Page 63 of Gem Warfare

“You did,” I insisted, my excitement rising. “I think this is it. I think this is the ruby!”

“My dad didn’t do it,” she said quickly. “I swear.”

“Is he a criminal?” I wondered.

“Only occasionally,” she said. “And never jewels. It’s pure coincidence he was in New York at the time that ruby was stolen. Plus, he’s not smart enough. Whoever stole it is a hundred times smarter than my dad.”

“Maybe not,” I said, thinking about the shallow grave.

“What does the article say?” asked Lily. “Does it name any suspects?”

“It looks like the ruby was the centerpiece of an exhibition of the state jewels and treasures of a small European country called Rachenstein. The jewels were on a year’s tour of major museums, in celebration of the crowning of their new king.” I paused to read ahead, then continued. “New York was their penultimate stop in the US, having already exhibited in Los Angeles and Chicago. Its final stop was due to be in Washington DC before the tour returned to Europe, then home. It seems like it was also a way of encouraging tourism for Rachenstein.”

“Look how cute it is,” said Lily, turning her phone. She’d opened to Instagram and ran her finger down the screen, showing picture after picture of pretty castles surrounded by spring flora, quaint cottages against an array of snow-capped towering conifers, and cobbled streets bordered with pretty boutiques.

“Girls’ trip?” suggested Ruby. “Look here, we can get roomsin a renovated library that has wild deer visiting its gardens. How romantic!”

“I’d feel like I was in a Disney film,” I said. “And I’m not complaining. That sounds dreamy.”

“Wait until you see the cocktail menu,” said Ruby, “and they serve afternoon tea.”

“Tell us more about the ruby and then ask Solomon if we can take an all-expense paid trip to Rachenstein for research,” said Lily.

“I don’t think he’ll go for that,” I said.

“Research,” said Lily slowly.

“All three of us?”

“I can take notes,” said Ruby.

“And I’ll drive,” said Lily. “Although it seems they have horse-drawn sleighs in the winter.” She sighed.

I laughed and returned my attention to the article. “So the jewels had their big opening night in a society gala thrown by the museum and the very next day they were gone.”

“How?” asked Ruby.

“It doesn’t say. Only that the museum director was incredulous and the police are following a number of leads. Let me see if I can find more.” I hit the back tab and scrolled to the next article. “Okay. Oh, wow! Here it says the theft caused a huge diplomatic incident with Rachenstein and the exhibition was immediately closed with the announcement that every exhibit remaining would be returned to their country at once.”

I was ready to read through several more articles when the agency number flashed on my phone. “Gotta take this,” I said, half-turning and expecting Lily and Ruby to entertain themselves for a moment. Only they didn’t move an inch. Instead, they waited expectantly. “Hey?” I said.

“I have results for you,” said Lucas. “Not a whole bunch but I have your Gideon Black’s birth records. Mom and Dad listed.Philippine and Charles Black. Mom deceased nine years later, accidental drowning.”

“That much I know from Garrett,” I said. “Not the drowning part, but the dad bit.”

“Yeah, it wasn’t hard to find. No siblings. You asked about a Madeleine and I couldn’t find any in the family history. Mom was French, no family left. She immigrated here a few years prior to her marriage. She worked as a teacher at a private school. Dad has a very patchy work history, nothing of note.”

“So Madeleine is not his sister,” I said, contemplating that. Of course it was another lie. No surprise there.

“Not legally. Definitely not via the mother. Could be unregistered to the father.”

“Or simply a lie. You’re sure there’s definitely no siblings?”

“None, unless they’re unregistered. If I had DNA, I could do some more poking around.”

“Sorry, I don’t have any lying around. The work history… Patchy how?” I asked.

“Black was born into a wealthy family whose fortunes took a nosedive after bad investments and big purchases. Private funds ran out in his early twenties, prior to his marriage. Not through his fault; the dad was profligate. He had a heart attack and died and the widow was left to sell everything to settle debts.”

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