Live Long and Prosper

Chapter 1: Waiting Game

Columbia University. Saturday, May 9, 2009.

Neal arrived at his art studio at Watson Hall early that morning. In a couple of hours, he was due to meet Aidan, Richard, and Travis for fencing practice. He planned to use the time before then to work on his latest painting. The abstract of the building where his studio was located would commemorate his upcoming graduation. Ten days from now, he and his cousin Angela would cross the stage to receive their doctorates.

The hall gave off a school-is-out-for-summer vibe. The visual arts students were packing up their belongings. Now that the exhibitions were over, they'd need to relinquish their studios.

"I hoped I'd find you here," Angela said, appearing in the doorway.

"I'm surprised to see you on campus," Neal said. Normally Angela worked on the Aloha Emporium's books on Saturday while Michael spent quality time with their child Wendy.

"You're not the only one clearing out." She paused to make a face. "Cleaning out my workspace in the music department is taking more time than I'd expected. I didn't realize I was such a packrat." She surveyed his studio. "Why are you painting? You haven't even started boxing up your gear."

"No need," Neal said smugly. "You're looking at Columbia's newly appointed artist-in-residence!"

She let out a whoop. "I was sure they'd pick you. Now, we have something else to celebrate!"

"I just found out yesterday." Vanya Sherkov, his doctorate advisor, called him with the welcome news.

"You were the logical candidate," Angela declared. "Since you'll continue to conduct the master workshops, a studio is a necessity."

Once Neal's dissertation was approved, Vanya quickly offered him an assistant professorship at the university. The pay was minimal since he'd only be responsible for conducting the workshops, but that wasn't the point. Neal was delighted to maintain a connection with his alma mater. He'd also assist Myra Stockman in mentoring visual arts students. The artist-in-residence position was an unexpected bonus. It meant a studio double the size of his current one. He'd move into it at the start of the upcoming fall semester.

"But don't think you're the only one with news," she added.

"Did you hear about your job?"

The width of her smile indicated he'd guessed right. "You're looking at the newest employee of GEMI! I'll start in June."

Henry had volunteered for the UNESCO nonprofit Global Education through Music Initiative for several years, and Angela had conducted much of her fieldwork under their auspices. Both Neal and Angela were lucky. Job openings for art historians and ethnomusicologists were in short supply.

"It's a good thing the Ellington mansion is so large," Angela said. "We'll need every inch for the celebration party." She'd volunteered to organize it, and Neal and Sara were happy to let her take charge. Angela was somewhat at loose ends until her job started. They, on the other hand ...

"Everyone has accepted our invitation!" she said happily. "Luckily I'd gone ahead and secured reservations for the contingent from Baltimore. Trying to find a nearby hotel room at this late date is virtually impossible. The convocation ceremony is a week from tomorrow. The relatives arrive the day before. Realistically, we only have a few days to make all the preparations."

As Angela enumerated all the tasks to be completed, Neal's mind drifted. He'd been sending Tulane information about the codex for a month. Now that Neal was once more trusted by the other members of the crew, he could confirm they were searching for the Romanov crown jewels once owned by Maria Pavlovna as well as the Mosconi Diamond.