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Inherent Danger

Page 14

by Matt Lincoln


  “Oh, wow,” she softly voiced as the last of the wrap came away. She was holding a small object, maybe seven inches tall. From what I could see, it was a statue-like thing, carved very roughly in rock, or wood, or something very weathered. Verity’s eyes focused rigidly on the form. “Where did you get this?”

  “I can’t tell you that,” Jake answered sternly. “Sorry. But do you know what it is?”

  “Yes,” Verity started. “It’s an anthropomorphic statuette. These are found all over the prehistoric world. This one,” she turned it over in her hands and inspected the elements, “appears to be made of ivory, or of a tusk of some kind. It looks… like a Venus figurine. Those are common in prehistoric art. They represent fertility.” Verity raised the piece so that we could all see it. “Notice all the breasts and the exaggerated belly? A very stylized interpretation of abundance.”

  I had seen things like this on documentaries and knew that they existed, but that was about it. I didn’t know anything about this as a whole.

  “I would say European, possibly twenty-thousand years old or more.” Verity looked it over, again and again, gauging it carefully. “Without knowing where you obtained this, I can’t do a more comprehensive study without some of my tools.” She sighed and wrapped the figurine back in the bubble wrap.

  “That,” Jake stated, “was a lot more than we had to go on when we started. Thanks.”

  Verity seemed happy to help as she removed her latex gloves. “A bit of professional advice. Handle that very meticulously. Wear gloves at all times and don’t expose this to anything like chemicals or even soaps. Distilled water is best, but from the looks of it, someone had it professionally cleaned before. Not recently, but in the past.”

  I could see Jake and Xavier exchange a look with one another, and I speculated what that could be about. I could only assume that it had to do with the dive from this morning, but I had been under the impression that it was a retrieval mission, not a treasure hunt.

  Verity handed the sealed bag with the figurine in it back to Xavier. “Funny, because I think we were supposed to consult on a private collection like this coming in from England a few weeks ago. But the man never came in with it, and he hadn’t left a viable number to reach him. I just assumed that it was probably a fake inquiry, checking for prices or that sort of thing.”

  As I was sitting right next to him on the sofa, I could feel Jake bristle at this information. I immediately looked over at Xavier, who was eyeing the bubble-wrapped object in his hands with even more curiosity than before. I smelled a story behind their reactions, but I wasn’t going to question them about it now.

  I decided to drive the conversation back away from whatever they were trying to conceal from the rest of us. “So then, George, Verity, is there anything else that I can help you with today, about the case, or in general?” I didn’t want Jake to have to explain more than he was willing about whatever they were working on.

  George was quick to jump at this. “How likely is it to go further? And also, how far will it go? No one has been in contact about other possible claims being filed and what that could mean for Verity.” He seemed worried, and he had every right to be.

  I didn’t know if he wanted me to address this in front of Jake and Xavier, though. I looked at them and then back at George, hoping that he’d understand. But he didn’t pick up my hint, and neither Jake nor Xavier had noticed my movement. So, I cleared my throat and tried to speak in a manner that wouldn’t divulge too much or anything too personal.

  “Verity, George, you both need to be ready for the next step of the investigation,” I stated firmly. “As I’ve said before, those prosecuting this case are focusing on the Weir company as a whole, and they will pick up everyone in their net on the first go. Verity, I will do my best to make sure that you’re not linked into anything that you had no part of, but they are going to be looking very hard at you and your job, your acts, all of it.” I sighed, not wanting to scare either of them but also needing them to be primed. “This is going to get more serious, and my sources tell me that there will be arrests coming soon.”

  Verity’s face dropped, and George had a sudden intake of air that everyone could see and hear. Jake finally took this signal, and he motioned for him and Xavier to get up and leave.

  “Sorry, but we really shouldn’t be listening to all of this,” he said by way of apology. “It’s none of our business.” They both quickly started for the door to go. Jake turned and nodded to Verity respectfully. “Thank you, both of you.” They couldn’t get out of there rapidly enough. “We’ll see you later on. Bye.”

