Chapter Thirteen
Jenna leaned in as they got inside. “I think it’s her, Dan. It’s Gail Wells, getting out of the car we just walked past. I just got a fast glimpse, I didn’t want to turn around and stare.”
“Who else?” Dan asked, leading her out of the foyer area and down a hall.
“I didn’t see anyone else except a guy who might be her escort, thinning hair, glasses, shorter than her, but who isn’t? I think she saw us arrive together. We walked right by their car. I don’t know about the second car.”
“Damn, let’s get on to the conference room and close the door. It’s about time to meet the senator and team, anyway.”
“Wait, I want to make sure they weren’t allowed inside yet. You stay here out of sight, and I will take a quick look.” Jenna headed off without waiting for Dan’s response.
As she went back to the foyer at the main entrance, Jenna saw no one. She walked to the front doors, which were all glass and dared a peek outside. She was surprised to see Harper emerge from the other limo. She looked as if she had fallen into a vat of butter. The red hair was gone. She sported yellow hair, a yellow dress, and yellow shoes. The dress was knee-length, perfect for showing off her long legs. The high heels were only slightly lower than the ones she was wearing at the first event. She wondered again how Harper managed to get an invitation. Who did she know ? Why were they there almost an hour early?
Jenna rushed to catch up with Dan who was heading down the hall to the conference room. “Harper was in the other limo, alone it looks like.”
“They won’t let guests in until time. I’m sure of that. Security will probably put them on the enclosed patio around back to wait.”
When they got to the conference room, Jenna was happy to see her friend, Kerri, waiting. She looked younger than her thirty-six years with her pale Irish skin and a round face with a few freckles scattered across her cheeks. But one look into her green eyes and you knew she was no pushover. She ushered them into the room and pointed to the bar area. “Please, help yourself to whatever you like.”
Jenna poured herself a glass of mineral water. “We saw some people already out front. Will security let them in?”
“No, they shouldn’t. I’ll go make sure. The senator is on a call, but he will be here in a minute. Oh, by the way, Mrs. Roseland wants to see you, Jenna. She’s in the second room on the right down the hall. It has a poppy on the door, a big one, so you can’t miss it. All the rooms have different flower themes. Dan, you can wait here and make yourself comfortable while Jenna goes for some girl talk with Marta. The senator shouldn’t be long.”
Dan reached for a soft drink. “Ah, the women have all the fun at these things.”
Kerri laughed and left with Jenna. Kerri led her to a hallway on the right, and she pointed at the door to the room where Mrs. Roseland was to found. “She won’t keep you long. I think she still has a concern or two and needs a bit of reassuring.”
“Thanks again, Kerri. I’ll see you later, and I do appreciate your help getting us together with the senator and Mrs. Roseland. I think it might help, so we wanted to do something to at least try. This is the best we could think of, and I hope it works.”
“If anyone can make it work I’d bet on you, Jenna. See you later.”
Jenna tapped on the door.
Mrs. Roseland herself let her in. “Oh, there you are, Jenna. This is my sister, Iris,” she said, pointing to another woman who looked familiar. “I’ve told her all about our drama, and now, she won’t leave my side. I’ve tried to tell her they want the necklace, not me.”
Her sister looked up but did not smile. “Yes, but the thief thinks it’s the real necklace, worth a fortune, and who knows what they will or won’t do to get it, Marta,” Iris said, swirling the dark liquid in her glass, and still ignoring Jenna..
Mrs. Roseland sighed and looked at Jenna. “So, you can see, my sister is a bit overprotective. Maybe you can explain the situation better. Please have a seat. There’s wine, water, or coffee.”
Jenna topped off her glass of mineral water she still held. “Nice to see you, Iris. I think we met once before. You probably don’t remember; it was a few years ago. And yes, there is some risk. But the idea is to make it easy for the thief to go for it, so no one gets hurt. There will be lots of eyes on Mrs. Roseland, and we plan to get the thief before they act or the worst case, as they act.”
Iris frowned. “So, my sister is bait?”
Jenna shrugged and nodded. “Yes, I guess she is, but she is the target no matter what we call it. We can do nothing about that unless she wants to announce she is not wearing the necklace. The senator and your sister have chosen not to do that, because it will put the press onto the necklace story as a negative, and then take away the focus from his fundraising talks and the message he is trying to get out. All the work, time, and expense for these past few days on behalf of the campaign will be for nothing.”
Iris looked at her sister and then poured more wine into her glass. “Ah, yes, politics above all things, as usual. I see. It’s all about James and his career. Nothing ever changes. He makes the rules because he is the most important, right?”
“Wait, Iris, that’s not fair. James and I are a team. I am behind him totally. If you can’t support us, please stay out of the way.” Mrs. Roseland stood. “I won’t hear him maligned, especially from my own sister, and on such an important night for him—for both of us.”
