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“Lenora Palmer, the only daughter of Jonathon and Delilah Palmer of Connecticut,” said Hiro.

“Why does that name sound familiar?” asked Luke.

“Jonathon Palmer owned several investment groups that were found guilty of mismanagement of funds, tax evasion, and a nice long list of other things. Everything he owned was sold to help reduce his debt with the investors, but it wasn’t enough.

He ended up being sentenced to ten to fifteen years in prison, along with his wife, who also worked at the company. ”

“Shit, that sucks,” said Cam. “Are they alive?”

“No. They both died in prison. The daughter never visited them once. She was finishing her senior year at MIT. The home, owned by the family for more than a hundred years, was sold and all the belongings in it. She vowed to get it all back eventually, and she might be doing just that.”

“What do you mean?” asked Luke.

“In the last twenty years, items that belonged in that house were sold at auctions or in resale shops after those who originally purchased them sold them again around the New England area. It had to be a herculean task just to track down where all the items had gone.

“She has bought almost all of the items back, generally under her alias of Gemma Daniels. There are a few things left to purchase, including the house.”

“The house is for sale?” asked Tillie.

“It was for sale. Someone placed an offer for the house yesterday, and we believe it will be accepted by the seller today. The potential buyer made a good faith deposit of nearly ten million dollars. Not usually something you see done. The house itself is selling for thirty-three million dollars.”

“Does she have that kind of money?” asked Leo.

“If she’s been as busy as we believe she has, yes. She has that and much more. But that doesn’t tell us where the eggs and the amber are. It doesn’t appear that they’ve been sold just yet.”

“We’ve been walking this city for three days trying to find her. How is she hiding so well?” asked Hex.

“ We think we know a general location ,” said AJ. “The body of Echo Hardy was found wrapped in a white sheet, thrown into the Seine sometime between noon yesterday and two a.m. this morning when the body was found. Apparent cause of death at this time is myocardial infarction.”

“On a thirty-year-old woman?” frowned Tillie. “Is that even possible?”

“It would be if she had a history of heart disease, but she did not. We believe she was given something to speed that process up and ensure her death. Given where she was found, the currents, and the state of her body, we’ve got about nine hotels for you to check.”

“It’s a start,” said Luke. “Let’s go.”

As Luke opened the front door, he was surprised to see Han Ho Nahm standing on the stoop of their home with his bodyguards.

“Mr. Robicheaux, I assume,” he said calmly.

“You assume correctly, Mr. Nahm. What can we do for you?” said Luke in an equally calm tone and demeanor.

“I heard that Miss Hardy was found dead late last night.” Luke’s brows rose, questioning how he knew that information. “I have many connections, Mr. Robicheaux. Can I assume that you were not her killer?”

“You can assume that, but we believe we know who was.”

“Ms. Palmer.”

“You sure seem to know a lot,” said Leo, frowning at the man.

“I am a very wealthy man. Money does buy whatever you like,” he said calmly.

“Ms. Palmer is in way over her head. She is playing with things and people she does not understand. This is not just some game that these people play. They take it very seriously, and she will find herself beside her friend Echo if she’s not careful. ”

“And just who are these people chasing her for the items?” asked Tillie.

“People that you would not wish to meet,” he said calmly. “The eggs and amber are now out of my reach. Whatever she decides to do with them, I hope that they are returned to where they belong.”

“That sounds like a man wanting to do what’s right,” said Hex.

“You seem to be under the impression that I don’t always do what is right.

I do. My personal life may not be the picturesque lifestyle that you believe it should be, but my wife and I have an understanding, and it works for us.

Neither of us has ever humiliated the other or ruined our family name or businesses. ”

“We’re not judging,” said Cam. Nahm laughed for the first time, shaking his head.

“Yes. You are. But that’s alright. I’m an honest businessman, and I don’t set out to harm anyone unless they are doing something that will harm me and my family. The people who want those objects are not going to be understanding if Ms. Palmer sells those items.”

“Why were they after the man?” asked Tillie, not willing to give Fred’s name.

“We’re speaking of the Earl of Mansberg,” he smirked. Tillie grinned at the man and nodded. “The woman, Lenora, believed that he caught her on camera speaking to a black-market dealer. He might not be aware of who it is, but they knew that someone would.”

“Are you going back to Thailand?” asked Cam.

“I am, Mr. Dougall.” Cam’s brows rose with the use of his last name.

“I’m good at what I do. I’m not your enemy, gentlemen.

I respect what you do and admire the business you’ve created.

I only came to tell you that the woman will die if she’s not stopped, and worse, the treasures will be lost. Too many treasures have been stolen from this world. Perhaps we can save these few.”

“That’s the plan, Mr. Nahm,” said Luke, shaking his hand. He nodded, turning to leave in his limo. He never looked back.

“What now?” asked Hex.

“We do what we were going to do in the first place. We go out and find that woman before she gets herself killed and, worse, loses those treasures.”