Emerald

by Garner Scott Odell

  Emily noted the tall stature of the Chinese-looking man that just entered Christie’s. He stood a head taller than any Oriental she had ever seen, and he was quite striking, in a strange way, but there was something vicious and almost sad in his eyes. He had tiny features – pinprick eyes and a splinter of a nose, so small that his head appeared to have swollen around his face. His hair was dun color and was as short as a drill instructor’s. His chest had the dimensions of an oil drum, and his coat sleeves were too short on a dark gray suit. His blue-rimmed glasses were surprising stylish, given the sprung and tired look to the rest of him. She rose from her desk in the corner and approached the man asking him if she could be of help. He wanted to see Dr. Franz and no one else. This miffed her a little because she felt she knew as much about what went on at Christie’s as Dr. Franz did. After all, she had experience at the main London Christie’s International office. However, rank and education always win out, she realized, and there was nothing she could do about that, so she turned and walked to the back office and knocked on the door to speak to her boss. He told her to show the man in, which she did.

  “Dr. Franz?” queried Tam. “I’m Tam Stratton from Hong Kong. You have an interesting place here. I noted several Chinese ivories that are very rare. Very nice they are. I am a representative of a group of Chinese collectors who have banded together for advantage to buy important items such as those you put on auction. Primarily, today, I am interested in learning a little more about the Whittelsbach Emerald that is set to go on auction. Is there a chance I could view it?”

  “Mr. Stratton, nice to meet you. I am sorry, but our policy is very strict and permits viewing by special customers only the week prior to the actual auction. The Emerald you speak of goes on auction, I believe, May first. Did you receive an invitation to that auction, by any chance? I do not recall your name. Those auctions are by invitation only, you see.”

  “That’s why I’m here so early, sir. I wish to secure an invitation. How can that be arranged?”

  “Well, you can get the official papers to fill out from Emily, the lady who greeted you in my outer office. Your background will be checked, and then we will see. That is, your financial background, you understand. Thank you for coming in, Mr. Stratton. Good day.”

  Tam thanked Dr. Franz and returned to ask Emily for the necessary forms to fill out, which she handed him. He thanked her and left. Back in the same cab with the same driver, he noticed, he glanced over the forms. A bunch of rigmarole paperwork. That figures, he thought. “Yes, back to the Hotel du Fontaigne, and thank you for waiting.”

  “You left your book in my taxi and I figured you’d want it back, besides business is slow.”

  “Thank you very much for keeping my book, sir.”

  Tam tipped him generously as he got and went into the hotel.

  After Tam entered the hotel, the driver got his cell phone from the pocket of the taxi, dialed, and waited for a few seconds.

  “Max, its Rene, I’m a cabbie. I heard through a mutual friend that you were interested in anything that seemed out of the ordinary that might be connected to either Christie’s or one of their upcoming auctions. Well, it probably is nothing, but I just picked up a Chinaman from a hotel that caters to a great many tourists and businessmen from Hong Kong and took him to Christie’s. Not only that, but he left a book about emeralds in my taxi.”

  “That’s the kind of information I’m looking for. Thank you very much. What hotel is he staying in?”

  “Well, since I picked him up when he walked out of the Hotel du Fontaigne, over on rue des Eaux-Vives, I assumed that he was staying there, but of course, I can’t be absolutely sure.”

  “That’s all right, Rene. I’ll check it out. And again, thank you so very much. I owe you”

  “Not at all, not at all, always willing to be of service, Max.”

  When the phone rang in Piet’s condo, Josef picked it up.

  “Josef, this is Piet…”

  He waited for three taps to assure it was Josef before continuing.

  “Would you go to the Hotel du Fontaigne, 15 rue des Eaux-Vives and verify the registration for and find out all you can about a Chinese gentleman from Hong Kong who just checked in and seems to be interested in auctions?”

  Piet heard two taps on the receiver and then said, “Thanks, Josef.”

  The phone disconnected and Josef returned it to the cradle. He changed clothes, put on shoes and also covered his bald dome with a wig and left immediately.

