Turkey.
Upon leaving the café, they approached the Germans’ new dig site located at the eastern curve of the circular boardwalk. As they drew nearer, Dusty’s pulse raced in a mix of fear and anticipation. So far, they’d only encountered Dr. Wagner twice—during their initial site tour and on the day he’d stormed over to the lower city to confront Dr. Hughes. Both times, he’d focused his attention on his rival rather than on the women.
As with the other site, this one was roped off and marked with “No Trespassing” signs. Dusty walked up to the ropes and gave a cheerful wave. “Yoo-hoo!”
A student approached the ropes warily. Tall and muscular, with floppy white-blond hair, he shared Dr. Wagner’s high cheekbones and piercing blue eyes. Were they related? Either way, he was a total hottie.
