by Annie Seaton
He’d tried to call Greg from the airport with no luck so he pulled over just before they reached the business district. Dru was still looking from left to right and taking in the scenery. The afternoon was closing in quickly and as they approached the city, Christmas lights began to appear. A myriad of white and golden-coloured lights were draped over the peak of the stores across the road from the parking spot he’d pulled into.
‘I’m just going to see if Greg has left a message while we’ve been driving,’ he said. ‘He was going to book a hotel for us but he hasn’t left a message.’
‘Almost like your own PA,’ Dru said lightly.
‘Almost.’ Connor grabbed the phone. It was getting dark quickly. ‘Ah, there’s a text.’
Twin at 26 Mercatorstraat. Check email.
A twin? Knowing Greg, he would have booked a twin room on purpose just to be a smart-arse. Connor entered the address into the navigation system and started the car.
‘Everything okay?’ Dru’s voice interrupted his worry.
‘Yeah, fine. All good. We’ll be there in a few minutes.’ The building was highlighted on the digital map on the screen and Connor glanced at it briefly before turning his attention back to the traffic.
‘Oh, look at that!’ Dru pointed ahead excitedly. A square was edged by rows of outdoor stalls all festooned in Christmas lights, and crowds of people were milling about. Connor indicated to turn right and they turned away from the night market. He shook his head. ‘You surprise me, Dru.’
‘How?’ She stared at him.
‘I suppose I need to confess before I tell you why. Promise you won’t get mad?’
‘Hmm, I’ll see.’
Connor spotted a parking spot up ahead and pulled into it. ‘The hotel should be only a couple of doors up,’ he said.
‘Okay, so what’s this confession?’
‘We did a lot of background checks on you when you were a suspect.’ He glanced at her as he removed the keys from the ignition. ‘Make sure you put my coat back on. It’ll be icy out there.’ He got out and walked around and opened the door for her. Reaching in, he picked up his coat and held it while she slipped her arms in to it. ‘Turn around.’ She turned slowly and he held the bottom of the coat together and joined the zip links before pulling the zipper up firmly.
‘Thank you.’ She lifted her braid and flicked it out over the coat collar. ‘Now finish what you were saying.’
It was hard to pick her tone so he spoke carefully. ‘I was just going to say that you’re very different to the woman I thought you were—you know, from your interests and things.’
‘Like what?’ This time her voice was hard.
‘All that risk-taking stuff. The things you did at uni. The abseiling, the sky diving. And then your choice of career.’
‘You did do your homework thoroughly, didn’t you?’ Her tone was as icy as the wind swirling around the street.
Chapter 31
‘Christ, Dru. Don’t take what I’m saying the wrong way.’ Connor ran his hand through his hair in frustration before he walked around to the back of the car and got their bags. ‘Come on, this isn’t the sort of conversation to have in the street.’
He wished to God he hadn’t started it. Dru strode along in front of him.
‘Wait up. You’ll slip,’ he called.
‘What number are we going to?’
‘Number twenty-six.’ He looked up at the building ahead and to the right. ‘That’s it. The Leopold.’
The building was a grey brick edifice with dirty windows. The front door was locked so he rang the bell. Dru stood with her back to Connor rubbing her arms. The wind had picked up and although it had stopped snowing, the air was crisp and cold. Finally, the door opened with a creak and a small man with a wrinkled face peered around the metal frame.
‘We have a booking,’ Connor said. ‘Kirk.’
The man stood back and opened the door and ushered them in. There was a small office set off to the side and he shuffled over to the counter where a large book sat. ‘Ah yes.’ He nodded. ‘Tweepersoonskamer.’
He reached up and took down a large key. Connor pulled out his credit card. ‘Nee, all good. All paid.’ He shook his head.
Greg must have paid for the room when he’d booked it. Connor took the key and put his card back in his wallet. ‘Thank you.’
‘Fourth floor.’ The man held up four fingers and pointed into the building towards an elevator with a wire-grilled gate.
