Free The Black Madonna by Davis Bunn Page A

badge.”
    The sight of Emma’s leather case, combined with the women’s stricken features, left the New York antiques trader very pliant indeed. He made no protest as Storm pulled him to the stairwell leading to the closed upper balcony. “What is the matter?”
    â€œI can’t tell you.” Not and keep hold of what control she had left.
    Emma added, “Our current crisis does not directly affect you or your company.”
    Though in his seventies, Aaron Rausch possessed a certain ravaged handsomeness. His hair was swept back into a mane of silver froth, his clothes impeccable. Where his son Jacob Rausch was New York slick, Aaron Rausch revealed a courtly eastern European veneer. “Forgive me, Ms. Syrrell, but if you can tell me nothing and you have a crisis that does not affect me, then why are we speaking?”
    â€œI want to offer you a take-it-or-leave-it bargain.”
    â€œEvery deal contains a certain amount of what my son likes to call wiggle room.”
    â€œNot this one.” Storm pulled from her purse Raphael Danton’s list of the four items she was to acquire. She passed it over. “Not if you want to acquire any of these. I have been granted an unlimited budget and instructions to pay whatever is necessary to obtain them.”
    He handed back the paper and tried for disinterest. “And your offer is?”
    â€œMy guess is, you’re planning to bid on all four items,” Storm said. “Maybe you came with the same orders as I did. Buy them all for whatever it takes. So it’s in the best interests of both our clients if we reach a compromise.”
    â€œI’ll take the first two.”
    The items were listed in order of descending estimated value. “First and third or second and fourth, that’s your choice.”
    His gaze flickered over and back. “Second and fourth.”
    â€œDone.” Storm stowed the sheet away. “See how easy that was?”
    â€œNow if you ladies will—”
    â€œWait, Aaron, please. We’re not done yet. I told you. My client doesn’t care how much it costs. For all I know, he wants to bid you up, just to have the pleasure of winning no matter what you offer.”
    â€œYou’re bluffing.”
    â€œThat’s what your son thought and look where it got him. I want information, Aaron. That’s why we’re having this conversation. Tell me why this particular auction is so important.”
    â€œI can’t speak for you and your associate. But I represent genuine buyers who—”
    Storm stepped forward, revealing how close she was to the edge. “I’m going to offer truth in exchange for truth. I have a new client, one so wealthy the price of the items I’ve been sent to acquire does not matter. I do not know my client’s name. I am dealing with agents who take pleasure in mystery. I want to know what’s going on.”
    â€œHow on earth could you expect me to tell you that?”
    She clenched herself tight enough to stay calm as she said, “Because my best friend has been killed, and I’m worried it was because of something tied to this auction.”
    â€œThat is why Homeland Security is involved?”
    Emma replied for her. “Maybe. We’re not certain what the parameters are. Or the dangers.”
    â€œYou can’t expect me to divulge confidential information.”
    â€œAnything you can offer is more than I have right now.” Storm fished in her purse. “Do you have a tissue?”
    â€œI’m sorry—”
    â€œHere.” Emma slipped a fresh Kleenex into Storm’s hand.
    â€œPerhaps you ladies might care to sit down?”
    â€œI’m okay here.”
    â€œThe auction. Well.” He shot his cuffs. Patted his silver-fox sideburns. Gathered his dignity. “This sale is under the auspices of the Spanish anticorruption judiciary. For the past ten years, the Costa del Sol has seen