Chapter 13
BLOOD AND TREASURE (CLEO)
Itoss and turn all night, and when I wake up in the grey morning gloom, I drag myself to the kitchen and pour myself a beer mug full of coffee.
One more thing Gramps collected. I’m glad he left a few lying around.
I can’t make up my mind with Fairfax’s offer.
Worse, Holden wouldn’t weigh in, leaving it to me. Which is weirdly thoughtful for Mr. Crankyface, but also kind of annoying. The one time he decided to pass on being a world-class control freak…
Sigh.
After the kiss and the awkward aftermath, I thought I’d do us both a favor if I just took the first offer that came along.
Ten million dollars.
Nothing to sneeze at, but there’s more than money on the line. Even if Holden’s right and Fairfax winds up lowballing me to flip the egg for a princely sum, what does it matter?
Financially, I’m set for life.
But would Fairfax just let the egg disappear into some billionaire’s vault, never to be seen? That doesn’t sit right.
A lost treasure this beautiful deserves to be seen and shared with the world. Not jealously sealed behind glass in some private collector’s mansion.
Gramps left it up to me, yeah, but I know what way he’d lean.
Dinner last night made me feel less alone with my tortured thoughts.
Holden was clear without uttering a word—don’t take any bad deals just to speed this up. Just so I can free us from this crazy obligation.
With fresh java in my veins, I grab my phone and dial Miracles by Fairfax.
The receptionist patches me through right away, which tells me he’s been waiting for my call.
My nerves knot.
I’m not just taking any deal. If I’m not angling for a bigger payoff, I should get a few other concessions.
“Miss Blackthorn,” he says cheerfully. “I’m pleased you’re getting back in touch so soon. You must have given it some thought?”
“I have,” I say coldly. Deep breath. “And you know what, I think I’m going to hold off for now.”
Deathly pause.
“Hold off?” His voice fades into a confused whisper.
“Yeah, unfortunately, I’m just not sure it’s the right decision yet without exploring all of my options,” I say.
“You’re turning me down?” He sounds floored, a little bitter.
Twirling my hair absently, I scan the library from the comfy chair. This is my favorite place to have these conversations. I feel like I can channel PopPop’s spirit.
Call it dumb, but I think people do leave pieces of themselves behind in the things they love, even if it’s mostly in our own minds.
Gramps always loved this room, and I loved being in here with him.
Last night, Holden was right about how stubborn he could be. And he never would’ve turned over the Hera Egg without being totally convinced it’s going to a great home.
“Is it the amount I offered? That’s not written in stone,” Fairfax says cautiously.
“It’s not just the money,” I say, trying to sort through my thoughts. “I mean, money’s a big part of it, of course. But my grandfather wanted me to find the right place for the Hera Egg. I just wonder if there’s anyone out there who’d agree to loan it out to a museum.”
“A museum?” He coughs roughly. “Well, those sorts of arrangements do exist. However, for a sale like this, you’d be dealing with a handshake agreement. Legally, that’s very hard to enforce once an art piece passes out of your possession.”
“Yeah, I figured.”
Jasper Fairfax clears his throat. “Forgive me, Miss Blackthorn. I know you don’t want to rush this, but offers like mine won’t come along easily without ironclad documentation. I have a unique appetite for risk many others in this world don’t.”
“I know.” I frown.
I wonder how disappointed he is. Is he actually seething?
Daddy issues again. I hate disappointing people or pissing them off.
“It’s your decision in the end,” he says flatly, reserved yet perfectly polite. “I wouldn’t dare interfere with that. Sensitive family matters should always be respected.”
It’s my turn to pause, surprised he’s backing off this quickly. Obviously, it’s a deal he thinks he could profit from or he wouldn’t have made a pitch.
The problem is he’s balking at any conditions that would give this treasure a second life where it could be admired by more than just the rich and powerful.
“Thank you, Mr. Fairfax. Whatever happens, I really do appreciate your generosity and help through all this.”
“If I may, a gentle word of warning...” He pauses.
“I didn’t want to tell you this before and rattle you, but word gets around in this space.
It’s almost inevitable when a miracle like yours surfaces.
Arts and antiques have always had a nasty black market operating under the surface.
The experts I reached out to, while discreet, will whisper. ”
Yep.
That was always a risk with approaching anyone and revealing its existence. Word gets out. If there’s anything you can count on with people involved, it’s drama.
“I’ll be careful,” I say firmly.
