Page 20 of Claim the Dragon
“We have an automated system that’s monitored by a global company.They came out a few years ago and ran wire on every window and around the doors.But I’ve made some, ah, upgrades to the place since then and I’ve just been reminded that I need to pay more attention to my security.”
That didn’t sound good.“How’ve you been reminded?”
“A week ago tomorrow someone broke into my house and stole a very valuable item and once I reported the crime to the enforcers, they suggested I upgrade my security with a new system and possibly armed guards.That, or buy a guard dog.”
The ends of the man’s lips lifted, an edge lacing his tone.But before Steele could pay more attention to either, he repeated the senator’s words.
“Someone broke into your house?”He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a notepad and pen.He rarely needed to take notes during a meeting because he always activated the recording mechanism on his communicator before it started, but he’d also found that actually seeing him take notes made clients feel more assured their concerns were being taken seriously.He held the pen over the paper but already knew the date the man was going to reply with.
“Yes, last Friday evening.I’m not sure of the exact time because my personal assistant, whom you’ve just met, left for the evening at seven.I was away on a business trip and did not return until Saturday night.That’s when I realized I’d been robbed.”The man crossed one leg over the other and stared contemplatively out the window located behind the chair where Steele sat.
“What did they steal?”Visions of the Egyptian dagger immediately formed in his mind, along with a picture of one very attractive thief.
Robles looked at him.“A thirty-four-hundred-year-old dagger worth at least half a million dollars.”
“Did you keep it in a safe?”Steele asked without missing a beat.He knew he should act a little more surprised at the price or perhaps the age of the dagger, but he’d never been one to mince words.
Robles shook his head slowly.“No.No.I had a case made especially for the piece.It was shatterproof glass and it sat on top of an unmovable pillar.The glass was supposed to be sealed to the pillar.”
Steele watched the man carefully.“How did you plan to get it out when you wanted to?”
“I was told the case had a fingertip-sensitive latch and that my fingerprint was the only one that could open it.I know now that was a lie because the glass and latch were still in place, but the dagger was taken.”
“Was the piece insured?And why would you have something that valuable in your home?Are you a collector?”
Steele found no real interest in politicians.Over the years and living in many places, they’d all eventually yielded their beliefs to the lure of power.Weak, unimaginative and troublesome was how he viewed them.
“I hold a degree in archaeology.It’s my first love, but politics paid the bills.There’s a big archaeologists’ convention taking place in the city beginning tomorrow and lasting through next week.I had plans to invite several professionals in the field over for a private showing.”
“You were going to invite several people to a house that’s barely secure to see a half-million-dollar dagger.”Steele’s words were curt as ire rose steadily within him, stirring the beast.
Robles slammed a hand down on the arm of the chair.“I am a prominent citizen of this city and a very powerful person within this state.I did not expect anyone to be brazen enough to break into my home.”
Then you’re a powerful idiot.
The words rumbled behind lips Steele focused hard to keep closed.
“How did you come to be in possession of such an expensive artifact?”He left out the wordcursedon a hunch this human didn’t care to hear the word any more than Ravyn had.
“It was gifted to me.”
“And you planned to keep it here in your house forever, or did you intend to sell it?”
Robles looked uncomfortable.Steele was asking pointed questions because he wanted real answers.The fact that a senator—however wealthy in his own right—would come into possession of such an item and have it here in his house was a little tough to swallow.There had to be more to it, especially since the dagger carried a death curse for anyone who owned it.
“I planned to add it to my collection, yes.There is no crime in that.And I do not appreciate being spoken to as if I’m the one who has done something wrong.”
Shit!That’s exactly how he was talking to the guy.
Reminding himself again that this was part of his job—the real, paying job he had—Steele cleared his throat.
“I’d like to tour the house and take a look at the system you already have set up.After that I can map out what you’ll likely need to further safeguard your collection.I can have a report and quote to you no later than tomorrow at noon.”
“And what am I supposed to do until then?The conference starts tomorrow, and I hope to have the dagger back in place by Sunday for a dinner party.But I certainly don’t want to take the chance that someone can walk in and walk out with it again if I did.”
Which was something the guy should have thought about when he first brought the dagger into his private residence.That was the type of item that belonged in a museum, closely guarded.Or better yet, it should have never been removed from the tomb of King Tutankhamun.What kind of morbid souls went around breaking into graves and stealing everything out of them?Obviously, humans.
“The most immediate suggestion I can offer is to lock everything in a safe until the new security measures are implemented.”From the look on the senator’s face, Steele knew that wasn’t his preference.He could’ve offered a personal guard until the new system was purchased and installed, but he had a feeling the most important piece this guy possessed was already gone.
“Fine.Marona can walk you around.I’ve got to get ready for another meeting.”Robles stood abruptly and Steele followed his lead.
“That would be great.But I just have one more question, sir.If you don’t mind.How do you plan to get the dagger back?”
Robles came to stand closer to Steele.He was half a foot shorter than Steele’s six feet three and a half inches and was easily half Steele’s weight.But he kept his shoulders squared, chin tilted upward, and eyes locked on Steele’s.
“I’ll remind you again of who I am in this state.If that thief is still in Burgess, my private investigators working along with the enforcers will find him and when they do that bastard’s gonna wish he’d never been bold enough to break into my house.”
As threats went, Steele wasn’t in the least impressed.But it didn’t matter, because Ravyn was already marked by the Reaper.According to the preternatural laws, her death was imminent.This human and the other humans that were on his payroll had nothing on the Reaper.So, in the event that his little swap-out with the Reaper hadn’t worked last night, Steele would continue his efforts to keep Ravyn from dying on the roof as his first priority.Making sure this arrogant asshole got a new and very expensive—since he was such a powerful senator—security system was a close second.