‘Come on, Dru.’ Connor bent to pick up the bags but Dru already had hers in her hand and was walking towards the hall. She beat him to the lift and pushed the black metal button on the wall. Neither of them spoke as the elevator creaked and groaned with a screech of grinding metal as it came down from the floors above. It hit the ground floor with a jolt and they waited for a moment before Connor realised that the metal door had to be opened manually. He stepped past Dru and pushed it open and then stood back for her to step inside.
At the fourth floor he pulled open the gate. Dru sighed when it clanged against the metal frame. ‘I can’t believe this,’ she said.
Relief filled Connor. Good, she was talking to him again.
‘It’s archaic but I kind of like it.’ She stepped past him into a narrow dark hallway and peered around the corner.
‘Okay.’ Connor looked around the dilapidated interior of the hotel and then at the room number on the key. ‘This way.’
He waited for Dru and muttered beneath his breath, ‘This does not bode well for the room, Greg.’
*
Dru had been furious when Connor mentioned checking her background but her anger had burned out quickly. There was no point being upset with him; he was only doing his job, and that was why she’d offered to come to Antwerp and help out. The sooner they went to the jeweller and found whatever he was after, the sooner they could go back to Australia and she could slip back into her safe life at the mine. Although if she was completely honest, as long as Connor was around it was a different sort of safety she’d be looking for. He unsettled her—but not in a bad way.
He was a strong man who exuded authority and confidence. A good-looking man, with dark, hazel-flecked green eyes. The last few times she’d caught him looking at her, it had been hard to look away. The strange feeling that had run through her was one she wasn’t used to. Like that hand tingling, but this was a feeling that jangled every nerve ending in her body.
She followed him down the hall until they reached the room. He opened the door and stepped back and allowed her to go inside ahead of him.
‘Oh . . . my.’ She stopped suddenly and Connor ran into her back. He grabbed her by the elbows and her nerve endings sizzled.
‘Sorry.’ He looked over her shoulder and the expletive that escaped his lips spoke volumes.
Letting go of her arms, he stepped past her. ‘Bloody hell. Wait till I ring Greg!’
Dru put her bag on the floor and placed her hands on her hips and surveyed the room. In both Dubai and Abu Dhabi the rooms they had shared had been the height of elegance, with luxurious bathrooms and tea-making facilities and a refrigerator in each one.
Here, two single beds with iron bedheads and obviously sagging mattresses were covered by mustard yellow throw overs. They were almost the colour of the mango chutney Mum had made when Dru was at high school. In one corner was an old pedestal sink in a dull pink, and beside it stood a table with an old-fashioned kettle.
She turned to Connor and couldn’t help but laugh at the horrified look on his face.
‘Where’s the bathroom?’ he said.
‘Looks like there isn’t one.’
‘Bloody hell.’ He took hold of her arm. ‘Come on, we’ll go and find somewhere else.’
‘Hang on.’ Dru stepped from his gentle hold and opened the door. She went into the hall and continued along to where it ended in a blank wall. On each side was a door. One was marked vrouw and the other mannen. She’d found the bathrooms.
It
was cold in the corridor and Dru scurried back down to the room. Connor was still standing there. ‘Come on, we’re out of here.’
‘No.’ Dru shook her head. ‘It’s fine. We’re here now. We can go and find something to eat and then wander around those gorgeous markets in the square.’ She smiled. ‘I’m experiencing the true Europe, not a sanitised version. I love it.’
Connor folded his arms, a stubborn look on his face. ‘I can’t expect you to stay in this.’
‘Honestly, it’s fine. It reminds me of our farm where I grew up.’
Connor unfolded his arms and walked across to her. He put his hands on her shoulders and looked at her. ‘Are you for real, Dru Porter?’ His voice was soft as he held her gaze intently. ‘Most women would run out of here screaming for luxury.’
She lifted her chin and stared him down. ‘I’m not most women.’
