Page 36 of One Last Step

I am overwhelmed suddenly with a wave of heartache.I loved Annie so much.I thought for sure that she and I would be friends forever.I realize now that a part of me has been hanging on to my anger toward her to avoid confronting the grief I feel at losing a friend, mybestfriend.

My breath hitches, and I squeeze my eyes shut for several minutes to stifle my tears.Then I text Claudia.Coming right down.I have some questions for you too.

She replies with a question mark, but I can’t text her my questions.I’ll have to discuss those in person.

I head downstairs.It’s still dark outside, and I have to use the light from my cell phone to get from the elevator to the foyer.The clocks are silent, their hands still, and it hits me that last night is the first night that I don’t hear them chime at midnight.Perhaps they’ve finally all broken.

I reach the foyer and see Claudia standing outside.I open the door, and she gestures for me to step outside.I step outside and immediately begin shivering.She grins and removes one of her coats.“I brought an extra,” she says.“Thought you might need it.”

“Thank you,” I tell her.

I look at her face, so bright, so beautiful and still so young.I can’t help but see the image of my dear lost sister.

“I know I’m back rather early,” Claudia says, “but I was in the area, and I thought this deserved more than a phone call.”

“Speaking of that,” I reply, “how did you get my number?”

“I looked you up.You have quite the reputation, Miss Detective Wilcox.”

Heat climbs my cheeks, and she laughs.The sound reminds me of Annie, and my heart aches again.

“Don’t worry, that’s a good thing.At least, I hope it is.Can you tell me anything interesting, Detective Wilcox?”

I nod.“Actually, yes.Another clock was stolen last night.”

Her playfulness instantly disappears.“Which clock?”

“A miniature table clock known as the Kaiser Wilhelm clock.”

She nods.“Yes, I figured they’d want that one.”

“Who?For what?”

“I told you that Mossad is interested in this case, yes?”

“Yes.Something about Nazi memorabilia that they feel people shouldn’t profit from.”

“Yes.And that’s true.These items are ending up on the black market.Museums all over Europe are being ransacked for Nazi memorabilia and sold for a profit.That’s why Mossad suddenly cares about old Nazi crap when they’ve spent decades not giving a hoot.Someone is selling unique Nazi artifacts specifically related to intelligence and selling them for millions of dollars.”

My eyes widen.“Was the pocket watch sold?”

“Not yet, but I won’t be surprised if it and the Kaiser Wilhelm clock show up on the dark web in short order.”She crosses her arms and tilts her head.“Did anyone behave suspiciously last night?Any thoughts on a potential thief?”

I chuckle."Honestly, Claudia, it's hard for me to tell what the difference is between suspicious and normal here.Elena is a nervous wreck ninety percent of the time.When she isn't, she's very sweet, but that's increasingly rare.Lukas Meyer was shocked, almost senseless, when he heard that Interpol was investigating this case, and—"

“Wait.Who is Lukas Meyer?”

“Elena’s banker.His son is friends with Sophie.”

Her eyes narrow a little.“Hmm.And they visit often?”

“They’ve been here twice since I’ve arrived.I’m not sure if that’s typical of them.”

She writes a note on her pad.“You said he was shocked when he heard about me.Can you be more specific?”

“He went pale and was very concerned for Elena.He feared she might be in trouble.”

“Did he say why?”

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