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This is the second story in Jenn Rekka’s Rediscovered series, following Last Assault on Oak Island.
New chapters to Room of Fire will soon be released weekly.
Lauren went to lunch at the smaller patio after surveying the porcelain collections. Her companions were Lady Eldicott, whom she preferred to Madame Chatillier, and Elden and Carlos. The conversation was what she deemed inconsequential, concerning the rivalry of German cobalt and Copenhagen blue plates at the turn of the twentieth century, until Lady Eldicott complained of a headache from the early afternoon sun and dismissed herself.
"A very persistent woman. You'll have your hands full bidding against her," Carlos said to Elden after the woman had left. He settled closer to the table, glancing askance to the nearby table where Reuben sat alone. His voice dropped as he looked to Elden. "You found the piece Marlon sent us."
Elden's eyes rolled briefly. "Gustalav has enough priceless objects tucked away to open a few museums," he said with envious admiration. "I even heard he's selling two Faberge Eggs that have been listed as unaccountable since the 1920s. The two he favors least, if you can believe that attitude."
Lauren glanced to Reuben on impulse and returned his quick smile. She looked back to Elden and Carlos. "Maybe that's another of Reuben's interests."
Carlos nodded. "Could very well be."
They paused again as an attendant served the fruit compote. Elden continued when the server was gone. "Gustalav isn't auctioning everything. He sort of feels out the guests, see if he wants to show them his real valuables. Originally I came here to assess the Caldwell Collection, forerunners of the Belleek House." He nodded to Lauren as she tasted the compote, burning her tongue. "That was the white we saw this morning," he said. "Anyway, I gave my appraisal, which seemed to please the Duke, because he took me down to the vault where he had two more outstanding collections." His elbows rested on the glass-topped wicker table as he leaned over the fruity dish. "I found it there, between a track of deep gouges in the floor. Like something heavy had been dragged through. I put it in my pocket when Gustalav went to speak with some workmen in another room." A helpless expression leased his features. "I didn't know what it was, so I washed it off later. Marlon said that was a mistake."
Carlos nodded, but not in agreement. He took out his pipe, looked at his watch, and placed the pipe back in his jacket pocket.
"I'm sure it was not recognizable for what it was, Elden," he said kindly. "When the Nazis looted the Catherine Palace at Tsarskoye Selo—the Czar's Village, outside St. Petersburg—during World War Two, they took special care when packing the Amber Chamber panels. The walls were taken apart and each piece of carved amber was wrapped in cigarette paper with its location carefully marked for later assembly. It was reconstructed and put on display in a Königsberg castle, present day Kaliningrad. Every panel was complete and intact until the British bombing of 1944, when the chamber disappeared in the turmoil of war. Our lab found residue of the cigarette paper and traces of potassium-carbonate."
He looked at his watch and stood.
Lauren was disappointed. "Already?"
Carlos nodded. "We can finish this later, Elden. We're to view the manuscripts now."
Elden rose when Lauren did.
Carlos said lowly to her, "If he gets an opportunity to go into the vault again, see if you can accompany him. It may be our only chance."
She nodded and looked to Elden. "Can that be arranged?"
"If that's what it takes to share your company," he said agreeably, a grin coming to his eyes.
She smiled.
Carlos took her arm. "You two can be chummy later," he said with mock irritation.
Elden reclaimed his seat as they left and found himself locking stares with Reuben at the other table. The dark-haired man's face was unreadable, but Elden easily understood his expression as Reuben turned to watch Lauren go into the chateau.
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#treasure #amber #AmberRoom #AmberChamber #mystery #WorldWarTwo #WorldWarII #LostArtwork #history
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