Hidden Gems

by Carrie Alexander

  “What about Freddy Bascomb? Were they working together?”

  “I doubt it. Paul has no connection to the amulet.”

  “Bascomb was stabbed…”

  “Two blocks away.” She went white. “If Allard was keeping an eye on me all this time, he might have thought that Bascomb had taken the amulet.”

  “This is making a weird kind of sense.”

  “All those times I thought I was being watched,” she mused. “It was him. In the lobby, on the street—” She arched her brows at the barred window. “Probably even on my fire escape.”

  “So we can’t blame all of it on Paul,” Jamie said, frowning.

  “There’s enough blame to go around.” Marissa picked up the paper again. “At least now we know what’s been going on. After the White Star is out of our hands, life will go back to normal.”

  “Will it?” Jamie asked. Do you want it to?

  “You know what I mean.” She threw the paper aside and curled up beside him. “Here’s what we’ll do. In the morning, I’ll call my friend Trish. Her brother, Alex, works at an antiquities museum. We’ll have one of their experts take a look at the amulet to be sure it’s the original before we go to the authorities. That’ll save us some embarrassment in case we find out it’s a fake.”

  “It’s not a fake.”

  “Ah, yes, Allard,” she said, resting her chin on his chest. “Of course.”

  “Allard’s not the proof.”

  Marissa’s eyes met his. She was beginning to smile. A complex, knowing, slightly mysterious smile. The smile of an exotic goddess who’d captured his heart.

  “This is the proof,” he said, reaching an arm past her as if he were going for the White Star on the nearby table.

  His hand landed on her shoulder instead. Her brows rose with a question.

  A question answered when he took her mouth in a kiss that was all the testament either of them needed.

  Epilogue

  SPRING SUNSHINE splashed across the pavement. The leaves of the chestnut trees shimmied, flipping from light to dark and back to light with the turn of the breeze. Allard paced, wishing for the night though he knew that his chance would come in daylight.

  There might be only one chance. He had to be vigilant.

  The waiting and watching had taken their toll. He was restless, jumpy. His instincts hummed. Every noise from the apartment building made him twitch with anticipation.

  He was on the other side of the street, lighting a cigarette in the shadow of a double-parked delivery truck when the door of the brownstone opened and Marissa emerged. Too late for work—a worrying detail. Accompanied by her troublesome boyfriend.

  Allard pinched the cigarette from his mouth. Something was wrong.

  She wore jeans and a clingy sweater, with a leather bag strapped across her chest, cradled in protective hands. The boyfriend was scanning the street. He hustled her toward a cab that had pulled up to the curb.

  Allard tossed away the cigarette and sprinted across the street, coming within reach of their vehicle as it pulled away. He knew…he knew…

  Allard whistled for a passing cab that didn’t stop. He ran it down, swearing in French as he saw the other cab signal for a turn. They were heading uptown.

  He threw himself into the car, told the cabbie to floor it.

  He couldn’t lose them!

  They had the White Star. Even without the clues, he would have seen it in her eyes.

  His greatest fear was that they were going to the police. His employer would never tolerate that.

  But after a harried ride through traffic, they stopped outside a large gray edifice with Doric columns and tall windows capped by carved lintels. The letters etched above the columns read: Museum of Antiquities.

  Allard’s pulse raced in step with the pair as they flew from the cab and up the stone staircase. Attempting a chase was not necessary. He’d accessed museums before, and would do it again, in a ploy more clever than running through the streets in broad daylight.

  The White Star could change hands a dozen times over, but her fate would never be altered.

  His were the hands she wanted—quick, skilled, secretive.

  His were the hands she’d get.

  Coming Next Month

  Be enthralled, moved, thrilled and delighted by exceptional reads from outstanding authors and well-loved series.

  Come back every month for newly released selections in a variety of categories offering stories that appeal to every taste and mood.

  Have a great time!

  ON SALE IN MARCH 2006

  Look for new titles in the following categories

  Bestsellers

  Enthralling stories by the brightest stars in women’s fiction—from MIRA Books. Big romances that sweep you away—from HQN Books

  KILLING KELLY by Heather Graham (romantic suspense)

  Passionate Reads

  Powerful, provocative tales full of heat and passion—from Harlequin Blaze, Silhouette Desire and Harlequin Presents

  CAUGHT by Kristin Hardy

  THE GREEK’S CHOSEN WIFE by Lynne Graham

  TOTALLY TEXAN by Mary Lynn Baxter

  Romantic Suspense

  Danger…romance…adventure…suspense! Stories that will take your breath away—from Harlequin Intrigue and Silhouette Intimate Moments

  A HUSBAND’S WATCH by Karen Templeton

  Inspirational

  Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense. Faith-inspired chick lit from Steeple Hill Café

