Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
Holly Kim, Radically Honest
LORNA
Lorna had spent the better part of an hour in the private office of Basil Grimsby, curator of the Antiquities Department at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
He sat behind his massive mahogany desk, a classic English tea set in the center, the walls adorned with African art, as he espoused how important his job was.
She hadn’t seen him since the gala, and while he droned on, Lorna bided her time and waited for the real reason she was here.
Grimsby had made a few embarrassing passes at her in his repressed English way through innuendo and ill-timed jokes about the bawdy nature of the Romans.
Whenever he fumbled another move, she would look down as if trying to ignore a rising stench permeating the area.
A sheen of sweat would form, evaporate, and reform on his forehead every fifteen minutes, likely alcohol sweats, as he pushed his filmy glasses up his red, puffy nose.
“We are incredibly proud of our collection. As resplendent as it is ever changing. Of course, we are hoping for your support again this year, even though your circumstances, as I understand it, have changed, Ms. Gray.”
Lorna leveled her gaze at Basil Grimsby. How dare he bring up her personal life. How could he have even known?
“I see no reason why you shouldn’t have my usual endowment. Your collection is ever impressive, Mr. Grimsby,” Lorna said in a frosty tone.
At that moment, the door to his office opened and in walked Holly Kim. Finally.
“Excuse me, Mr. Grimsby, I need your attention on a small matter.” Lorna’s eyes locked with the slender Asian woman she’d met at the gala, sharing a private look of recognition.
Grimsby quickly raised his hand in her direction and nearly spat, “Ms. Kim, can’t it wait? I’m with a patron.”
“’Fraid not, sir, this person is demanding to speak to you right away.”
“Good God, the place would crumble without me. Excuse me, Ms. Gray.” Grimsby rushed through introductions, “this is my assistant, Holly Kim. I’ll be back in a moment.”
Basil Grimsby promptly fled the office before he could hear Holly correct him. “Not assistant, you pompous British twat. It’s Deputy Curator of Antiquities.”
“I see Grimsby can’t seem to get your title right.”
“Grimsby hasn’t gotten anything right since the Tories were in power.”
Lorna smiled; she couldn’t help but admire Holly’s blunt honesty. She could use that.
“Forgive me for being so forward, but are you single?” Lorna asked.
The question was completely out of context, as Holly’s expression plainly stated. “Yes? But also, what? Bit of a hard pivot there.”
“Well, I might be able to help you. I’m a matchmaker.”
Holly raised an eyebrow. “And I look like someone who needs help?”
“Do you want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the holy-shit-that-is-brutal truth?” Lorna quipped.
“Touché,” Holly said. “But it might be too late for me. I have tried a dozen different dating apps, sought out singles events at bars and bookstores, even followed a friend’s advice to ‘stop looking for love and it’ll come to you’ horseshit.
” As if reading Lorna’s mind, Holly continued, “I even considered freezing my eggs and calling it a day, but I stupidly attempted one last-ditch effort that involved a hypnotherapist who promised me he could break down my mental defenses and open me up to the idea of love. But, after three sessions, I wasn’t unblocked. And that’s when it happened.”
“What happened?” Lorna asked.
“That quack unlocked some unknown bonus level in my brain and now it can’t be closed. It’s an unfortunate side effect that I can’t undo.”
“Come on. It can’t be that bad.”
“I cannot tell a lie.”
“I know that.” Lorna paused, “But what do you mean, exactly? Like you cannot tell a lie like George Washington?”
“No, he told the truth out of integrity and moral code.” Holly added, “What I mean is I am unable to tell a lie at all. My filter is gone. I can’t even tell the little white lies that are required in polite society, lies designed to save feelings and strengthen relationships.
I cannot stop telling the truth. Like, you need a breath mint. ”
“Oh.” Lorna breathed into her hand and smelled stale coffee. “I see.”
Holly’s eyes filled with tears. “I should have just frozen my eggs!”
“There’s no need to freeze anything, just calm down,” Lorna said as she looked in her purse for a tissue.
“Calm down? I’m going to die a truth-spewing hag!”
“Not anymore.” Lorna handed her a pale pink business card.