  “Do take care of yourselves,” George waved as they exited his home.

  I hated to make them feel like intruders into this discussion, but I didn’t know any other way to work that. Once they were gone, and it was Verity, George, and me alone again, I elaborated. “I have looked into the client’s complaints and gone over the initial filings. It does appear that they are moving forward with the case, and there will be more invasive questions going forward, Verity. I’m sorry.”

  George reached over and took her hand. He’d been standing over her while she’d examined the statuette, and now he was there to help support her emotionally. “All will be well, my dear. We’ll get through this together.”

  Verity nodded, but I knew the kind of desperation that she would be experiencing. At times like this, it was sometimes better not to speak, for fear of something else coming out. It didn’t take a lot to know how she must be feeling about the news I’d just given her.

  I got the vibe that maybe it was time for me to go, as well. I finished my coffee, which was cold by now, but I didn’t want to be rude.

  I packed up my briefcase as I spoke. “Until something official happens, we can only prepare and get ready. I know that this is a small solace to what you’re going to be facing, but my best advice to you today is, when the investigators come and talk to you, cooperate entirely. Don’t hold back with pertinent information because the quicker you can get cleared of this, the better it will be for you.”

  “Do you know when they might come and talk to me again?” Verity asked, choking up a little.

  “I don’t,” I admitted. “I’m sorry for such a lack of a timetable about it. But I have let them know that I am representing you, so all the information should come to me, as well. And on that note,” I looked directly at her, “do not, under any circumstances, speak to a detective without notifying me right away. I’d prefer that you don’t speak to anyone without me being present, but sometimes that’s just not possible.”

  “But won’t that make me look guilty, or like I’m hiding something if you’re always with me?” Verity asked, and I could see George had nodded in agreement.

  “In my experience,” I assured her, “they’re going to be looking for the individual that will turn on the rest and spill all the dirty secrets of the company and the others involved. That doesn’t have to be you, not if you don’t want it to be, Verity. But you have to take care of yourself. First and foremost. Are you a Shakespearean fan?” I didn’t wait for an answer to that. “Remember, this above all: to thine own self be true. Call your lawyer and just answer everything truthfully to the best of your ability.” I smiled, hoping that left them both with a little less fear and concern. I didn’t have all the answers for Verity, and even though I wished that I could say the usual “Everything’s going to be alright,” I didn’t. I stood up, planning to make a graceful exit with a casual goodbye. “I’ll be in touch as soon as I know more. See you later on.”

  George walked me to the door and spoke quietly as we went. “This is as serious as I suspected it to be, isn’t it?”

  I nodded at him. “More so. But I’m on the case. I’ll do everything I can to keep Verity’s interests signified and to keep her safe. I promise you that, George.” I gave him a quick hug just to bolster him and let him know that they weren’t alone. Then I walked out to the driveway just in time to realize that I hadn’t c
alled or ordered a cab yet. Dammit.

  I pulled out my phone and dialed in the cab app I’d downloaded yesterday. It would take a few minutes, but at least the rain had stopped, so I wouldn’t get soaked standing out here. I walked over to the nearest street corner to wait. I didn’t want to lurk outside of George’s house. That would be too weird. Luckily, there was a driver in the area, and I was back at my hotel in very little time. Then I sat down to work to prove my client’s innocence. That was, after all, why I was in Miami.

  15

  Jake

  After our quick departure from George’s house, Xavier and I made calls and texts to Doc and Rosa that we needed to meet up and discuss the newest details regarding our case and the inheritance objects. I suggested my place as we all knew where it was, and I liked using it for the team’s benefit and base of operations. Doc informed us that Zaid would be coming with him, and Rosa said that she was finishing up a project and would be right over.

  We all knew that Rosa’s project was about storing Declan Speirs’ body in a safe and secure location until Doc would have a chance to examine it and we could discreetly get it to his brother for burial. I was still trying to find a non-illegal way for that to happen, and the whole team was working toward that end, too.