  Tam entered the lobby and laughed at the small flashing sign over the bar, Lucky’s. Of all the names, he thought. That’s a joke. He knew he shouldn’t walk into the place, but that would be better than filling out a lot of lies on these god-damn forms, so he headed in the direction of the bar.

  He sat down at a table on the far side of the bar so he wouldn’t have to talk with anyone and could slowly savor just one drink. That’s all I’m going to drink today, he told himself. When the waiter placed the triple martini before him, he handed him the credit card that was in the envelope White Paper Fan had given him. Damn, that envelope stuff too, he thought. Just more paperwork reading all that. Do they think I can’t even figure out what to do on my own? Bidding on a gemstone is not that difficult. The brochure was much more interesting than all those written instructions. At least, now I know that it’s a totally unique emerald, a natural stone that has never been cut- - -perfect in its own right. Doctor Yang’s going to get a lot of mileage out of that stone, he thought. People would come from miles around to get his expensive emerald treatments at his new clinic. Somewhere I read that emeralds are good for the eyes and will reduce swelling and promote healing if the stone is placed directly on the correct pressure points. If I had that stone, I could rent it to Yang to use and live fine for the rest of my life, and he would make a fortune too. Then I could get out of the damned Triad business. I hate that crummy bunch of thugs, especially White Paper Fan. Forcing us to kill one of our own just to invoke his authority even stepped over my line, and I don’t have much of a line left these days.

  A tall, black man in a long robe interrupted his thoughts by pulling up a chair and sitting down at Tam’s table. The man was even taller than he was. Who the hell is this guy, one of the Triad watchdogs? he thought.

  “I’m sorry, sir, but this table’s taken,” Tam said, noticing the heavily scared face of the man who did not say a word to him but remained seated and looked at him calmly.

  “Did you hear what I said?” The black man remained seated as if he didn’t hear Tam.

  “Sir, I don’t mean to be rude, but this is my table, would you please leave.” The man continued sitting there unmoved and not responding. Tam looked directly into the face of Josef and finally saw the scarred face and the missing eye and thought, well, I see he’s been in a fight before himself, but I’m in no mood to fight him. I’ll just move to another table, and he moved to the next table. The black man sat there for a minute looking at him in a non-threatening way and then got up and moved over and sat down again at Tam’s new table.

  “What the hell? Sir, May I ask what you want?”

  Josef offered no response.

  “Who are you anyway?” Tam asked him.

  The waiter appeared and placed a tall colorless drink and an inch high stack of cocktail napkins before Josef. Josef paid him in cash and waved an acknowledgement to the waiter who said, “Thank you, sir,” and walked off. Josef took a sip of his drink, looked at Tam, and smiled. Tam angrily stared at the man, unbelieving he was even sitting there. Josef then raised his glass again, like in a toast, and nodded to Tam and took another sip. Tam took a long swig of his martini and then said looking at Josef, “Who are you?” Josef picked up one of the napkins, pulled out a ball-point, wrote Josef, and handed the napkin to Tam who stared back and forth at the napkin and at the man sitting before him.

  “Can’t you talk?”

  Josef wrote No.

  “Well, I’m sorry sir, but I’d like my p
rivacy, if you don’t mind.”

  Josef smiled and nodded his head up and down showing he understood and remained seated. He wrote again on the same napkin, what are you doing in Geneva?

  “I’m trying to have a quiet drink by myself. That’s what. What do you want?”

  Josef wrote, I understand, and so am I, but no one will talk to me because I intimidate them or they feel sorry for me and you at least are talking to me, which I appreciate. The next round’s on me. What is your name?

  “Tam,” he said disarmed and relaxing a little. “Where are you from, Josef?

  I live here in Geneva but I enjoy meeting people from other parts of the world such as you. I am an haute cuisine chef.

  “What’s that?”

  Oh, just a fancy name for a cook. What brings you to Geneva, Tam?

