I Should Die

flow of Middle Eastern antiquities into the antiques market between the wars, and his theory that the piece was moved from Turkey to a European or American collection during this period.
    He tapped the book with his index finger. “I own all of the records from the major auction houses during that time, and in one of them Kate found a sale that might refer to the object we seek.”
    He said we ! I thought, marveling once again that my grandfather was joining forces with revenants—for me.
    Papy opened the catalogue and showed them the reference, then flipped back to the buyer list. “If a purchase of this nature was made for a museum or a major collector, the name would be listed. Instead, this important collection went to an anonymous buyer.”
    He turned to JB. “I am guessing that this library contains several books that were purchased from me.”
    “You would be guessing correctly,” Jean-Baptiste confirmed, just the slightest flicker of discomfort crossing his face as he revealed yet another of his secrets to an outsider.
    “Then perhaps you know who the other members of this worldwide confederation of secretive revenant-themed buyers would be.”
    “I would certainly know some of them,” Jean-Baptiste affirmed.
    “Well, there are only a handful of important antiquity collectors based in New York. And only one of those who I know to contact if I find a revenant-related object. I feel that the buyer who bought this auction lot might have been the father of a longtime client of mine based in the city.”
    Jean-Baptiste watched him, waiting.
    “But I have no way of communicating with this collector, who goes by the pseudonym ‘G. J. Caesar’ except by email. And I doubt he would respond to a request from me concerning something already extant in his collection.”
    As soon as Papy said the name, a shadow fell across Jean-Baptiste’s features, and I could tell that he was steeling himself for something unpleasant. Gaspard must have felt it too, because he made a kind of hiccupping noise and then began fiddling with some papers.
    Papy continued, undaunted, “That alias seems to ring a bell with you. I had hoped you would carry out the commission and ask if the piece is in his collection. He would surely be more open to sharing information with you than he would with me.”
    There was a long, uncomfortable moment in which Jean-Baptiste seemed to wage an internal battle. Finally, he stood and said, “I may know the man to whom you refer, but I don’t have his information easily accessible. Give me a day, Monsieur Mercier, and I will see what I can produce.”
    “That seems reasonable,” Papy responded, glancing at me. I was shaking my head.
    “We have less than forty-eight hours left,” I urged, “and Vincent says we’re not even sure that Violette will respect that offer. She could drag him back sooner.”
    “I know exactly how much time we have left,” Jean-Baptiste responded, stony-faced. “I just need a little while to think.”
    Gaspard’s fidgeting intensified, until he looked like he was about to blow a fuse. Rising to his feet, he faced his partner. “Jean-Baptiste, time is of the essence here. It is time to let bygones be bygones. I refuse to allow you to spend the day debating whether or not you will speak to Theodore. Fifty years is long enough for a dispute. Now, get on the phone and call him.”
    “I might not even have his correct number anymore,” Jean-Baptiste countered.
    “Vincent just updated the Consortium’s information in the database last month. I have no doubt he’s listed there,” Gaspard said, hands clenched tightly by his sides.
    My mouth dropped open. Gaspard was never this assertive—except for the personality transformation he underwent when he had a weapon in his hand. Jean-Baptiste seemed equally surprised because he stood there staring coldly at Gaspard before turning on his heels and stalking out of the room.
    Who is this Theodore? I wondered. I had never seen Jean-Baptiste act like this before—not to mention Gaspard react like this before. There must be some serious bad blood between the two revenants, and I was burning with curiosity to know why.
    Everyone sat uncomfortably for a moment, until we heard Jean-Baptiste’s voice come from his bedroom across the hallway. He was speaking to someone on the phone. Gaspard cleared his throat as if to muffle the noise and give JB privacy.
    After a tense moment, we heard the sound of a telephone slamming