  FRONT PORCH PRINCESS by Kathryn Springer

  Women’s Fiction

  Books that celebrate the “next” stage of women’s lives…because every life has a second chapter! From Harlequin Next

  MY PERFECTLY IMPERFECT LIFE by Jennifer Archer

  Women’s Action Adventure

  Strong, sexy, savvy heroines who save the day…and always get their man. From Silhouette Bombshell

  SOMETHING WICKED by Evelyn Vaughn

  Chick Lit

  Women’s fiction with attitude, these humorous, edgy, hip stories celebrate life’s little curves…From Red Dress Ink

  THE MATZO BALL HEIRESS by Laurie Gwen Shapiro

  Fantasy/Science Fiction

  Powerful, magical tales, vivid characters and richly imagined worlds from the first imprint solely dedicated to female focused fantasy—Luna Books

  ONE GOOD KNIGHT by Mercedes Lackey

  THE FAIRY GODMOTHER by Mercedes Lackey

  AVAILABLE NOW

  Bestsellers

  Enthralling stories by the brightest stars in women’s fiction—from MIRA Books. Big romances that sweep you away—from HQN Books

  KILLER TAKES ALL by Erica Spindler, MIRA (psychological thriller)

  BEFORE SUNRISE by Diana Palmer, HQN (contemporary romance)

  DARK SKY by Carla Neggers, MIRA (romantic suspense)

  50 HARBOR STREET by Debbie Macomber, MIRA (women’s fiction)

  GHOST WALK by Heather Graham, MIRA (paranormal mystery)

  MASQUERADE by Brenda Joyce, HQN (historical romance)

  CODE NAME: BABY by Christina Skye, HQN Books (romantic suspense)

  NIGHT FEVER by Diana Palmer (contemporary romance)

  ANYONE BUT YOU by Jennifer Crusie, HQN (contemporary romance)

  A PERFECT EVIL by Alex Kava, MIRA (psychological thriller)

  DEADLY KISSES by Brenda Joyce, MIRA (romantic suspense)

  IN THE GROOVE by Pamela Britton (contemporary romance)

  Passionate Reads

  Powerful, provocative tales full of heat and passion—from Harlequin Blaze, Silhouette Desire and Harlequin Presents

  THE ITALIAN’S STOLEN BRIDE by Emma Darcy, Harlequin Presents

  UNCONTROLLABLE by Susan Kearney, Harlequin Blaze

  WHATEVER RILEY WANTS by Maureen Child, Silhouette Desire

  SEXY ALL OVER by Jamie Sobrato, Harlequin
Blaze

  HOT TO THE TOUCH by Jennifer Greene, Silhouette Desire

  TALKING ABOUT SEX… by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Harlequin Blaze

  THE TYCOON’S TROPHY WIFE by Miranda Lee, Harlequin Presents

  BOSS MAN by Diana Palmer, Silhouette Desire

  DON’T OPEN TILL CHRISTMAS by Leslie Kelly, Harlequin Blaze

  ANGELS AND OUTLAWS by Barbara Dunlop, Harlequin Blaze, White Star miniseries

  AT THE PLAYBOY’S PLEASURE by Kim Lawrence, Harlequin Special Releases

  THE MAN MEANS BUSINESS by Annette Broadrick, Silhouette Desire

  HIDDEN GEMS by Carrie Alexander, Harlequin Blaze, White Star miniseries

  FOREVER MINE, VALENTINE by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Harlequin Special Release

  SKIN DEEP by Tori Carrington, Harlequin Special Release

  SEDUCING SULLIVAN by Julie Elizabeth Leto, Harlequin Special Release

  A COWBOY & A GENTLEMAN by Ann Major, Harlequin Special Release

  STONE COLD SURRENDER by Brenda Jackson, Kimani Press

  Romantic Suspense

  Danger…romance…adventure…suspense! Stories that will take your breath away—from Harlequin Intrigue and Silhouette Intimate Moments

  MAN OF HER DREAMS by Debra Webb, Harlequin Intrigue

  LOVING THE LONE WOLF by Ingrid Weaver, Silhouette Intimate Moments

  GHOST HORSE by Patricia Rosemoor, Harlequin Intrigue

  SUSPICIOUS by Heather Graham, Silhouette Intimate Moments

  RIDER ON FIRE by Sharon Sala, Silhouette Intimate Moments

  SECURITY MEASURES by Joanna Wayne, Harlequin Intrigue

  EPIPHANY by Rita Heron, Mallery Kane, Debra Webb, Harlequin Intrigue

  FEELS LIKE HOME by Maggie Shayne, Silhouette Intimate Moments

  RICOCHET by Jessica Andersen, Harlequin Intrigue

  HIGH-STAKES BRIDE by Fiona Brand, Silhouette Intimate Moments

  Inspirational

  Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense. Faith-inspired chick lit from Steeple Hill Café

