He heard Kallie gasp but forced his focus from her. She was safe. They would have to go through him to get to her, and he would not let that happen.
“Give over what we want or we’ll take the nice piece of flesh too.” A voice rumbled from one of the men in the alley.
“I will give you a warning,” Jerreon said calmly. “This is not what you want to do. It will bring you to no good end.” He kept his tone low and urged them to listen and obey.
One of the men behind him pulled back as did the big guy in front, but their actions annoyed the man with the knife.
“What are you doing you idiots? Get him.” He sprang forward, slashing out with the knife.
Chapter Seven
Jerreon spun to the side as the blade whipped by, barely missing his stomach. He pivoted, slashing his hand into the man. The blow knocked the man off his feet and to the ground. Behind, one of the men charged. Jerreon continued his motion around smashing his fist into the man. The man dropped to the ground snapping the other two from the stupor they’d drifted in.
Jerreon blocked a blow from one, while the bigger man grabbed him from behind, attempting to pin his arms down.
Kallie screamed.
“Stay back.” Jerreon growled as he powered his arms up.
The man in front landed a punch to his side, then shook his hand. Jerreon pulled his legs up, putting all his weight on the big man holding him. Jerreon kicked out catching the man square in the chest, knocking him across the alley into a garbage receptacle.
Tightening his stomach muscles, Jerreon pulled the man holding him forward. The moment Jerreon’s legs touched the ground, he grabbed one of the man’s arms, dragging him forward over his shoulder, throwing him down onto an old car. The man groaned and fell still.
Jerreon looked around but none of the men were rising. He spun at the sound of movement and opened his arm in time to catch Kallie against him.
“Are you all right?” She ran her hands over his chest.
He caught one hand bringing it to his lips.
“I am well, but I think we better leave here.”
She nodded, though her gaze still ran over him. He wrapped an arm around her and drew her out on the street.
She glanced back at the alley while matching her stride to his. “We ought to call the police.”
“I cannot be entangled in your laws of the land. Hopefully they suffer enough for their attempt. One has a broken nose. Another, two ribs are broken and his hand. The other two will feel the effects for days.”
“I think the guy in the pawn shop was behind it.”
“I believe you are correct, but do not worry, his friends will see to him.”
“Why do you say that?” She looked up at him.
“Because I urged the blame on him. They will remember it.”
They made it to the end on the next block that crossed a busier road before they were able to flag down a cab. Kallie gave the address for another coin dealer, which sounded like he handled only coins and had a large number of good reviews.
“You can go back to the hostel if you’d like,” Jerreon said.
Her lips twitched with a smile. “Hotel. Or, actually they refer to it as a resort. And no, I’m staying with you.”
He squeezed her hand before bringing it to his lips. “I have to figure out your world if I’m going to survive in it.”
“And I will help you.”
He liked the firmness in her voice. It spoke of that she was with him in all ways. “I do not like you in danger.” He kissed the inside of her wrist. He felt her heart leap.
She swallowed, her eyes locking on his. “You know, I’ve never been mugged before. And now in two days I’ve been in two attempts.”
He frowned at that, figuring out her “mugged” meant being attacked. “I do not like to think I brought you danger.” He released her hand, pulling back in the seat.
Kallie reached out, her hands framed his face and she turned his head to face her. “You did not. You kept me safe. Both times. And the first time you didn’t know me.” She leaned in and kissed him lightly.
It was briefly there and gone but the taste of her flowed through him. “I knew you from the moment I saw you.” He touched her cheek. “As you knew me.” He made it a statement and waited for her to disagree. She didn’t.
“I don’t know if I believe in love at first sight, but I believe in you.”
He cupped her cheek and brought his mouth to hers hoping she always would. When she came to accept who he really was, it would take all her faith to believe in him and want to be one with him, because no matter their similarities, he was still an alien to her.
He let the kiss linger, though he was aware of the man in front driving the car. He broke the kiss, holding her to his side with one arm while wrapping her hand in his, holding it to his heart.
It wasn’t long until they pulled up in front of another building. This one looked much nicer. It was tall, going up several floors with gleaming windows that reflected back the surrounding buildings. They got out and Kallie handed the driver some paper. Before she closed her purse, he took a piece of the paper from her.
He studied it. “This is what I need? Your money.”
“Yes.”
“The ore of the other seems more valuable than paper.” He felt confused.
“It is. The government backs up the value of the paper with gold.”
“Then why not just carry gold?”
“Good question. One hard to explain, other than it is just not done. What do you use where you are from?”
“We receive credits for our labor. Everyone serves in some capacity.” He handed the paper back to her.
“We have credit cards. That is what people mainly use so they don’t have to carry too much cash with them. We might want to do that for you. It would be safer and easier in most cases.”
“The woman mentioned this last night when I went to get a room. If it is possible, I would do this.”
“We’ll see if it’s possible. I’m surprised you don’t have one to travel.”
