Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
W ith the drapes closed and the light on, she took a nap. For extra safety, she’d checked the locks on the windows three times. Even so, she slept in fits and starts.
She woke abruptly and sat up, glancing around the room. A slow exhale released the breath she had been holding. This was Stewart’s home. She was overcome with relief.
The whole situation was crazy. Who did that? Who took people hostage because they wanted a date? No, not just a date; he wanted much more. Had she brought it on herself by being nice to Glen? Was it because she’d made a date she never intended to keep?
Fresh tea roses stood in a crystal vase on the nightstand; so beautiful. Flora was so thoughtful.
Imagine Stewart coming to her rescue. He didn’t actually rescue her, she supposed, but he had been there. He had been there for her. Her body tingled with fuzzy feelings that blossomed in her heart. Sometimes she’d catch him looking at her in a certain way. Did he feel something deeper than just liking her?
The man who she didn’t like had turned out to be a deranged stalker. The man she did have feelings for, he was a puzzle.
Getting up, she looked in her suitcases, making sure they were empty. There was a strange bump under the lining. Had a part of the suitcase broken loose?
She retrieved her scissors from the toiletries and made a small cut. They were expensive suitcases, so she wanted to do as little damage as possible. She wiggled her finger in the small hole. Whatever it was, it was in a velvet bag. Why hadn’t she noticed it before?
Making the hole a tiny bit bigger, she pulled out a small, flattened pouch. Upon opening it, she gasped and sat on the end of the bed. She took one of the small objects out and stared at the glittering gemstone. “A diamond!” she whispered. Carefully, she put the stone back and closed the pouch.
Why? Why? Why? This was the work of her stepfather. She suddenly felt sick and rushed to the bathroom.
Looking at herself while brushing her teeth was impossible. The missing money was with her all along, and now she’d surely face prison time. Tears pricked at the back of her eyes. Now what? She knew she had to tell Stewart, but she was afraid of how he would react. First the car and now this.
Drawing a deep breath, she pushed her shoulders back. She might as well get it over with.
It felt as though she was walking along death row. Hope vanished, leaving only fear in its wake. She clutched the bag of diamonds, wishing she could pretend she’d never found them, but that wouldn’t be the right thing to do.
After knocking on his office door, she poked her head in.
“Got time for me?” Her stomach dropped. “I have something important to tell you.”
He frowned as he motioned her into his office.
She settled into his comfortable chair, unsure of how to begin.
“I found something,” she mumbled, staring at the floor.
“Aurora, look at me. I can hardly hear you. You found something?” His voice was so gentle she wanted to cry.
Meeting his glance, she swallowed hard. “I looked in my suitcase. I wanted to be sure it was empty, and I saw a lump.”
The lines across his brow deepened. “A lump?”
“Yes. I found these.” She put the velvet bag on his desk.
Her heart hammered in her chest, sounding deafeningly loud as Stewart unsealed the bag. He stared in amazement as he poured the diamonds onto his desk.
“I know you don’t need more problems, and I didn’t know. I swear I didn’t know.”
“Slow down. Take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Of course you didn’t know.”
“You believe me?” She stared at him.
“Yes, I believe you. These are your stepfather’s, I assume?”
“They must be. The FBI is going to throw me in jail. Stewart, I’m at my breaking point after what happened this morning.” Her body trembled so visibly that hiding it was impossible.
“That won’t happen. I’ll call Reilly and see what he suggests. Should we just call the FBI, or should you have a lawyer?” He picked up the phone.
She nodded, barely hearing what he was discussing with his brother. Her mind whirled and whirled.
Stewart finally hung up.
“He said to call the FBI. He’ll be here in a few hours. But he says it’s best to call now. Will you be okay?”
“Yes, yes I will.” Somehow, having even a minimal plan sent a surge of strength through her. That, and…Stewart’s belief in her.
Her eyes welled up with tears while Stewart made the call. Once he was done, he handed her a tissue. “I’m going to have Flora make some coffee. I’ll be right back.”
Despite his kindness, Stewart couldn’t keep her from going to prison. Could the feeling of dread in her stomach become any more intense?
What the heck? Stewart wasn’t sure how the feds would react. How was he going to keep Aurora out of prison?
He walked into the kitchen, rubbing his neck as he pondered their next moves.
“Flora, the FBI is on their way.”
“What?” Shock colored her voice.
“I don’t have time to explain. Could you bring coffee to the office for Aurora and me? When the feds get here, we’ll sit at the dining table. Coffee and something sweet for them would be great. Oh, and Reilly is coming. I’ll explain that later, too.”
“I’m on it,” Flora told him.
He nodded and then returned to his office. Aurora looked like a small child huddled in the over-sized leather chair. He couldn’t lose her again. Not now. He was tempted, so tempted, to lift her up and place her on his lap, but it was time for them to be strong.
He sat in his chair behind his desk.
“Flora is bringing coffee,” he informed her. “We need to put on a strong united front. You possess a great deal of inner strength. I’ve seen it many times. The truth is the best. Keep it simple. They’ll ask you to explain again and again. Aurora, I’ll be there with you. If they want to talk to you alone, tell them you want me there or they can wait for your lawyer.”
“I’ll do that.” Her voice trembled, but the words were strong. “Stewart… thanks for staying by my side. I appreciate it.” She smiled when Flora entered and handed her a mug of coffee.
“Thanks, Flora,” Stewart said.
Flora nodded to him and left.
“I’m trying to be strong, but I’m scared. When will this ever end? It’s been one thing on top of another, and frankly, I’m being crushed. I don’t know why my stepfather made me a target. I know he had no use for me before.”
“I have the same question about your stepfather. I can only guess you didn’t have reason to suspect he was using you.” He turned his head toward the window at the sound of a car pulling up. “That was fast. Remember, I am with you and I believe you. You can do this really, you got this.”