Mi Carino (4 page)

“
I think we should get him to do it in the gallery. Think about it. The world’s attention will be focused on our place. We’d have a non-profit event that will bring in the customers by the truckload.”

“
He’d never agree. Every museum in the country worth its salt is vying for it.”

“
Working on that. Which is why we need this Egyptian funerary. If we can get it authenticated and have Bailey do a great article on it then Katchner might agree. Don’t you see? This is a perfect plan.”

“
It’s a stretch. If the funerary is real Richard’s client is going to want at least a half mil for it. We don’t have it in the budget to gamble with sweetheart. I’m sorry. Besides why would Katchner choose our small gallery?” Susan said.

“
He’s very protective of his discovery and mistrustful of everyone. He faced some harsh criticism before the fossil was dated. I think he’d be open to it. I need your support not skepticism.”

“
Hey!” Susan grabbed Marcella by the sleeve and forced her to stop. “Look at me. I get that you’re driven. You’ve done a hell of a lot for Garrett and Garrison’s in three short years. The thing with Bailey will settle. You don’t have to do anything for or with Richard if you don’t want to.”

“
Huh?” Marcella asked, hugging her coat to her. “What are you talking about now?”

“
I’m talking about the rules you live by. The ones that make you think that being twenty-four means you have to be some great antiquities world rock star? Look around you Marcella. Life is passing you by. I’ve tried to get you to come out and you refuse. Then Richard the Snake calls and you’re meeting with him. Is this about Garrison’s or are you making an excuse to see Richard again?”

“
Oh not this again.” Marcella walked away. “Of course not. This is business!” She tossed back over her shoulder. “You haven’t heard a word I said.”

“
I did. I’m worried about you. We could have had a great time at Nava. I have a friend—.”

“
No thanks.” Marcella waved Susan off, dodging pedestrian traffic on the cramped sidewalk.

Susan nearly stepped on a Yorkshire off his leash. Instead she collided with the owner. Marcella stopped to see her friend bat her long lashes at the tall hunky dark skinned guy, before he gave her a sly smile and ran after his pooch.

“
Would you come on and stop flirting?” Marcella chuckled. In a matter of minutes she’d let go of her anger. She could never stay mad at Susan for long, and her friend had a point. Richard called and she jumped. She was never this pathetic. Her gaze switched between street messengers on bikes, large passenger busses, cars and cabs, all crammed in afternoon traffic heading toward the boardwalk.  

“
There it is.” Susan pointed to the restaurant the meeting would be held at.

It’s amazing that she never noticed the place before now. “How do you know about this?”

“
Girl where there’s food there’s me. Besides the last guy I dated was Brazilian. He loved this place. Remember him? The Carter guy who sucked his tongue between talking, I think he ate his boogers too.”

“
Okay stop. You made that up.” Marcella laughed.

“
Anyways, he brought me here for lunch one day.” She went through the open door and past the sidewalk sign that said today’s special was cod with yellow rice. The restaurant had a small intimate atmosphere. Spicy aromas assailed her sinuses and colorful portraits along the walls spoke to the Latin theme quite well. Susan pointed to the double doors to the back left of the establishment. “I would imagine the office is there. I think I’ve seen men in suits go in and out of those doors.”

“
Welcome to El Jay’s. How many today?” A petite olive skinned beauty with round brown eyes asked .

“
We have a meeting with Mr. Juarez and Richard Epstein.” Susan volunteered.

The woman’s smile faded. “Oh yes. He’s waiting. This way please.”

Susan glanced back over her shoulder. “Did I say something wrong?”

“
No. Just go.” Marcella shooed her with her hands. There were several diners who looked upon them with scorn as they walked through the restaurant. Marcella tried to pretend not to notice. The tension in the air certainly had more to do with the man they were announced to meet than with them.

Through the double doors she and Susan were directed to the side stairs. They climbed them in silence. The office was off to the left. The door had been left open. Before she crossed over the threshold Richard appeared. All teeth and smiles, he grabbed her hand immediately and kissed it. Susan frowned. Marcella discreetly removed her hand from his. In six months he hadn’t changed much. Richard stood well over six feet and had dark curly hair that was tapered low to sideburns. His face was neatly shaven as always. His clear blue eyes under his straight brow were what captured her first. Now she felt nothing. “You look beautiful Marcie.”

Susan cleared her throat.

Richard smiled. “Susan.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Ravishing as ever. I didn’t know you were coming.”

“
I know you didn’t. Can we get on with this? We have other clients to see,” Susan said.

Richard nodded. “Come with me.”

They followed him through the side door to a very masculine office. The paneling along the walls was a deep mahogany. The bay window to the back of the large office desk gave a very spacious view of the boardwalk. A man of Latin heritage stood behind the desk, staring out at the city. He looked forlorn at the traffic below. In a tailored suit with salt and pepper hair, Juan Juarez wasn’t a tall man. Richard had to address him directly for him to turn away.

