“And you know this because—”
“After the trial, one of my cellmates happened to be her ex. And because her ex was French, he was extradited back to France to serve out his sentence.”
“Small world.”
“Even smaller, considering the Professor and the Inspector bought luxury suites aboard the Athena several years ago.”
“And you don’t think that’s a coincidence.”
“Not at all.”
“What about Neil? Is he involved?”
“I couldn’t tell you what Neil knows. But I do know Neil’s been friends with Antonio for years and that it was Antonio who taught the Professor to dive. He worked with the Professor on his underwater research. He got even closer to the Professor when he heard he was advising Inspector Garnier about the break-in at the Geneva Freeport.”
“So, you think Antonio saw an opportunity—”
“And jumped all over it. There’s no record of what was hidden, or for that matter, stolen from the Geneva Freeport.” Marco sat back and stirred his tea slowly. “During the war, the Germans kept records, but afterward? It’s anyone’s guess what was stolen or where the records might be. As I see it, Antonio learned about the break-in and convinced the Professor and Inspector to siphon off some of what was stolen and work with him to find buyers on the black market.”
“And knowing Neil, you think it was Antonio who suggested they take up residence on Athena.”
“Exactly. And, if I’m right, the antiquities you saw the other night at the Professor’s lecture are nothing compared to what I believe they have hidden away and are likely onboard right now.”
“I don’t get it. If you’re right, why would the Professor display any of what they have? Why risk it?”
“Money. And lots of it. Plus, who’s to say what’s real and what’s not? The Professor’s not stupid. I’m sure he’s got some kind of certificate of authenticity. Easy enough to get…or make. Believe me, I know. A collector takes a picture of his collection, claims he’s had said items in his collection for years, then fakes a certificate of authenticity to prove its provenance. In some cases, collectors are as bad as the thieves.”
“And you know this because—”
“Prison, my dear, what else is there to discuss?”
“I see.” I picked up my spoon and tapped it nervously on the table. “And the Doctor and Chief Sullivan? They’re all part of this, too?”
“Why not? They’re getting on in years. They’re bored and probably easily bribed. As I see it, they’re a group of senior citizens who’ve gone rogue. Mutineers who have decided to cash in on a bounty of previously stolen antiquities in hopes of subsidizing their retirement. All they need to do is pirate them across the Med to an awaiting market of black marketeers.”
“It’s a Gang of Eight, then?” I counted the names on my fingers. “Inspector Garnier, Camile, Professor Braun, Greta. Chief Sully, the Doctor, and the Muse’s Captain, Carlo.”
“That’s how I see it?”
“What about Captain Byard?
“I don’t think so. The last captain, maybe. But things didn’t work out so well for him. You heard he drowned?”
I nodded.
“Captain Byard’s been with the ship less than a year. I doubt the Inspector or the Professor would trust him. He’s a recovering alcoholic, and after the last captain got himself drunk and fell overboard, I doubt they’d want to risk pulling Byard into the fold.”
Marco’s theory aligned with my thinking and explained how Inspector Garnier and Professor Braun could afford such a luxurious lifestyle. Not to mention how it might help Neil plug a big hole with the loss of his inheritance. The sale of a single gold coin, like that in Dede’s bag, could go a long way to keeping Athena afloat.
“If you know this, why haven’t you contacted the police?”
“You’re assuming, Ms. Lawson, the police would do something about it and not be bought off and look the other way. I’m not willing to risk that. The fact is, I like my life. But I do have a past, and as it is, I’d rather not get into how I afford such a lifestyle. If I expose those onboard, I’d likely have to disclose my financial assets. Which, by the way, have nothing to do with the sale of stolen antiquities, but still might be…shall we say… touchy?”
“How touchy?”
“I’ll only say that I was never into getting my hands dirty. My specialty was more white-collar crime, securities fraud, and such.”
“If I understand you correctly, you’re telling me all this because—”
“Because you’re in a position to help. And, I’ll be honest, Ms. Lawson. My motives are not entirely unselfish. You see, I believe if things continue to go as they are, it’s not unlikely that I might end up taking the blame for whatever they’re doing. I have a record, and as you pointed out, when the Professor’s signet ring went missing, the Chief and Captain searched my cabin and no one else’s.”
“Just what is it you’re proposing?”
“I believe if we work together, we can both achieve our goals. I can help protect you, and you can continue with your little charade, pretending to be a reporter while you uncover exactly what the Inspector and his little band of sea wolves are all about. Once you gathered enough evidence to convince the police, I can relax, enjoy my septuagenarian years, and sail into the sunset, which was my plan in the first place.”
“And you think this is a win-win?”
“Why not? You get your story. I get rid of some undesirable shipmates, and everything returns as it should.”
“Question.”
“Go ahead.”
“You said you were here, in this restaurant, when you heard the Churchill sisters tell me about Dede. Do you believe them? Do you think she fell overboard?”
“What I think is that Dede Drummerhausen is missing. And for a good reason. She’s a pawn. As I see it, the Inspector and his crew have been using Dede and several other unsuspecting residents to smuggle coins, jewelry, and whatever else without their knowledge off and on Athena. More than once, I’ve heard a resident report a purse snatching or a lost bag when in port. And for a group of smugglers trying to unload high-value collectibles, Athena’s the perfect cover.”
“You didn’t answer my question. Do you think Dede Drummerhausen fell overboard?”