Suddenly the mood switched to something deeper and Connor dropped his forehead gently onto hers. He lowered his arms and put them around her waist. Dru leaned into his hold, unable to resist.
‘No, you’re not, are you.’
It was a long time since a man had held her close like that.
Dru rested her head against Connor’s cheek. He smelled manly, with just a hint of cologne. His cheek was rough against hers and Dru closed her eyes, taking comfort from his embrace.
Without thinking, she lifted her finger and traced it along his jawline and then onto his lips. Then she wrapped her arms around his neck and lifted her mouth to his. Her eyes were closed but she heard and felt the gentle sigh he expelled. She stood still, waiting to see how he would react. He leaned closer, sliding slowly into the kiss as he ran his hands down the leather jacket to settle around her waist again.
They stood there for a few moments with their lips pressed gently together, not moving. Dru stiffened when Connor stepped back and removed his hands. She opened her eyes to a solemn regard.
‘As much as I would like to, we’re not going to take this any further, Dru.’
‘Why not?’ Her voice was soft.
‘Because you’re vulnerable right now, and I’m not going to take advantage of that.’
Disappointment filled her but she reached out and touched his cheek again. ‘No matter what you might think, you are a decent man, Connor.’
*
Stepping out of that embrace was one of the hardest things Connor had ever done. Dru had been soft and pliant in his arms, and her lips sweet against his. If he ever made love to Dru—and he was not averse to the idea—it wouldn’t be when she was in a fragile emotional state, and it certainly wouldn’t be in a hotel room that looked like it hadn’t been updated since the nineteenth century.
‘Come on, we need to go eat. And you can go and enjoy the markets. Tomorrow we’ll be busy chasing a diamond thief.’
‘I’ll just go and have a wash.’ Dru was out of the room before he could reply.
Connor took a deep breath. God, he hoped he hadn’t upset her again. He gathered his thoughts and pulled out his phone. Maybe he could find a better room around here somewhere.
Dru pushed open the door a few minutes later. ‘Are you ready?’ She reached for her purse. ‘Do you think I’ll find a clothes market down there?’
‘What, my coat’s not good enough for you?’
‘You might need it,’ she said drily.
Connor held out his arm and she put hers through it as they left the room. This time they found the steps and bypassed the elevator.
*
Connor looked at the map on his phone and steered Dru towards the Shupstraat. Dru was like a child at Christmas as they walked through the markets. The square was filled with people and the noise was high as various musical performers vied with each other for the attention of the crowd. Every few minutes they’d stop at a stall as she insisted on trying the Belgian waffles, fries, chocolate and beer, much to Connor’s amusement.
Finally they left the Christmas lights behind them and turned into the Shupstraat.
‘I definitely need to buy some warmer clothes,’ Dru said. She looked at him but her face was in shadow.
‘I just want to check out the address Greg emailed. Number fifty-three.’
Soft light shone from the windows of the diamond merchants as they strolled along the street. Dru walked beside him, her sneaker-clad feet silent on the cobblestones. ‘There it is.’ She pointed to the shopfront across the road. ‘Van Hoebeek. Is that it?’
‘Yes. That’s the one. Come on.’ Connor took her arm and didn’t let go once they were across the road. The shopfront was old but elegant with thin black bars covering the glass panes. He looked up into the red light of a CCTV camera just above the window. The name of the proprietor was painted along the top of the glass in ornate, curled letters. The window itself was simply decorated with diamond jewellery nestled in red velvet. Behind the display, he could see antique furniture in a small showroom.
‘Okay, we’d better get you some classy clothes to wear tomorrow,’ he said.
*
The next morning, Dru woke first and slipped down the hall to the bathroom. After a very cool shower where the water stopped and started in time with the creaking of the water pipes, she dressed in the clothes they’d purchased for her at the market. Connor was awake when she returned and he went down to the bathroom while she waited. He’d slept on top of the bed in his clothes but when he returned he was wearing fresh clothes and was clean-shaven. They found a small cafe for breakfast before heading to the exclusive establishment of Van Hoebeek.
