After the Win Pt. 03

"The carving on this project is so intricate that it was at first thought to be counterfeit as no one they knew of had the sort of skill and the tools it took to product that quality of work back then. They were proven wrong. Very, very wrong. And the cameo broach is beyond belief. The cuttings into the fine wire are so small and so fine that you need at least a 10-power jeweler's loupe to see them well. The cameo is not the finest quality but close and is still quite nice to look at. And when you know the whole story it really becomes a thing of beauty and fantastic to explain.

"About 8 years ago, there was to be a major display of antique shortwave radio equipment and some of the things traded or sold during that era as a result of the improved communications technology. Part of that display was a grouping of original rings and other fabulous and unique pieces of jewelry from one vendor of that era, and it was the hit of the show. The broach and ring set had been loaned to the affair by its current owner and was displayed with a notation that the set was available for purchase for a given amount. The set did sell and quickly I might add. It remained on display throughout the show and was then boxed up for transfer to the new owners, whoever they were. There was a fire that seemed to be a diversion. The articles were once more lost and gone from the public eye. A year or two later, a ransom letter was received by the new owners and they gladly paid the ransom to get their rings and broach back. It seems that somewhere in the dealings with the thieves, it was mentioned that the other items might still be available for redemption for the right price. Seems the new owners of those pieces had not purchased insurance for the items and now it is going to be up to the courts to decide what to do with the items when and if they are found, I have it on good authority that if someone could find them they would get control as there is no insurance on them and no payments have been made so it would be sort of a mad scramble. However, if someone was acting on behalf of the listed owner, then that changes everything, back in favor of the finder of the items.

Of course, a person or group of persons might receive a reward anywhere from $300,000 up to maybe $700,000 or more. Not too bad I don't think." Steve said at last:

"Or he could just turn the information over to Interpol and forgetting it all is also a viable solution. So, what do you think, folks?" Stephen asked

Christie said rather quickly "I think we take plenty of quality photographs and then copy down all the information we can get and turn it all to the authorities as we have our own mess to resolve just as soon as Anne and I, especially I, apologize to Steve for the things we said and thought, and if he will still have me, there is a wedding we need to be getting to right about now.

Turning to Stephen, Christine took his hands and looked into his eyes and said very sorrowfully, "Steve, Honey. I love you more than life itself. So much so that the disappointment in what I saw and thought liked to have ruined our marriage before we had one. Honey, I am so sorry. Please forgive me for this transgression I know there will be others, but not as clear or loud again. Stephen James Carpenter, will you marry me. Right now, right here. AND Right forever?"

"Humm... Did you say something, Honey? I'm sorry, but my mind was distracted by thinking we should be getting to down to the meeting room to see if the judge is there and ready yet so we can get this marriage started and then go see some ugly people and see if we can start working on some forever. You ready, Sweets?"

"Oh, you precious, precious man. I am more than ready for this. All of this. Let's do it. Quickly." She replied and taking Stephens hand in hers led him out the door and to the elevator down the hall, looking over her shoulder to make sure Anne and Mike were following.

Once in the lobby, they were surprised to see so many people standing around between the dining area and the meeting rooms the hotel rented out. Mike said that they were to have the use of room 4 for their wedding and headed off that way to see if the judge and everything else was ready.

When Mike looked into room 4, he was surprised at the number of people he found there. He guessed that most were relatives and friends of Mike and Anne here from near and far, probably in town for the stockholders meeting or maybe board meetings and some that Mike thought must either be curious passer byes or else media personnel curious at the sudden activity or a slipped note alerting them of some upcoming occurrences. Didn't matter now, as it was all cast in stone and whatever was going to happen would happen sure as "God made little green apples" as the saying goes.