Page 81 of Afraid to Hope

Natasha fired another question at shopkeeper. “So how is it you have these two?”

“There was a fire. I cook here because I am here during the day. The fire destroyed most of the merchandise, but I found these when the shop was being fixed, in that box that was under the table. It was in the storeroom. I brought it downstairs. I think because almost everything was a gone, the facilitator didn’t ask for them. I have kept them hidden. The next facilitator set me up with my first computer.”

“Let’s head upstairs. It’s time for you to reopen your shop, Amastan.”

“Thank you for your hospitality,” Natasha said, giving him his key back once they were back in the back room. “Maybe you’ll reconsider the Dogon?”

“No. I told you the Dogon are sold.”

“When is all this being picked up?” Natasha asked, motioning at the cave art, Dogon figurines, and door.

“The cave art and another large box are being picked up by two men today. They called to say they would be late.”

Bane cocked his head and watched Amastan intensely. “Do you know who they are?”

“No. Only that they will be late.”

“Did they give you a time?”

Amastan glanced at his phone. “An hour.”

“We’ll get going then,” Natasha said, moving away from the relics. “Let you get on with your day. We may be back soon to try to talk you out of those Dogon even though they’re sold. Offer more. My clients would love them for their collection.”

“Regardless, we’ll be in touch, Amastan. Keep the money. We look forward to doing business with you,” Bane said, reaching out to shake the shopkeeper’s hand before opening the door. “Enjoy the rest of your day.”

“I think we stay and wait, Nat,” Bane said as soon as they left the shop. “See what the fuck this is. Maybe we’ve hit the jackpot.”

“I agree,” she said, crossing the narrow street.

“Where’re we going?”

“As it so happens, there’s a restaurant right next to the food store, where we can eat and keep an eye on the shop. See who shows up and what they leave with.”

“You checked it out already,”

Her eyes rounded. “How’d you know?”

“I was watching you lick your lips in the cellar. Baklava?” He quirked an eyebrow and gave her a wry grin.

Natasha laughed guiltily. “They serve lunch too. We can eat on the balcony. I imagine you’re hungry.”

“Damn, I want to thank you properly for thinking of me.”

“Later, handsome.”

Bane groaned as they entered the restaurant.

Natasha and Bane were led to the restaurant’s small balcony, which they had all to themselves.

After ordering, she said, “So, let’s have a look.”

He brought up the first image in the display and handed her the camera. “There’s a lot to scroll through.”

“There’s a lot here. The ledgers resemble the one from Pépé’s office, although much worse for wear.” She continued scrolling through the images, stopping on one that looked different. She enlarged it and moved it around on the screen with the arrow toggles, examining it closely. “Do you think Amastan will sing?”

“I think he’ll be very careful. He has a large family and he kept the money I gave him.”

Natasha inhaled sharply. “Where was this?” She handed Bane the camera.

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