Jewel Hiest

by Keller, J. J.

  He kissed her cheek. “No. Sorry, but from this point on you’ll need to stick to me.” He held up his hands. “Like glue.”

  “As if I haven’t been so far.”

  He drew back. “Seriously, Mary, I need to know where you’re at every moment.”

  “What about work? I’m supposed to go back into the store since I’ve finished with Landware’s project.” She needed that job. It kept her busy, gave her a little cash and made her feel good about the chaos in her life. Recently she’d considered becoming a full-time floral designer. What if she could merge both, floral and jewelry? The angel! She could extend the post to the figurine and make it part of a flower arrangement.

  “I’ll talk to the owner.”

  Pivoting, she walked into the living room. “I like my job, and I’ve bills to pay. If Frank finds out I’m the target of a nut case then he might not keep me.”

  “Frank?”

  “Frank Cartwright. He owns the Garden and Floral Design Center about a mile away. I work part-time for him.” She lifted her hair, knotting it at the nape of her neck. “He’ll be afraid I’ll attract a shooter and his business will be destroyed. Damn, what a mistake.”

  “Ah, that explains why you decorated the house and made the craft ornaments.”

  “Show me what Waterman actually looks like, and if he comes close, I’ll run. I’ve a cellphone again, so I could call.”

  He took both of her arms in his hands. “You must not understand how much he wants to get to you. This man got out of jail the day before he robbed the jewelry store, after serving a sentence for assaulting his lifelong friend. Waterman will kill you without taking a second breath.”

  “What if we gave him the diamonds?” she whispered.

  He stepped back and palmed the gun snug in the leather holster at his side. “What?”

  “Don’t get all militant on me. I found them the first night of the cruise. I was unpacking my shoes, the stretcher came out and the diamonds were in the pointed toe. After I left you at the elevator, I spent the night shoving agates out of the prongs, putting the diamonds in and sewing a casing over them to make sure I didn’t lose one.” She bit her lip. Had she just ended what she hoped would be the beginning of a great relationship?

  “You didn’t tell the police because…”

  “Knock that suspicious frown off your face. I wanted to give them directly to my grandfather, to prove to him I could be responsible. Because Conrad attacked me, I couldn’t. I’ve been in survival mode.”

  “Mary,” he said, his voice resembling a bear’s growl. “You could have gotten that message across by turning them into the captain, or first mate, before you were attacked.”

  “Okay, now you’re really intimidating me.”

  His arms relaxed. He took her hand into his sticky one and led her to the sofa, avoiding the cloth coated with pine sap. “Tell me the rest.”

  Not sitting down, she licked her lips. She freed her hand and tucked both under her armpits as cold invaded her. Confrontations weren’t her thing. “I was afraid I’d be arrested and my time on the ship would end. I considered giving them to the police once we docked. Would you have left them in the shoes? No, of course not. Don’t forget, I was on the ship to de-stress, and well, you know why people go on cruise.” Her voice sharpened. “Maybe you don’t, since you were there to follow me?”

  “Where are the diamonds?” he snapped.

  “In the bedroom.” She strode into the room, which a few minutes ago she had hoped would be her place of pleasure. “Could you get that suitcase on the top shelf of the closet?”

  John snagged the beaten brown leather satchel and placed it on the bed. He threw a few articles of black clothing out, then tipped it over. “Does it have a false bottom?”

  She picked up the white evening bag and held it out. “Here they are.”

  He took the purse and tilted it in the light. “Very clever.”

  “Uncut stones generally don’t give off a lot of sheen, so only a few striations sparkle. Each one is kind of in a claw, but to make sure it was safe I sewed a second trap to keep them snug. Now you know why I was exhausted that day at the wave pool.”

  His smile at the mention of the pool quickly became a frown. “You carried this purse to dinner.”

  “Yes, and no one suspected it was decorated with a million dollars’ worth of gems.” She shoved hair behind her ears.

  “I’ve lost my edge.” He stared at her neck. “You could have been killed.”

