Vicki’s eyes sparkled. “Oh, I’m so glad for him. So very glad!”
The FBI agent rose to go.
“Miss Vicki Barr,” he said, “it’s been a pleasure working with you. I’ve said it before and I say it again—you’re a darn good detective.”
Vicki blushed in spite of herself.
“This crime was much worse than an ordinary theft,” Quayle said. “Those ancient gold coins were a living part of history. They were irreplaceable and priceless. Those men who stole them and destroyed them, all but the handful we found in Eaton-Smith’s house, did a terrible thing. The jury and the judge will show them no mercy. It’s fortunate that we recovered the gold, but compared to the original coins, it is virtually worthless. There’s a whole vault full of gold up in Fort Knox.”
He grinned. “When I say the gold is worthless, I am speaking only in a comparative sense of course. I don’t think you’ll find this altogether worthless, Vicki.”
From his pocket he took the little golden ship that Vicki had first seen in the Thieves’ Market.
“For your invaluable help in solving this case, the insurance company wants you to have this as a reward.”
He reached over and put the ship’s model in Vicki’s hand. The polished gold glistened in the afternoon sun.
“If I ever have another case as perplexing as this one, I may call on you for help, Vicki. You’re a darn good detective.”