Page 42 of The Last Viking

“…with power tools,” Rolf finished with a speaking grin. He’d obviously recognized her dismay.

“Wh-what?” she sputtered. Somewhere along the way, Meredith had become lost in this crazy conversation.

“Rolf has discovered the grown man’s dream toy—the power tool,” Mike declared with dry humor.

“Tonight we will watch Bibveela and Timalley on the picture box. Then you will understand,” Rolf explained, pulling two videotapes out of his bag.

“Bob Vila and Tim Allen,” Mike interpreted. In an aside to Meredith, he mouthed, “Who is this guy?”

Meredith’s brain swirled, but one important fact seeped through. There was no other woman. Later she would contemplate the uncalled-for relief that flooded her. For now, she blustered, “Come inside. Dinner’s ready, and I have lots to discuss with you two. You’ll stay, won’t you, Mike?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Mike said, still chuckling. “I can’t wait to see your reaction when Rolf expounds his philosophy on feminism.” Looping a free arm around Thea’s shoulder, he started into the house. “Great makeup, by the way, kid. I don’t know about the earring in the nose bit, though. Doesn’t Kleenex and stuff get caught there?”

“Oh, Mike! You’re always kidding,” Thea twittered.

“I hope we’re not having worms again,” Rolf grumbled, patting Meredith on the rump as he passed.

She barely stifled a squeal of affront.

“I have a ferocious hunger,” he continued. “A side of roast boar would be a welcome repast right now. With a slab of manchet bread. I don’t suppose…”

She laughed. “We’re having chili and sourdough biscuits. Take it or leave it.”

“I talked to my brother Jared today. He said that he didn’t send you here,” Meredith informed Rolf as she ladled out his third helping of chili and Mike’s second. She was going to have to retrain herself to cook in volume.

“Did I not tell you so afore?” Rolf retorted, still disgruntled that she hadn’t stopped for more beer. “How’s a man to eat a meal without mead to wash it down?” He’d been grumbling throughout dinner. “Especially this spicy provender.”

“So, who told you that I wanted to hire a shipbuilder?” Meredith threw the question out nonchalantly, hoping to catch Rolf off guard, but she saw Mike and Thea raise their heads alertly, and immediately added, “Oh, never mind. You’re here now. I guess that’s the most important thing.” She would have to pick a better, more private time.

The phone rang then and Meredith went into the living room to pick it up. Her usually immaculate home was a shambles. Thea’s clothes were scattered about. A bag of microwave popcorn sat on the coffee table along with an assortment of CDs, not to mention an array of cosmetic products that would turn Mary Kay purple. In the corner was a neatly stacked pile of Rolf’s new clothing, as well as his leather tunic and boots that she’d cleaned for him. Outside, the hideous, big-breasted female prow still lay on the patio.

Meredith groaned and picked up the phone on the third ring. “Hello.”

“Mer? You groaned. What’s wrong?” a female voice asked in a rush of concern.

It was her sister Jillian. “What’s wrong? I’ll tell you what’s wrong, Jillie. I’ve got a twelve-year-old girl here who should be with her mother. I’ve got a Viking longship to build before the end of the semester. I’ve got a master shipbuilder who thinks he’s a real Viking and who honest-to-God expects me to sit and watch Home Improvement on TV with him tonight. And, if that’s not enough, I’ve got to decide what the hell to do with my future once this project is completed.”

Jillie let out a long breath of relief. “Oh, is that all? I thought it was something serious.”

Meredith groaned again. “If this isn’t serious, what is?”

“I’ll tell you what’s serious, sister dear. It’s that sketch you sent me today of a medieval ornament.”

Meredith was instantly alert. She’d faxed the sketch today to Jillie, her brother, her parents, even a colleague at Columbia.

“I’ve spent the whole afternoon in the archives of a museum library. That belt clasp is magnificent! What materials are used? Oh, don’t even try to describe it to me. I’m coming back to the States. I’ve got to see this in person. We could have the breakthrough of a lifetime. As big as the Dead Sea Scrolls or King Tut’s tomb. Well, maybe not that stupendous. But we’re talking major fame here, hon.”

Meredith held the phone away from her face and stared at it, dumbstruck. Her sister was interrupting her museum work in London, not to come help her child, but to case out some ancient hunk of jewelry? And what was this we business?

“Are you listening to me, Mer?”

“Huh?” Apparently her sister had been jabbering away.

“I should be able to get away from here in two days. In the meantime, could you take photographs and wire them to me? Or more detailed sketches if photographs would make the guy suspicious. Whatever you do, don’t let that guy, or his belt, get away. Steal them if you have to.”

“Are you crazy?”

A dial tone was her only response.