Rainbows in the Dust

The investigation dragged into the afternoon. The precinct sent a forensics team, but they were stretched thin. Julian was largely on his own, relying on Elena to translate the auction house’s cryptic filing system.

Julian went back to the breakroom to check on Lily. She was lying on the floor, coloring a unicorn purple.

"Hey, bug," Julian said, crouching down. "You okay?"

"I'm bored," Lily stated. "The vending machine ate my quarter."

"I'll fix it. Come on, stretch your legs. Stay close."

He led her out into the hallway. He needed to clear his head. The logic of the crime didn't track. If someone stole the diamond, why leave Arthur locked in the vault? Why didn't Arthur trigger the panic button?

They wandered into one of the staging rooms. It was filled with "Lot 734"—a collection of estate remnants deemed too minor to be sold individually, lumped together in a bulk sale. Old walking sticks, tarnished silver frames, boxes of crystal glassware.

Lily walked among the tables, her hands clasped behind her back as Julian had taught her. She stopped in front of a dusty, crystal decanter set. It was ugly—heavy, cut glass with intricate, sharp patterns that looked like they would cut your hand if you poured a drink.

"That one cries rainbows," Lily said.

Julian looked up from his notes. "What?"

Lily pointed a small finger at the stopper of the decanter. It was a massive, bulbous thing, coated in years of dust. A stray beam of light from the high window hit it.

"Look," Lily said. "Rainbows. The other ones just make white spots."

Julian knelt beside her. She was right. The light hitting the other glass items scattered in white, hazy glares. But the light hitting the stopper of the ugly decanter split violently into a spectrum of red, blue, and green fire. It was faint through the dust, but it was there.

"Refraction," Julian whispered.

He remembered high school physics. Glass had a low refractive index. It bent light, but it didn't separate it much. Diamonds... diamonds had a massive refractive index. They acted like prisms.

He looked at the "junk" lot. This decanter was estimated at $200.

"Lily," Julian said, his voice tight. "You are a genius."

"I know," she said simply. "Can we get ice cream now?"

"Soon. I promise."

Julian grabbed his phone and texted Elena: *Meet me in your office. Bring Arthur’s loupe.*