The Killer Queen

Terrell’s face was a study in discomfort, his compasum slipping

ping like ice on a hot summer day

Travis, his kin through thick and thin, had been sent up the river by Noella after that fiasco at the art gallery Word on the street was that he was now getting three squares a day behind bars

“Ms. Schnabel, I’m not sure what you’re driving at Terrell stammered, his words chasing each other in confusion.

“Didn’t you visit him a few days ago? Seemed like he’s living the life.”

Terrell and Travis shared more than just blood, they shared loyalty. Even with Travis locked away, Terrell made time for brotherly visits “Ms. Schnabel, I visited him because we were colleagues once. As for your insinuations, they’re lost on me. Are there any issues with these withers?”

Noella maised an eyebrow, her expression cool and unreadable. “Where did you get these zithers, Terrell?” “Well, Ms. Schnabel, these zithers have always been at our store! It’s possible that when you visited last tim attention to them.”

time, you were too rushed to pay

“The headstock is rounded, the neck a bit short, the waist cinched–rich in sound. These aren’t Master Rainer’s creations.” Cradling the zither’s waist, Noella flipped the zither over to inspect the inscription on the bottom. There, stamped into the wood, was indeed Master Rainer’s personal seall

“Ms. Schnabel, the seal’s right there. We’ve checked it multiple times–it’s genuine.

Terrell was set in his mind that even if Noella knew something about zither construction, she couldn’t unravel the true origin of this instrument.

Near the tailpiece, there was a flamboyant signature–Sylvie.

Noella’s eyebrow arched just a fraction higher.

When did she ever craft this wither and leave her name on it? And that signature–it looked like it was scrawled by a foot.

“If you insist on playing tough, then let’s bring in the appraisers.”

Vintage zithers and those crafted by masters fetched top price, and there were professional appraisers in the industry for such items. Terrell didn’t flinch. “Sure thing, I call the appraisers right now.”

After all, he knew the appraisers–it was all part of the plan,

To ensure the upcoming auction went smoothly. Terrell had already made arrangements with the appraisal firm.

Stepping outside with his phone, Terrell dialed up his contact.

“Ryder, grab your kit and come to the music store. My boss insists on an appraisal for those zithers. She’s clueless about how the world works–thinks she’s some kind of expert. It’s laughable. I’ve been in the zither business for years; she can’t hold a candle to me.”

If only Travis had been a little smarter, Noella would never have gotten the upper hand.

Those zithers were pricey finds from the antique market, and though a bit worse for wear when acquired, a little restoration made them as good as new. A fresh coat of polish and they could sell for a handsome price.

Ryder, grabbing his toolkit, replied, “Tll be right there. We’ll stick to our agreed price. Just some greenhorn, a little smoke and mimors will do. Just a Schnabel, barely out of her teens, and she’s meddling in the zither world? If we don’t teach her a lesson, she won’t know who’s boss!

Before Ryder could finish, the door suddenly burst open with a kick, revealing a group of unexpected visitors.

“What are you doing here!” Ryder exclaimed in shock.

Mizar chuckled, stepping aside to let Master/Rainer and the head of the appraisal firm through.

The head appraiser delivered a slap across Ryder’s face. “You’ve been with us for years, Ryder, and you pull these illegal stunts! You dare mess with Master Rainer’s apprentice?”

by the gr

The whole conversation with Terrell had been overheard through the speakerphone by remarks about Noella

The head appraiser’s face was red with anger

group at the door, including their disparaging

Forget that Ms. Schnabel was the treasured daughter of the Schnabel family–just being Master Rainer’s acknowledged apprentice made her untouchable in the zither world!

Ryder, hand on his cheek, was still reeling-

On the other end of the line, Terrell waited for a response.

10:56

Master Rainer snorted. “I was beginning to think your firm had lost its way. Take him away–hell fit right in there, with their regimented schedules.

“Right away, 11l call the policel”

Ryder’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Galen, I’ve given thirty years to the center. Won’t you give me one chance to make it right?”

“Save it, Ryder. You’re a professional. You took money to deceive customers. That’s fraud, and the center will hold you accountable.

As Ryder was taken away, Master Rainer gestured dismissively. “I have people to see. I won’t linger here. Go to the music store.”

“Immediately!” The head of the appraisal firm, Galen, relieved by Master Rainer’s approval, quickly gathered his staff and headed to Noella’s music store.

Master Rainer had noticed Mizar following and after confronting her, they detoured to the appraisal center–a fortuitous coincidence.

“Mizar, since you’re shadowing me, get in the driver’s seat. Or do you expect me to chauffeur you?”

“Heh, you got it, Master!”

Terrell, puzzled by the dial tone on the other end of the phone, felt a growing unease.

Ryder, it seemed, had a knack for disappearing mid–call. However, since he promised to show up, all one could do was wait

“Ms. Schnabel, the folks from the appraisal center are on their way.”

“Great.”

Noella’s fingers brushed lightly over the thirteen markers of the zithers, inlaid with what was supposed to be nephrite.

It didn’t take an expert to realize these were inferior pieces of nephrite. If not for the fact that zithers didn’t require much of the stone and the inlay work made it hard to spot, these scraps of nephrite would barely fetch two grand. Yet Terrell had somehow managed to hype up these subpar nephrite zithers to sky–high prices.

The music store’s assistant manager arrived with the appraiser. “Ms. Schnabel, Galen from the appraisal center is here.”

Terrell’s heart raced at the sight of the newcomer. Why was the boss here himself? What about Ryder?

“I thought I was dealing with Ryder. Why is Galen here in person?” Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

As Galen prepared himself, donning gloves and appraisal gear, he explained to Noella. “Ms. Schnabel, I’m Galen, owner of the Imperial City Zither Appraisal Center. Today, I’ll be providing my services to you free of charge!”

Noella arched an eyebrow

“Ryder has been taken for investigation due to a professional transgression. He’s facing a stint behind bars!”