“Or from someone who knew it was stolen and didn’t particularly care.”

“But if the artifacts are now in the hands of legitimate collectors, they could face tremendous embarrassment. There’d be a huge scandal. Keep in mind that if they purchased the items in good faith, they are victims, too.” Daria shook her head. “I’d rather see if I can trace the items myself before we sic the FBI on them.”

“How would you go about doing that?”

“I’d start on the Internet. I’d search the museum websites-many of them contain photographs of their collections and include the provenance. I’d also search for collectors. They often catalog their pieces and offer them on loan to galleries and museums.” She smiled weakly. “Same way, I suspect, that your ‘art guys’ would begin.”

“Let’s assume you’re successful in tracking down even a few of the pieces. Then what?”

“Then I contact the owner and explain the situation and give them an opportunity to return the items to Howe.”

“Why would they be willing to do that on your say-so?”

“I have my grandfather’s journals to back me up. They are very specific as to where and when certain pieces were found. He also indicated that many of the pieces were photographed in situ before they were touched. I’ll get those from Louise. And we do have his inventories. I think we have enough to establish that the artifacts were discovered by Alistair McGowan on behalf of Howe University. It’s a start, anyway. Keep in mind that most museums and private collectors try very hard to avoid scandals of this nature. It’s very damaging to their reputations, not to mention the integrity of their other acquisitions. This sort of thing casts a very long and very dark shadow on everyone connected, from the dealer to the buyer to the curator. It’s definitely to be avoided at all costs.”

“And if you fail to convince them, and they refuse to hand over the artifacts?”

“Then we call in your art guys, and we let them fight it out.”

6

“S o, what you’re saying is we need a game plan.” Louise’s fingers tapped impatiently on the arm of the sofa. On their way back across campus from the museum, Daria and Connor stopped at the president’s house to discuss their findings with her.

“Right. I’ve given this a lot of thought over the past few days,” Daria told her. “And after talking with Connor this afternoon, I do have a proposal.”

“Let’s hear it.” Louise sat back against the cushions and waited.

“If the university is serious about reopening the museum by the fall of next year, they have to raise the capital now, and quickly. I think what you need to do is have the entire collection properly appraised by an art historian who is capable of putting dollar valuations on the artifacts.”

“I thought you could do that.” Louise frowned.

“I thought perhaps I could help you in that regard,” Daria admitted, “but after seeing what’s here, I’ve come to the conclusion that you need someone who is an expert in appraising large collections. I’m an archaeologist, Louise. I can tell you the cultural value of every piece in those crates, but I don’t feel comfortable putting dollar signs on them. Is it enough to know that the collection is priceless?” She shrugged. “Would a bank find that sufficient documentation for a loan the size of what you’re going to need to put that building into shape? I really doubt it.”

Louise appeared to think it over.

“Can you recommend someone?” She asked.

“Off the top of my head, no.”

“I have an idea,” Connor spoke up. “You know that you’re going to have to have this entire setup insured, the building as well as the artifacts. Why not contact your insurance agent, tell them you want coverage for the museum and ask them to send an appraiser to put a number on the collection as well as the building?”

“You think they have people on staff who do that?”

“I’m sure they have someone who can appraise the building, and as far as the contents are concerned, I think they’ll find someone real fast. They’re going to want the business, because the premium will be huge, but they’re going to make certain that the amount of insurance is adequate so if there is a loss, they don’t get raked.” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a moment, then added, “I’ll bet they even have someone in their risk management department who can tell you exactly what you need to do as far as the renovations are concerned to best safeguard the collections. I have a cousin who works in this field and he spends a lot of his time inspecting buildings and working with the security firms.”

“Connor’s got a really good point,” Daria said. “And chances are, the bank is going to want to bring in an appraiser of their own, if you’re going to use the collection as collateral for the loan.”

“I can call our insurance agent and see what she suggests,” Louise said thoughtfully. “I suppose it would save us considerably over hiring an independent appraiser. Plus, if they can send someone out to tell us exactly what to do in the building…”

“Be prepared to move the collection in the interim, though,” Connor cautioned. “The bank may want to place it in one of their vaults until security has been brought up to date. I’m sure the insurance company will require specific improvements to the system-such as it is-that’s in place now.”

“All of which means you need to get to the bank as soon as possible,” Daria told Louise.

“I’ll put a call in to the vice president of our local branch first thing in the morning and see when he can meet with me,” Louise said. “Maybe take a few of the flashier objects with me to give him an idea of what we’re talking about here, see if we can get them to establish a line of credit for us so that we can start the improvements to the building as soon as possible.”

“I’d do that first thing,” Connor said. “In the meantime, I’m going to see what I can do about tracking down the missing artifacts.”

“We’re going to track the missing artifacts,” Daria corrected him.

“I was hoping you’d come with me to the bank, Daria,” Louise said. “I’m really not qualified to explain what we have here and why it’s so valuable. I think it would have greater impact coming from someone with your credentials.”

“Just let me know when.”

“I’ll call Jim Sanders, the bank VP we usually deal with, and see when he’s available. This sort of thing may be out of his field of operations, but we’ll start with him.”

“Don’t forget your insurance people,” Daria reminded her.

“Alice Radell.” Louise smiled. “Best agent in the state. I have a meeting with one of our department heads at eight tomorrow morning, but as soon as that’s over, I’ll start making my calls.”

“While you’re doing that, I’ll get started on the search for the missing artifacts. I’ll have my cell on, so just give me a call when you’re ready to go.” Daria stood.

“Thank you.” Louise smiled. “I have to admit, I feel a little better, having a plan. I’ve been worried sick about this since learning about the missing items, and worried, too, about protecting what we have.”

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to find some of those items,” Connor said as he rose from his chair.

“Well, Daria, you’ll be pleased to know that help is on the way.” Louise turned to her. “I spoke with Sabina Bokhari about an hour ago. She was shocked when I told her what was going on. She insisted on cutting her trip short, and will be here by Tuesday at the latest.”

“Great. She’ll be an enormous help. But I thought she was on a dig with some students.”

“She is, but she isn’t the only archaeologist on the site. She said she feels very comfortable leaving the dig in the hands of the other two. A Dr. Henning and someone else whose name I don’t recall.”

“Emmitt Henning, yes. I know him well. I wouldn’t hesitate to leave my work in his hands, either. And I’m very much looking forward to meeting Sabina.”