Shiny Things

by Samantha Price

  “If he did it, what was his motive? Was he in love with Josephine? She seems to like lawyers. Perhaps he wanted out of the partnership. He kills Glen, both Josephine and he get payouts to pay off debts and then they live happily ever after on the millions that the insurance company has to pay out on the stolen jewels. Now he’s changed his mind and is throwing her under the bus. Perhaps he’s grown tired of her and wants it all to himself. Some men will easily choose money over love.” Especially if it’s only pretend love, she thought.

  “We need him under surveillance.” He got up and marched out of the interview room and Gretel followed him to his office.

  “Jack, was he the man who was drunk at the Welch house the night of the robbery?”

  “No. It wasn’t him.” Jack chuckled. “I don’t think Greeves would lose control so easily. That man is one calculated … person.”

  Doug Greeves was another crooked lawyer, she knew that much. It oozed from every pore.

  Then, she waited for Jack to make some calls before the magical ‘right moment’ came to mention the lake house.

  Chapter 14

  “I have some exciting news.”

  He looked up from his desk. “Somehow, hearing you say that makes me nervous.”

  “Last night I remembered going to a lake house with Ryan. It wasn’t really a lake house it was more of a forest house. And not much of a house, more of a cottage, but he referred to it as his parents’ lake house.”

  When he continued to stare at her blankly, she added, “It’s at Lake George.”

  “You know a place where he might be and you’re only mentioning it now?”

  “I know. I remembered it last night when I was half asleep. It’s the place between awake and asleep when your creative mind is working and your logical mind isn’t.”

  “It’s called a hypnagogic state of consciousness.”

  “Are you sure?”

  He gave a nod.

  "Why the heck would you know that?"

  He shrugged a shoulder.

  “It’s at Lake George. I followed it on the map, and I have the address.” She fished it out of her bag and handed it to him. “It’s only a few hour’s drive.”

  “What are you proposing?”

  She didn’t see why he wasn’t reacting to this more positively. Didn’t he want to catch Ryan and find the diamonds? “He could be hiding out there.”

  He breathed in slowly as he pressed his lips together. “He left the hospital, yes. Was he under arrest at the time? No. Did he get a pardon for his crimes for turning you over? Yes.”

  Gretel leaned forward, “Does he have the stolen diamonds? Yes. Is he a dangerous psychopath? Yes. Should he be off the streets? Yes.”

  “What do you want me to do, Gretel?”

  “Did you lie to me when you said you had people looking for him?”

  “No. I didn’t. Sit down.”

  She lowered herself into a chair.

  “I have people looking for him, but it’s not a high priority. He’s not wanted for anything more than questioning over the shooting at the airport where he was the victim. We still don’t know who shot him.”

  Gretel was shocked. “Wasn’t it airport security?”

  He shook his head. “No. We know from the footage, the security guard drew his gun and he was shot too. Two men were shot and we don’t know who shot either of them. We didn’t find any shell casings so there’s not much to go on.”

  “I didn’t know.”

  Gretel saw colored lights and felt like she was passing out. She inhaled deeply and tried her best to keep it together. “Well, you might find him at the lake house. Do I have to go on my own?”

  “That would be a bad idea.”

  “Then you come with me.”

  “I don’t think I can get away from the agency for that long. Not with the murder investigation. It would take me away for a couple of days and it’s not possible at the moment.”

  “It’s important. It’ll clear my name.”

  He chuckled. “Your name will never be clear.”

  “I’ve never been convicted of anything.” She’d never admitted to anything. Not even the last robbery where Ryan took the diamonds. “I want to show you I’m not lying about those diamonds and I want you to know that when he turned me in and said I had them, he really had them. Do you see why this is so bothersome to me? Why isn’t this a higher priority?”

  When he opened his mouth to speak, she knew he wasn’t interested.

  She stood, a hand held out to silence him. “I’ll go there myself. I’ll see you when I get back.” She walked out of his office risking her newfound position. Right now making Ryan suffer was like a red flag that she had to follow. Why should he be out there somewhere free, enjoying the fruits of her labor?

  The elevator door was open, and she slipped into it and closed the doors. She saw Jack was trying to catch up to her, but she didn’t care. Maybe things would be different if she had official assurances, but she had nothing on paper. She was so angry she was prepared to suffer as long as Ryan did too.

  When the elevator doors opened, an out-of-breath Jack was waiting. “Wait at the café next door. I’ll be there in fifteen and then we’ll talk, okay?”

  With him looming over her, she had to agree. “Okay.”

  “Good. Calm down, okay?”

  She nodded, and then he moved past her and strode into the elevator.

  Gretel headed to the café. Something told her she didn’t need any more caffeine today so she sat down with a decaf soda.

  When Jack finally came in, he ordered a coffee and then sat in front of her. “There are some things I need to go over with you.”

  “Yes?”

  “A decision has been made to seize all your properties and freeze your bank accounts.”

  She wasn’t shocked. She’d thought this was coming. Fortunately, she had overseas bank accounts that they knew nothing about, but if she couldn’t leave the country, she had no way of accessing them. “What will I live off? Those rental properties bring me income, and where am I supposed to live?”

