Page 46 of Abra's Acquisition
I turn to whisper something to Rey, but find her staring at the entrance to the grotto.
“What’s wrong?” I ask her.
“I thought I saw someone standing by the entrance. I think someone was listening to us,” Rey says.
Standing, I step around the table and move toward the flowered arch that separates the grotto from the central patio. A few people are eating, but everyone is seated at their tables. No one is walking around. I notice a movement near the door and realize that someone might have just passed through. I make my way to the door and look inside, but I only see a waiter dropping off a tray. Maybe that’s what Rey had seen? Returning to the table, I take my seat and focus my attention back on Ryan as he finishes more of his story.
“According to my stepfather, the King and Queen gave his ancestors a safe full of gold and jewels to take with them. He said they used most of the treasure to build their lives here. They purchased the land in what is now the French Quarter and built their house.”
“So, they used all the treasure they brought to build their house?” Cleo asks.
Ryan shakes his head. “Not even close. Charles said they had much of the fortune still intact after they created their home. The family believed they were holding the fortune for the Royal Family. They had distributed their wealth to several friends as a way to ensure they had the finances they needed to retake the throne. Of course, that was never going to happen. The Royal Family never made it out of France. Charles showed me thetreasure once. It’s hidden in the walls of the home. The figurine is a key that opens the cache.”
“But you know where the lock is?” Rey asks.
“I do. It’s inside the house on the wall where the oak paintings hang.”
“Oak paintings?” I ask.
“Yeah. The De Villiers brought five paintings with them from France. All five contain oak trees. I guess they had a hidden meaning for the family. When they built their home here, they named it the Five Oaks. The five paintings hung on the wall where the cache resides. Now there are only four; the fifth was stolen decades ago. I’ve never seen it. According to Charles, Marie Antoinette commissioned the five paintings from the same artist who completed their family portraits. However, that could be a myth. I researched their arrest at Varennes, and I found no portraits listed by Jean-Baptiste Greuze. Although they took so much with them that it's possible they were overlooked. That was how the Revolutionists caught them.”
“You believe the will is in the cache? Maybe we should head over there and see if you’re right?” Cleo suggests.
Hex drops several hundred-dollar bills onto the table to cover the tab before we leave the restaurant. When we get outside, I pull Rey to the side.
“I want to run by the warehouse and pick up the jewelry,” I tell her. “Did you want to go with them or with me?”
“I want to go with you,” she says, grinning. “I’m so excited that we can give them back to Ryan and his wife.”
I tell Hex that I’m taking a detour and will join them at the house. He waves us off.
The trip to the warehouse is quick. Rey and I dash upstairs. Before opening the display case, I rummage through the storage closet for a suitable carrying case. Once I find something, Iunlock the display case. Rey and I carefully extricate the jewelry and place it in the case.
“These are so beautiful,” Rey whispers as she places the earrings, and I shut the case.
“They’re not as beautiful as you,” I say, brushing my thumb over her cheek. “You’re breathtaking.” I lean forward and kiss her. I’ve never met a woman so giving as Rey. The joy that she feels over Ryan regaining his heritage makes me realize how lucky I am to have someone like her in my life. I grew up only ever seeing the hardness in people. Most people carry burdens so heavy that they can’t see past their pain. Rey has been through hell over the past few days, but she still finds joy in helping others. My kiss is a promise to always be there to help carry her burdens, so she can always maintain her giving nature.
Taking her hand, I lead her downstairs and over to my bike. When I open the garage door, movement outside has me drawing my gun and pushing Rey behind me. However, the man who enters the garage is not an enemy. However, he isn’t a friend, either. However, he wears the face of someone I trust explicitly—my President.
“Vladimir!” I call out in surprise. “What are you doing here?” I shove the gun back into my waistband before shaking the hand of Hex’s twin brother.
“Abra. I’m sorry that I startled you. I followed you here, but couldn’t find a doorbell or any way to let you know I was outside.”
I introduce Rey to Vladimir. “You look exactly like Hex, except for the eyes,” Rey says in awe.
“We’re twins. Speaking of Hex, that’s why I followed you. I’ve been trying to call him, but he won’t answer. I’ve tried Delphine, too, but she didn’t answer, either.”
I frown. “That’s odd, they’re together. Here, let me try.” I pull out my phone and initiate a call with Hex. When it goes tovoicemail, I end the call and try Dixie. Same outcome. I try each of my brothers, but no luck. I glance between Rey and Vladimir. “That’s not good. One of them should have answered. I know where they are, follow me?”
Vladimir nods. “I’ll call in for reinforcements just in case we need them.”
“Good idea. Rey, why don’t you stay here where it is safe?”
Unsurprisingly, she shakes her head as she marches to my bike and dons her helmet. “I’m coming with you. They are my family, too. Besides, we may need help from the cops. I can call in my brothers if we need them.”
I have no doubt that we won’t be calling in the cops, but rather than argue, I hop on my bike and take off with Vladimir on our tail. When we reach the French Quarter, I slow down and pull into the parking lot of a restaurant not yet open for business.
“Rey, stay here with Vladimir. I’m going to see what’s happening.”
