She unzipped her Bordeaux Birkin bag that Rian and Harley had looked at longingly earlier when the meeting was just starting and Frances had lifted onto the conference table. After she pulled out her tablet from it, she removed it from the table – to the silent disappointment of both young women.

Now she pulled out a black mobile phone from it that had a stout antenna.  I’ve never seen a bag like that up close: its red Bordeaux-color was deep and rich … I wonder what it feels like? Probably silky to the touch.  

“Before you say anything, given your depth of knowledge, I hope you consider giving him some of your time, let him explain what he needs?”

Rian had opened her mouth to say something but Frances beat her to it.

So Rian pursed her lips and just nodded.

Frances handed her the phone after pressing on a button for an extended period of time. Apparently whomever she’d called was on her speed-dial on this phone thing-y. “It’s a satellite phone. Top-notch security. He may ask you to promise not to tell anyone about you’ll discuss. Hear him out. But you’re not obligated to do anything, ok?”

Rian was about to say, “I’m familiar with the drill,” but Frances was already walking away.

“Hello, is anybody there?”

She pulled the phone up to her ear. “Hello, I’m here. Umm… Rian speaking.”

“Hi Rian, I’m Mike. I understood you are a very smart, very smooth expert on antiquities.”

“Thanks … I think.”

Mike chuckled. “That was my attempt at charm while establishing trust by sharing what others have said about you … not a good one, I know, you don’t have to say it.”

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Late May, Dubai

Rian paced around the room, clutching one of the larger bed pillows to her chest, unsettled and agitated.

“Eeeeyewww … that’s gross, girl. You’re still covered in the sweat you worked up from that work-out we just did, you know,” a man stretched out on the sofa said, as he flipped through the pages of a fashion magazine. He whistled. “Ooohhh, Ri! Monsieur Elbaz has done a really good job for Lanvin this season … making me all flustered … I think we should go to Paris after we wrap things up. Check out those divine clothes.”