Page 135 of Pistols and Plush Toys

“See something you like?” The man asked.

Nikolai pointed out the one he was interested in. “That chain please.”

“Ah, yes! It’s a beauty,” the man said, unlocking the case and pulling out the necklace. “Found it at an estate sale! Such a treasure.”

“Is beautiful,” Nikolai said when the man handed him the necklace. He held it up, turning it this way and that. “It has eagle’s head hallmark?”

“It sure does,” The man reached into his apron and pulled out a small object that he unfolded into what looked like a magnifier. He handed it over to Nikolai who turned over the clasp on the necklace and put the magnifier to it.

“Is in excellent condition,” Nikolai said. He turned to Elliot. “Maybe you want to see?”

“Thank you,” Elliot said, and leaned in, curious. Through the lens he saw a small eagle picture pressed into the gold on the clasp. It was cool to see a detail so small, though he had no idea what it meant.

“I have big interest in Art Nouveau,” Nikolai said to the man, inspecting the rest of the necklace carefully.

“I have a few Art Nouveau rings as well,” the man said, and Elliot saw how Nikolai perked up. Of course—Nikolai always wore several rings on each hand. If he bought jewelry for himself and he liked Art Nouveau pieces…

“I’m would like to see,” Nikolai said to the man, before offering the necklace back. “And this I will take.”

“Wonderful,” the man said happily. “Let me bring you the rings and I’ll pack up your necklace while you take a look at them.”

“Why that one specifically?” Elliot asked. There had been several other intricate-looking pieces in the necklace case.

“Gerard, he’s like detail like that,” Nikolai said, giving him a smile. “Maybe less than knives, but more than goat I think. And he’s like French jewelry.”

“How did you know it was made in France?” Elliot asked.

Nikolai hummed. “You see eagle head?”

Elliot nodded.

“Is maker's mark,” Nikolai explained. “Maker’s marks, they say things about the jewelry. Eagle head mean the necklace is eighteen karat gold, also made in France. Also say to me, necklace is authentic, since marker is right for age and style of necklace.”

“Oh wow,” Elliot said, impressed anew at Nikolai’s knowledge. “That’s a lot of detail from a tiny little thing.”

“Yes,” Nikolai agreed. He paused and then said, “Is… like salt.”

“Like salt?” Elliot repeated.

“Yes,” Nikolai said. “You say to me how important salt is in cooking. You always need some, even if very little bit.” He pinched his fingers together. “Maker’s marks, they are like salt. Very important.”

“Oh,” Elliot said, looking up at Nikolai with wide eyes. He hadn’t really—he’d known, of course, how often he’d had conversations with Nikolai about cooking. But he hadn’t completely realized that Nikolai was reallylistening.

“Here we are,” the man said, coming back over with a handful of rings on a velvet tray. “These are the rings I have that you might be interested in.”

Nikolai picked up the one in the center first, a very thick gold ring with a large white stone in the center. The designs around it were coiling, almost like leaves…? Yes, leaves—Elliot could see them when Nikolai turned the band over to examine it further.

The magnifier was still sitting on the counter and Nikolai picked it up again, humming as he looked at what Elliot guessed was another maker’s mark. It was fascinating to watch Nikolai in concentration. He looked handsome and competent in profile,his blond hair just falling over his brow as he looked through the magnifier, turning the ring this way and that.

Nikolai ended up choosing two of the rings along with the necklace he’d already picked out. The man wrapped up all three pieces, then rang Nikolai up.

Elliot had to take a deep breath at hearing the total, but Nikolai didn’t bat an eye, just pulled out his wallet and paid with a sleek black credit card. Buying two rings for himself and a gift for Gerard for more than Elliot used to make in a month at Melrose.

Once Nikolai had accepted the little bag containing the jewelry and the man’s business card, he thanked the seller and then placed his hand again at the small of Elliot’s back, guiding him out of the stall.

“Sorry, was not most interesting,” Nikolai said as they walked back to the main throughway.

“No! No, don’t be sorry,” Elliot said at once. “It was really interesting to hear about why you picked each one. What you see when you look at jewelry.”

---