Family Jewels

60

On the appointed day, Stone sat at his desk and stared at his computer screen, which contained an image of the sale room at Sotheby’s. Jamie Niven was at the lectern, and behind him, projected on a screen, was a detail of Klimt’s Woman in Gold painting, showing a close-up of the necklace.

“And now,” Jamie said, “we have the pièce de résistance of today’s sale — the Bloch-Bauer necklace seen in the Klimt painting behind me.”

The phone on Stone’s desk buzzed, and Joan came on. “Sotheby’s for you.”

Stone pressed the speaker button. “Hello?”

The voice of a young woman. “Is this a customer ready to bid?”

“It is.”

“May I have your customer number, please?”

Stone recited it to her.

“Are you ready to bid?”

“I am.”

“Please confirm that your bidding will be capped at ten million dollars.”

“Confirmed.” Stone could see the young woman as she spoke at a table near Jamie Niven.

“This may be the most famous piece of jewelry in the world,” Jamie was saying. “One of a kind, made by Bijoux Blume of Paris, in 1899. It is very nearly beyond price, but who will offer me five million dollars?”

The bidding began and quickly rose at first, in steps of a million dollars, then half a million.

“I have ten million five hundred thousand dollars,” Jamie said.

Stone’s heart sank.

“Who will bid eleven million?”

The young woman came back on the phone. “Bidder, do you wish to increase your bid?”

Stone gulped. “Eleven million dollars,” he said.

“I have eleven million dollars,” Jamie said. “Anything further?” He raised his gavel. “Last opportunity.” He brought down the gavel. “Sold to a telephone bidder for eleven million dollars!”

The audience in the room burst into applause, and Stone fanned himself with a legal pad while he did some arithmetic. He buzzed Joan.

“Yes?”

“Call my broker and tell him to remove twelve million, six hundred and fifty thousand dollars from my money market account to my checking account.”

“There’s a fax from Sotheby’s coming in now, asking for that amount and giving wiring instructions.”

“Type up a letter to my bank instructing them to wire the funds, and fax it to them.”

“Right.”

Stone sat for a few minutes, still breathing hard. He looked at the invitation on his desk to a White House dinner.

Joan buzzed. “Your banker on the line.”

Stone picked up the phone. “This is Stone Barrington.”

“Mr. Barrington, I have received a fax on your letterhead instructing me to wire the sum of twelve million, six hundred and fifty thousand dollars to Sotheby’s. Do you authorize this transaction?”

“I authorize it,” Stone said.

“Thank you. The wire will go out within the hour.”

Stone hung up, and Joan buzzed him immediately. “Jamie Niven on one.”

Stone pressed the button. “Good morning, Jamie.”

“Good morning, Stone, and congratulations! You’ve done very well for the Fiske estate.”

“Thank you, Jamie, and my compliments on your conduct of the sale.”

“Frankly, I thought it would go for nine million, maybe nine and a half.”

“Fortunately, you had an idiot for a bidder. I’ve already instructed my bank to wire you the funds.”

“We thank you for prompt payment. What disposition of the necklace would you like me to make?”

“You may messenger it to me at my office.”

“It shall be done.” The two men said goodbye and hung up.

Joan buzzed. “Holly Barker on one.”

“Hello?”

“Good morning. I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow, and I’ve arranged the appointment you requested. The gentleman will be at the White House at five-thirty tomorrow. I’ll meet you at the West Wing entrance and take you to him.”

“Thank you.”

“What is this all about, Stone?”

“You will know soon enough, but not too soon.”

“Will your business take more than an hour? We’re due in the family quarters at six, for drinks.”

“I think not. We won’t keep the Lees waiting.”

“I’ll see you then.” They hung up.

Joan buzzed again. “A Sheriff Raimundo Martinez on line two.”

Stone pressed the button. “Ray? How are you?”

“Very well, Stone. Last week I received a letter from the New York district attorney, offering my county first position for the prosecution of two people for the murder of Carrie Fiske.”

“Congratulations.”

“I’ve got ahold of a state airplane, and I’m going to complete the extradition in New York tomorrow. If you’re around, I’ll buy you a drink first.”

“I’d like that, but I’m on my way to Washington, D.C., tomorrow for a dinner.”

“In that case, all I have to do is to thank you for all your help in catching these people.”

“You’re very welcome, Ray, and if you’re ever in New York again, I’ll take you up on that drink.” The two men said goodbye and hung up.

Joan appeared at the door. “I got a call from Sotheby’s. There are two armed guards on the way over here with the necklace.”

“That was fast,” Stone said. “I guess they wanted to get rid of it as soon as possible.”