Ivan handed the garment bag to Allison and then inched back toward his chair.
“In final months of Heinrich’s life, he wore coat everywhere he went. It did not matter if weather was hot or cold, that coat never left him. His friends and family asked him why, and he told them it was lucky coat. They were familiar with his ways, so they thought nothing of it. He kept his coat and they kept quiet. This way both parties were happy.”
Ivan sat in his seat and sighed. He thought about things for a moment before he spoke again. “That coat stayed with him until end. He was wrapped in it on day he died in Naples.”
“He died in this coat?” she asked, amazed. “How did you get it?”
“It was given to me by Heinrich’s family. It was token of appreciation for all hard work I did at Hermitage Museum. I fought Russian government for many years to display Priam’s Treasure. That coat was their way of saying thank you. I have cherished it ever since.”
“And I’ll cherish it as well,” she assured him, feeling guilty for taking it.
“I know you will, Allison. Like me, you are true Schliemann fan.”
“About the money,” Payne said as he walked forward with the book bag. He unzipped it and showed its contents to Ivan. It was stuffed with all the cash from Byrd’s safe. “Is this enough?”
Ivan’s eyes grew wide. “More than enough.”
“I’m glad,” Payne said. “Take it all. Richard would have wanted you to have it.”
59
While Payne called Jones to make sure the street was clear, Allison said good-bye to Ivan. She promised to be in touch in the near future, hoping to hear as many stories about Schliemann as Ivan was willing to tell. He assured her that it was a conversation worth living for.
Payne walked outside first, followed by Allison. She carried the garment bag with both hands, clutching it against her chest as if it was the most valuable treasure in the world.
“You know,” she said, “that was a really nice thing to do.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The money. You gave him all the money.”
“It wasn’t my money. It was Richard’s money.”
“Still,” she assured him, “it was very sweet.”
He shrugged and said nothing. The old guy had reminded Payne of his grandfather. Full of wit and wisdom until his body finally gave out. Maybe the money would help Ivan live a little bit longer. Or at the very least, a little more comfortably.
When they reached the car, Payne sat in the front seat and Allison climbed into the back. She hung the garment bag from a hook above the window, trying not to wrinkle its contents.
“What’s that?” Jones asked as they pulled away from the curb.
“The coat,” Payne answered.
“The coat? You mean the coat was a coat?”
“Trust me, I had the same reaction.”
Payne turned around and looked at Allison. “I thought you said that Richard wasn’t the sentimental type, that he only cared about the treasures.”
“He did,” she assured him.
“Then why did he risk his life to buy a coat?”
“I don’t know. I’m just as dumbfounded as you.”
Payne turned back around and stared out the front windshield. Buildings were blurred as Jones navigated through the traffic like a lifelong resident. It was amazing how quickly he could adapt.
“Where to now?” she wondered.
“To the hotel,” Payne replied.
“And then what?”
“Then we go to the boat. It’s time to leave Russia.”
Jarkko was waiting when they arrived at the dock. He waved to them from the boat until he saw Payne and Jones weren’t alone. One look at Allison and he came running.
“I am Jarkko,” he said proudly. “I am captain of ship. Come, we must drink!”
He grabbed her by the hand and half-dragged her to the boat. Meanwhile, Payne and Jones were left carrying the luggage, which they didn’t mind at all. It was worth the laugh.
“Maybe we should have warned her about Jarkko,” Jones said.
“Why? This is much more fun.”
Their trip got under way without incident. No police interference or trouble of any kind. Before they got too far from shore, Payne called the car rental office and told them the location of their car, claiming it wouldn’t start. Jones had made sure of that by disconnecting the battery—which also made it tougher to steal, since he had to leave the keys on the front seat.
Once they were in international waters, they turned their attention to Allison. She was sitting in the back of the boat, staring at the Gulf of Finland. Jones sat next to her on a hard metal bench and asked her how she was doing. She shrugged and didn’t say much.