Page 34 - Just Deserts

Excessories

Ms. Childe rushed into the opening. “And do you have any of
those older pieces here?”
Pontebroglio sighed. “As a matter of fact, we do have one
extremely rare piece of jewelry into which a large number of ivory
beads has been worked. It is our policy not to put such objects out
on display because some of our clientele might not understand the
finer legal points of its provenance.”
The woman frowned. “You mean they would think it was new,
that it had been smuggled into this country?”
“Exactly.” He smiled. “And I thank you for being sensitive to
Excessories’ position. In the case of the item in question, we have a
further complication: as you are no doubt aware, many countries
have begun demanding the return of art objects which they consider
national treasures—regardless of the fact that they were sold and
exported in good faith.”
Her expression said otherwise, but Ms. Childe replied, “Of course.
And isn’t it terrible! Do they even offer to repay the purchase price
and the other costs?”
“Not always.” He shook his head slowly. “But as far as I know,
the Peoples Republic of Rasgullah has never made a fuss over the
regalia of its former supreme chieftain. They are attempting to
implement a socialist revolution over there, as you know, and the
new government would like to purge all memory of the monarchy
from the public mind. Getting the United Nations involved in
repatriating the symbols of divine kingship would not be in their
interest, particularly since a large segment of the Rasgullan people
believe that supernatural power resides in these ornaments.”
“Really,” breathed Selma Childe, pupils dilating. “How interesting!
But if this piece is legally yours, you should be able to sell it,
shouldn’t you?”
“Most assuredly, my dear Ms. Childe. We are a business, after all:
not a museum.” And he grinned briefly, with wolfish
conspiratoriality. “Would you like to see it? It’s not the sort of thing I
would show to every client. I’m sure you’ll agree that it takes a certain
panache to wear a piece like this.”
He turned to a large hardwood cabinet behind his desk and slid a
panel on it sideways. Revealed was the door of a substantial steel safe.
33