The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 217

Terrell’s face was a study in discomfort, his compasum slipping

ping like ice on a hot summer day

Travis, his kin through thick and thin, had been sent up the river by Noella after that fiasco at the art gallery Word on the street was that he was now getting three squares a day behind bars

“Ms. Schnabel, I’m not sure what you’re driving at Terrell stammered, his words chasing each other in confusion.

“Didn’t you visit him a few days ago? Seemed like he’s living the life.”

Terrell and Travis shared more than just blood, they shared loyalty. Even with Travis locked away, Terrell made time for brotherly visits “Ms. Schnabel, I visited him because we were colleagues once. As for your insinuations, they’re lost on me. Are there any issues with these withers?”

Noella maised an eyebrow, her expression cool and unreadable. “Where did you get these zithers, Terrell?” “Well, Ms. Schnabel, these zithers have always been at our store! It’s possible that when you visited last tim attention to them.”

time, you were too rushed to pay

“The headstock is rounded, the neck a bit short, the waist cinched–rich in sound. These aren’t Master Rainer’s creations.” Cradling the zither’s waist, Noella flipped the zither over to inspect the inscription on the bottom. There, stamped into the wood, was indeed Master Rainer’s personal seall

“Ms. Schnabel, the seal’s right there. We’ve checked it multiple times–it’s genuine.

Terrell was set in his mind that even if Noella knew something about zither construction, she couldn’t unravel the true origin of this instrument.

Near the tailpiece, there was a flamboyant signature–Sylvie.

Noella’s eyebrow arched just a fraction higher.

When did she ever craft this wither and leave her name on it? And that signature–it looked like it was scrawled by a foot.

“If you insist on playing tough, then let’s bring in the appraisers.”

masters fetched top price, and there were professional appraisers in the industry for such items. Terrell didn’t flinch. “Sure

was all part

auction went smoothly. Terrell had already

his phone, Terrell dialed up his

about how the world works–thinks she’s some kind of expert. It’s laughable. I’ve been in the zither business for years;

a little smarter, Noella would never have gotten the

from the antique market, and though a bit worse for wear when acquired, a little restoration made them as good as new. A fresh coat of polish and they could sell for

toolkit, replied, “Tll be right there. We’ll stick to our agreed price. Just some greenhorn, a little smoke and mimors will do. Just a Schnabel, barely out of her teens, and she’s meddling in the zither world? If

open with a kick, revealing a

you doing here!”

let Master/Rainer and the head of

for years, Ryder, and you

by the gr

overheard through the speakerphone

face was red with anger

door, including their disparaging

the treasured daughter of the Schnabel family–just being Master Rainer’s acknowledged apprentice made her untouchable in the zither world!

cheek, was

the line, Terrell waited for

10:56

had lost its way. Take him away–hell fit right in there,

11l call

in disbelief. “Galen, I’ve given thirty years to the center. Won’t you give me one chance to make

You’re a professional. You took money to deceive customers. That’s fraud, and

Rainer gestured dismissively. “I have people to see. I won’t linger here. Go

the appraisal firm, Galen, relieved by Master Rainer’s approval, quickly gathered his staff and headed to Noella’s music