Chapter Sixteen
The Stanfords, still shaken, followed Jenna back to the conference room willingly, avoiding questions and stares from the other guests as they went. As they entered the room, they all heard the screech of a microphone as the senator addressed the guests:
“Another jewelry robbery has occurred, I am sorry to report. One necklace was taken from one of our guests while she was alone in the ladies’ room. I am so very sorry this happened again, and we have special investigations ongoing to catch this person or persons. I ask that you please wait until the police arrive since this is a crime scene. I’m sure they won’t keep you long. We have secluded the victim, and the crime happened in a small area off the main room, and it, too, is being guarded. The police should be arriving in minutes. I thank you for coming, and for your ongoing support. I apologize your evening was cut short. No thief will deter me from my efforts, and I hope they won’t deter you, either. Rest assured we will do everything possible to catch this thief and make sure our guest gets her property back as soon as possible. Marta and I so appreciate your efforts, your loyalty, and your time.”
Applause followed, though Jenna noticed the whispering and worried looks as she walked back through the room. After a security guard came up to be with the Stanfords, Jenna now did what Dan was doing, attempting to determine who was no longer in the crowd—specifically Gail, Harper, and Brock.
Jenna circled the room, but the three in question were nowhere to be seen. She found Dan with Marta and Lizbeth and saw the senator talking to several men, who she assumed were local police detectives.
Men and women in uniform now roamed the room, talking to the guests, sealing off the ladies’ room where the robbery happened, and blocking all exit doors. Though they all knew the thief was long gone, an armed team did a full search of the facility.
“This was a bit more excitement than we wanted at this event, Jenna,” Marta said. “Poor Mrs. Stanford. I know that diamond necklace was a family heirloom, like so many in this room tonight.”
Jenna shook her head. “It makes me furious. I hope you and the senator don’t get too much press for this. Kerri can try to keep it out of the papers as long as she can. But, as you know, a lot of people are here, and people love to talk about something exciting, especially something like this.”
Marta nodded. “Yes, and I understand all that. This is the most excitement some of these people have seen in years. These people love politics and the parties that go with it all.”
“That is an understatement,” Lizbeth said.
She turned to Lizbeth and smiled. “More than you expected on this visit, huh, my dear friend?”
Lizbeth shook her head. “No thief would prevent me from showing off my new dress and ten-pound weight loss tonight. I’m going for more wine now. Anyone else?”
Marta leaned against her old friend. “Maybe a small one. Don’t tell James, but if I ruled the world, I’d pack it in, get on a cruise ship, and sail away into the sunset. I’m suddenly tired of politics. Tired of it all.”
Lizbeth hugged her friend. “Oh, you just need a little rest, Marta. No one loves a good fight more than you. You know you are the icing on the cake for James in this race. Your dad is remembered fondly in this state, as are you. You are important to James and to the party, don’t forget that, not ever. You are a star player in your own right.”
Marta huffed out a loud sigh. “Yeah, the show must go on. I don’t know how many times I heard my momma say that over the years as she went out again and again every election cycle with Daddy. She smiled through it all, never letting anything slow her down. If she could do it, maybe I can, too.”
“No doubt about it.” Jenna took Marta’s hand. “I’ve not known you long, but I know a steel magnolia when I see one.”
“Steel magnolia, huh? I’ve always loved that term. But you’re not from here as I recall. How do you know so much about the South?” Lizbeth asked.
Jenna smiled at the memory of her grandmother. “I spent many summers and spring breaks here with my grandmother. She was a great influence, more than my own parents to tell the truth.”
“There is nothing stronger on this earth or more dangerous than a Southern woman—nothing.” Lizbeth pointed toward Dan and the group of people he was talking to now. “What’s happening over there? Oh, I think Dan wants you to join them, Jenna.”
Dan was with the senator and the detectives, and one detective pulled him aside.
Jenna knew Dan must have told them his suspicions. This made her stomach lurch because of her experience from five years before, but more so because she still felt the plan was somehow to blame the robbery on Dan. Seeing a detective pull Dan aside still jangled her nerves.
Jenna attempted a smile. “Yes, I’m getting the signal. I’ll go see what I can find out.” She joined Dan and the detective who had been talking to him one-on-one. After the introductions, she learned everyone would be allowed to leave because they had what they needed, which was mainly the guest list, and a secure crime scene. But he asked the big question: who was missing ?
