Page 53 of Blood and Bonbons

I shot Vena a look over my shoulder. Her wardrobe choice was going to get us into trouble once Cross figured out what she’d done.

“I’m in need of currency,” Cross said.

“What are you offering?” the man asked.

“A trade. How many papers will you give me for a gold coin?”

“Papers?”

“You know. Cash,” I said.

“I guess it depends on the coin. Right now, the gold rate is about fifty per gram. After my cut, you’re looking at thirty. If you’re looking to trade it for the value of the coin, I’d have to know the dates and such.”

“He’ll be able to give you a more accurate estimate if you show him a coin,” I said to Cross.

Cross dug into his tight pants, wincing a little when the fabric pulled across his pleasure python. He withdrew a single gold coin the size of a dime and placed it on the counter. Both the broker and I leaned in to look at it.

The symmetry of the disc was a bit off as well as the placement of the stamp. While I knew Cross was old, this coin proved exactlyhowold.

The man glanced at it and then at Cross. “Is this legit?”

Cross looked at me. “Legit?”

I nodded to the man. “Yes. It’s real.”

He picked it up and inspected it with a magnifying glass. “Damn. Well. Um. I can give you two hundred for it.” A bead of sweat sprouted at his brow.

I didn’t know the value of the coin, but from his reaction, I knew he was attempting to cheat us.

“Try again,” I said.

More sweat popped up. “Four hundred. Best offer.”

I plucked the coin from his hand. “Thanks for your time.”

Taking Cross by the arm, I turned us toward the door.

“Wait!” the guy said. “I don’t have the capital to buy it, but I know a collector who has an interest in coins like this. Let me send him a picture of the coin. Whatever he says, I’ll only ask for a percentage as the broker.”

“How much of a percentage?” I asked.

“Twenty.”

I scoffed.

“That’s my going rate. I need to make a living.”

“I know jack about coins, but I know to question the way you’re trying to stop us from leaving. If that coin's worth a million, two hundred grand for making a phone call is pretty hefty for a daily wage. We’re not interested in paying a brokerage fee. I think we’d be better off finding an online auction site.”

I turned again.

“You’re killing me,” the guy said. “Okay, okay! Two percent.”

I glanced at Cross. “It’s your call. He might have a contact; he might not. He might also try to rip you off.”

Cross gave the man a look that would have chilled me to the bone.

“I recommend against trying to rip anything from me. Take your picture,” he said, returning to set the gold coin on the counter.

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