“It was not needed.” He opened the door for her as they reached it and waited for a man to hurry out before stepping through.
She was by a board with writing when he entered. “The coin dealer is on the third floor.”
Beside her, doors slid open and she stepped in. He followed and realized they were in a lift. When the doors opened again, she led him across the hall. Through the glass in the wall he could see display cases lining all the way around the room, but unlike the other place, these gleamed under bright lights.
There was a chime when they entered, and older man appeared out of a doorway. He smiled friendly.
“Hello.” He held out his hand to shake theirs. “I’m Lynn Butler. Butler Coins.”
Jerreon got a good feeling from him in the contact.
“Can I show you something?”
“Your site said you buy coins,” Kallie said.
“Yes. I’ll try to give you a fair price,” the man said. “What do you have?”
Jerreon pulled his hand out of his pocket, holding out one of the coins.
“Oh my. Just a moment.” He pulled a pair of white gloves from his pocket and put them on before reaching out to take the coin. “Oh my, a gold Stater. Isn’t it beautiful? May I?” He motioned to an object on the counter.
“Certainly,” Jerreon said.
Lynn Butler was already moving to place it on a tray, then moving the tray under the object, he looking down.
“It is beautiful. I’d say it’s never been cleaned and looks in perfect condition. Roaring lion head. Double square.” He looked up. “You wish to sell it?”
“Yes, and several others.” Jerreon brought several more from his pocket.
Kallie moved in closer to see. Though she’d looked at them briefly at the bank, she really hadn’t studied them close. Now, under the bright lights, she was stunned by their clarity. The edges were not precisely round like coins sh
e was used to. These were punched blobs of gold. She would bet hand punched at that. A couple had sides that showed what looked like two squares, like a pair of dice. Some had a roaring lion’s head and a couple had what looked like a lion and bull facing each other.
“Oh,” Mr. Butler breathed out again. He looked about to faint. His fingers trembled as he lifted one with a bull and lion. “Croesus, 500 BC.”
That shocked her. She glanced at Jerreon, but he made no reaction. 500 BC, could that be right? She looked again at the coins. O boy. Her breathing sped up. She suddenly felt very nervous, like she’d never had around Jerreon. Where did he get them?
The thought must have come to Mr. Butler because he repeated her question almost word for word.
“May I ask where you got them?”
“They have been with my people for a very long time,” Jerreon said in his way of answering and still being vague.
“Are you certain you want to sell them?”
“Yes. I need to, to live on. What I sell is depending on their worth.”
“Quite a bit. They are spectacular. Though they will need to be authenticated.”
“How long will that take?” Jerreon’s brow creased slightly.
“It depends. I can’t begin to do it. I apologize. I don’t handle anything like these. As you can see, he motioned to the cases. “I specialize in American coins now, though I am tempted to get one for myself, for personal reasons. Though it would fit nowhere in my collection, and my wife would have a fit.”
“Then you can’t help us?” Kallie asked.
“Actually, I might be able to. There is a man that has an estate here, who does collect them and he would also be able to authenticate them himself. If he happens to be here, he is who you should talk to. He would probably be willing to buy them all. Let me see if I can reach him.” He went over and looked through an old type card holder until he found what he was looking for, then took out his cell phone and dialed the number.
He was on hold only a moment before someone came on line. “Adam, yes. Fine, thank you, and you? Good. Why I called is, I have a man here interested in selling some Kings of Lydia staters. Astonishing. I would say AU. Looks like ten, but I didn’t ask.”
Mr. Butler looked at them. “When would you like to meet him?”
Jerreon looked at her.
“Anytime,” she said. “The sooner the better. How long would it take to get there by taxi or should I rent a car?”
He related her comment in the phone, a minute later he hung up. “He’s sending a car for you. It should be downstairs in about twenty minutes, if that’s okay?”
Again, Jerreon looked to her waiting for her answer.
“How well do you know this man?” she asked.
“Quite well. His name is Adam Bacchus. He’s a little older than I am. He is somewhat of a recluse. He likes his privacy. He lost his wife a long time ago, never remarried or had any children. Kind of eccentric, but I think most coin or antiquity collectors are. I include myself in that comment. I think you will find him honest, and if he likes what he sees, may be quite generous.”
“May I ask you how much you think they’re worth?” she asked.
“Certainly. I’m not an expert on staters, but yours look extremely excellent and if anyone is an expert, it is Adam.” He went and pulled out a book and thumbed through. “I would say in the area of twenty-five thousand would be a good starting place.”
Kallie felt her stomach muscles tighten. “Is that for all or a piece?”
“A piece. You’ll have to bargain that with Adam. I expect he will be fair if he wants them.”
She nodded looking over at the number of coins Jerreon had. There was possibly a quarter of a million dollars sitting there. “How do we thank you? You’re not even getting a commission on this.”
The man smiled. “I like seeing coins go where they will be appreciated. Besides, I’m sure Adam will give me a finder’s fee, if he’s happy. He has also been good to support me in the past when he’s wanted something I could obtain. So, I don’t feel as if I am out anything. It was a pleasure just seeing them, but if you’re ever in the market again, remember me.”
