Patrick had used him before, and never had anyone get a sniff of where the items were located. The job required six separate viewing areas located around the city, which could house the item for a day, then it would be moved to the next spot. If needed, the site transfers could take place in hours, but Patrick preferred to take a week for the viewing. Then there would be the auction, the item in a new place, which only the winner ever knew about.
Mr. Amazing, as Patrick liked to call him, had the perfect combination of brilliance and gutlessness, which meant he would get the job done and never once consider a double cross. Patrick would be the extra labor required to move the items from one place to the next. It was his favorite part of each auction, trying to figure out where the item was hidden. He had only detected the hiding place once, and that was after Mr. Amazing had given him three clues.
So tonight they would meet, or more accurately, Patrick would head down to the docks and Mr. Amazing would find him. In most cases, despite his excellent skills at disguises, Mr. Amazing seemed to be able to find him. Tonight he hoped the rabbi garb would fool him, though he doubted it. The beard looked great. Now he only had to add about twenty years in age to complete the effect.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Henry rounded the corner. Bobby was just closing his office.
"Hey, Henry, how are you doing today? Do you need any more help?" Bobby asked.
Henry’s right hand was throbbing and his mood wasn't really conducive to a long, high-speed chat with Bobby, but the hopeful look on Bobby's face made him feel a little better.
"Good to see you, Buddy. I am afraid my progress has been a little disappointing."
"You got a good one, with that new secretary. I saw Big Mike and some guy old guy in a suit leaving today. Are they helping?"
Henry wasn't in the mood to heal hurt feelings. "Yes, they are doing some legwork for me."
"I may have short legs, but I know people, who know people. I can help. I know I can. Please let me."
The rapid fire begging was more than Henry could stand and at that moment, he had an idea. Henry put on his best contemplative face, paused for effect, then patted Bobby on the shoulder. "I hadn't thought about it, but you may be able to help. Of course, you will have to keep anything you find between you and me."
"Of course!" Bobby almost shouted, then lowered his voice. "Just you and me…got it."
"I think Mickey was looking into something much more dangerous than he imagined. He had a way of smelling trouble, and would usually avoid anything too risky. But this time he got in over his head, and it cost him. I don't even know all of the players yet, but I am getting there. There is one aspect of this case, possibly the most important part, which is so shrouded in mystery…"
Henry's voice trailed off, and he looked up and down the hall, just to see if anyone was there. This was partially for effect, and it worked perfectly. Bobby was wide-eyed and listening with great intensity. "I’m having Marian at the library and Professor Brookert look into this, but I suspect you may have resources they do not.” Again Henry paused. “I need you to look for anything on ‘The Eye of God.’ I am not confident there is much about it, but if you can find anything, it may be helpful. Right now, this thing is at the center of this mess.”
Bobby seemed suddenly composed. “The Eye of God…how interesting. You are right, Mr. Wood, I do have resources.”
The change from hyper to formal seemed odd, even for Bobby, but before Henry could ask him about it, Bobby was back in his office.
Henry saw there was still a light on in his own office. It was after 6:00, and he had imagined Celine would already be gone.
“Hey. I am glad you came back. I don’t have a key to lock up.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t even think about a key.”
“It’s okay. I have been busy, and I used to stay late at my old job all the time. I don’t mind, but I would have gotten a little grouchy and hungry in a few hours.” She smiled.
Henry walked over to Celine and removed the pencil stuck into her hair. He tilted her yellow pad, which had a massive two-column list on it, many of the items already scratched off. “Make Henry a key,” he said as he added Number 37 to her list.
He tilted it back to her. While she read it, he took his own key off his ring and gave it to her.
“Thanks, but what if you need to get in before tomorrow?”
“It’s okay, I’ll be fine.” He pulled his lock-pick set out of his pocket.
Celine displayed a hint of being impressed, but it vanished quickly. She got her coat and said, “I will be in at 9:00 sharp, if that is okay with you? We hadn’t really discussed office hours.”