Quantum

47

‘What are you going to do now?’ Sean asked as he pulled his Explorer up to the barn.

‘I’m not sure,’ Nolan replied pensively.

The ride back from Kelsey’s condo had been quiet as Nolan struggled to find some course of action.

‘Dad, you had some jewelry made for Mom, right?’

‘Yes, some rings, a few necklaces, and a charm bracelet.’

‘Do you know what kind of records a jeweler keeps?’

‘Very detailed ones, especially for custom work. Every piece I bought came with an appraisal that described it fully for insurance purposes.’

‘Including the inscriptions?’

‘Yes,’ Sean replied. ‘You think there might still be a record of the ring Wolff bought for Elli?’

‘That’s what I’m going to find out,’ Nolan said as he began walking toward the garage inside the barn.

‘Not like that, you’re not,’ Sean said firmly. ‘Take a quick shower while I pull the Viper around. Do you want me to call Urban’s and let them know you’re coming?’

‘No, I don’t. After this morning, I’m a little worried about announcing my plans publicly.’

‘May I help you?’ an attractive, stylishly dressed woman said, greeting Nolan from behind one of the jewelry shop’s countertop display cases.

‘Yes,’ Nolan replied, introducing himself. ‘Is the owner in? My grandfather is an old friend of the family, and I’d like to have a word with him.’

‘Yes, he is. I’ll see if he can come up front.’

Nolan saw that behind the main display area, the shop split into two levels, each a half flight of stairs up or down from where he stood. The woman descended to the lower level and disappeared behind a gray metal door. A moment later she reappeared, followed by a blond man wearing a light blue smock.

‘Mr Kilkenny, a pleasure to meet you. When your grandfather was in a few weeks ago for your grandmother’s birthday present, he mentioned that you might be in the market for an engagement ring soon. What can I do for you?’

‘No rings today, unfortunately. What I’m looking for is a little information. Do you still have your father’s records?’

‘Of course. I still see a few of his pieces from time to time for cleanings and repairs, that sort of thing. Why do you ask?’

‘Well, I’m looking for the details about a ring your father made back in the fall of 1948. I’m trying to find out what was inscribed on the ring.’

‘If my dad didn’t pitch it, then it should still be down in the files. What’s the customer’s name?’

‘Johann Wolff.’

‘Wait here a minute, and I’ll see what I can do.’

The jeweler disappeared into the shop’s lower level, leaving Kilkenny alone in the glittering display area.

‘Excuse me,’ the saleswoman said, ‘but while you’re waiting, would you like to take a look at our ring selection? We’ve just completed a new series of rings that are simply stunning.’

‘Why not?’

Nolan looked down at the felt-covered tray of beautifully crafted rings, each a unique work of art. Simple gold bands gave way to more complex geometries; stones ran the gamut from traditional diamonds to more playful displays of brilliant gems.

‘I think I found what you’re looking for,’ the jeweler announced as he climbed up from the lower level.

He laid an old brown file folder on the glass display case, next to the tray of rings Nolan had browsed. He opened the file to a yellowed page of handwritten notes.

‘The customer was Johann Wolff, a referral of your grandfather’s. In December of 1948, Mr Wolff purchased a fourteen-karat yellow gold engagement ring. The ring was an original design. The style of the ring was a heavy band, high polish. The ring was inscribed as follows…’

The jeweler flipped through the next few pages until he reached a sheet of graph paper that contained a long string of numbers.

‘Not terribly romantic, as far as inscriptions go, is it?’ the jeweler opined.

‘No, but it’s exactly what I’m looking for,’ Nolan replied. ‘Can I get a copy of this?’

‘Sure.’

‘Another thing. After I leave, put that file in your safe.’

‘Why?’

‘The people who shot up the street in front of your store on Wednesday are also looking for this. If anyone else comes in here asking about this ring, tell them you gave the file to me.’

As he walked out of the store, Nolan pulled out his phone and pressed the speed dial for Grin.

‘Yo, this is Grin.’

‘Hey, Grin, it’s Nolan. Do you have any of the image files from Wolff’s notebooks handy?’

‘I got a couple of Zip disks in my backpack.’

‘Great, bring them with you. I’m downtown right now. Meet me out at my place in half an hour. I’ll fill you in on the rest when you get there.’