“Yes, but they’ve been focusing on antiquities from the Middle East, mainly to stop terrorist groups from profiting from the trade. Groups like the Islamic State and the Taliban have made big money off what they have looted from their nations’ museums.”

“I thought they blew up that stuff.”

Thalia made a face. “Some of it, but that’s mostly for show. They’d rather sell it so they can buy more weapons.”

“Yet another reason to hate them,” Heinrich grunted. “So when are we laying the trap?”

“At seven tonight,” Adonis said. “I suggest you go to your hotel and get some rest. You must be tired after your flight. We’ll meet at 6:30 at this address.” He handed a slip of paper to Thalia, who beamed a smile at him. “Best not to meet here again in case they check out the house.”

They got up to leave. Heinrich didn’t like this plan. Too many maybes. He also didn’t like not being in charge. But he was in a foreign country on a case that had landed in his lap. He had no authority to be here beyond having been invited. He got the feeling Montaine wanted to see how well he worked with others. Heinrich knew he had a reputation as a lone wolf, and not a very friendly one at that.

He and Thalia left together, walked to a busier street, and hailed a cab.

“What did you think of him?” Heinrich asked as the cab headed for their hotel.

She smiled. “Oh, I think he’s very capable.”

“I meant Lambros.”

The smile died.

“He’s like a thief, a legal thief. I hate rich people who think that just because they have money they can take their nation’s heritage and hide it away in their houses like that. It’s like he was French and had bought the Mona Lisa!”

“Yeah, typical selfish rich guy. The kind of people who are ruining New York. But I don’t see why he’s risking himself like this.”

“Guilt,” Thalia said.

“Guilt for what?”

“You see his eyes as he showed us his collection? He’s not buying antiquities just for the investment or as a way to show off to his rich friends. He really does love the past.”

“Doesn’t sound like you respect him for it.”

Thalia snorted. “Why should I? He’s part of the problem. If there wasn’t such a big demand for antiquities, gangs like this couldn’t operate. I hate seeing our heritage hoarded in some rich man’s house. It should be in a museum for everyone to learn from and enjoy.”

“And he feels the same way and so he feels guilty?”

“Exactly, but not guilty enough to actually share his collection with the people.”

Heinrich chuckled. “Now you’re going to make me feel guilty for my music collection.”

“That stuff’s only a century old. Some of these things date back three thousand years.”

“Some of my friends have recordings that are probably the only surviving copy.”

“Then they should be given to the public,” Thalia said with some force. Heinrich found her conviction attractive; he didn’t want to get on her bad side.

“You know there’s a project to put old Edison cylinder recordings on the Internet? Our group participates in that.”

“Good,” Thalia said and smiled. “That’s the right attitude.”

Heinrich felt better, but shrugged in mock humility.