Iris put her glass down on the table with a loud thump, wine sloshing over the rim. “Well, that is clear enough. I will certainly stay out of the way, Marta, and I wish you luck. I hope you can talk some sense into her, Jenna,” Iris said, as she went out the door.
Marta Roseland sat with a sigh. “Sorry you witnessed her rant, Jenna. Iris plays the older sister card a lot, even now, after all these years. But to be fair, she is worried. I hated to be harsh, but her constant criticism of James has gotten old. It was something I should have said before.”
Jenna nodded. “Family dynamics can be difficult. I didn’t have siblings, but I know people who do, and I understand. Now, what did you need to talk about?”
“I was wondering if you have any more clues about who the thief might be—I mean anything that might help me prepare. Is it a male, female, both, or is there anything that will help us? And do you think they will strike again tonight like last time? The same method, I mean. I know you are here to discuss all that with James in a few minutes, but I won’t be at the meeting, and he glosses over everything he thinks might worry me.”
“Dan seems to think they will make the attempt. He believes the other theft from your guest was all practice for the bigger events. Some rich and famous people will be here tonight, even some celebrities, so yes, it could be a big haul. Unfortunately, we still don’t know if we are talking about one person, two people, or a team. But either way, your necklace is the grand prize. If they can take any more jewels in the meantime, it’s a win.”
Marta took a sip of wine. “Ah, well, I needed to ask. I won’t keep you. Go on and talk to James and his security people. I will hope for the best and keep my hand on my jewelry.”
Jenna didn’t want to alarm the Roselands, especially Marta, but she wanted her to be safe. She leaned in and lowered her voice. “Remember one thing, Marta, they will want to get close to you. Be aware of anyone spending a lot of time in your orbit, so to speak. Notice if anyone gets close behind you, because they will be looking at the clasp on your necklace and at your other jewelry. It will be especially telling if someone touches your necklace or asks questions about it.”
“You’re saying I should trust no one, aren’t you?”
Jenna shrugged. “Well, not exactly no one. Just be careful of those you don’t know well or at all. If we are dealing with a team, and I personally believe we are, one will distract you while the other lifts the item off you. If they think that’s too risky, they might go for the hotel safes before or after the event and just get what they can. But of course, your jewelry won’t be there, but rather at your heavily guarded house, or on your person.”
“Yes, I see. Thanks for the clarification, Jenna. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you and Dan helping us with all this. So, Dan’s dad was in the diamond business, and your dad was, too, import, export, and design, I think Dan mentioned.”
“Yes, my dad was more into gems and designing, where Dan’s dad was a true diamond merchant and expert. It’s amazing our fathers knew each other and were in the same business, and we all lived in New York City not far apart. Yet, Dan and I met in Ireland at a motorcycle race.”
“And you’ve been together ever since?” Mrs. Roseland asked.
“Well, not exactly. It’s complicated. We only recently got back together.”
“Yes, I understand that. Most relationships are complicated, and it doesn’t seem to get better with age. Some things become unimportant, and sometimes different complications arise. But the two of you seem to make a wonderful team.”
“We used to be—a good team. I suppose we might try it again. It’s early days. Our focus right now is on catching this thief. Dan has a special interest in catching jewel thieves. A master thief stole from his father, and then framed him for a robbery. His father suffered a fatal heart attack during the stress of trying to prove his innocence. Dan has a long memory.”
“Oh dear, I see why he is so interested in all this,” Marta said. “I certainly wish you the best of luck, and not only for us, but I mean for the two of you, as well. Please be careful. I don’t want anything to happen to you on our account. I would never get over that.”
Jenna looked at Marta Roseland and knew what she said was true. “Don’t worry, and as a reminder, Dan is, among other things, an ex-police officer. He knows what he is doing. I trust him completely.”
Marta smiled and put a hand on Jenna’s arm. “So, then I will also trust him. My husband seems to trust him, and he trusts very few people. I’m sure they will spend another hour hashing out details.”
“Most likely. I’ll leave you now if you feel okay about everything.”
Marta frowned. “Yes, of course. I’m so nervous I won’t enjoy this dinner and all the lovely dresses. Darn troublemakers, thieves, people who always want what is not theirs—human nature, is it?”
Jenna stood to go. “A kind of twisted nature, I think. Remember, you might not see me or notice me, but I will be keeping an eye on you tonight.”
Marta walked her to the door. “That makes me feel better, it truly does. Give Dan my thanks.”
Jenna hurried down the hall to join the senator and Dan.
The senator and Dan looked up when she walked in. “Ah, Mrs. Roseland found you, I see,” the senator said.
Jenna nodded. “She is a little nervous and wanted to talk it through. Her sister Iris left, so she was alone, and I wanted to stay until I knew she was okay.”
