Chapter Twenty-Seven Abra
As soon as Rey confirms that the pawnbroker was selling her stolen jewelry, I reach across the counter and grab him by the shirt.
Pulling him forward so he can’t escape, I order Rey to lock up the shop and call her brother.
Movement to my right has me glancing over in time to see Zip sneak back into the shop.
He nods as he shoves a folded sheet of paper into his kutte, telling me he found the information we needed on the person who sold the gold and ruby jewelry to this asshole.
I know Rey has a soft spot for the young man who was so desperate to save the life of his wife that he pawned his family’s treasure for a pittance.
I can’t blame her. When I heard the story of how this asshole took advantage of a desperate man, I broke into the pawnshop and stole the pieces.
I wish I had had the presence of mind to get the information on the man who pawned them.
I knew the pawnshop had a buyer, which is why I moved so quickly.
“Max is on his way. He said he’s only a few minutes out. He’s also called in a black and white,” Rey says as we hear the sounds of sirens coming closer. “That’s probably them.”
A few minutes later, a black-and-white police car pulls in front of the shop, its lights flashing. Rey unlocks the door to let in two police officers. They have their weapons drawn as they enter and scan the surroundings.
“You’re Max’s sister, Rey?” one asks her. She nods.
“These are my friends. Abra and Zip.”
I release my grip on the pawnbroker as the cop circles the counter to take control.
He has the man in cuffs and is reading him his rights while the pawnbroker whines about his innocence.
The pawnbroker stutters to a stop when Max steps through the door.
He pales when Max steps toward Rey and runs a hand down her arm.
“What did you find?” he asks.
Rey holds up the bracelet and the locket. Max narrows his eyes as he glares at the pawnbroker. “I know you got the information about these items,” Max says. “They were on the list of stolen items, so why didn’t you call us when the thief brought them in?”
“I was just about to call you…” He stutters.
“Then why were you willing to sell them to my woman?” I growl.
The pawnbroker licks his lips, and I can see his mind working as he tries to come up with an excuse Max will believe.
“Those aren’t the same items on the list,” he protests. “I’ve had those in the shop for years!”
“You don’t think I recognize the locket my parents gave me as a graduation present or the bracelet my brothers bought me when I passed the bar exam?
” Rey snarls at the man. “They have my initials on them!” Rey shoves the items toward Max, who takes them and places them in an evidence bag.
Rey stares at her brother in horror before reaching for the bags. “What are you doing?”
“I’m sorry, Rey, I need to keep these for a while. They’re evidence. I’ll make sure you get them back as soon as possible.”
Rey watches Max shove the bags into his pocket. The look on her face almost breaks me. I reach for her hand and pull her into my arms. Stroking her back, I whisper into her ear. “You will have them back. I promise you. Even if I have to break into the evidence locker to get them back.”
Rey offers me a watery chuckle at my promise. “Thank you. But, don’t think I won’t take you up on that offer.” I use my thumbs to wipe the tears from her cheeks.
“You don’t have to worry. You’ll get them back,” I promise.
“You will,” Max assures her. “Now, why don’t you all clear out, so we can do our jobs? I would appreciate it if you could email me your statement. Can you do that for me?”
“Don’t you want me to look around and see if there is anything else that belongs to me?” Rey offers.
“We can handle it. I have the list of stolen items. I’m guessing we’ll find more than just your stolen goods in here. Seems like Mr. Bancroft here hasn’t been taking his civic duty very seriously.”
“Ready to go back to the clubhouse?” I ask Rey. She nods.
I lead her outside and over to my bike. As I fasten her helmet, I notice that she’s frowning as she studies the pawn shop. “What are you thinking?” I ask her.
“What? Oh, I was just thinking that we had a prime opportunity to search his records. I really want to find the original owner of those pieces. I don’t know how we’re going to get the information now.”
I smirk at her while tapping her on the nose. “It’s a good thing you have me. I had Zip sneak back there and do just that. You have the information, right?” I ask Zip.
Zip grins as he pats his kutte. “I took the originals. I considered making a copy, but thought better of it—no sense in anyone else having the information.”
