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“If it’s not Native American, then what is it?”
“I can’t tell you much from a picture.”
“Of course you can. You have all you need.”
“I’m going to have to get a close look at it. That is, if you want my help.”
Did she want his help that much?
“I could have the local forest service archaeologist assess it.”
“But you contacted me. Why?” His brusque tone didn’t give her the warm fuzzies.
Something’s going on, that’s why.But how did she tell him she was getting some weird vibes? “Listen, two people have been murdered, and I think their deaths could be related to this. I can’t be sure, but I just didn’t want to turn this over to the wrong person.”
“I’m surprised to hear you think I’m not the wrong person.”
Touché.
“Wait, you’re not turning it over to me either.” He huffed a laugh.
How long could a person hold a grudge? But Terra was one to talk. She weaved her fingers through her damp hair.
“Does the word Janus mean anything to you?”
Silence filled the connection. Before she could ask if he was still there, he spoke.
“In what context, Terra?”
She didn’t miss the hesitation in his tone. Good. That meant she should push it. “In the context of stolen artifacts, what else?”
He heaved a sigh. “The term isn’t used often, but the Janus is a person who facilitates the movement of an illegally trafficked item to the licit world market. Think of the Janus as a portal, the laundering point.”
“Any thoughts on the profile of such a person?”
“Wait, are you suggesting that there’s a Janus connection through Montana?” His voice sounded incredulous.
“You know as much as I do. Maybe the person is here right now. Has a ranch but another home elsewhere. What kind of person am I looking for, Jeremy? A scientist like you? Someone who’s wealthy and is a collector? Or a museum curator? Someone who travels?”
“My answer will depend on the item. I need to see it, Terra. I could drive up to you.”
Wow, he wasn’t kidding. “No, that’s okay.”
“The Janus has many connections, political and social, and probably travels a lot.More than that, this could mean a world market. It could mean ... international collectors. Bigger money.”
There was that word bigger again.
Just as she was thinking, but she didn’t want to believe it. Jeremy had been the right person to ask. “Okay. You have a deal. But I’m coming to you.”