  “They’re allowing you to keep your apartment—your primary place of residence.”

  She blew out a long breath, grateful to still have her apartment.

  “Understand that you got those properties by ill-gotten gains, and by forfeiting them that appeases the countries who want to extradite you.”

  “Oh, so I’m forfeiting them … willingly?”

  He nodded.

  “Is that the only way?” She’d need to talk to her lawyer. It sounded like that would be making an admission.

  The waitress brought his coffee over. “It’s the easiest and best way. You’ll still live a comfortable life.”

  “I will? How am I supposed to pay my bills?”

  “Consulting fees.”

  “You honestly want me to forfeit my properties?” She had five rental properties in New York.

  “You need to meet us halfway.”

  She sucked on her straw. This was never mentioned when the verbal agreement had been made. Would they keep changing the height of the bar? Still, she was out of prison and Jack did seem to be on her side. “Okay, I’ll do it to show I’m making amends, meeting you halfway and … avoiding extradition.”

  “You’ll be paid for what you do. It’ll be enough to keep up with your expenses on your apartment.”

  She hoped he wasn’t talking about her fake interior design business. “I’ll be paid?”

  “Yes.”

  Gretel put her hands on her forehead. “I need a moment to process.”

  “While you’re processing, I’ve decided that we’re taking a trip to Lake George.”

  She looked up at him. “You mean it?”

  He nodded. “What do you know about this lake house?”

  “I hope that’s where he’s holing up. I hope he forgot that we went there. Thanks so much. I don’t know why I’m not thinking straight at the moment. I should’ve thought about t
his before.” Gretel blew out a deep breath.

  “You’ve got a lot going on.” Jack offered a sympathetic smile.

  “Yes, too much. I’ve looked up all the holiday and permanent rental listings at Lake George—”

  “Please tell me it’s vacant.”

  Gretel nodded. “As far as I know it is. It’s never been listed anywhere. At least not through the Internet. I checked.”

  “Good.”

  “Convenient.” Gretel smiled, pleased with herself for gathering that information.

  "I know you’re fully focused on Ryan Castle, but I’ve also got to get answers about who killed Glen Welch. Surely with your connections you can find out what became of the jewelry? It would go a long way to keeping you from going back to prison if you’re useful to us on this one.”

  “Wait a moment. I’m not giving up anything if there’s a chance I’ll be going back to prison.”

  He shook his head. “You won’t. I just meant that we’d be very grateful and the higher-ups will see that they’ve made the right choice.”

  “I see what you mean. I’ve asked around and no one has seen or heard of this jewelry being offered up for sale anyway. That in itself is extremely suspicious. I’ve always thought it was an inside job and I’m still sure. There. Isn’t that helping?”

  He stared into her eyes and she felt him probing into her mind, searching the dark recesses. “Yes, that is a help. It’s not following the usual pattern of robberies if your contacts have heard nothing.”

  “The wife had everything to gain, but then again she was away at the time. Glen’s business partner was quick to point the finger at her. Gizelle, Glen’s stepdaughter, would’ve also gained since the mother had gained. Or the three of them could’ve been in it together.” She shook her head. “I don’t know about motives and why people murder other people. I’ve never liked violence.” She thought back to the empty base of that safe. She hadn’t put it back together and no one had mentioned that, but she had locked it behind her, so maybe they hadn’t noticed how she’d left it. Unless Jack knew of it and was keeping it from her. “Do you know anything about this that you haven’t said?”

  “You know everything that I know.”

  “Ah, good.” Hopefully that meant he didn’t know she’d been back at the house. “I wonder if Ryan’s got the diamonds stashed at the lake house. He could’ve buried them out there somewhere.”

  “That’s not likely, is it? He’s taken you there, so he knows you know where it is.”

  “It’s a long shot I suppose. When are we going there?”

  “Today.” He took a mouthful of coffee.

  “Really?”

  “Yes. Going up there with you will mean putting Glen Welch’s case on the back burner. I’ll have to do some delegating. Go home and get ready. Give me an hour and I’ll stop by and get you.” He drained the last mouthful of coffee and left her there.

  When she got home, she called Kent and it went to message. She ended the call. Then she emailed her sister’s unused email account knowing Kent would see it, stating where she was going, and what time she expected to be back.

  Gretel hadn't hesitated for a moment when Jack told her to go home. As soon as she had sent the email, she pulled on jeans and a blouse and exchanged her high heels for boots. She also packed some things in her roomy quilted Channel handbag in case they were there longer than expected.

  Then she sat waiting on her wide windowsill chewing her fingernails and wondering if she should call her lawyer, Cameron. He hadn’t been much use and she hadn’t spoken to him since she’d told him about the deal she’d been offered. He’d told her to grab it with both hands, but she could’ve worked that much out for herself without his exorbitant fee involved. But since the Welch case was all about lawyers, she figured he might have something useful to contribute.

  He answered his cell phone with, “Gretel, I was just about to call you.”

  “You were?”

  “Yes. The bank rejected your payment for our fees. I thought you’d prefer a personal call from me rather than have one of my office staff contact you.”

