Pa'an

Jaeger Kunstler was in a quandary. He was angry. He was also, without any rational basis, feeling guilty about betraying Mentor and the shadowy organization known only as the Order. He had no clear idea of what the Order’s overall goal was, but he had direct knowledge of their belief in their own privileged destiny, their ruthlessness, their global financial resources, and their utter disregard of ordinary people. Was he also subtly conditioned? He had to admit at least the possibility. At the moment he was a free agent, so long as his visible actions were in keeping with his assignment.

He knew a few important things: Senator Saxton Hornsby was not “one of theirs”. The Senator knew about the contrived murder of Jag’s father. Aura, or something that Aura was doing, was considered a threat to the Order’s plans.

He assumed he was under surveillance. What could he accomplish? Like an infantry soldier sent in simply to hold a position, he had no idea of the greater battle plan. At least now he was his own general.

Jag called into his office and told Elexi to send him the files on Sierra Systems, so he could make a personal call on the client. He called the President of Sierra and told him he would try to make an appointment the next day. That was the cover story.

Jag picked up a rented Buick and a GPS. By noon he was in the upscale Mazza Galleria, striding along with shoppers and teenage mall rats. He stopped in Jay Jewelers, swished his vicuna topcoat and flashed a smile at the well-dressed woman behind the counter. She immediately gave Jag her full attention, “May I help you, Sir?’

“I’d like to see what you have in a jeweled necklace, sapphire or emerald, possibly.”

She pulled out a tray of necklaces, the most expensive tray under the counter, and set it in front of Jag. She picked up a diamond and sapphire pendant, dangled it for a moment and then carefully placed it on a velvet cloth. The price tag showed $6500. “For a wife or, perhaps a girl friend?” she asked. Jag wore no wedding ring.

“No, that won’t do. Do you have something a bit more, um, special?”

“Hmm, let me see. Do you mind if I check in our vault? It won’t take but a minute.”

Jag looked at his watch, a vintage Girard-Perregaux, and frowned slightly. The sales lady raised an eyebrow at the watch. Jag nodded, “I’ll take the time. Show me your best, please.”

She put the display tray back under the glass counter. She closed the shop and activated the alarm. Then she brought out another tray from the back room, carrying it with ceremony. She selected a collar with two rows of star sapphires flanked by diamonds in a leather and silver band. “We can adjust this to any size you wish, unless you know her neck size.”

Jag picked it up and studied it carefully. There was no price tag on it, and he did not ask. It was clearly in the six figure range. “Do you have something equivalent with emeralds?”

“I’m sorry. These pieces were created by a master jeweler and purchased from an estate collection. Of course, each is one of a kind.” She brought out a gilt-edged card from under the velvet. “Here’s the provenance.”

Jag looked over the half dozen pieces and chose a gold filigree torq with exquisitely cut emeralds the size of dimes all around it. He held it up. “You have excellent taste, sir. Would you like to have one of us model it for you?”

“Please, and the sapphire as well, if you don’t mind.”

She picked up the phone, “Sharon and Faye, front please.”

Sharon and Faye, pretty twenty-somethings, minced smartly out of the back of the store. Each put on a necklace, pirouetted and smiled while the sales lady extolled the virtues of the pieces. Jag stroked his chin and looked indecisive.

“Perhaps I should call the lady in question and ask her advice.” He put his hands in his pockets and scowled. “I must have misplaced my phone. Do you mind if I use yours?”

In a flash he had the store’s phone. He dialed Sax Hornsby’s office. Maxine answered.

“Oh, Maxine, this is Jag.” He put his hand over the phone and raised his eyebrows at the sales lady. She discretely motioned to the girls and the trio moved out of earshot.

Jag cupped his hands around the phone and spoke in a low voice. “Maxine, please listen carefully. My name is Jaeger Kunstler, CEO of Ultradata. I met Senator Hornsby on a flight a while ago and I have an urgent and vital message for him.”

“The Senator has a tight schedule today but he’ll get back to you soonest. Can you tell me what it’s about?”

“Tell him it’s about a necklace made of rare materials, and that I have information he has been looking for. Let him know I’m anxious to talk to him right now.” Jag could hear Maxine deliberating. She said, “Please hold.”

It worked! The raspy voice of the Senator came on the phone. “Jag, you have info about the, um, necklace we discussed?”

“Yes, I do. I’m in Jay Jewelers, Mazza Galleria. I can’t come to your office.”

“I understand.” Aside he said, “Maxine, free up the next hour for me and get the car ready.” To Jag he said, “Stay put and I’ll meet you there. Twenty minutes.”

“Senator, thanks and I’ll watch for you.”

“Sax, please, Jag, I’m just a Vermont farm boy. Bye.”

Jag sighed in relief. There was a long way to go, but this was a break. He motioned to the sales lady. “The filigree one, please. I’ll have her stop by for a fitting when she’s free.” He placed a shiny black card on the counter.

The sales lady turned it over looking for a signature. It had nothing but a number on it. She shrugged and ran it through the merchant terminal, punched a series of numbers. The card was accepted with a verification required. Her phone rang. She answered it, and presently looked up at Jag. “They want me to verify your name, sir.”

“Jaeger Kunstler,” Jag said slowly. She repeated it into the phone.

She handed back his card. “I’ve heard of these, never saw one before. If there is anything, anything at all we can do for you, sir. Please just ask.” She handed him a plush case in a gold fabric bag. “When your lady friend comes in we’ll arrange everything to her satisfaction. Don’t worry, if she likes the diamond and sapphire choker, we will gladly exchange it. Our store insurance will cover the item for a few days until your coverage takes over.”

Jag smiled, took his package and the receipt and sauntered out the door. He slipped the velour box into his pocket. He didn’t even bother to look at the price. He was sure Mentor would approve.