Chapter 1: An old acquaintance
Maggie glanced around the elegant lobby of an old theatre that was bought and restored by a wealthy business man. She was hired to oversee the fine art that was being installed. She was in her element being surrounded by priceless artwork that had just been shipped for the reopening of the theater.
"Dr. Collins," a gentleman called to her.
Maggie turned around and looked at the middle age man as he approached her. She smiled and met him halfway.
"Mr. Ivanovo," Maggie said.
"Erick, please no need to be so formal," the dark haired man said. "I must say when they said you were a master at what you do I could not believe at first, but now I am amazed."
Maggie glanced around the theater and stared at the Russian art that was being installed to the grand lobby. She turned back to the owner of the theater as he stood with pride.
"You must come to the gala next week. We are celebrating the opening of the theatre. And I wish to introduce you to other possible clients."
"I would love that." Maggie smiled.
"Good, I will have my people call your people. And thank you very much for helping to create this dream." Erick grabbed her hand and kissed it. "If you need me I shall be up in the office."
Maggie gave a nod and he stepped away from her. She went back to work and helped fix the painting being hung. She was deep in her work as she examined the grandeur of the grand lobby. The chandelier gave off a glow that showed off the master pieces on the wall.
The one thing Maggie never knew was that she was about to get a visit from an old acquaintance who was interested in the owner of the theater. And he was about to offer her a job that coincide with the one she was currently working on.
She returned to her office to pick up some plans for another client. She was greeted by her young secretary.
"Nina, I need you to call the museum and schedule an appointment with the director. I am going to the take the French artifact exhibit after all." Maggie said.
"Dr. Collins, there's a gentleman in your office," Nina stepped in front of Maggie.
Maggie stopped short and wrinkled her brow. Her secretary seemed a little nervous about who sat in her office.
"What does this gentleman look like?" Maggie asked with curiosity.
"Three piece suit, short brown hair." Nina looked at Maggie.
Maggie nodded and bit her lower lip.
"English accent?"
"Yes," Nina said.
Maggie nodded and stepped around the young woman. She walked to her office and opened the door and stopped short. He turned and looked at her and with his usual cocky smirk and hands in his pockets.
"Hello, Maggie," he greeted her
Maggie stood straight and shut her office door. "Hello, Jim."
"Quite a nice office," Sterling said.
"What are you doing here, Jim?" Maggie asked.
He walked towards her and caught her gaze.
"I've come to offer you a job," Sterling said. "Official Interpol business of course."
Maggie looked at him and shook her head. She walked around him to her desk and lifted some folders.
"I can't help you, Jim." Maggie swept up her files.
"It will be like the old times."
Maggie glanced up and stared out the large window. She glanced over at him as he stood there. She turned and faced him as he stood there. She couldn't deny the fact that his very presence sent chills up her spin. His well dressed nature with a week old beard made him look distinguished and rough at the same time.
"What's the job?" Maggie asked.
"What you do best, Maggie, verify art." Sterling walked towards her. "There was a shipment of Russian art that had been recently shipped here."
"The only art that was shipped here recently was cleared by customs, what does Interpol what with Russian art?" Maggie leaned against her desk.
"Are you sure it's the real art?" Sterling walked around her office and stared at the pictures that were from the old days.
He lifted a picture of her and Nate and Maggie folded her arms as she watched him snoop.
"It's not the art that we're after it's what else was shipped with it that raised alert." Sterling turned to her. "The art is a cover."
Maggie walked over and took the picture from his hand. He smirked a little and walked from the shelf. She lightly sighed and followed the wandering man as he seemed to be looking for something.
"Are you interested?" Sterling asked.
"Are you baiting me, Jim?" Maggie asked.
Sterling leaned against her desk and looked at Maggie. He slightly tilted his head and chuckled a little. Obvious there was a slight tension since the last time they saw each over two years ago. He was the insurance investigator for a missing Fabersha Egg, which he felt retrieving the egg first was more important than clearing her name. And used Nate's team to do the heavy lifting.
"Why me?" Maggie asked. "Am I a pawn in your game, Jim?"
"Oh, Maggie, that hurts," Sterling said. "I wouldn't use you like Nate does. I promise this is strictly just verifying and a little snooping here and there."
"I knew it!" Maggie snapped.
Maggie walked to the door and opened it for him.
"Please leave, Jim," Maggie said.
He pushed off her desk and walked with such confidence. He stopped and pulled out a white card. He looked at her and presented the card.
"If you change your mind, Maggie, call me." Sterling walked past her. "Good to see you again. I look forward to hearing from you because I know you will call."
"Don't be so confident, Jim." Maggie shut the door hard.
She tossed his card in the trash and shook her head. There was nothing that Jim Sterling could say to convince her in taking a job like the one he offered. She leaned against her desk and stared out the window. He was everything that a man shouldn't be in her eyes, but at the same time she couldn't help to admire his perseverance in doing his job.
Maggie shook her head and cursed under her breath. He always found away to get to her and maybe despite his blind confidence and that cocky little smirk on his face, there was something more beneath the façade.