  “But I wasn’t. I wanted to keep the diamonds close in case I needed leverage. My life for stolen jewels. Wouldn’t the cops forgive me for the exchange?” Suddenly exhausted, she plopped onto the bed.

  Determination etched his face. “There isn’t forgiveness with the law. White or black, follow the rules or break them, but there isn’t a gray area.” His firm voice sent skitters along her arms.

  “So, are you going to turn me in?”

  Chapter 20

  John gazed at Mary sprawled on the bed seemingly relaxed. But her right eye twitched. He’d noticed the eye jerk a couple of times when she got angry. Too strong a word–rather, when she got annoyed. “Do you want me to say yes so you can ignore the fact we’re right for each other?”

  He carefully laid the diamond embossed bag on the colorful quilt and walked around the bed. Straddling her legs to keep her from running away, again, he said, “Look at me.”

  A fine coat of unshed tears held steady in the corners of her eyes.

  “Why are you afraid to love?” he whispered.

  She snorted, a funny little rough gurgle. “Trust me when I tell you I’m not afraid to love. On the contrary, I love too easily and have made very bad choices in the past. My heart is closed for renewal.”

  “I warn you, Mary Keefe, I plan to open your heart.” He brushed a kiss on each side of her eyes and then her mouth. “Go get ready. We’re going to South Carolina.”

  She bolted upright. “I work tomorrow. Busy time of the year, with Thanksgiving next week. Why can’t I stay here and go with Devon to his house?”

  John grabbed the purse and removed his cellphone from his pocket. “Because I’m not letting you out of my sight.” He lifted his fingers. “We’re stuck like glue.”

  She went into the bathroom and John made his way to the kitchen. After putting the bag and his phone on the bar, he ran water to a close boiling point and scrubbed his hands, getting the pine sap off. As he dried his fingers, he glanced at the boughs littering the living area. So much for romancing her. At least she’d admitted to having the jewels. If only he could get her to confess the other secret she kept hidden. She wasn’t good at keeping her feelings buried. He doubted she could tell a lie. He’d find out what Mary was hiding, so they could begin their relationship with a clean slate.

  He opened the cabinets until he found a blue cloth sack with a pair of shoes imprinted on the outside. The purse would fit perfectly. Shoving the handbag inside the bag, he placed it on the counter, and then picked up his cell.

  A quick punch to speed dial number thirty-three, double D. “Debbie. Where are you?”

  “Pulling in beside your car. What’s up with the gravel driveway? It’s messing the paint on my Mercedes.”

  “Bring your luggage. I’ve got a job for you.”

  “My messenger bag is not luggage. Jack Georges makes the very best protected environment. John, are you all right?”

  He blew out a harsh breath. Mary had come from the bedroom dressed in a snug crimson sweater, which gave her a pretty blush and brought out red tints in her hair. She smiled. Her painted-on jeans exemplified every curve of her luscious body.

  “Yeah. I’ll open the door so you can shove the fifty pounds inside.” He snapped his phone shut, cleared his throat and focused on his woman. “Ready?”

  Two raps, a pause and two taps–Debbie’s secret knock resounded through the room.

  Mary glanced at the entrance and then at him. “Expecting company?”

>   “Just my partner.” He brushed past her. “Excuse me.”

  John threw the locks and slowly opened the entry. Debbie barreled through, tossing the dead weight of a briefcase onto his chest. Off balance, he fell against the wall, and the luggage dropped to the floor with a thud. She stepped over the case and pressed her body tight to his.

  “Hello, lover.” She kissed him. Full on the mouth, with her knee painfully pressed between his legs, smashing his cock.

  He broke the kiss and pressed her shoulders, forcing her body away from his. What game was she playing?

  “Miss me?” She zoomed in for another lip lock.

  Mary cleared her throat, twice. “Do you want me to leave?” she asked, her frosty tone biting more than the nor’easter cold front due to arrive that night.

  “Enough, Debbie.” The words came out loud enough Bushard could have heard him in the big house.

  Debbie stuck her cheek to his shoulder. “Hi, I’m Debbie. I think we met on the cruise ship.”

  “Yes, I remember,” Mary shot back.

