Part 39 (1/2)
”Does the clerk in St. Petersburg work for you?” Fellner asked.
”Of course. The Soviets, for all their inefficiency, had a nasty tendency to write everything down. There are literally millions of pages of records, no telling what is in them, and no way to efficiently scan them all. The only way to ensure against curious minds stumbling across something interesting was to pay the clerks for attentiveness.”
Loring finished his coffee, then set the porcelain cup and saucer aside. He looked straight at Fellner. ”Franz, I am telling you all this as a show of good faith. Regretfully, I let the present situation get out of hand. Suzanne's attempt on Christian's life and their joust yesterday in Stod is evidence of how this could continue to escalate. That might eventually bring unwanted attention to both of us, not to mention the club. I thought that if you knew the truth we could stop the battling. There is nothing to find regarding the Amber Room. I am sorry about what happened to Christian. I know Suzanne did not want to do it--she acted on my orders--what I thought necessary at the time.”
”I, too, regret what has happened, Ernst. I will not lie and say that I am glad you have the panels. I wanted them. But a part of me is joyous they are safe and intact. I always feared the Soviets would locate them. They are no better than Gypsies when it comes to preserving treasure.”
”Father and I both felt the same. The Soviets allowed such a deterioration of the amber that it is almost a blessing the Germans stole it. Who knows what would have happened if the Amber Room's future had been left to Stalin or Khrushchev? The Communists were far more concerned with building bombs than preserving heritage.”
”You propose some sort of truce?” Monika asked.
Suzanne almost smiled at the b.i.t.c.h's impatience. Poor darling. No unveiling of the Amber Room lay in her future.
”That is exactly what I desire.” Loring turned. ”Suzanne, if you please.”
She stood and walked to the study's far corner. Two pine cases rested on the parquet floor. She carried them by rope handles to where Franz Fellner sat.
”The two bronzes you have admired so greatly all these years,” Loring said.
Suzanne lifted the lid to one of the crates. Fellner fished the vessel from a bed of shredded cedar and admired it in the light. Suzanne knew the piece well. Tenth century. Liberated by her from a man in New Delhi who stole both from a village in southern India. They remained among India's most coveted lost objects, but had safely rested in Castle Loukov the past five years.
”Suzanne and Christian battled hard for those,” Loring said.
Fellner nodded. ”Another fight we lost.”
”They are yours now. As an apology for what has happened.”
”Herr Loring, forgive me,” Monica said quietly. ”But I make the decisions relative to the club now. Ancient bronzes are intriguing, but they do not hold the same interest for me. I'm wondering how this matter needs to be handled. The Amber Room has long been one of the most sought-after prizes. Are the other members to be told?”
Loring frowned. ”I would prefer the issue remain among us. The secret has stayed safe a long time, and the fewer who know the better. But, under the circ.u.mstances, I will defer to your decision, my dear. I trust the remaining members to keep the information confidential, as with all acquisitions.”
Monika sat back in her chair and smiled, apparently pleased with the concession.
”There is one other item I want to address,” Loring said, this time specifically to Monika. ”As with you and your father, things will eventually change here, as well. I have left instructions in my will that Suzanne shall take over this estate, my collections, and my club members.h.i.+p, once I am gone. I have also left her enough cash to adequately handle any need.”
Suzanne enjoyed the look of shock and defeat that invaded Monika's face.
”She will be the first Acquisitor ever elevated to club members.h.i.+p. Quite an accomplishment, would you not say?”
Neither Fellner nor Monika said anything. Fellner seemed enraptured with the bronze. Monika sat silent.
Fellner laid the bronze gingerly back into the crate. ”Ernst, I consider this matter closed. It is unfortunate things deteriorated as they did. But I understand now. I believe I would have done the same under the circ.u.mstances. To you, Suzanne, congratulations.”
She nodded at the gesture.
”On telling the members, let me consider the situation,” Monika said. ”I'll have an answer for you by June's meeting on how to proceed.”
”That is all an old man can ask, my dear. I will await your decision.” Loring looked at Fellner. ”Now, would you like to stay the night?”
”I think we should return to Burg Herz. I have business in the morning. But I a.s.sure you, the trip was worth the trouble. Before we go, though, may I see the Amber Room one last time?”
”Certainly, old friend. Certainly.”
The ride back to Prague's Ruzyne airport was quiet. Fellner and Monika sat in the Mercedes's backseat, Loring in the pa.s.senger seat next to Suzanne. Several times Suzanne glanced at Monika in the rearview mirror. The b.i.t.c.h's face stayed tight. She was obviously not pleased by the two elder men dominating the earlier conversation. Clearly Franz Fellner was not a man to let go easily and Monika was not the type to share.
About halfway Monika said, ”I must ask your forgiveness, Herr Loring.”
He turned to face her. ”For what, my dear?”
”My abruptness.”
”Not at all. I recall when my father turned over members.h.i.+p to me. I was much older than you and equally determined. He, like your father, found it difficult to let go. But if it is any conciliation, eventually he fully retired.”
”My daughter is impatient. Much like her mother was,” Fellner said.
”More like you, Franz.”
Fellner chuckled. ”Perhaps.”
”I a.s.sume Christian will be told of all this?” Loring said to Fellner.
”Immediately.”
”Where is he?”
”I really do not know.” Fellner turned to Monika. ”Do you, liebling liebling?”
”No, Father. I haven't heard from him.”
They arrived at the airport a little before midnight. Loring's jet waited on the oily tarmac, fueled, ready to go. Suzanne parked beside the aircraft. All four of them climbed out and Suzanne popped the trunk. The plane's pilot clambered down the jet's metal stairs. Suzanne pointed to the two pine cases. The pilot lifted each and moved to an open cargo bay door.
”I had the bronzes packed tight,” Loring said over the whine of the engines. ”They should make the trip with no problem.”
Suzanne handed Loring an envelope.
”Here are some registration papers I prepared and had certified by the ministry in Prague. They should be of a.s.sistance if any customs officials make an inquiry at the landing strip.”
Fellner pocketed the envelope. ”I rarely have inquiries.”
Loring smiled. ”I a.s.sumed as much.” He turned to Monika and embraced her. ”Lovely to see you, my dear. I look forward to our battles in the future, as I am sure Suzanne does.”
Monika smiled and kissed the air above Loring's cheeks. Suzanne said nothing. She knew her role well. An Acquisitor's place was to act, not speak. One day she'd be a club member and could only hope her own Acquisitor conducted himself or herself similarly. Monika gave her a quick disconcerting glance before climbing the stairs. Fellner and Loring shook hands, then Fellner disappeared into the jet. The pilot slammed the cargo doors shut and hopped up the stairs, closing the hatch behind him.
Suzanne and Loring stood as the jet taxied toward the runway, the warm air from its engines rus.h.i.+ng past. They then climbed into the Mercedes and left. Just outside the airport, Suzanne stopped the car on the side of the road.
The sleek jet shot down the darkened runway and arched into the clear night sky. Distance masked any sound. Three commercial jets rolled across the tarmac, two arriving, one leaving. They sat in the car, necks c.o.c.ked to the right and up.