“You may speak to me right here,” said Eichhorst—his lips moving in a pantomime of human speech.
The steward spoke further, attempting to preserve the bidder’s privacy as best she could.
“That is ridiculous. There is some mistake.”
The steward apologized, but remained firm.
“Impossible.” Eichhorst rose to his feet. “You will suspend the auction while I rectify this situation.”
The steward glanced quickly back at the auctioneer, and then up at the Sotheby’s officials watching from behind balcony glass high along the walls, like guests observing a surgery.
The steward turned to Eichhorst and said, “I am afraid, sir, that is just not possible.”
“I must insist.”
“Sir…”
Eichhorst turned to the auctioneer, pointing at him with his paddle. “You will hold your gavel until I am allowed to make contact with my benefactor.”
The auctioneer returned to his microphone. “The rules of auction are quite clear on this point, sir. I am afraid that without a viable line of credit—”
“I indeed do have a viable line of credit.”
“Sir, our information is that it has just been rescinded. I am very sorry. You will have to take up the matter with your bank—”
“My bank! On the contrary, we will complete the bidding here and now, and then I will straighten out this irregularity!”
“I am sorry, sir. The house rules are the same as they have been for decades, and cannot be altered, not for anyone.” The auctioneer looked out over the audience, resuming the bidding. “I have $32 million.”
Eichhorst raised his paddle. “$35 million!”
“Sir, I am sorry. The bid is $32 million. Do I hear $32.5?”
Setrakian sat with his paddle on his leg, ready.
“$32.5?”
Nothing.
“$32 million, going once.”
“$40 million!” said Eichhorst, standing in the aisle now.
“$32 million, going twice.”
“I object! This auction must be canceled. I must be allowed more time—”
“$32 million. Lot 1007 is sold to bidder #23. Congratulations.”
The gavel came down to ratify the sale; the room burst into applause. Hands reached toward Setrakian in congratulations, but the old man got to his feet as quickly as possible and walked to the front of the room, where he was met by another steward.
“I would like to take possession of the book immediately,” he informed her.
“But, sir, we have some paperwork—”
“You may clear the payment, including the house’s commission, but I am taking possession of the book, and I am doing so now.”
Gus’s battered Hummer wove and bashed its way back across the Queensboro Bridge. As they returned to Manhattan, Eph spotted dozens of military vehicles staged at 59th Street and Second Avenue, in front of the entrance to the Roosevelt Island Tramway. The larger, canopied trucks read FORT DRUM in black stencil, and two white buses, as well as some Jeeps, read USMA WEST POINT.