Chapter 3

"You set me up," Prue accused her sister. She should have known something was up when Phoebe suggested they go shopping. They had been exploring several boutiques when she realized that her sister was leading her slowly but surely to Duncan's shop.

"I did not," Phoebe said with a look of innocence she had perfected during her misspent youth. "Can I help it if the crystal shop was a block away from Duncan's store?"

"Phoebe!"

"What? You promised you'd check out his collection. Now is as good a time as any."

"Phoebe!"

"Prue!"

"Fine."

Prue sighed letting her sister lead her down the street. She still wasn't sure why she agreed to give her opinion on the shop. She had told Duncan the truth about her desire to try something new. She once dreamed of becoming a professional photographer and even planned to go to the east coast to study. Grams, however, insisted she stay in

San Francisco. Reluctantly she gave up her dream and dutifully stayed earning an art history degree, which eventually led to Buckland's.

The two women spotted the sign "Bay Street Antiques" and went into the store.

Duncan and Richie were moving a heavy Victorian cabinet when they heard the door's pleasant chime ring and found two familiar brunettes entering the store.

"Prue, Phoebe, you made it," Duncan greeted wincing slightly as his friend's grasp on the cabinet slipped causing it to drop to the floor. "What do you think of the place?"

"Your inventory is amazing," Prue said looking around. Clearly, she wasn't expecting such a varied collection.

"You sure have lots of weapons," Phoebe said motioning to a wall covered with swords, daggers and crossbows.

"During my research, I noticed that no one seemed to deal with antique arms," Duncan explained. "It's a void I'm hoping to fill."

"Boys' toys," Phoebe quipped.

Smiling at her words, Duncan wondered what she would think if she knew at least a quarter of the swords came from Amanda who occasionally sold the ones she had 'relieved' from other immortals. Noticing Prue's attention had been captured by an Art Deco vase, he asked, "how much do you think I should charge?"

After a moment, Prue suggested, "$7,000."

Duncan grinned as he saw Richie and Phoebe's jaws drop at the price. "Why's that?" he prompted.

"May I?" she asked lightly touching the glass.

"By all means," he encouraged eager to see how her mind worked.

Picking up the vase carefully, Prue explained, "The glass is heavy, it's marked by

R. Lalique who used this particular tone of blue, and has a model number."

"So that vase is worth more than my checking account," Phoebe said with a glazed look. "Well, that's unbelievably depressing. I need a happy. Frappacinos anyone?"

"Sure," Richie said.

"None for me," Prue said.

"Why don't you two go," Duncan suggested. "There's a good coffee bar around the corner."

Richie took a last look at the vase, shook his head and followed Phoebe out the door leaving Prue and Duncan alone.

"So, you think Bay Street Antiques stands a chance?" Duncan asked.

"Once word gets out about your collection, you'll be well on your way," Prue assured him.

"Are you sure I can't interest you in a job? I know you meant what you said the other night, but still -"

"Duncan, I don't -"

"What about a part-time position? We could work around your schedule," he persisted giving her a sad-puppy dog look. "I really could use your help."

"You sure are tenacious," she said with a laugh.

"You have no idea," he said sensing that she was weakening. "How about a six month trial period? If it doesn't work out, no harm, no foul."

"Well," Prue said hesitantly. "Okay. Six months."

"Six months," Duncan said quickly shaking her hand to seal the deal before she could change her mind.