“
Juan? This is the collector I told you about. Please meet Marcella Garcia.”

He forced a faint smile to his lips and gave her a nod of respect. Richard introduced Susan and then gestured for everyone to sit. Juan preferred to stand. He walked around the desk to a cabinet. He opened it and removed a small cedar chest. He set it on his desk before them. “Richard tells me that you are interested in purchasing my funerary?”

Marcella found her voice. She realized she hadn’t spoken since she laid eyes on Richard. She sat ramrod straight and ignored the butterflies in her belly from being so close to him. “I only agreed to meet. I’m curious over how you came about such a rare find. These burial artifacts aren’t legally traded.”

“
I assure you I bought it legitimately. It’s from the 26
^th
Dynasty. Please, have a look.” He stepped aside. Marcella glanced to Susan who nodded. She reached in her purse and removed a clean pair of latex gloves, slipped them on, then rose and stepped over to the desk. She could feel Richard’s eyes on her. Again a bout of nervous energy tingled in the pit of her stomach. The figurine was in excellent condition. She could easily fetch half a million dollars for it.

“
Do you have the papers of authenticity?” Marcella asked. She studied the object closely for its weakness before deciding on the best way to handle it. Careful of each end she lifted the funerary from the velvet pillow in the box and held
it
up to the light.

“
Of course.”

“
How much do you want for it?” Susan asked.

“
May I Juan?” Richard spoke from behind her. He rose and stepped uncomfortably close to Marcella’s left. “We’d only ask for about 150.”

Marcella blinked in shock. The thing was worth four times that much. Her radar of distrust spiked. “Why? Why sell it for a third of its value?”

“
I’d like to see the papers for this.” Susan announced. Mr. Juarez hurried to the cabinet. Richard touched Marcella’s shoulder and lowered his voice when he spoke.

“
He needs cash, and he needs it quick. I swear to you it’s legitimate, and a good deal Marcie.”

“
Don’t touch me.” She dropped her left shoulder, his hand fell away. Marcella lowered the figurine into the cedar chest.

“
This was authenticated by the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Cairo, Marcella. It’s legitimate.” Susan announced. She handed Marcella the folder, which she scanned.

“
I’d like to have it tested for authenticity, and I want to know more of its history. How you came to purchase it.”

“
Take it with you. Run all the tests you want. I bought it at an auction. Before that I’m not sure about its original owner.” Juarez looked to Richard for help.

Marcella glanced up. “I’ll need those auction papers as well. I can do a trace on the catalogue number. Susan take it to the gallery please.”

Without hesitation her friend gathered her purse then the box shaped cedar chest. Marcella held tight to the documents. This was indeed the discovery Garrison’s needed. And now she’d have to deal with Richard to purchase it.

“
Can I speak to you alone?” Richard asked.

“
No.” Susan answered.

“
It’s okay. Yes.” Marcella replied. “Meet me outside Susan. I’ll only be a minute. We should have an answer for you by the end of the week Mr. Juarez.”

Juan nodded and returned to the window to stare out of it again. Marcella frowned at the man’s behavior, remembering the tension felt from the hostess that led them to the meeting. Something was going on with this man and she needed to know what. She allowed Richard to lead her out. Susan gave her a warning glance then headed out to meet her as she requested. “Okay the truth Richard. What is this deal you’re trying to arrange?”

“
I’ve missed you.” He touched her arm.

She took a step to the left to avoid any more of his advances. “I’m sure your wife wouldn’t want to hear that.”

“
I left her.” Richard said.

Marcella cringed. The only thing worse than a cheater was a liar. She knew Richard Epstein was both. How she could have ever fallen for the snake was beyond her. Now the jackass expected her to jump over the lame bone he dropped. “I don’t care.” She turned to leave and Richard grabbed her. He caught her by surprise. His hands tightly clasped the sides of her face, and his lips crushed hers. Two or three seconds passed before she came to her senses and shoved him off. Marcella slapped him hard, gasping for breath. “Don’t you ever touch me again!”

“
Marcie, wait!”

She didn’t. In a panic she fled down the stairs. She’d never hit anyone in her life, but if she had a gun she might have used it. The anger and shame she felt had her on the brink of tears. Fearing he’d follow she raced to the front of the restaurant and collided with someone, sending the documents she carried floating to the floor.

“
Ah, oh I’m sorry.” Marcella dropped to gather the scatter, mortified. Her fingers connected with a stranger. Marcella looked up to apologize again but her voice faltered. Her heart pulsed hard. Hooded dark brown eyes studied her out of a tanned face. Sharp black brows, chiseled cheeks and short dark hair that curled around his ears, only added to the firepower of his stare. The man held her stare, mesmerized. His goatee was finely shaven around the most kissable lips, trimming a squared chin. He blinked and her heart fluttered. His hand covered hers and she had to force herself to breathe. Neither of them spoke, until she feared she might drool.