“Thank you for that, Jenna. That sister of hers,” the senator said, shaking his head. “She lives to make trouble for Marta. She’s jealous and a bitter old maid, and Marta is too good to her.”
Jenna, not wanting to get into the family’s personal lives, didn’t say Marta told her sister where to get off. Also, the three security team leaders sitting there taking it all in didn’t need to know about the sister feud. That was how rumors got started. “She is fine, I think. Your wife is a strong woman.”
After nearly an hour talking through security concerns, door locations, security camera placements, and safes at the hotel and the senator’s house, the meeting broke up.
The senator left to get dressed for the party and to check on his wife.
The security guys left to do their thing.
Dan checked his buzzing phone as they walked back toward the main room. “Butch, the security supervisor at the hotel, reports most all the expensive jewelry was taken out of the safes this evening.”
“Well, they would. It’s party time tonight.” Jenna bit her lip. “So, the ladies and gentlemen are coming loaded down with it, ripe for the picking. Let’s go see who is here, mingle, and take a peek at the buffet. We can separate so your girlfriend doesn’t get jealous. Oh, sorry, I said it again, didn’t I? By the way, she was not wearing the correct dress. She’s wearing a yellow ensemble. Hideous. What has happened to your taste in women?”
“Stop it, Jenna. And where is your blonde pretty-boy escort? Still missing in action?”
“I have no idea. I would think he dumped me, but his stuff is still in the hotel room. To be honest, I think it’s possible he hooked up with someone. I wouldn’t be surprised to find his stuff gone when I get back to the hotel.”
“I hate to ask the obvious, but have you tried calling him?”
“No, only a text earlier today. I kept expecting him to show up, and then I got busy getting ready to come here. Maybe I should try texting him again. I would just like to know whether to expect him to show up here or not.”
Dan rolled his eyes. “If you must. It’s already getting crowded. Time to separate for a while and mingle. Keep your phone on vibrate.”
They walked away from each other and began to mingle.
Jenna surveyed the room and saw another group of people coming through the door. Seeing Gail and Harper arrive at the same time, even if in different cars, made her curious about their connection. She wondered if Harper brought another dress for the Ball and planned to change on site. And if so, why? If she made any changes, Harper would be harder to spot. Jenna noticed everyone was walking around with drinks in their hands, and dozens of small groups stood around fanning themselves, engaged in conversation. She found Marta Roseland. “I’m making the rounds before I eat, but I’ll find you later.”
Marta nodded. “Thanks, and I’m headed that way after I finish this drink. And I hate to say this, but I feel as if I will be needing another one before this night is over.”
The live band began to play a soft tune she didn’t recognize as Jenna walked around the room. She thought she heard someone call her name and turned in time to see Marta Roseland heading to the buffet table, hand on her necklace, and with one security man not far behind.
After stopping a few times to say hello to people she knew, Jenna allowed herself one small glass of wine before making her way to the buffet table. She put a few things on her plate and looked around for a place to sit where she could have the best view of the room. She spotted Gail Wells, who must have the same idea.
Jenna watched Dan as he zeroed in on the women wearing the most expensive looking pieces. This was the night where the women would have time to talk to each other about their jewelry, exchange information about who was doing the latest designs, who bought and sold what, and make each other envious of their special pieces. No one would say it out loud, but they all competed to have the next best pieces when compared to Marta Roseland.
The crowd parted for a few seconds, and Jenna caught sight of a burly Italian-looking guy who seemed to be motioning to Gail Wells. Jenna shifted her position to keep him in her view as the man joined Gail. The two of them walked out onto the balcony and turned right, getting away from the doorway to have more privacy, she suspected.
Dan must have seen it too because he was coming toward Jenna now with a look of pure hate on his face. “That’s the damn psycho, former FBI agent who tried to kill me, Sal Amato. What in hell is he doing here?”
Jenna could no longer see them on the balcony. “Yes, I saw him but didn’t know who he was. What’s going on between him and Gail?”
“They became close while tracking me down, but this is something new. Her showing up here is fairly predictable, but a former FBI agent—that begs the question, how close are they?”
Jenna looked at Dan, and he was still wearing what she used to call his warrior face . It was the face she had seen many times as they prepared to exact revenge on those who stole from Dan’s father. “An odd alliance in one way but maybe not so much if they have a common enemy, I suppose.”
“I am that common enemy. They are two of a kind. Either one would gladly run me over in a dark alley and laugh about it. Amato has joined Gail for a reason. Either she thinks an attempt will be to get more jewels by this new thief, or she thinks it’s me returning to what she thinks are my old ways. Either way, now we have two people watching us while we are watching everyone else.”
Jenna sighed and bit her lip. “Great, just what we needed, another enemy in the house.”