When they arrived, Connor introduced himself as a representative of John Robinson, CEO of Matsu Diamonds. Hughie Van Hoebeek pulled at his collar. He was a man with a mournful face and a brow furrowed with deep worry lines. He looked at Connor then led them through to the office behind the showroom.
They spoke for half an hour while Dru sat back and sipped her cup of steaming hot chocolate and Connor took notes in a small notebook.
He had prepared his questions very carefully. ‘Please tell me about your interactions with Mr Al Tayer. When was your first contact with him?’
‘The first set of stones was brought to me in May of this year.’ The jeweller frowned. ‘I wish to reiterate that I have reported the unetched stones to the World Diamond Council.’ His Belgian accent thickened as he ran his finger around his collar again. ‘I explained that when Mr Al Tayer’s assistant arrived, I had allocated a junior craftsman to the creation of the earrings. They were small gems and due to the inexperience of my junior staff member, he did not notice that the stones were not etched. I have accepted full responsibility for this error and will pay the appropriate fine.’
Connor nodded slowly. ‘Please tell me what happened when you took delivery of the second set of stones.’
‘I thought it was strange that once again the shipment was personally delivered. We do not see that happen very often. As the quality of the violets was so high, and the stones were so large, I would have expected them to be delivered in the usual way with very high security. Under the circumstances, I insisted that I meet with the man who delivered them—I still do not know him by name, just that he is Mr Al Tayer’s personal assistant. There was no security and he merely pulled them from his suit pocket and handed them to me. I found that quite strange. The diamonds are of exquisite quality and I have since valued them at more than a million dollars each.’
He took his handkerchief from his jacket and mopped his brow. ‘He also brought the earrings back so that the necklace could be matched to them exactly. That was when I noticed our mistake.’
‘How long was it between the first and second visits?’
‘There was only three months until his second visit with the large stones. When I saw their quality, I examined them and the lack of etching was a shock to me. I called John Robinson immediately. It is a difficult situation. Mr Al Tayer’s assistant provided a registration certificate, but of course it is forged. Interpol has been notified.’
‘Where are the diamonds now?’
‘In our bank vault. John has requested we keep them secure until the thief is caught.’
‘Is Mr Al Tayer aware of that?’
‘No, he has been told that there is a delay in crafting the necklace. He is expecting it back imminently.’
Connor and Dru exchanged a glance. Dru knew Zayed well; if he’d legitimately purchased the six violet diamonds, he would want them back, and he wouldn’t give up until he had them in his collection.
‘Thank you. That information is very useful.’ Connor closed his notebook with a snap. He held out his hand to Van Hoebeek as he stood. ‘Thank you for your time. If there is anything more that you do think of, please contact me.’ He handed over his business card.
‘Whatever I can do to help. Please convey my apologies to John once again. I take full responsibility for the delay in identifying the first set of stones as stolen. If I had not allocated that job to my junior, the theft would have come to light months earlier.’ He put his hand up. ‘Wait. One more thing I had forgotten. While I was taking the earrings from Mr Al Tayer’s man, he moved away to take a phone call. At first I thought he said something about a cat, and then I realised it was the name of the person he was talking to.’
Cat. That was the name Najeeb had mentioned during the interview with Zayed.
Connor’s smile was broad this time. ‘Thank you.’
Chapter 32
Darwin—Northern Territory
Connor followed Dru along the corridor that ran along the outside of her apartment block. When he’d talked about booking into a hotel in Darwin, she’d insisted that he stay at her apartment.
‘God, Connor, we’ve been sharing hotel rooms and sleeping next to each other on planes for days. I insist.’
Their relationship had relaxed considerably since their escape from Dubai, and Dru’s confidence had improved. By the time they’d landed, she was back to her confident, sassy self—almost. Connor had been quiet; he knew he shouldn’t have accepted her invitation. But he’d enjoyed the banter that had sprung up between them, and was getting used to Dru’s company. And if he was honest with himself he didn’t want to leave her on her own.