“You got the information?” Rey squeals. “Let me see!”
“How about we wait and review the document Zip stole when cops don’t surround us?” I chide her.
She glances around and offers a weak chuckle. “Yeah, that would probably be a good idea. I can’t believe this! I’m so happy.” She can’t stop herself from squealing the last few words.
I grin at her enthusiasm as I help her onto the back of my bike.
She wraps her body around mine and squeezes me in a tight hug.
Her joy and happiness flow through me, and I’m grateful that I was able to make it happen.
She’s had a rough few days. Her resilience is impressive, but not as remarkable as the fact that her joy comes from knowing she’s making progress toward someone else’s happiness.
It takes a special kind of person to find joy in a stranger's happiness.
We make it to the clubhouse without any further trouble.
I snag the helmet off Rey’s head before yanking her close so I can plant a kiss on her luscious mouth.
She clings to me as I devour her taste and lose myself in the pleasure of her kiss.
I’ve never felt this connected to a woman before, and I know that, even though it's only been a few days, I won’t be able to let her go.
She’s burrowed herself into my soul, a place I always thought would remain empty.
When I release her from the kiss, she pants as I, too, struggle to catch my breath.
“Wow,” she says as I smirk at the dazed expression on her lovely face.
“Definitely, wow,” I agree with her as I offer her my hand.
She slides her hand into mine so I can tug her inside the clubhouse.
Zip has already gone in. I heard the disgusted sound he made while I was plundering Rey’s mouth.
He and Pirate are the last of the single guys.
Since he thought he found his woman in the form of Cleo’s best friend, Skylar Prince, I can’t begrudge him his discontent.
Skylar came into our lives at the same time Cleo did.
Only in Skylar’s case, she left almost as quickly, leaving behind a frustrated Zip.
I don’t think either Cleo or Zip has heard from her since she took off to film another segment of her show, ‘A Prince Among Women.’ All Skylar told them was that she was working on a special project in another country and would be out of touch for several weeks.
I hope Skylar returns soon for both Zip and Cleo’s cases.
“Where did Zip go? I want to see that document,” Rey says as I open the door.
“He’s inside. Probably getting a beer. Do you want anything?”
“Just some water. However, I wouldn’t say no to something to eat. I’m starving.”
“I bet Nora is making dinner,” I assure Rey.
Nora is a Kutte Bunny who does all the cooking for our group.
She’s studying to be a chef, and Cleo has plans to set her up with her own restaurant when she’s ready.
We’ll all miss her cooking when she moves into her new position.
I sniff appreciatively as I approach the table where everyone sits waiting for dinner.
“We’re having Gumbo,” I tell Rey. “Are you okay with that?”
“I can’t have shellfish,” she tells me. “It isn’t good for the baby.”
“It’s sausage and chicken gumbo,” Nora announces as she hauls the tureen into the room and places it on the table. “I heard about the baby. I’ll make sure to keep you and the little one in mind when I cook.”
Rey smiles in appreciation as she lowers herself into the chair I’m holding for her. “Thank you, Nora. I appreciate it,” Rey says.
“No problem. I also stocked up on saltine crackers, ginger ale, and herbal teas. Just let me know if there is anything special you’d like to eat, and I’ll add it to the menu.”
“You’re the best, Nora,” I say, taking my seat next to Rey.
With Danny’s help, Nora dishes out the aromatic meal while I fill the others in on what happened at the pawn shop.
“I was thinking. We might want to consider opening a pawn shop and adding it to our businesses,” Zip says. “You wouldn’t believe the stacks of money that asshole had in his safe.”
“What were you doing in his safe?” Hex asks.
“Looking for this,” Zip says, taking out the sheets of paper from his kutte and handing them to me. I give them to Rey. However, before she can unfold the paper and read what is inside, Cicero rushes into the room.
“I’ve found it! I was right. The De Villers brought The Widow and Black to the States when they fled France, but that’s not all. They brought five paintings in total, all by the same artist. Each one of them depicts an oak tree.”
“You think the paintings tie into the treasure?” I ask.
Cicero nods. “I think the paintings and the Harelquin figurine work together.”