The Mirror

Chapter 3: An Unexpected Valentine

"That's right," Jones said, stepping into the office. "The surgeon, Gilbert Bergeron, is now registered as an employee for Maier. Interpol has alerted Austrian authorities about him."

"Bergeron will continue to claim his contract prevents any discussion," Peter warned. "The law's shielding him and there's nothing we can do about it."

"Not necessarily," Neal countered with a smile. "If I go to Paris, I could make a side trip to Salzburg and check out his files."

"Breaking and entering?" Peter shot back. "That's bound to win you friends at Interpol."

Neal didn't budge. "We should discuss this with Hobhouse, Peter. If Interpol's serious about making a dent in art crimes, they may have to relax their standard operating procedures."

"Want me to look into the Austrian legal code?" Jones asked.

Peter checked his initial inclination to swat Jones's offer down. Neal probably didn't mean it, but with him, it was hard to tell for sure. "Go ahead. Let's find out how much we can do legally before considering any Caffrey maneuvers."

* * * * *

"To the love of my life." El raised her wine glass and clinked it with Peter's. "To Professor Peter Gilman, Archaeologist at Miskatonic University."

"You're never going to let me live that one down, are you?" Peter said. El's eyes were dancing in the reflected glow of the red candles on the table. In honor of Valentine's Day, Donatella's had supplied red roses for all the tables. Italian arias were being played in the background. Peter was glad the restaurant was full and service was slow. This was one meal he wanted to linger over.

"Why should I? I find archaeologists very sexy. Indiana Jones and Daniel Jackson will have to make room for the new hunk in town. Does Diana know that Kramer nicknamed you the Archaeologist?"

"I don't think so. No one on my present team has even met Kramer."

El chewed her lower lip. "So, did you ask Diana?"

Peter waggled his finger at her. "Yes, I did, conniving one, and you're in her stories too."

El clapped her hands delightedly, startling the waiter as he placed the tiramisu on the table.

"I had my concerns," Peter admitted. "But Tricia feels the best way for all of us to stay safe will be if Azathoth reads the stories and finds us so charming he won't want to harm us or inflict pain to those we care about, and so I'm willing to try."

"Did you learn any details?"

"Oh, you're very impressive. Head neurologist at the university medical center."

"A doctor? I've always wanted to play a doctor. Are we married?"

"Diana had originally intended for you to be single, but I convinced her that would have been a very bad idea. I'm happy to say that being her boss does have its privileges."

El sighed theatrically. "Too bad. I would have loved to read her descriptions of your endearing efforts at flirting. Of course, I would have played hard to get and the other men vying for my attention would—"

"—All of which is convincing me I made the right decision," Peter said firmly. He beckoned to the waiter for a refill of coffee.

"Do you think she'd mind a few suggestions about my character?"

"You might as well. Everyone else is. At the meeting, Neal gave her a twenty-page document Mozzie had written about his character."

El's eyes widened. "I didn't think Mozzie had met Diana."