  “I’m here representing a group of businessmen to do some business for them, some possible buying, you might say.”

  Tam finished his martini and really liked the fact that Josef was buying the next round. This relieved his conscience about whether or not to order another drink. This Josef guy seemed harmless enough and he, too, didn’t mind the company in this new and strange city.

  “Cooking, huh? Most cooks are fat because they eat their own creations, but you look in prime shape, Josef. Do you work out a lot?”

  Yes. I do Judo and Karate, both routines from your part of the world. Do you?

  “I try, mainly because I have to be on my toes to stay out of trouble. I do know Karate, more for self-protection than to keep in shape.”

  Are you in danger? Where do you live?

  “Not here. I’m from Hong Kong. It’s different there.”

  Josef waved to the waiter to bring another round of drinks, which he did. Josef got a fresh napkin to continue the conversation and wrote, what kind of products are you buying, Tam?

  “Well, Josef, I’m not actually buying products in the normal business sense. I’m bidding at an auction for a syndicate of jewel collectors.”

  Tam thought about what he said, but decided Josef seemed a safe person to talk to because he knew he wouldn’t say anything, unless he was faking. Tam wished he hadn’t told Josef that. He became intent now on checking out Josef’s truthfulness about not being able to speak. He began observing the man closely.

  That sounds like an easy job. What kind of jewels?

  “Yeah, bidding is easy enough. By the way, Josef, if you don’t mind me asking, how come you can’t talk?”

  No tongue.

  “My God! Were you born that way or were you in an accident? Could I see?”

  Josef opened his mouth to verify to Tam that he indeed was missing his tongue. All Tam could see was a swollen stub at the back of his mouth. This guy’s not faking. Wow! That would be terrible, he thought and started to feel sorry for Josef but remembered what he had said about most people felt sorry for him, so he guessed he’d better just ignore it and go on.

  A savage man who held me prisoner in the Sudan cut it out. The scar on my eye was from the same man, in case you are wondering about that too. It’s a long story, but I was rescued and came here to live. I’m okay now though.

  “I know what you mean by a savage man, Josef. I work for a man like that now. He not only tortures, but he also kills them and cooks them, if you’ll pardon the expression.”

  Why do you work for him? Can you leave him?

  “I wish. I would not be here now if he hadn’t sent me. I’m their errand boy, you might say, and have to do their dirty work while they stay hidden and safe.”

  Tam’s second drink was empty, so Josef ordered another round just for Tam. He asked again, what are you bidding on, after Tam took a big gulp of the martini that the waiter sat before him.

  “An emerald.”

  Is that all? Just one emerald?

  Tam’s speech began to slur a bit,”Yep, just one emerald, but it’s a big one and is a perfect natural stone. I wish I had it for my own, and I could get out of the mess I’m in.”

  How much will it cost? Does it have a special name or is it a special variety?

  “Probably around three to five million tops. It’s called the Whittelsbach Emerald.”

  Who are the people that want the emerald? Is there a way you can get it for yourself? Josef added the last question to get Tam’s mind on himself so he would talk more freely. He could not believe the openness of this Tam person, so he was going for broke.

  “A bunch of thugs and criminals. You know, like the mafia. They’re very powerful, and there’s no way I could ever get that stone. I couldn’t steal if I wanted to because they’d hunt me down and I’d be dead in twenty-four hours, and that’s a fact.

  Why don’t you get out of the- - -what did you say their name was?

  “The Triad. That’s their official name. Some people refer to them as a Tong. I’d be dead if I tried to get out too. I’m totally stuck, Josef. I’m not free like you. You’re lucky, man- - -even with no tongue and no eye. You’re luckier than I am. Do you want another drink?”

  Sure. I’ll have another drink. Thanks. Hey, I’m buying, remember? So when is this auction taking place and where? Josef motioned to the waiter again.

  “It’s July first at the Rohrschemond Hotel at high noon. Remember that movie, High Noon? You know the Gary Cooper movie? Well, we’re going to have a bidding shootout at high noon there, Josef. Why don’t you come too?”