Holly read the card and wiped away a tear, and said, “You’re a matchmaker?” Her expression was skeptical at first, but as she stared at Lorna, a faint smile crept across her face. “And you think you can solve my impossible dilemma? And, like, actually help me?”
Lorna fixed her gaze on Holly. This inability to lie. Like a reverse superpower. “I think I can,” Lorna said slowly. “But first tell me, what’s Grimsby business that is so important?”
As sure as the sun rises in the east, Holly opened up, unable to hold back.
“Cairo called. Their National Museum is finally opening, so they want all their antiquities back.” Holly seemed to slump in her chair.
“It’s been my personal mission to enhance the Antiquities Department by bringing artifacts in from Northern African regions to become the most varied and complete in the world.
Of course, the Egyptian exhibit is my premiere accomplishment.
Grimsby thinks it’s cursed. But I’ve acquired some exquisitely rare pieces.
If they disassemble it, Grimsby could fire me. ”
“I’m sorry,” Lorna said. “If that is the case, and Grimsby lets you go, is there any chance you can head him off at the pass?”
“What kind of expression is that?”
“From old westerns.”
“You should update your vernacular,” Holly said. “It makes you sound old.”
Lorna adjusted in her seat. “What I mean is, can’t you find a way to expose Grimsby for the fraud he is? Exact a little revenge for his years of diminishing your importance and taking credit that was clearly yours?”
Holly started to open her mouth to speak when Grimsby barged back into the office.
“Apologies, Ms. Gray, I’ll just be a minute more.
Ms. Kim can tell you all about our upcoming exhibit on Mesopotamia.
I’ve outdone myself again, if I do say so myself.
” Grimsby ducked back out and left Lorna and Holly alone again.
Holly grimaced. “You want to hear about Mesopotamia?”
“Not in the slightest. Got any dirt on him? Something we could use?”
“Some. A gambling problem. But nothing criminal. Yet.”
Just then, a ping came from Basil Grimsby’s computer. Lorna and Holly shared a look and waited a beat. “Information, as they say, is power,” Lorna said.
Then Holly scrambled around the edge of the desk to read it before the screen locked her out.
“A text.” Holly squinted at the screen and read it out loud, “‘We are a go. October eighteenth. One night only. You get the money. I get the item.’ Followed by a snake emoji.” Holly peered at the screen.
“By Osiris’s tears. Ask and ye shall receive. ’”
Lorna gave a satisfied half smile. “What item is he referring to?”
Holly thought for a moment. “It could any number of items at the museum. Priceless artifacts are our game. The snake emoji could narrow it down.”
“What’s the phone number?” Lorna asked.
“It comes in as blocked,” Holly puzzled, “which means it’s untraceable.” She looked at the screen again. “Wait, another text coming through.”
It felt like an eternity waiting for the three dots to materialize and form into words. Grimsby could walk in at any moment. Finally, the ping came in. Lorna waited for Holly to read it.
“It’s an address,” Holly said as she ripped a Post-it note and wrote it down. Lorna leaned over to see the texted address and just stared at it for a moment.
“What are you playing at, Grimsby?” Holly said more to herself than Lorna. Then they heard footsteps approaching and scurried back to the other side of Grimsby’s massive desk.
“Quick, text me your number,” Lorna said, pointing to the card still in Holly’s hand. Holly deftly texted Lorna.
“Ah, okay, there shall be no more interruptions.” Grimsby entered like an incoming storm. “Now, where were we.”
Lorna was grabbing her sleek leather coat as she looked at her watch. “I have to be going, but thank you for the time, Mr. Grimsby.”
Grimsby looked crestfallen and insisted on grabbing Lorna’s hand to deliver a lizard-like kiss on it. She shivered when it lasted a beat too long. It took everything in her to not snatch her hand away. Holly Kim bowed her head, embarrassed. Finally, Grimsby released her and Lorna stepped back.
“Right,” she said, “pleasure.” Lorna walked out of Grimsby’s office and exited the museum.
A little ding came in on her phone. Holly.
Holly would do nicely. More than, really.
Her own bonus level, unlocked.
Four down, two to go.