  “Do you take cash?”

  “That’s a little unusual, but of course we do, and bitcoin.”

  “I’m all out of those, but I can bring cash within the next few days.”

  “Thank you.”

  “The reason I’m calling is that I’m wondering if you knew Glen Welch very well.”

  “I knew him. He wasn’t in my circle of friends.”

  “What about his business partner?”

  “I know him about the same as Glen Welch. How’s it coming along with helping the FBI?”

  “It’s okay. I’m helping them with the Welch case, and I thought you might know something useful.”

  “Like what? Are you talking about the Welches' marriage breakdown?”

  “Oh. I didn’t know it was common knowledge.”

  “There was talk at the club and that’s all I can say. Mind you, there’s always talk at the country club.”

  “What was the talk?”

  “They were never there together. Not for the last two years.”

  Gretel didn’t see that as unusual. Many couples went their separate ways and followed their own interests. “Is that all?”

  “Yes. That’s all I recall. Sorry I can’t help you more.”

  “If you think of anything that might help will you let me know?”

  “Are you thinking Josephine had a hand in his death? I heard he was killed in the process of a robbery.”

  “I’m just trying to gather facts.” She smiled when she realized she was starting to sound like Jack. “I’ll be out of town for a couple of days and then I’ll bring in that payment.”

  “Look after yourself, Gretel.”

  “I will.” She ended the call then looked down at the traffic going by. It seemed the credit card she used for payments had been frozen. Right at that moment, she didn’t care. Today she was free. She wasn’t in jail, afraid for her life, with her identity stripped from her. She was Gretel Koch, reformed jewel thief, helping the FBI and she felt good about that. If she could quell the urge to steal, her life might run smoothly.

  Her cell phone sounded. She looked down in the street to see if she could see Jack’s car. It wasn’t there. Turning her attention to her cell phone she saw it was a 'no caller ID.'

  “Yes?” she answered with caution.

  “Don’t try to find me.” The call ended.

  It was Ryan Castle.

  Chapter 15

  Gretel’s heartbeat quickened. She opened her mouth to speak, but the call had ended before she could utter a word. Standing up, she tossed the cell phone on the window’s ledge.

  Did he know that they were heading to the lake house? Did he have someone on the inside at the FBI? Or was it a coincidence? She picked up the phone again and called Jack.

  He answered immediately.

  “Jack, Ryan Castle. He just called my cell phone.”

  “What did he want?”

  “He said not to come looking for him and then he hung up. Do you have my number monitored?” She was pretty certain they did.

  “I don’t but I’ll get that organized right away in case he calls again. Did he say anything else?”

  “That’s all he said. Not even his name. His number didn’t come up on my phone.”

  “Stay calm.”

  “I’ll try.” She took a deep breath.

  “I’m nearly at your place. I’ll be there in five.”

  That made her feel much better. “Okay. I’ll be waiting.” She ended the call and walked into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of water. Colored lights flickered around her and she felt lightheaded. A few slow, deep breaths and the feeling lessened. She took a couple of headache pills as prevention, washed down by a tall glass of water.

  After a moment, she gathered her things together and headed downstairs. She walked out of the building just as she saw Jack’s car rolling to a sto
p. He double-parked, holding up the traffic, and she got in to the sound of beeping horns.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked as he drove on.

  “I’m okay.”

  “You don’t look it.”

  “I wasn’t expecting to hear from him. Could he know we’re going to the lake house? I didn’t tell anyone—did you?”

  “No. I haven’t told anyone other than the people who need to know my whereabouts. There’s no way he could’ve found out.”

  “Now we know he’s not lying in a ditch somewhere, dead from his gunshot wound.”

  “In a few hours, we should know more about the call. I’ve got people working on it. We won’t be able to pinpoint where the call originated but we will know whether it came from within the country.”

  “That’ll be something at least.” Jack had already assured her Ryan hadn’t left the country, so him trying to have the call traced was useless if they could only say whether he was in the country or not.

  “Are you sure it was him?” he asked.

  “Yes. I know his voice well.” She let out a long, drawn-out sigh.

  He glanced over at her. “How did it make you feel hearing his voice again?”

  “Sick and unnerved.” She turned to look at him. “Are you a psychiatrist now?”

  He chuckled. “He was your significant other.”

  “Don’t remind me. I have no feelings for him now other than contempt. Don’t forget he left me to die in the sinking car when he took off with the diamonds. I still have nightmares about it. The reason I don’t like to swim is I don’t like the feel of my head being underwater. It gives me claustrophobia. He knew that.”

  “Then he told us you were the one who hid the diamonds.”

  “Do you believe me now?”

  “I do. I believe you, otherwise we wouldn’t have offered you the deal. It was the prosecution who swallowed his story. They are the ones who did the deal with him, it wasn't us.”

  She rubbed her head. “Thank you for believing me.” She felt a little guilty for keeping things from him, but self-preservation was the key to her survival. If she didn’t look after herself who would? The headache tablets were making her drowsy, so she put her head back onto the headrest and allowed her heavy eyelids to close.