The mysterious case of Barbra Streisand and the missing half-pound of Zabar's sturgeon

The whole story of Barbra Streisand and the sturgeon began a few months ago on a Thursday when I was at my regular spot at the fish counter.

A very pleasant, attractive woman ordered a pound of Nova and, before Slim, my long sharp slicing knife, and I started our journey through the salmon, she said, "I'm buying this for Barbra Streisand."

I was skeptical, so I asked her what her relationship was with Barbra. She told me her name was Christine and that she was Barbra's editor and had edited Barbra's autobiography. Well, that made me look up and take notice. She must be genuine, I thought, who...