  With his knee, he dislodged Debbie’s leg from its uncomfortable location. He slid from behind her and waved between the two. “Mary, Debbie Gilbert is my partner. We are not involved. We’re co-workers, at least until this case is over.”

  “So you all just change your last names to track down insurance fraud?” Mary asked.

  Debbie didn’t appear to have heard. She clung to the back of his shirt as if it were a life preserver.

  “This is the situation.” John twisted from her clutches and strode toward the kitchen. He grabbed Mary’s hand and snagged the blue bag. Purse tucked under his arm, he jerked the blankets, scattering twigs and bits of brush everywhere in the living room.

  Debbie righted her luggage and dragged it to the couch. She plopped on the edge of the sofa closest to where he stood. “Out with it.”

  He sat, pulling Mary onto the sofa snug against him. Extracting the purse, he held it out. “The diamonds are attached. I need you to take it to Florida and turn in the jewels, then have them replaced with imitations. I also have a threatening note found on Bushard’s car to be logged in at the local police station.”

  Mary demurely folded her hands on her lap.

  Debbie took the handbag, catching the afternoon light in the exposed facets. The illuminations made prisms on the ceiling and walls. She caught his stare, and shifted her gaze to Mary. “She was involved after all. I told you not to trust the quiet ones.”

  Mary harumphed. “Who do you–”

  “She wasn’t part of the robbery.” He looked at Debbie’s red hair, about the same texture and length of Mary’s. Her body structure was very similar. “I want to set up a sting. Could you get a wig or color your hair to match Mary’s?”

  Debbie’s smile widened. “Yes. This is what an investigative agent is supposed to do. We’ve never tried to apprehend the criminals, just write reports. This is going to be awesome.”

  “She’s going to pretend to be me?” Mary scraped hair away from her face. “Can she design?”

  Debbie stared at him, her eyes bright with anitcipation.

  “Mary’s working as a floral designer. With the help of the local law, we can trap Waterman,” John announced.

  Debbie rubbed her hands together. “Great. Stash the singlet and let’s get crazy.”

  Mary jumped from the sofa and marched into the bedroom. The wooden door crashed against the jamb.

  John slowly rose. “You can sleep on the couch.”

  Debbie laughed. “Trouble in paradise?”

  Pausing at the exit, he turned. “Waterman is psycho-dangerous. The note was attached to a mutilated rabbit. Don’t leave her alone and don’t say anything to her.”

  “You mean about you and me bumping and grinding?” she said a little louder than normal.

  With narrowed eyes, he glared at her. “We never did anything of the sort. What’s up with you?”

  Debbie meandered around the coffee table and ran her pointed, purple enameled fingernails down his chest. “We’re partners and belong together. She’s not the one for you.”

  He jerked away, grabbed his coat and glanced at her. “Your next partner will be the lucky one. You’ll guide him through the steps. I’m going to reassure Bushard. I’ll return in a few minutes.”

  * * * *

  The bedroom door’s hinges vibrated, squeaking in rebellion of being slammed. Mary plopped onto the soft cushion of the overstuffed blue, yellow and white checked chair. Would she never learn? She’d fallen in love with a man who might not be into commitment. If she were reincarnated, she’d hope to be a Mallard duck or a wolf. They selected a mate and remained true to each other until death did they part. Her friends were right; she always made bad choices in love.

  Tomorrow she was supposed to get the stitches removed, if she remained in Cage. Devon. He felt sympathy for her. He’d take her to her doctor’s appointment and help her to escape this deplorable situation. John had the diamonds, and clearly that’s why he’d been searching. She touched her stomach. Her baby needed her to make the right choice, and by staying too, Dane, Frank and Tim would be in jeopardy. Selfishness and uncontrollable fear had to be subdued. Being single didn’t make her an invalid needing assistance from a man. She’d stand alone and play John’s investigation game sensibly. No, she wanted her baby to be safe. She had to leave Cage.