“Please do. I couldn’t stomach hearing that an artifact this wonderful was lost a second time,” he says grimly. “And if you need anything else, if you ever reconsider, please feel free to call. I’ll always be at your service.”
“Thanks,” I whisper, surprisingly touched.
He’s a decent man. Or I’m a very na?ve girl.
After turning him down, I expected him to slam the door in my face.
His warm open door almost makes me feel bad. But maybe that’s part of his negotiating tactics, especially if he thinks he’s dealing with a fickle little girl.
“I appreciate your concern,” I say. “If anything comes up, I’ll reach out.”
“Of course. Take care now.”
I end the call, mulling it over as I leave the library.
He sounded genuine about the threat, but I’m not too worried. That’s why Gramps left me Holden, right?
Besides, so what if there are ‘whispers?’
It’s not like someone would be crazy enough to break into the house to get it. No one knows we’re here besides immediate family.
I find Holden outside on a balcony, staring out over the rocky shore. For once, he’s not on high alert, leaning against the railing, the muscles defined in his broad back as he holds a phone to his ear.
For an embarrassingly long moment, I just stare.
He looks so relaxed.
The pale sun hits his dark hair just right, bringing out the rare coppery tone. I trace the sliver of his face that’s visible.
The way the light makes his bronze skin glow makes me ache.
It’s hard to believe he’s real.
Lethally handsome in looks and talent. Ready to drop a man as easily as he could drop a woman to the floor.
Then he laughs, and my big scary warrior-man vanishes.
“You need to listen to your teacher, Kit.”
A small girlish voice buzzes from the other end of the phone.
“Yes, even if you think she’s wrong. Especially then.
I know you hate settling for Narnia for the book report.
You’re just summarizing the story, not getting deep into symbolism.
Keep it simple, girl.” He laughs again, his shoulders shaking.
“Fine. Maybe you could write an essay on how much seven shows up in the story, but you’d scare the other kids.
I promise it gets better. Give it a few years, and they’ll have you reading James Joyce. Bored me half to death in high school.”
I press my hand over my mouth. I love how ambitious she is and how she must keep Holden on his toes, raising a little smarty-pants.
I had it rough too. I wasn’t always the best student, but I read well above my grade level.
“I know,” Holden says. “But I’m sure Mrs. LeMay knows what she’s talking about.” He shifts, glancing back to see me watching him. A blush lights my cheeks.
Sorry, I mouth.
At least he looks more relaxed than the last time this happened.
“Hey, Kit, I have to go,” he says. He smiles at me, and the relief in the base of my stomach makes me dizzy. “Just remember your homework isn’t pointless even if it feels so easy it’s boring, little brainiac.”
The contrast between Holden and Dad hits me again.
My father barely stayed on top of my parent-teacher conferences. He didn’t care about anything except art. As long as I kept my grades up and I was on track for college, the rest didn’t matter.
That’s nothing like what I’m seeing here, a dad who cares. I inhale sharply.
“Bye, Kit. Love you too.”
When he hangs up, I smile and walk over. “Sorry for disturbing you. I didn’t mean to cut you short.”
“Nah, it’s okay.” He scratches the back of his head. “She’s not enjoying English. Might have to get her in some advanced classes next year. She could probably start earning college credits early.”
“Oh, wow. And you were worried about the teenage years? Throw her in with older kids and she’ll grow up lightning fast.”
He stares off into the distance fondly.
“Yeah, that’s the dilemma. Mentally, she’s a normal ten-year-old, innocent as hell.
Intellectually, she’s running circles around me some days.
It’s tough to find balance.” His nose wrinkles.
“She’s a horribly precocious girl. English and history are her best subjects, and she’s driving her teachers crazy, wanting special privileges and advanced books that might get her into trouble. ”
“Oh, that’s awesome.” I smile. “Would it kill them to indulge her?”
“Believe me, most of them do. As much as school policy allows. Just wish she was this well rounded with math.” He grins and shakes his head.
“You talk to her, the only math anyone ever needs is basic arithmetic. She’ll go out of her way to remind you AI will take over physicists soon anyway.
That’s better than the calculator excuse I had as a kid. ”
I don’t tell him she’s absolutely right. I haven’t done more than basic arithmetic and reading graphs since high school. With AI in the mix… Oh man.
The bad news is it’s also going to drive some people off the deep end. I remember the trouble that came knocking at Margot’s door and shudder.
“Anyway,” he says. “Do you have news for me?”
“Actually, yes,” I say. “I called Jasper Fairfax this morning.”