Han reached into his carry bag and pulled out the amulet. He took his time, all part of the game. He set the parcel on the desk, carefully pulled away the leather.

The light from the stone turned Taz’s face a sickly green. The dealer stared at it for a long moment, then looked up into Han’s face. “Where’d you get this?” he whispered.

“I said. From a friend. He’s going out of the magic business,” Han said.

Taz impulsively reached for it, but Han gripped his wrist. “Don’t touch it,” he said. “It’s dangerous.”

Taz swallowed hard. “Right,” he said, his supply of big words seemingly dried up. “Well. It’s a shame it’s so unstable. That will make it hard to sell.” He thought a moment. “Ten girlies,” he said. “Take it or leave it.”

Han could have used ten girlies just then, but he knew he was being lowballed. He shook his head and began rewrapping the amulet.

Taz watched this for a few seconds, then said, “Twenty-five.”

Han stuffed the amulet into his carry bag. “Thank you for your time, Taz,” he said, turning away.

“Wait!” Taz said quickly.

Han turned and waited.

Taz licked his lips. Beads of sweat stood out on his broad forehead. Evidence that he wanted the piece and wanted it bad.

“I could turn you over to the bluejackets, you know. It’s in your best interest to come to terms.”

Han shrugged and ran his hand over the interior wall. “This place could burn down, you know. Maybe even with you inside. That’d be a shame.”

Taz cleared his throat. “I thought you were out of the business,” he repeated.

Han lifted his hands, palms up. “Can you ever really leave the business?”

Taz nodded grudgingly. “Cuffs, you’ve always had an astute head for commerce. Very rare in one so young.”

Han grinned. “Well, thank you, Taz. That and three coppers gets me a pork bun.”

“What do you want for it?”

“A hundred girlies, minimum. But I’ll be showing it around the market and taking the best offer I get, so you’d best aim high.” Han kept his voice casual, glancing around the shop and fingering a silver chalice as if he might be in the market. A hundred girlies hadn’t passed through his hands in his lifetime.

“Look, I’m not in a position to buy it outright for the money you want, but I may have clients who would be willing to make an offer. Leave it with me, on consignment, and we’ll see what the response is.”

Han shook his head. “Can’t do. I only have the one, and I have several other dealers to show it to. I an’t giving it up until there’s money in hand.”

Taz clearly didn’t want to see the amulet walk out the door. “Where can I reach you?”