Decker and McAdams spoke at the same time. “The Amber Room.” They gave Oliver a rundown on World War II Russia. Decker said, “Supposedly twenty-seven cartons of the dismantled room were shipped to a castle where the cartons along with the building were destroyed by fire. Since then the trail has gone cold . . . or cool, I should say. Because pieces of amber from the original room keep showing up. The amber and the jewels are not only worth a small fortune, the room has national significance.”

“So maybe we shouldn’t be looking at Russian icons at all,” Oliver said. “Maybe we should be looking at Nazi-looted art. Maybe that’s what the kids were onto—a cache of looted art. If a wealthy and prominent collector had a disputed painting, it might be worth killing over.”

“You’re thinking that John Latham was blackmailing a wealthy collector and the guy hired a hit man or hit men to whack him?” When Oliver shrugged, Decker said, “It would make way more sense for the collector to pay him off. Certainly he wouldn’t be stupid enough to try and take down the police unless you are foreign and you don’t like Americans and you get a thrill out of mutilating bodies as part of the retaliation.”

McAdams said, “He still likes the Russian mob.”

“I’m just saying it feels foreign.”

“Maybe it’s a collection of looted art,” Oliver said.

Decker said, “The Gurlitt stuff is worth a small fortune. And he’s still alive and kicking. It doesn’t feel like a German crime.”

“Well, I still like drugs,” McAdams said.

“If you like drugs, then go back to the college and talk to Angeline Moreau’s friends again. Find out if she has any hint of dealing dope.”

“Uh, I’m not too mobile right now. Besides we’ve already blanked out on that one.”

“Which is why I’m still pursuing an art angle,” Decker said. “Once that’s exhausted, we’ll try drugs again.”

“Maybe it’s both . . . like drugs hidden in art shipments from Florida,” McAdams suggested.

“One thing at a time, Harvard. You and Rina go back to the reference libraries at the Five Colleges and make it a point to ensure that all the valuable books are intact. Start with Rayfield at Littleton. Since Moreau specialized in textiles, see if there are any antique print books on textiles that she might have pilfered from.”

“I agree with Deck and the art angle for what it’s worth,” Oliver said.

“I knew you were going to be trouble,” McAdams said.

“I’m not saying you’re wrong, kid. I’m just saying that you have to approach it going from most reasonable to most unreasonable.”

Decker said, “Tomorrow Oliver, Chris Mulrooney, and I have an appointment to see Professor Gold. We’ll find out what he has to say if anything.”

“I thought you were going to Skype me in with that.”