  Rosa said she knew someone that could help out with such a delicate procedure, so I let her handle it. Since we were going to be in Miami for the foreseeable future, it was a promising idea to have some confidential colleagues and contacts that the average person couldn’t just look up in the yellow pages.

  By the time I’d pulled into the underground parking lot of my condo, I could see Doc and Zaid waiting for us by the elevator. I had to do a double-take at their clothing because, lo-and-behold, they were wearing matching tee-shirts with Jungle Island logos on them. Doc was ready with a response to my bemused look at them both.

  “What’s the use of living here if we don’t take advantage of the culture and fun?” Doc stated as stoically as he could, and it made me smile to think of him at a theme park.

  Xavier had the best reply to that, though. “Hey, that reminds me. I have some great passes and reservation points if you ever want to take Zaid to Disney World. I did some work for an acquaintance there in the past, and they keep bugging me about coming up to Orlando some time. I’m not much for the rides and characters, but I bet he’d love it.” Xavier nodded to Zaid, who was holding Doc’s hand for reassurance around us.

  “Wait, you’ve done IT work for Disney World? When was this?” I asked, completely baffled as I tried to figure out when he’d had the chance.

  “Over the phone concept stuff, mostly. Nothing on site,” Xavier commented. “I thought you knew I consulted worldwide. I mean, not a lot, but sometimes. I never take anything that competes with our missions, I promise. Just small side jobs. For the experiences and, well, yeah, the money.”

  “You learn something new every day, I guess,” I mused, chuckling a bit at the thought of Xavier with a pair of mouse ears on at a theme park. “You seem to have it all under control. And I can’t say that none of the rest of us ever moonlight from time to time, right?” I gestured all of them to get on the elevator and continue this up at my condo.

  “Moonlighting is a strong word, I would argue,” Doc retorted. “My side tasks usually only involve the recent family matters and, well, medical situations for friends now and again.”

  “Maybe you and George should open a practice together.” I teased. “You two could roam the globe and function as doctors for hire. Vigilante medical services or something like that.” I grinned at the idea. “Could be an untapped market for it, Doc.”

  He seemed a little uncomfortable as we stepped off the elevator and headed for my front door. “In reality, Kippy Ozoa and her group, Mao, already contacted me about such an agreement. She informs me that I am still very much on her shortlist of candidates to train and lead the medical arm of her mercenary guild.” He could see my shock and distaste for what he was saying. “I wouldn’t say yes, Header. But it is a bit gratifying to have one’s services called upon and requested from time to time. That’s all.”

  I thought back to how Kippy had once mentioned that she wanted to recruit parts or all of my team into her organization. It sent a chill down my spine to even consider it. And it bothered me that she was still in contact with Doc and trying to poach him. I was going to need to nip that in the bud.

  We reached my front door, which I unlocked before welcoming all of them inside. “I’ll see what I’ve got that a kid could use to entertain himself while we talk shop.” I knew before I started looking that my options were scarce. I walked back to close off my bedroom to dissuade little eyes and hands from getting into anything in there.

  The guest room was dull and safe, but I went over to lock the door that led to the balcony just to make it more so. The only thing this space had to offer was a tv, so that alone might have to suffice for now. I went back out to let Doc know.

  “Sorry, I don’t really have anything for a kid to play with,” I admitted. “But the guest room tv is all his. There’s bound to be something to interest him there.”

  Doc took a minute to set up what I would assume was going to be educational programming for Zaid. I got Xavier settled at the dining table with his laptop and put on a pot of coffee for the team. It had already been an awfully long day, and we still had a lot of work to go over pertaining to our current mission.

  Doc walked back in and took a seat at the table alongside Xavier. “Zaid should be occupied for a while. There’s a whole channel dedicated to dinosaurs, which makes him easy to entertain in these kinds of circumstances.”

