Family Jewels

37

Stone and Gala got home fairly late, and as they walked into the master suite, the phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Good evening, Mr. Barrington.”

“Well, if it isn’t what’s his name.”

“That’s unkind.”

“I meant it to be. What do you want this time?”

“It was unfriendly of you to bar me from my former home. I still have my key.”

“Your key now opens exactly nothing. All the locks in all three residences have been changed.”

“Now, why would you do that? I desire only to collect a few of my things.”

“I’ve had a good look around the apartment, and there isn’t so much as a necktie that’s yours. Carrie had it swept of your belongings and shipped them all to you.”

“She neglected to ship an objet I gave her as a wedding present.”

“Do you not understand the word ‘present,’ as in gift? When you have made someone a present, it no longer belongs to you.”

“It does if she doesn’t want it. Carrie told me she would return the gift, but she didn’t.”

“Perhaps because of her untimely death,” Stone pointed out.

“I tell you again, I had nothing to do with her death.”

“Don’t tell me, tell the police. I’m sure they’ll apologize for all the bother and send you on your way with a pat on the back.”

“She said she would return it to me.”

“When was this?”

“A couple of weeks ago.”

“May I remind you that she made a new will after that date that is a full and well-expressed listing of her intentions toward you and there is zero reference in it of returning anything.”

“It would be much simpler for everyone if you would just return the necklace to me.”

“What kind of necklace?”

“A choker of diamonds and rubies.”

“And what is the provenance of this necklace?”

“It was left to me by my grandfather.”

“Then, of course, you can prove that by sending me a copy of his probated will.”

“I’m afraid I can’t lay my hands on it, just at the moment.”

“I rather thought not. And how did your grandfather acquire the necklace?”

“He obtained it while traveling in Europe many years ago.”

“How many years ago?”

“Around 1945.”

“I seem to recall that Europe was gripped by a widespread unpleasantness in that year. Tell me, what did your grandfather do in the war?”

“He was a sergeant in the 506th Parachute Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division.”

“And where in Europe, exactly, did he obtain the necklace?”

“In southern Germany.”

“Under what circumstances?”

“It was among a number of items confiscated from a private residence.”

“I wonder if I can guess whose residence. Let me see, was he a large figure in the Nazi party? Am I warm?”

“You obviously know whom I am talking about.”

“Obviously. Now, back to provenance. How did Herr Goering acquire the necklace?”

“My grandfather was unable to ask him, as he had already fled the premises.”

“Well, let me fill you in. Goering got it from the Gestapo, who stole it, along with other belongings of certain families.”

“I have heard that opinion expressed.”

“Well, your grandfather should have been charged with, first, grand theft, and then with receiving stolen goods.”

“Be that as it may...”

“So you are asking the return of stolen property that you had given to someone else?”

“That is an uncharitable view.”

“Well, speaking as an attorney, I can tell you that you have no legal basis whatever for any claim on the necklace.”

“It seems such a small thing to ask.”

“How small? What value do you put on the necklace?”

“I concede that it is valuable.”

“How valuable. Go on, tell me.”

“I had it appraised once and was told it might bring a million dollars at auction.”

“And who told you that?”

“An auction house.”

“Which auction house?”

“It doesn’t matter. Perhaps I should tell you that the necklace is a copy of the one you are thinking of.”

“Is that why you whipped up that little piece of forgery about Carrie’s grandfather having the necklace made in 1946?”

“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean. I am not a forger.”

“Well, if the document isn’t a forgery, it means that Carrie’s grandfather ordered the copy made in 1946, and it eventually ended up as a bequest to Carrie?”

“Well, ah...”

“Oh, no, that story would make a liar of you, wouldn’t it? If the document wasn’t a forgery, you didn’t give the necklace to Carrie as a wedding present.”

“Now, listen...”

“No, Mr. Biggers, you listen. You have burned your bridges in every possible direction. Now stop bothering me, and give yourself up to the police.” Stone hung up.

“Him again?” Gala asked.

“The son of a bitch won’t leave me alone.”