Blood on the Stars Read Online Free PDF Page B

understand perfectly, Mr. Dustin. You’d like to request a disinterested appraisal before making up your mind.”
    “Yes. Someone like an insurance appraiser. That’s a splendid idea. I’ll have to have it insured if I do buy. What portion of the appraised value do those people generally write coverage on?” he asked Shayne.
    “Up to eighty percent. Sometimes more. Depending on the reputation of the dealer, the current market, things like that.”
    Voorland nodded approvingly. “In general cases, you are quite correct, Mike. But this isn’t a general case. This bracelet is unique and therefore practically priceless. I’m ready to stake my professional reputation that any reputable insurance company will be glad to issue you a policy covering the full purchase price.”
    “That’s good enough for me. You’ve made a sale if you can fix up a policy on that basis.”
    Mr. Voorland chuckled and smacked over his gum. “Is Earl Randolph in town, Mike?”
    “I saw him a couple of days ago.”
    “Mr. Randolph is one of the shrewdest appraisers in the business,” Voorland told Dustin. “I showed him this bracelet two months ago when I was holding it at two hundred thousand, and he asked for a chance to write a policy on it when I sold it. I’ll get hold of him at once and I’m sure we’ll have no difficulty.”
    “In that case, I presume you’d like to have a little cash on the line.” Mark Dustin’s voice was strained, as though he realized for the first time what he was letting himself in for. He reached in a side pocket of his slacks, adding, “Naturally, I don’t carry that kind of cash around with me.”
    “Naturally not, Mr. Dustin.” Voorland’s voice was soothing and understanding.
    “But the bangtails have been coming in for me,” Dustin explained as he withdrew a thick clip of bills. “Suppose I give you ten thousand down to bind the sale, and a check for the balance.”
    “Perfectly all right, Mr. Dustin.”
    “It will have to be a check on my bank in Denver. I’m just here for a short time.”
    “I quite understand,” Voorland purred. “Of course you won’t expect to take possession until your check has cleared through my local bank.”
    “Of course not. Wait a minute.” Dustin turned to his wife. “When is that shindig in Miami? That fancy concert at the White Temple.”
    “Next Friday, Mark. But it doesn’t matter—”
    “The hell it doesn’t. The Crowthers will be there, and the Buckleys . And old lady Bastrop with all her diamonds. Do you think I can have it for my wife to wear Friday night?” he asked Voorland .
    “This is Monday.” Voorland pursed his lips and looked doubtful. “I’m sure I can have the insurance coverage arranged by that time, but the check on Denver will scarcely have time to get back.”
    “Nonsense,” said Dustin. “Give your bank instructions to send it through special. By airmail. And have the Denver bank wire when it clears. Shouldn’t take more than two days.” His manner evidenced the westerner’s contempt for the conservative pace of easterners, and it brought an indulgent smile to Voorland’s lips.
    He nodded and said, “Very well. If you’ll step back to the office, Mr. Dustin, we’ll take care of it right away. Wander around and see what you’d like,” he added over his shoulder to Shayne as the three of them went toward his private office. “This will take only a few minutes.”
    “Who is he?” Lucy exclaimed when they were out of hearing. “He looks like a cowboy—or something. I could live in luxury the rest of my life on the money he’s throwing away on that trinket.”
    Shayne grinned and tweaked her ear. “You thought it was pretty in the beginning.”
    “I still do, but a hundred and eighty thousand dollars! It’s criminal to spend money that way. Think how many loaves of bread that would buy for starving children all over the world.”
    “Let’s not think about it.” Shayne led her toward the long row of