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.”

crafted by masters fetched top price, and there were professional appraisers in the industry

he knew the appraisers–it was all

went smoothly. Terrell had already

his phone, Terrell dialed up his

your kit and come to the music store. My boss insists on an appraisal for those zithers. She’s clueless about how the world works–thinks she’s some kind of expert. It’s

Noella would never have

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

his 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 we don’t teach her a lesson, she won’t know who’s

could finish, the door suddenly burst open with a

you doing here!” Ryder exclaimed in shock.

and the

across Ryder’s face. “You’ve been with us for years, Ryder, and you pull these illegal stunts! You dare mess with

by the gr

been overheard through the speakerphone by remarks about

head appraiser’s face was red with

the door,

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

cheek, was

other end of the line, Terrell waited

10:56

was beginning to think your firm had lost its way. Take him away–hell fit right in there, with their regimented schedules.

11l call

eyes widened in disbelief. “Galen, I’ve given thirty years to the center. Won’t

deceive customers. That’s fraud, and the center will hold

was taken away, Master Rainer gestured dismissively. “I have people to see. I won’t linger here. Go to the music

Master Rainer’s approval, quickly gathered