Chapter 7 #3
‘You call them and it’s going to slow everything down again,’ I said. ‘The police can’t just go marching into one of the oldest auction houses in New York City and accuse them of tipping off criminals – especially when we don’t have any solid evidence.’
She scowled and folded her arms.
‘And even if we did have solid evidence,’ I continued, aware that I was now on a roll and unable to stop myself, ‘the cops would still have to investigate it alongside all the other crimes they’re dealing with so it would take time.’
Alice huffed, but then clearly another thought came to mind and she brightened. ‘What about the FBI? If we left an anonymous tip, we wouldn’t need to provide evidence, and surely they would act faster.’
‘For fuck’s sake, Alice,’ I groaned. ‘Never call the fucking FBI.’
She pouted. ‘Why not?’
‘Because they have much bigger issues to worry about. Just leave it, okay? We’re doing fine without them.’
‘The massive bruises under your eyes suggest that maybe you’re not doing as fine as you say?’ she said, raising an eyebrow at me pointedly.
‘Oh, fuck you, Alice,’ I snapped.
‘I’m just saying. If we went to the cops, your chances of getting followed or beat up again will probably significantly reduce.’
I disagreed with that, but I was running out of energy to argue with her. My focus needed to be on Van der Hausen’s now, and how I was going to get in there to find my mom’s next clue.
Alice grabbed the paperwork and started studying it, like maybe the information she’d been scouring for the past few months had suddenly changed with the new perspective I’d given her.
‘So you don’t think the jewelry is back at Van der Hausen’s then?’ she mused.
‘No way. It will just be the clue.’
Alice stared at me. ‘Don’t tell me you’re thinking what I think you’re thinking?’
‘What do you think I’m thinking?’ I asked, leaning in closer to her automatically.
‘You’re never going to be able to get in and sniff around Van der Hausen’s without being noticed.’
‘I’m not getting in there,’ I said carefully.
Alice stared at me. ‘You have to be kidding.’
‘A request for a meeting from Alice Mulligan, great-granddaughter of Abigail De Lacy, though – that would get us through the door. Hearing you have some new items you want valued would certainly get their attention.’
Alice shook her head. ‘I’m not being dragged into this.’
That made me laugh out loud. ‘Alice, I’ve tried getting rid of you. You’re the one who’s insisted on being involved.’
She gave me a smug smile. ‘You’re lucky I’m letting you be involved.’
‘That’s very generous of you, thank you.’
I had a feeling we were flirting. It felt like we were flirting, and I wasn’t mad about it.
‘And you’re sure the only way to find the next clue is to break into Van der Hausen’s?’ Alice asked.
‘Who said anything about breaking in?’ I asked. ‘We’re going to get a legit meeting. And then …’
‘Then what?’ she asked, sounding unimpressed.
I shrugged. ‘We’ll work it out from there.’
‘This isn’t exactly a grand master plan, Kendra,’ Alice said, running her fingers through her hair again. It was almost dry now.
I unlocked my iPad and showed her my workings out that had led me to cracking the last clue.
‘Listen, I know we don’t have all the answers yet, but if my mom’s directing me to Van der Hausen’s, then that’s where we need to go next.’
‘Fine,’ she said, then she picked up her phone and made a call. While it rang, she put it on speaker.
‘Van der Hausen’s, how may I help you?’
‘Hello,’ Alice replied, and I pressed my lips together to keep quiet.
‘This is Alice De Lacy Mulligan. Can I please make an appointment to see Mr Van der Hausen? He valued a number of items for my family at the end of last year …’ She looked at me, a little panicked, and I gestured for her to go on.
‘I’ve got a few more things I’d like him to take a look at. ’
‘Miss Mulligan, how lovely to hear from you.’ I couldn’t tell whether the guy on the phone genuinely knew who Alice was, or if he was just being polite.
He had a snooty accent, though his tone was warm.
‘I’m afraid Mr Van der Hausen is traveling this summer, in Europe.
He’s due back early September so I can either schedule you a meeting for his return, or I’d be happy to book you an appointment sooner with our resident appraiser, Mr Yearwood. ’
Alice looked at me, and I nodded emphatically.
‘That works,’ she said. ‘Would tomorrow morning be possible?’
‘We can see you at ten?’
‘Great. Thank you.’
I left her to finish the pleasantries before she ended the call.
‘Do you know him personally?’ I asked. ‘Hendrik Van der Hausen.’
‘No, but my grandparents moved in the same circles as his family.’
‘What about this Mr Yearwood?’
‘Never heard of him.’
That meant I needed to do some research, but that wasn’t a problem. Preparation was key.
‘What are we going to take in?’ I asked, and Alice stared back at me blankly.
‘Hmm?’
‘If you have an appointment to appraise some items,’ I said slowly, ‘we need to give the man something to appraise.’
‘Oh.’ She winced. ‘Shit.’
I glanced around and Alice grabbed my arm. ‘I can tell what you’re thinking – and no,’ she said pointedly.
‘Where else are we going to get it from?’ I asked her.
‘How the hell are we going to get furniture out of here?’
That made me chuckle. ‘It doesn’t need to be furniture, or even antiques. Does Sienna have anything small but valuable?’
A bright, mischievous expression bloomed on Alice’s face. ‘She likes jewelry.’
I raised an eyebrow. ‘Jewelry works.’
‘We don’t actually have to sell any of it, right?’ she asked, suddenly paling.
‘Oh, no. Definitely not,’ I said. ‘We just need to show them some pieces and ask what they’re worth. Anyway, it doesn’t really matter what we take, it’s about getting inside in the first place and finding the next clue.’
‘All right. Then, yeah, Sienna has lots of nice jewelry.’ She grinned at me conspiratorially, and I couldn’t help but smile back.
‘Then let’s see what’s in her jewelry box.’
‘To be fair, it’s more of a jewelry closet than a box.’
It took me a second to process that. ‘Wait, what?’
Alice laughed. ‘Come take a look.’