High Desert Detective, A Fiona Marlowe Mystery (Fiona Marlowe Mysteries) (44 page)

“It’s kind of you to offer,” she said. “If you
hear any rumors about the theft of the stones, let me know. I’m looking for any
and all clues. But enough of my problems, tell me about the clinic. When will
it open?”

“We’re open
now,” he said. “There’s a nurse who’s already overwhelmed with the demand. She
does what she can while we look for a full time doctor. Do you know any
physician who’d like to work here? We had one lined up, but he was lured away
to a more lucrative situation.”

She tilted her head, maybe thinking over
possibilities. “I don’t know anyone off hand, but I’ll contact some of my
friends and get back to you. Now I must be going. I start early in the morning.
It was a pleasure talking to you.”

She held out her hand. He grasped it, feeling
the warmth and slenderness of it, enjoying the contact with her youth and
beauty. As she walked away, he watched the smooth sashay of her walk until she
was out of sight, unwilling to take his eyes away until the night had swallowed
her.

He slipped out
the side door into the welcome darkness, smiling to himself. She was a knockout
all right. Her damsel in distress appealed to his knight in shining armor. He
had every intention of making some discreet inquiries about the disappearance
of those valuable stones to help the damsel out of her predicament.

End Chapter One

The Hieroglyphic Staircase can be purchased
on Amazon and other online retailers.