  LOVING FEELINGS by Gail Gaymer Martin, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  BLESSED BOUQUETS by Lyn Cote, Lenora Worth and Penny Richards, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  FOR THE TWINS’ SAKE by Jillian Hart, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  NOTE OF PERIL by Hannah Alexander, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS by Elizabeth White, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  BLACK HILLS BRIDE by Deb Kastner, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  WINDINGO TWILIGHT by Colleen Rhoads, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  MILLION DOLLAR DILEMMA by Judy Baer, Steeple Hill Café

  STORM CLOUDS by Cheryl Wolverton, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  DIE BEFORE NIGHTFALL by Shirlee McCoy, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  DECK THE HALLS by Arlene James, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  HER BROTHER’S KEEPER by Valerie Hansen, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  WEDDING AT WILDWOOD by Lenora Worth, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  EVEN IN THE DARKNESS by Shirlee McCoy, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  PAST SECRETS, PRESENT LOVE by Lois Richer, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  HOME TO YOU by Cheryl Wolverton, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  A HANDFUL OF HEAVEN by Jillian Hart, Love Inspired

  Women’s Fiction

  Books that celebrate the “next” stage of women’s lives…because every life has a second chapter! From Harlequin Next

  THERE’S ALWAYS PLAN B by Susan Mallery, Harlequin Next

  RIGGS PARK by Ellyn Bache, Harlequin Next

  CUTTING THROUGH by Joan Hohl, Harlequin Next

  THE ME I USED TO BE by Jennifer Archer, Harlequin Next

  PELICAN BAY by Charlotte Douglas, Harlequin Next

  STARTING FROM SCRATCH by Marie Ferrarella, Harlequin Next

  GRIN AND BEAR IT by Leslie LaFoy, Harlequin Next

  THE PAYBACK CLUB by Rexanne Becnel, Harlequin Next

  WHO MAKES UP THESE RULES ANYWAY by Stevi Mittman, Harlequin Next

  Women’s Action Adventure

  Strong, sexy, savvy heroines who save the day…and always get their man. From Silhouette Bombshell

  ONCE A THIEF by Michele Hauf, Silhouette Bombshell

  HOT PURSUIT by Kathryn Jensen, Silhouette Bombshell

  DEVIL’S BARGAIN by Rachel Caine, Silhouette Bombshell

  THE GOLDEN GIRL by Erica Orloff, Silhouette Bombshell The It Girls miniseries

  FLAWLESS by Michele Hauf, Silhouette Bombshell The It Girls miniseries

  LETHALLY BLONDE by Nancy Bartholomew, Silhouette Bombshell The It Girls miniseries

  MS. LONGSHOT by Sylvie Kurtz, Silhouette Bombshell The It Girls miniseries

  A MODEL SPY by Natalie Dunbar, Silhouette Bombshell The It Girls miniseries

  BULLETPROOF PRINCESS by Vicki Hinze, Silhouette Bombshell, The It Girls miniseries

  Chick Lit

  Women’s fiction with attitude, these humorous, edgy, hip stories celebrate life’s little curves…From Red Dress Ink

  WITH OR WITHOUT YOU by Carole Matthews, Red Dress Ink

  KILLER SUMMER by Lynda Curnyn, Red Dress Ink

  DO THEY WEAR HIGH HEELS IN HEAVEN? By Erica Orloff, Red Dress Ink

  THE NIGHT I GOT LUCKY by Laura Caldwell, Red Dress Ink

  SCENES FROM A HOLIDAY by Laurie Graff, Caren Lissner, Melanie Murray, Red Dress Ink

  THE JINX by Jennifer Sturman, Red Dress Ink

  THE BREAKUP CLUB by Melissa Senate, Red Dress Ink

  HATING VALENTINE’S DAY by Allison Rushby, Red Dress Ink

  Fantasy/Science Fiction

  Powerful, magical tales, vivid characters and richly imagined worlds from the first imprint solely dedicated to female focused fantasy—Luna Books

  THE DESTINED QUEEN by Deborah Hale, LUNA

  URBAN SHAMAN by C.E. Murphy, LUNA

  POISON STUDY by Maria V. Snyder, LUNA

  IN STONE’S CLASP by Christie Golden, LUNA

  WINTER MOON by Mercedes Lackey, Tanith Lee, C.E. Murphy, LUNA

  BRIGHID’S QUEST by P.C. Cast, LUNA

  SHADOWS OF PROPHECY by Rachel Lee, LUNA

  THE HAMMER OF THE EARTH by Susan Krinard, LUNA