“That’s guaranteed.”
“Good. I think it would be better if you wait up here. Can I get you something to drink?”
“Water would be wonderful,” she said.
“For me also, please,” Jerreon added.
Lynn stepped into the back room.
“I take this is a large amount?” he asked her.
“Yes. I was not expecting anything like that. Didn’t you know their value?”
He shook his head. “I just hoped it would be enough to live on while I found Lysias.”
“I would say that shouldn’t be a problem.”
Mr. Butler came back handing each of them a water bottle, then went to look at the coins again. “They are very beautiful.”
Kallie took a drink, stepping up to him. “Are they really that old?”
“Yes, some of the first gold coins ever minted. The first coins for that matter. And look, the stamping is so clear you can make out the Phoenician lettering.”
“It sounds like you do know a lot about them.”
“Just enough to be slightly envious. Do you know much about coins?”
“I have a Morgan silver dollar my father gave me and a mercury dime.”
“What is that?” Jerreon asked.
Mr. Butler pointed them out in the case. “Of course, the price all depends on the date and the grade. But you have a good place to start. They are both very pretty coins.” His phone rang. He looked at the message. “Your ride is here.”
“Thank you so much.” Kallie shook his hand, then Jerreon did.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Good luck with Adam. He’ll let you know if they are the real deal.” The man didn’t sound like he doubted it. He wrapped the coins in a cloth and handed them to Jerreon.
They got downstairs and found a limo waiting just outside the door. “I think that’s maybe for us.” She walked to the man standing next to the car. “Mr. Bacchus.”
“I’m his driver, Edward.” He opened the door.
“This is nice. Much different than the taxi,” Jerreon said as he got in beside her.
She laughed. “It doesn’t get much better. This is my first limo ride.”
“Kallie, I think that it would be better if I took you back to the motel. I have put you in danger this day. It was never my intention to do so. I would feel better if I knew you were safe until this business is complete.”
She started to shake her head to disagree.
“Please,” he said before she could start. “I would do this. You wanted to write your book. I will be back as soon as I am done.”
Kallie wanted to argue, but she could feel the importance of this to him, it almost seemed like it was something he had to prove to himself, though she wasn’t sure why. Slowly she nodded. She leaned forward in the seat. “Edward, would it be possible to drop me off at my hotel first?”
“Of course.” She gave the name and he detoured to the marina.
“Thank you for this.” Jerreon touched her cheek. “I will find you there later. You will be there won’t you?”
“Yes. I think I’ll write by the pool.” When they pulled up out front of the resort, she was tempted again to ask if he was certain. Instead, she got out of the car when the door was opened.
He followed her out. “I will come for you later. I believe I owe you a meal.” He caught her hand and raised it to his lips.
“I’ll be waiting.”
He got back in, and the limo pulled away. She prayed for his safety, then headed for her room. Knowing the story she’d been working on was not going to get finished at this time, because she was starting a new one featuring a tall, white-blond hero. Maybe he’d be a coin dealer. She could call Mr. Butler for information. She was sure he would help her. No, he was a government agent after a terrorist.
/> ***
Jerreon glanced back to see Kallie standing there. He hated to leave her, but until he got the money problem settled he was not risking her being in danger. She said it was a great amount of money. The men who attacked them earlier knew of only one coin, what would happen when they found out how many he carried? What he had in his pocket that he showed the coin dealer was but a small portion.
He had detected no sign of malice in Lynn Butler or in the driver, Edward, but he was going to be prepared. He enjoyed the ride, listening to the soft music that filled the car. It wasn’t long until they pulled up to a metal gate with scrolling and a roaring lions head, similar to that on the coins. The gate swung open automatically to let them pass. They stopped in front of a large white marble edifice. Two reclining lions sat on either side of the five steps up to the massive door.
Again, Edward got out and came around to open the door. Before Jerreon made it out of the car, the doors to the house opened and a silvered haired man with a mustache and a small beard came down the steps to greet him.
“Mr. Bacchus.” Jerreon dipped his head in greeting.
“Yes. I’m afraid I didn’t get your name from Lynn.” He eyed him up and down.
Jerreon felt as if he was getting read much the same as he was doing to the man. “Jerreon Ander.”
“Jerreon. Interesting name. Well, shall we go inside and see what you have for me?”
“Certainly.”
“I thought Lynn said you had a woman with you?”
“We dropped her off at her hotel. She is an author and wanted to get some writing done.”
“An author, really? What does she write?”
“She said romantic suspense. That it is about love, adventure, and heroes.” He hoped he got that right.
“I see. Well, right this way to my study.” Mr. Bacchus eyed him again curiously.
The house was large, open and airy with lots of light coming in. It reminded Jerreon of his own family home, though he had a smaller room not far from the Council building where many of the Council guards stayed to be close. That was gone now.
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