  I will if I can. I’ll sit by you and keep a lookout for you, Tam.

  “Yeah, I could use a lookout man like you. I’m a dead man probably anyway, Josef. They’ll probably send a guy to grab the emerald and knock me off. I really don’t care any more though. My life is shit anyway.”

  Do you know who else is bidding on the emerald, Tam? Who is putting the emerald up for auction?

  Tam was pretty drunk now and continued, “It doesn’t matter who else is bidding on it. I have to buy it or I’m dead. It could be the State of Israel, and for all I know they want to sell the stone and get cash. Probably to build bombs with so they can blow all those terrorists off the face of the earth. That’s what you’ve got to have these days - - - a bomb. Guns don’t do it any more nowadays. That’s kid’s stuff- - -guns and knives. This world is going to blow itself up anyway one of these days, so none of us have anything to live for, really.”

  Josef noticed his glass was empty again and he had learned all he was going to find out for now, so he offered to take Tam to his room since he was getting sloppy drunk. Tam refused and wanted another drink, so Josef said he would get a fresh bottle at the bar and take him to his room so he could relax and not have to worry about anything. Tam looked tired, and Josef had to leave anyway, so maybe they could talk another time, okay. Tam wasn’t much in favor of it, but he finally agreed. Josef got a bottle at the bar before he helped Tam up and walked him to his room on the fifth floor of the hotel.

  He is in room 515, wrote Josef to Servette. Josef then wrote out the gist of the conversation, telling Piet why Tam was in town and what his business connections were and that he was bidding for the Whittelsbach Emerald.

  “Josef, you did magnificently. Seems that auction is going to be very interesting, Goodnight, Josef. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Tam awoke with another hangover, but it wasn’t as bad as usual. Last night he stopped drinking before he passed out, for a change. He lay in bed thinking of the previous evening with Josef. It felt good to get things off his chest. He said things to Joseph that he never talked about. Josef was a good guy. It had been a long time since he’d had a conversation with someone who wanted nothing more than a little companionship.

  He showered, did his daily exercise routine, and went down to the restaurant off the lobby for breakfast. Afterwards, he felt pretty good. Everyone seemed so friendly here in Geneva- - -nothing like in Hong Kong. He greeted people he passed and they responded to him. He decided it on the spot: he would take the emerald to Dr. Yang and stay in Geneva. It was time to put his life back together. He
had his evening with Josef to thank for this new resolve. But, he didn’t have Josef’s phone or address. I guess I did most of the talking, he thought, and then smiled at the implication. I know he enjoyed it as much as me. I have a hunch I’ll see Josef again. He’d make a good friend and how long had it been since I’ve had a friend. He thought about Sue Mai Lee. One day he would tell Josef about her. He wondered if Josef had ever been in love.

  He walked outside breathing the fresh morning air. Geneva even smelled good. He never wanted to think of Hong Kong again. He continued for a few blocks until he came to a lake where a huge fountain shot a spout high into the bright blue cloudless sky. He strolled along beside the lake on a paved walkway bordered with colorful flowers and verdant landscaping. Invigorated he walked back to his hotel, and decided to rent a car since he would now be spending some time in Geneva. Then he got back down to business. His most pressing need for now was to get his instructions on how he was to conduct himself at the auction. In addition, he needed to fill out those forms that the woman at Christie has had given him or he would not be able to get into the auction at all. Now is the time, he thought. Tam entered his hotel and took the elevator up to his room.

  CHAPTER 13

  Geneva - - - Munich

  Max telephoned Inspector Servette and informed him that the bank’s lawyers determined that the Klein’s had no surviving heirs and the emerald could be auctioned with the proceeds going to the Munich Residenz Museum.

  “Why there?” Servette asked.

  “I’m not sure, but I think because that’s where the Wittlesbach Emerald was housed at one time. I’ll look into that further.” He added, “You’ll be interested that Christies has decided to add that stone to their next regular auction at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues, in two weeks.”