[Chapter 71: Contacting Wood Sources, Daniel Arrested]
Daniel felt a flicker of interest. "What kind of premium goods are we talking about?"
The owner replied, "Absolutely genuine pieces -- but the quantity's pretty large. Not sure if you can handle it."
Daniel asked, "From which empire?"
The owner sighed heavily. "Imperial. Roman and Byzantine."
He explained that the seller's ancestors had taken quite a few valuable items back then. However, their family fortune had since dwindled, and now they were starting to sell off what remained. "I've already handled several items for him," the owner added. "Serves those bastards right. They had their years of fortune; now it's their turn to suffer." As he spoke, he muttered curses under his breath.
Daniel stayed composed. "Roman and Byzantine coins aren't exactly rare collectibles."
The owner countered at once. "Not rare as types, no. But finding a clean batch like this in Los Angeles is already a big deal. The truly valuable pieces never end up in my shop -- they go straight to the auction houses."
Daniel realized the truth in that, then asked, "How many items are we talking about?"
"Definitely over ten thousand," the owner answered.
Over ten thousand coins wouldn't cost a huge sum. Still, over ten thousand coins ought to be enough for Daniel to collect a good number of Minor Five Emperors Coins.
"If they're genuine, I'll take them all," Daniel said firmly.
The owner immediately smiled. "Leave me your number, and I'll let you know when the goods arrive."
Daniel didn't hand over his business card -- he didn't want the seller to see he was an Exorcist and jack up the price. Instead, he left just his name and phone number. The owner gave him a card labeled simply "owner."
Daniel slipped the card into his pocket and asked, "Do you know where I can get swords or blades forged?"
"Looking for a blacksmith shop?" the owner replied.
"Something like that."
"Well, blacksmith shops are usually called studios. The work is similar. Pay enough, and you can get anything made."
"Got their contact info?"
"Why ask me? Don't young folks just Google that stuff themselves?" The owner laughed.
Daniel was caught off guard. The owner's words jogged a memory -- he could use the internet for this. Not just for custom blades, but also for connecting with other sources.
...
After thanking the owner and leaving Kingsbridge Antiquities, Daniel returned home. He opened his laptop and searched Google -- the search engine that had just launched this year -- for wood collector forums.
Daniel had even bought some shares of Google and Apple recently, though with limited funds, he'd only grabbed a few.
After searching for a while, he found a forum specializing in trading wood.
He then logged onto the forum, then searched for "storm-split ashwood".
To his surprise, there were entire threads dedicated to it.
Daniel couldn't help but laugh. The wardwood he'd been unable to find through legitimate suppliers in Los Angeles had its own niche community online.
He skimmed through the posts. Some users discussed storm-split timber, some were actively buying it -- but very few were selling.
The rare listings he did find were usually for ordinary woods, not the types exorcists actually wanted: ashwood split by lightning, or olive wood cut from consecrated ground -- materials prized for their stability, resistance to taint, and natural affinity for warding.
Storm-split wood could technically come from any tree. If lightning struck it cleanly, the residue could remain. But ashwood had long been associated with protection, and when it was split by a storm, it became an exceptional medium for seals and sanctified tools.
Most other woods, even if struck, held almost nothing. They looked impressive, but carried little real value.
"So the demand for storm-split ashwood is huge," Daniel muttered.
He created a new post: [Looking to buy storm-split ashwood or consecrated olive wood. Older is better. Paying market price. Serious sellers only -- message me.]
...
He logged off the forum and searched Google again for local blacksmith studios.
He then left home and returned after more than two hours. In that time, he'd contacted a sword and blade studio and commissioned a Octagonal Judgment Blade. Though the studio had never forged that style before, they eagerly accepted once Daniel paid the price.
...
The next day, Cross Hall -- the exorcism shop Daniel had kept closed for several days -- finally reopened. But all morning, no transactions went through.
A few visitors browsed briefly, but seeing that a seal cost $100,000, they quickly turned around and left.
Who would just hand over six figures for a small piece of paper? Only someone truly desperate -- like Scarlett, who was the only "sucker" Daniel had encountered so far.
Daniel considered dropping the price to $50,000.
Just then, a police car and a black private vehicle pulled up side-by-side in front of Cross Hall.
Two white officers in their thirties stepped out of the police car. Daniel didn't recognize them.
From the private vehicle came two men and two women -- two middle-aged couples, their faces tight with anger.
One middle-aged woman pointed at Daniel and shouted, "That's him! Arrest him now!"
A man nodded. "Cross Hall, this is definitely the place."
Daniel frowned, a cold sense of foreboding creeping over him.
The two police officers entered the shop.
"Are you Daniel Cross?" one asked.
"I am," Daniel replied evenly. "Which precinct are you with?"
They didn't answer. The plump officer said, "You'll find out once you come with us."
"What's the reason? Do you have an arrest warrant?" Daniel pressed.
"We're investigating you as a person of interest in a malicious homicide case," the plump officer said. "We need your cooperation."
Daniel's frown deepened. Under the law, a homicide investigation lets officers detain a suspect without an arrest warrant, as long as the paperwork gets done within 48 hours.
He glanced at the two couples -- they stared at him with pure hatred, as if he had murdered someone they loved. Yet Daniel didn't know any of them.
"May I make a phone call?" Daniel requested.
"You'll get to make a call at the station," the plump officer said flatly.
Daniel fixed the two officers with a sharp look but said nothing more. "I'll go."
The police didn't handcuff him -- maybe they judged him unarmed or not a threat.
After locking the shop door, Daniel climbed into the back of the police car, with the plump officer sitting beside him.
As Daniel was driven away, shopkeepers nearby whispered, eyes lingering on him with hope or suspicion.
...
The car arrived at the 8th Precinct -- the West Los Angeles station.
Daniel was escorted into an interrogation room, where the two officers who brought him questioned him.
The plump officer asked, "Where were you the day before yesterday?"
Daniel said, "I need to make a phone call first."
This time, the officer didn't object. He handed Daniel his phone. Daniel called Sheriff Ford directly.
Hearing about the arrest, Sheriff Ford was shocked. "What did you say? Arrested by the 8th Precinct?"
Before Daniel could say more, Ford said, "Hold tight. I'm on my way. Don't say anything until I arrive."
"Okay," Daniel replied and ended the call.
"Now, can you tell us where you were?" the plump officer asked again.
Daniel answered, "Though my lawyer advised me to remain silent, I don't mind sharing this.
The morning before yesterday, I conducted a Luck Transfer Ritual for Robert Downey Jr. at my home. Afterward, I got a call from Logan Frick. His daughter, Bella, was missing, and he asked for my help. I agreed and used my special abilities to find her -- but she was already dead. I then recovered her body. Everything I've said can be confirmed by Robert Downey Jr., his girlfriend Susan, and Logan Frick themselves."
*****
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