  “I’ll have to keep that in mind,” I admitted. “I guess getting a few toys or something might not be a bad idea to keep around here.” I’d never had to consider that before, but I guessed I would have to make exceptions. I didn’t mind. Watching Doc with Zaid was actually nice to see. It was bringing out a whole new side to the team.

  My phone chimed, and I looked down to see a text from Rosa letting us know that she was on her way.

  “Rosa will be here soon,” I announced. “So, where do we want to start with this? Or should we just wait until she arrives?”

  “That depends. Do you want to re-explain everything twice?” Xavier mentioned. “I’m fine with waiting. And I was thinking of ordering out. I’m getting a bit peckish. Doc? How do you and Zaid feel about Italian food?” He was cruising on the laptop and not doing the work that I’d assumed he was. But now that he mentioned it, I was getting a bit hungry as well.

  I put my two cents in. “I’d certainly go for some tortellini right about now.”

  “Put cheese on it, and Zaid will eat it,” Doc commented with a grin.

  “Okay then, I’ll just take a little of that and,” Xavier clicked on a number of things, “and a little side of that. And cheesy breadsticks. Fried mozzarella poppers, too. Zaid will love those. Header? Do you have any wine here?”

  I shook my head. “No, sorry, all out for the time being. But I have beer.” I saw Xavier’s face drop slightly at this. “I mean, I can run out and get some wine if you have to have it…”

  “I’d rather you not,” Doc interjected. “Zaid found a bottle of very muscular Pinot Noir that I’d been saving, and he tried to open it. I wouldn’t recommend anything that even looks like juice around him that isn’t actually juice.”

  “Soda okay for him, then?” I asked, realizing that I didn’t have much in the fridge that was kid-friendly to drink.

  “Do you have any ginger ale?” Doc inquired, and I shook my head. “Never mind. I’ll head downstairs and get something from one of the vending machines in the garage.” He started for the door.

  “There are vending machines in the garage down there?” That was news to me. Perhaps they were a newer addition to the complex.

  “Yes, Header. There are. I’ll be back shortly.” Doc left with a smirk, closing the front door firmly behind him.

  I turned t
o Xavier. “Should I be concerned that he knows more about my condominium complex than I do?”

  “Yes,” was his very abrupt and brutally honest yet playful answer.

  “Noted.” Maybe I needed to take a day to just wander around this place and see what all it had to offer. If I ever got a day where I wasn’t doing a hundred different things at once, that was.

  Within a few minutes, Doc had returned with Rosa in tow and some ginger ales in his hand.

  “Well, at least we’re all here now,” he stated as we all took a seat at the dining table. “Let the information exchange begin.” Hellos were traded with Rosa as we got down to business.

  “So, luckily, we were able to get Verity to look at the item we took over, and now we have a direction to head in,” I explained. “The objects in the suitcases, at least that one, is a prehistoric figurine. She couldn’t tell us a lot without us telling her where we got it from, but we did find out that it has been professionally cleaned in the past. Which could mean that they have been appraised and that the Speirs do know what they were or are.”

  “Presumably they would,” Doc added, “if they traveled all the way to Liverpool to retrieve the items, it makes sense that they knew a bit about what they’d inherited.”

  “And speaking of Liverpool,” I added as Xavier and I glanced knowingly at one another, “Verity mentioned that her company was supposed to receive a shipment of these, what were they called? Anthro---?” I looked over at Xavier for help.

  “Anthropomorphic statuettes, figurines, icons, etcetera.” He filled us in without really having to think about it.

  “Yeah, that,” I chuckled. “The one we took today was a Venus. A symbol of fertility and abundance.” I thought back to all that Verity had told us. “So, I got to thinking, what if Declan Speirs had contacted Weir’s company to clean them or evaluate them? Could someone have found out that the Hester was the ship carrying them, and they wanted to get to them first? I don’t know much about it, but prehistoric art can’t be all that common, can it? It’s got to be valuable to someone.”

 

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