"Sounds like this De Rouen has led quite an interesting life", Mica observed. The suitcase's contents had proven a severe disappointment, and the book seemed old and innocent enough. Even junior seemed disinterested and that said something... "Onyx? That's a mineral, isn't it?" Eyes narrowed in concentration as she tried to remember what Melissa had told her about minerals and gems. The girl had been firm believer in good or bad influences connected to stones and onyx had been one of the gems she'd refused to wear. "There was something bad about onyx. Misery?" Mica was warming up, her mind worked overtime as the initial feelings of paranoia came rushing back. "And it's black. A black dog. That's no good either, is it? A symbol of death? Sort of? Junior, that's more your field?"<br/><br/>"I mean symbols!" She added hastily, before continuing.<br/><br/>"This entire thing smells fishy. Why would someone who escapes the guillotine write about a black dog anyway? You'd think he'd have more interesting stories to tell? Unless this onyx dog was even more important than not having your head cut off." A shrug of slender shoulders indicated Mica dismissed her misgivings. "Or perhaps Mr Mancini liked the Maltese Falcon too, and I'm just paranoid."