A faint curve tugged at her lips. “You’ll also handle calls and emails. You’ll need to know exactly where every piece is. Order is everything.”
“Do I have to clean too?”
She shook her head. “No. We use a trusted cleaning company. Two women, Linda and Marlen. Their schedule is posted on the pinboard.” She nodded toward the noticeboard across the room.
I turned. It was crowded with notes, postcards, and scraps.
“It might look chaotic at first,” she said, “but there’s a system. And one more thing—there’s no cash in this shop. No direct sales. Everything goes through Mr. Miller’s company. Your job is to keep the collection safe and in order. Your hours will be flexible. The only times you must be punctual are for scheduled appointments. And if you want to step out, there are places nearby to grab lunch.”
“This is exactly what I wanted,” I said.
“And you don’t mind being alone here?”
“It’s what I prefer.”
“Good. Tomorrow I’ll walk you through everything, give you your card and your contract. You can take the contract home, read it at your own pace, and only sign it if everything feels right to you. I’ll stay with you for two weeks, then I must leave.”
I hesitated. “What’s the salary?”
Her expression softened with understanding. “Base pay is $3,500 a month. It can increase, especially if you take on special assignments.”
“That’s fair. I’m excited to start.”
She stood. “Mr. Miller should come by in the next few days to meet you, if his schedule allows.”
“I can imagine he’s busy.” I rose too.
“Tomorrow I’ll show you the downstairs level, where we keep the most valuable pieces. Upstairs, there’s a small library.”
“You have a library?” My voice rose with unguarded excitement. “This keeps getting better. I can’t wait to see it.”
“I would’ve shown it today, but I have too much to finish. An artifact is being picked up in an hour, a shipment of books is arriving, and I need to prepare your contract.” She extended her hand. “Miss Elfhorn, it’s been a pleasure. I’m relieved to have found someone fit for this place so quickly.”
“Thank you, Ms. Stonfeld.”
“Tomorrow, 9 a.m.?”
“That works perfectly.”
Beatrice pressed a red button beside the door, and the lock clicked. The two guards turned at the sound.
“Rick. Marlon.” She addressed them by name. “Miss Elfhorn will be back tomorrow at nine. She’ll be taking my place. Inform the others and send them a copy of her ID.”
“Got it, Ms. Stonfeld,” said the man in sunglasses. Both men gave me a quick once-over before returning to their watch.
“The bodyguards rotate,” Beatrice said. “There’s an apartment nearby where they eat or rest.”
“And if they need the bathroom?”
“The apartment is just around the corner. They manage it themselves. Don’t worry about it.”
“And at night?”
“The system is automated. Deactivated during the day, armed the moment the shop closes.”
I nodded, absorbing every word.
“See you tomorrow, Miss Elfhorn.”
