Down and Dirty (Witches Be Crazy Cozy Witch Mystery Series Book 4) by Constance Barker

Author:Constance Barker [Barker, Constance]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Constance Barker
Published: 2020-08-19T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

ANTOINE STEAMED RIGHT up to the counter, which was like him. His black shirt and pants were not suited for the heat of New Orleans, but I suspected he was as much show as substance. He knew his job. I had to give him that, but he had an affected air. Perhaps, he considered himself a display to be groomed to his advantage.

“Good morning, Helga.” He smiled, a weak smile. “I was in the neighborhood and decided to stop by. I have some work for you. A new set of artifacts from a dig in Iceland. Vikings, I hope. They are quite popular at the moment.”

“Indeed, they are. They’re a rather colorful people. I’ll enjoy doing what I can for you. But while you’re here, I think we need to talk about the Chitimacha display.”

He frowned, his usually dour face even more dour.

“I couldn’t help but notice the demonstrations outside the museum, and I’ve chatted with Ada. The tribal elders aren’t very happy about the use of their ancestral artifacts without their consent.”

“Let’s define our roles. I’m the curator. You’re a consultant. I won’t tell you how to do your work, and you don’t tell me how to do mine.”

I could tell that the discussion wasn’t going well, but he had come to me. It was my opportunity to make him see the damage he was doing to real people.

“Think for a moment, Antoine.”

“I do think.”

“I know you do, but why do you want to upset a bunch of people?”

“For money, perhaps?”

Orchid and Zephyr arrived, and their agitation was plain to see. They did not like Antoine.

“Don’t let him browbeat you,” Orchid said. “You are right, and he is wrong.”

I didn’t want to be distracted, but telling the ghosts to be quiet was not possible with him there.

“He’s a bully,” Zephyr said. “And bullies should not be allowed to intimidate.”

While I appreciated the support, I wished the ghosts would refrain from talking, even if Antoine couldn’t hear them.

“Not everything is about money,” I said, knowing that I wasn’t winning the argument. “In the long run, having the Chitimacha tribe on your side will be a good thing.”

“As far as I’m concerned, the tribe already has too much influence over the display. This is science and history, Helga, not a song around the camp fire. Not everything in life is pleasing.”

“Why antagonize people when you don’t have to? To me, that’s a losing proposition.”

He put his hands on the counter, and I could feel the anger inside him. He was trying to restrain himself.

“And what about the next time?” I asked. “It might not be the Chitimacha. It might be another tribe or an entire country, if you happen to display Aztec human sacrifices. You don’t want that, do you?”

“This is going nowhere.” He backed up a step. His forced smile told me that he had come to some decision.”

Orchid and Zephyr made faces, which almost made me laugh. They were quite demonstrative—for ghosts.

“I’m afraid, Helga, that we are no longer on the same page.

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