Could the pieces be examined? Were the original documents available? Tessa supplied everything he requested, including a scanned authorization bearing my supposed signature. The file's creation date, however, was much later than the signature date printed inside it.
That discrepancy didn't prove who created the false signature, but it made the document difficult to accept without further explanation. Miriam requested the source file and related communications. Meanwhile Northline froze the transaction. The collector who had expressed interest was informed that the goods were not available for transfer or sale until clear title and lawful authority were established.
A few hours later, Adrian asked to meet with Miriam and me. He said he had more information about the advance. I didn't want to see him again. Miriam said we should hear what he was prepared to provide, in a controlled setting with counsel present. So the following morning I walked into her office and found the man who'd been sleeping with my girlfriend seated at a conference table with a lawyer of his own.
He stood when I entered. I told him to sit. There was no point performing courtesy when neither of us believed it could repair what had happened. Miriam introduced the attorneys, confirmed the meeting's purpose, and began taking notes. I watched Adrian fold his hands, straighten his cuffs, then abandon the gesture halfway through.
"Tessa told me the collection was available for discreet sale," he began. "She said she had your authorization. I introduced a collector through Northline and discussed possible terms. I knew she stood to earn a commission. I did not know she had no permission to move the collection."
"You knew she was cheating on me," I said.
He looked down. "Yes."
"When?"
"We started seeing each other in late summer."
Eight months. The number sat between us like a physical object. It meant holidays, birthdays, and ordinary evenings had occurred while she was maintaining a second relationship. I looked at Miriam, who gave me a small nod to continue asking what mattered.
"What about the advance?" I asked.
Adrian took a breath. "She asked whether the prospective commission could support a short-term bridge loan. I told her Northline didn't lend against speculative commissions. She arranged something separately, using the pending transaction as evidence of future income."
"How much?"