Page 45 of Dead and Gone

"No! I do not! I told you; I'm saving the proceeds to spend on the museum's upkeep and upgrade. I haven't spent a single penny on myself." Perspiration beads his brow. "Wait there."

The curator rises and crosses to the door, and Grayson darts after him. He looks back and shakes his head. "Mr. Wright isn't leaving. He went to his office."

A couple of minutes later, the curator returns with the black tin I discovered on the night Rowan and I investigated the museum. He places the box down and unlocks it with a small key before opening the lid.

Rowan leans across and grabs a fistful of £50notes. "You could buy a lot of biscuits with this."

The curator scowls at his joke. "Every pound is in that tin."

"You expect us to believe you didn’t take a single penny?" Rowan challenges.

Leif crosses his arms, his tone sharp with disbelief. "You really did all this just for the museum?"

"Yes! So, what is the harm? The exhibits look no different, and the museum can remain open." The curator’s voice rises defensively.

"Until the families want their valuable jewelry returned," I reply. "Tell me, how did you know the mole's eyes were rubies? That's a rather unusual discovery to make. Necklaces andbracelets would be an obvious place to take gems from, but who would think to check a taxidermy mole's eyes?"

A witch who knows the truth. And this man is not a witch.

The curator's lips thin. "I examined everything in the museum."

A feeble excuse. I study him, picking up the quickening rhythm of his heartbeat."So, nobody assisted you in locating the eyes?"

"No. I worked alone." He looks me straight in the eye. "Nobody connected to the museum helped. I workalone."

Too much vehemence. He’s not telling the whole truth.

He pokes at the rubies again, his fingers trembling slightly. "How did you know about my scheme? That I hid the jewels in a box while waiting for buyers?” he asks. "I don't understand why you'd look in such a random place.”

"We weren’t searching for jewels. We sensed something unusual when looking at your exhibits." I take the rubies. "We would never have discovered your enterprise if these weren't magical."

"Magical? I thought they were just rubies!" he protests. “And once the mole disappeared, I kept a hold of the gems. I couldn’t sell the rubies because I needed to put the eyes back once the mole was returned.”

I exchange a skeptical look with Rowan.“And the other gems in the box?” he asks.

“I have buyers waiting for the other gems you took, but I’m not selling now. Obviously.” He points at the rubies. “What are they for? Are they dangerous?" The curator's voice changes to genuine curiosity. He wasn't aware at the time—but was somebody else?

"The real meaning of the gems is irrelevant to you.I would like to deal with the status of thestolen gems. I'll need a fullinventory of the museum's collection and a note of every gem you've sold and from which exhibit."

"For whom? The police?" His voice wavers.

“My father. He’ll take the magical rubies, and I imagine he'll re-examine the remaining exhibits and take anything remotely suspicious."

The curator blanches. "You wouldn't involve the police.”

“We'd prefer to resolve this quietly and without others' involvement. No one else needs to know about your... indiscretions, as long as you work with us. Here's what's going to happen." I point at the gems on the table. "You'll return the unsold gems to their rightful places, and we won't report you to the authorities for selling any. In return, you'll help us with our research."

He stares at me. "Research?"

"We have a school history project. Remember? You help us, we help you." No response. "Do you agree to my requests?"

The curator stares at the jewels on the table, and his shoulders sink. He half-nods.

"Very well."

Rowan tips his head up as I stand. "Very well?"

"Mr. Wright agrees he'll return these gems to their original jewelry. We'll keep quiet about the ones sold previously, and he will not report the teens for their misdemeanors." The curator opens his mouth, but I continue, "I suspect a jewel thief would face more trouble than a fumbled blackmail attempt by juvenile delinquents. You have the mole, and I'll give you the beads to replace the eyes with. Case closed."

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