Dylan delivered the original film to Harv, grasped hands for good luck and left to await his call. When it came Freddy was in a deli across the street from Harv's business watching for the arrival of the buyers.

Dylan got his notice that they had arrived and were on their way up and that there was another guy outside in a limo. The women took up their positions out of sight and Harv and Peter waited by the door.

Harry led the way in, looking around and giving Harv a hard look. "We alone?"

"Are you?" Harv answered.

"Let's all assume a mutual trust shall we?" Austin suggested. "Is the film ready to run?"

"Grab a chair and we'll start." Harv went to the projector on the table while Peter hit the lights. "Showtime, folks." Harv said as the company's logo flashed on the screen and then the title of the film.

An hour later, Peter put the lights back on and Harv rewound the film. "Well?" Peter asked.

"Not John Ford is it?" Austin smiled. "But definitely a worthy collectible."

"So then, you agree to our price?"

"A worthy collectible, Mister Rabb but not worth a million."

Peter raised his shoulders. "I already told you about Kodak and the others." He opened a file folder and handed Austin a hard copy of an e-mail.

"Impressive. But Kodak is only expressing an interest based on documented age and authenticity. They could take months, maybe years researching that. And Hollywood? Well we all know how notorious Hollywood is at making deals; you could wind up with nothing."

"That's your opinion. We haven't even discussed anything with them yet."

"I'm prepared to write you a cheque right here and now for three hundred thousand dollars. Final offer I might add."

"That's hardly a negotiation," Harv said, packaging the film back in the can and deliberately slipping it into his wall vault so that they could see it wouldn't be an easy grab if that were considered at all.

"It's as far as we're willing to go." Austin said comfortably. He watched Peter and waited.

Three hundred thousand dollars! He recalled the abuse he'd taken for not accepting twenty-five thousand. The women would slaughter him! Still, the big companies were suggesting a million or more and Austin didn't know for sure how they'd react any more than he did. Three hundred thousand though. Peter looked at Harv who remained stone-faced. That had to mean no, he thought. Oh God. Just don't tell Mary. "I'm afraid that's not close enough, sir."

Austin pursed his lips and frowned. "I'm sorry then. Come Harry, our business is finished."

"That's it? One offer and you quit?" Peter walked with them to the door.

"We haven't actually quit," Harry said ominously, letting the door close in Peter's face.

"What did he say?" Harv asked.

"That they haven't actually quit."

Harv nodded. "I think we can expect more trouble, Peter."

"I should have taken the money. If you hadn't said no--"

"What! When did I say anything?"

"Well I looked at you and you didn't say yes."

"It was your deal to make, pal, don't start blaming me."

"Would you have taken it?" Peter started to feel very uncomfortable.

Harv shuffled his feet. "Well not right away . . ."

"Oh shit. I'm a dead man."

"We don't have to mention price. We'll just say they weren't even close and that was that."

******

"Well how much did they offer," Mary demanded, angry that no deal had taken place.

"Not enough to ignore the interest from Kodak and Hollywood." Peter dissembled.

"So now what? Are you calling these other people?"

"I guess so. But we'll have to wait until Monday; they won't be available today." Peter looked to Harv for support.

"Peter's right. We'll get in touch with them first thing Monday and get the ball rolling."

"Again." Catlin grumped.

"What about work?" Mary said.

"I don't go in until four," Peter said. "I pretty much have all day. You guys don't have to be here."

"We can call from here in case there's any technical information required," Harv offered.

"Okay then. Harv and I first thing Monday. The rest of you carry on as normal."

******

Austin swirled his drink and watched the amber liquid cling fleetingly to the side of the glass before sliding away. Harry and Douglas sat silently together on the large sofa keeping wary eyes fastened on the cat-like pacing of Vera in front of them.

Harry felt Austin was regretting his promise to his loopy daughter now that the negotiation fell through. For sure he wasn't going to stand in her way; all he wanted was his promised money and he'd be on his way.

Vera stopped and did a couple of back bends, placing her palms on the floor then raised her feet slowly to a ramrod straight hand stand. Douglas swallowed hard; she was some specimen and he was still kicking around the idea of confronting her over her earlier abuses. She turned her head and smiled as if she could read his thoughts and then walked herself upright and continued pacing.

"We saw them place the film in the wall safe at the restoration company offices so, assuming it's still there, I think that's where we should begin." Austin sipped from his glass and continued swirling the remains.

"We?" Harry looked with concern at his employer."

"Figure of speech, Harry. Vera can handle that stage quite easily, right, dear?" He finished the drink and waited until her pacing brought her face to face with him.

"Extremely easily, father." Her eyes flashed, and the smile tilted one side of her mouth. "Extremely."

"Just remember, dear," he said, caressing her chin. "The film is the important thing. We get the film first. Right?"

"I hear and obey, father." She stepped back and performed another back bend, this time flipping over and landing facing Douglas, both hands on his thighs. "Any time, Dougie." She showed tiny teeth and then stood back and sprang from the room.

Douglas tried to wet his lips but his mouth was parched. Could she really read his thoughts? He pushed up off the sofa and went to the drinks table. Austin frowned and set his own glass down and inhaling deeply, he turned to Harry.

"You can stay out of this, Harry but I would like you to hang around for a while on the off chance." He shrugged his uncertainty.

"I still think you're making a huge mistake. Stealin' a can of film is one thing but what she likes to do is more than another, it's way over the top. It leaves us all exposed to some major charges. Speaking of which, I think we should reconsider our financial arrangement. I didn't sign on as accessory to any capital crimes."

"Vera and I have a pact. Harry. I give you my word you will not be involved in anything beyond what you did sign on for."

"Good. Long as I get my money, Austin."

"Me too," Douglas echoed, finally finding his voice.

"You will both be compensated as agreed. Now, I have some other business to attend to, so I'll have to ask you to leave and I'll be in touch as soon as I hear back from Vera."

Julia sat in front of the bedroom mirror brushing her hair as Austin entered, moving behind her and resting his hands on her shoulders.

"Are you worried?"

"Only if you are, Austin. I've made my choice and now I'm stuck with it."

"Doesn't sound very complimentary to me as the stuck-ee." He smiled, leaning down and kissing her neck.

"I was referring to quitting my position with Ralston. He was extremely rude about my decision. I was almost tempted to pursue harassment charges. His lawyer advised me to bite the bullet and just quietly depart. When I asked about you he wouldn't answer."

"You'll do better with the film he wanted so badly. We both will." He sought her eyes in the mirror. "I'm not afraid of Ralston. He knows I know where a number of skeletons are buried and it wouldn't be in his best interest to challenge me over this incident." He squeezed her shoulders. "I think you should bring some things over and stay here until this is finished. I'd like you with me when we get it."

"If indeed we get it." She raised her precise eyebrows at him in the mirror.

"We'll get it, Julia. We'll get it." He let his fingers slide forward and she leaned back against him, eyes closed.