Lauren tapped the glass case with one finger. “This piece will go for an extraordinary sum. Maybe he needs the money more at this point. If you were to flip the pectoral over, you’d see that the gold backing is engraved with every detail you see on the front, right down to the dozens of individual falcon feathers. This was a trademark of Middle Kingdom jewelry, especially for royals. The only person who would know about that gorgeous detail would be the wearer, and that was enough. Truly remarkable.”
The next case held a charming bracelet ringed with gold-encased scarabs the size of her thumb, linked side by side. “You’ve seen scarabs at the Met. They are the most common amulets of ancient Egypt, so they aren’t all that valuable by themselves. But these aremade of lapis lazuli and framed in gold, so it will fetch a pretty price, although a fraction of what that necklace will.”
They moved among the tables, and she filled in any details not written on the description cards. He took notes as studiously as though he were to be tested on the material.
“I’ve always thought the ancient Egyptians were obsessed with death,” Joe mused aloud.
“You miss the point,” Lauren told him. “They were obsessed with life.”
“The afterlife, you mean.”
“Isn’t that life, too? It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that there is more to life than the years we spend on earth. But the Egyptians never forgot it. They started building their tombs as soon as they had enough resources to begin. They spent more money on their comforts during the afterlife than they did for this one.”
Ridges formed across Joe’s brow. “And I’ve always thought that was a little sad.”
“I know what you mean, and obviously, I don’t share their polytheistic religion,” Lauren said. She believed in one true God, even if He had felt distant at times, especially during her turbulent teenage years. “The fact that the Egyptians believed in many things to save and protect them doesn’t really set them apart from our culture today, though, when you think about it.”
Joe lowered his pencil and notebook. “Go on.”
“What do New Yorkers put their trust in? For some, it’s wealth. Status. Others idolize happiness and use whatever means they can to achieve it, but it won’t satisfy. When anyone makes their own happiness the ultimate goal, no matter the cost...”
“It never ends well. You’re right. Most crimes are committed for selfish reasons.”
“Exactly. All that to say, I’ve learned many things from Egyptology, not the least of which is the idea that what we do in this life matters in the next. That we should be preparing ourselves for what comes after. Death isn’t the end of life—it’s really the beginning of our eternity.”
Lauren’s mother had not been well enough to bring her to church on a regular basis, but she taught her from the Bible at home. Among the truths they clung to was that they would meet again in heaven, where there were no tears or pain or sorrow.
Joe looked at her with a compassion she’d rarely known. “I’m so sorry about your mother. You’ll see her again.”
Lauren wondered if she’d spoken her thoughts aloud before realizing she hadn’t needed to. Joe had been there for her when her mother died, when Lauren was fifteen. Were it not for his support, the weight of her grief would have crushed her.
She squeezed his hand in gratitude and felt a measure of that comfort all over again.
Guests began to arrive, and Lauren watched for people she knew. “There’s Newell St. John,” she said. “Have you spoken with him?”
“I tried. He’s still sore about what we discovered and with me in particular. I hope he doesn’t poison the rest of the guests here against me.”
“You’ll need to tread more carefully if you’re going to get any cooperation from others.”
“You know I’ve always been a straight shooter.”
“Yes, and you’re shooting yourself straight in the foot.” She glanced away, smiled at someone, and turned back. “Come, you’ll want to meet Victoria Vandermeer and her husband, Miles.”
“Is she the one wearing a gold arm cuff and—what is that on her head?”
Lauren smiled. “Let’s call it a headband. But yes, that’s the one. The Vandermeers are extremely generous with the Met, but they offend easily. So we won’t lead with the fact that we’re looking for fakes. Just like St. John, they’d be insulted at the insinuation.”
“Touchy lot, these artsy types,” Joe mumbled.
Lauren didn’t deny it. “If you’re going to earn these people’s trust, you’ll have to put in the time to listen to their small talk. Ready to be charming?”
He flashed her a dazzling smile in response, and she held back a laugh as she led him to meet the couple.
“It’s so good to see you again,” she began and, with practiced ease, introduced Joe to Victoria and Miles.
“When Miles and I heard about a new, exclusive society, we just had to come and learn all about it,” Victoria gushed. “How many people received an invitation to this gala, do you know?”
All it took after that was a few questions from Joe, and Lauren knew Victoria could talk for another twenty minutes without stopping. Miles nodded and smiled beside her, a reflection of light bobbing on his spectacles. He was taller than his wife by five inches, but she owned the larger personality by far.