  Mary dug the pill bottles out of the bedside drawer and went into the bathroom. After brushing her teeth, she ran water in a glass and downed the doses. A flick of the shower’s knob and water cascaded. She stripped, stepped into the tub, pulled the curtain and simply enjoyed the magic of warm liquid sliding over her. Moments later she exited, dried herself and dressed in a loose tee and tap-pant underwear. After sliding a comb through her hair, she crawled beneath the covers. The night John arrived, Devon had just whispered congratulations, that she was indeed pregnant. When would she start to show? She hoped she wouldn’t simply pop out. It would be difficult to explain the expansion, since her appetite was non-existent. Of course, a rounded belly would be nice to see, a sign of her baby. Some indication to prove the bit of new life was alive and well. Miscarriage was still a possibility.

  What would the next day hold for her? Was John in the living room banging Debbie, his more-than-work partner? No, he wasn’t that kind of guy. Despite everything that had happened, she knew he was good and honest.

  The television came on, loud, an MTV or similar type station filling the space with hot, fast music. Good, the background noise would cover whatever was going down. Mary tried to block out the murmurings, but her heart wouldn’t let her. Shifting onto her side, she slid her head between the pillows. Muted thumps from the bass, and squealing she hoped came from the singer, made their way through the cotton and feathers. She hummed a church hymn, which quickly turned into Rescue Me by Aretha Franklin, “Oh, take me in your arms and rescue me, da da da.” She couldn’t remember the words, so she hummed the tune.

  Crap, what was the rest of the line? “I’m blue and I need you.”

  A weight lowered beside her. John, singing in a seductive voice, “Come on and rescue me. ’Cause I need you, by my side. Can’t you see that I’m lonely. Rescue me.”

  Mary opened her eyes. Lips slightly parted, she joined him in the next part. “Come on and take my heart.”

  John placed his hands on the pillows, lowering them beside her head. He held her gaze. “Together, we can make powerful music.”

  His hands felt cold, as if he’d just come in from outside. He caressed the side of her cheek and lifted a wet sliver of hair. Her breathing picked up speed, and her stomach muscles contracted. As he lowered the strand, he caressed her clavicle and the soft, dark skin of his wrist connected with the crest of her ivory breast. Their little tryst in the living room rushed into her thoughts. Her nipples peaked.

  “Are you going to ask me to sleep in the chair, or do you think you might have room in this cozy bed?” He stroked her arm and held
steady at her hand.

  “What about sex on a red stick?” She nodded toward the living room. The door was shut, but the music continued to shake the rafters.

  Had a chuckle caught in his throat? “Debbie and I work together. Period. No personal ties. The only woman I’ve slept with or wanted to be with in the last three months has been you.”

  “What about your hot kiss with her on the cruise ship?” The snarky comment popped out before she could control it.

  “I only wanted to make you jealous. The moment you crashed into my room, you stole my jewel,” he whispered.

  A bump to his thigh and she scooted to the edge. “You can share my space.”

  “Thanks. I’ll just shower off the rest of the pine sap.” He pressed their fingers together to illustrate or remind her, they would be stuck like glue.

  A dark substance coated some of the digits. His touch, so soft, hadn’t stuck them to her face. Her heart sang in a fast happy cadence. They’d be together. If she got lucky, they’d finish what they’d started earlier. Mary licked her lips. “Okay.”

  His grin widened into a smile. An unsatisfying light kiss, and he catapulted from the mattress. “Keep the bed warm.”

  Chapter 21

  John rushed through the shower, hoping to catch Mary all soft and dewy, in that want-to-have-sex position he’d left her. If not for the stickiness on his arms, he’d have skipped the shower and made love with her immediately. But he couldn’t. She deserved some respect and he’d show her such. A couple of squirts of coconut-lime soap on a scratchy sponge and he gouged his skin with the rough edges, hurrying to get the sap removed.

  Wrapping a towel around his waist, he ran a comb through his hair, and left the steamy bathroom. Mary’s pink top and panties were piled on the floor. If he had any karma at all, she’d be naked under the light sheet that barely shielded her lush breasts.

  “Get the pine sap off?”

  Like a green boy, he couldn’t speak, so he nodded. The wet towel fell to the floor with a soft whoosh.