Page 82 of Viktor

Waverly’s senses went on alert, as he held a small box up in the air. She bit her lip as he set it onto an artifact table and lifted the lid. Adam donned a pair of white gloves and reached inside the container. She held her breath as he retrieved the dark acacia handle.

“Go on. Put on some gloves.” He looked to a container on a side table. “Over there.”

Waverly did as she was told and reached for the object. She didn’t usually read objects, but as he placed it into her gloved hands, the wooden item tingled.

“Wow. I can’t thank you enough for this. By any chance, was there a matching case catalogued with the fleam?” she asked, concealing the uncomfortable sensation that crept up her arms.

“I have a call into a museum in Philadelphia. They may have the matching case. I left a message with a friend of mine. As soon as I find out, I’ll let you know.” He stared at Waverly as she inspected it. “I have to admit. This was kind of anticlimactic. Is there something specific you were expecting?”

“Does it have initials?” Greyson inquired, his voice brusque.

“I believe it does,” Adam replied. “There’s not much with the paperwork. Looks like it came to the museum through an anonymous donor who claims to have gotten it at a yard sale.”

Waverly slowly rotated it under the light. Her heart pounded in her chest as she located the letters. B.A.O. “Viktor. Right here.”

“Very good.” Viktor’s expression remained unflappable, feigning indifference. “Is there anything else? We have to catch that flight.”

“Adam, do you have the papers?” she asked as she carefully placed the fleam back into the box. “We need to show chain of ownership.”

“Yes, there are some original sale papers in there,” He pointed to an envelope in the container. “But it’s all documented in detail online. It should all transfer once you approve your acceptance. If you wouldn’t mind…I already sent it to you.”

“Of course.” Waverly pulled out her cell phone, accessing her museum’s secure system and quickly reviewed the documentation. “There. Approved.” She sighed. “I don’t know how to thank you for this, Adam. I thought it was a longshot when I posted.”

He shrugged and checked his phone. “Glad to be of help. Hopefully you can find the matching case. You know how it is with antiques though.”

“Yeah.” She nodded.

“About those initials. B.A.O. Wonder if it was a physician? Strange the fleam and handle got separated.” He pinned her with a stare.

“Sure is. It’s not really my area of expertise,” she hedged. “I’ll reach out to the museum in Philadelphia. If you could give me the name of the curator, you contacted I’ll—”

“Where’d the fleam come from? And why would the art museum want something like this?” Adam asked. “You never did say.”

“Yeah, no, I didn’t. Well, I mean, it’s confidential and all. You know, it’s just one of those things.”

“Sure is.” He nodded with a smile that didn’t match the cold expression in his eyes.

“And these friends of yours?” Adam looked to Viktor, Greyson and Rafe then smiled at Waverly. “They are friends from San Diego? Coming to New York?”

“A girl can never feel too safe in the city,” she replied.

“So, uh, are you sure you don’t have time for dinner? It’s only eight o’clock. I know a great place in the village.”

“I’m so sorry but I’ve got to catch a flight. We’re leaving soon. Taking a private jet. Thankfully.” Waverly gave a nervous laugh and carefully put the lid on the box while continuing to speak. “It’s a long flight. I’m going to have some serious jet lag, right?”

“How about a drink?” Adam closed the distance between them. “We can catch up.”

Waverly heard a loud growl and snapped her head around to Viktor who gave her a cool smile.

“I, uh, I’m sorry. We’ve got to go,” she told him

“Just one drink. I haven’t seen you in years,” he told her, edging closer.

“Dude. She just said it’s negative. Let it rest,” Viktor told him. “We’ve got to go.”

“Waverly. Who are these guys?” Anger flashed in his eyes.

“I’m someone who doesn’t like a lot of questions,” Greyson said, crossing his arms over his chest.