“The fact someone is missing doesn’t mean they are the guilty party, of course,” Detective Thomas said as he tapped his pen on his notepad. “Anyone could have left before or even right after the robbery for their own reasons, but it would help a lot to know who they are. We must count on memories that will be influenced by drink, unfortunately. I’d be surprised if we come up with anything using that approach. But, I have to start somewhere.”
Jenna took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She knew what the detective wanted, but she knew better than to make accusations. Anything she said now would be scrutinized. “Yes, I understand, but it’s almost impossible to determine who was where and when. People milled around in different parts of the room and out on the balcony. The only thing I can tell you is I didn’t see several people after the theft, but they might be accounted for by now. I was talking to Mrs. Roseland at the time of the theft.”
Dan nodded and looked at Jenna. “Yeah, it’s too many people and all of them moving around. The perfect event for anyone wanting to get lost in the crowed. I’ve already mentioned Gail, Harper, and Brock as those I didn’t see after the theft. Did you have any more in mind?”
Jenna turned to the detective. “Only one, the senator’s aide, the new one, Larry Winston, I think his name is, but you’ll need to check. I last saw him taking a drink to Harper, but she is a loud, blonde, man magnet. So, I don’t know if that is significant, but where was he when the scream happened?”
“Yeah, he didn’t go running toward the scream or to his boss to see if he could help. Where was he indeed? Good catch, Jenna.” Dan hid his amusement at her description of Harper. “Though the thief is long gone, Detective, what are you doing to keep it from happening again? And I mean the real prize and what I think they will be back for, Mrs. Roseland’s necklace?”
The detective frowned. “The senator refused to cancel any event, so we can only do so much. He has his own security detail, and we will offer what we can, but we can’t sidetrack our local police department to watch for a thief who might or might not strike again. I’m sure you understand that.”
Dan nodded. “Yes, I do, and honestly, I don’t think any number of officers will stop what will happen. You’re not working with a common jewelry thief here, Detective.”
The detective looked at Dan with more interest. “You seem to know a lot about this, how is that?”
Dan took a deep breath and gave his rehearsed line. “I have a friend in Paris who worked the Black Cat cases, the international thefts across Europe. The thief has started up again, and Luc, my friend, thinks there is a copycat situation now, and the thief has come to America. What I’ve seen so far fits.”
“Oh, I see. That makes a difference. This might turn into something for the FBI, especially since it’s a senator involved.” Detective Thomas put his notebook away.
Dan frowned. “Yes, but only if we prove out of state or country connection. In the meantime, these are your citizens, and this is your state senator, so I’d expect you’ll want to be in on everything.”
“And we will be,” the detective snapped. “We know our job. But I don’t think you have a job here, do you? What is your role, exactly?”
Dan and Jenna expected this question.
Dan shrugged. “Not a job as such, but experience and good contacts, Detective.”
“Are you a former detective by any chance?” Detective Thomas asked.
Dan nodded. “Yes, NYPD, but some years ago.”
The detective looked at Dan with new eyes. “That tracks. Smart mouth, but hey, good training.” He smiled at Dan. “So, have a good rest of your night.” The detective looked at Jenna winked, and gave her small salute.
Dan looked at Jenna and grinned as the detective walked away. “Was he just flirting with you? You know he will be making a beeline for his computer to find out more about me. And that tracks ? Is that Southern lingo?”
Jenna laughed. “Ah, new detective slang. You’ve been out of the game too long. Do you not watch detective shows on television anymore?”
Dan rolled his eyes. “Other than to make fun of them, no. I’ve had little time for television. Why does every cop on the planet think they have a right to make snide remarks about New York’s finest?”
“You should be used to that by now. Anything New York, especially in the South, calls for comment and a rude one at that,” Jenna said.
“Yeah, some things never change. The Yankee thing. I’d call it jealousy. How was Mrs. Roseland holding up?”
“She’s okay, just a little tired and stressed, I think. She’s tough, though, and will support her husband in whatever way he needs her to now and on through the election. I have no doubt about it.”
Dan put his arm around Jenna’s waist. “Speaking of tired, let’s say our goodbyes and go get your things from the hotel. We can stay at the townhouse there. All my stuff is there now anyway.”
Jenna leaned against Dan. “That sounds wonderful. I am exhausted in every way possible. A shower and a soft bed is all I ask for now.”
Dan took her hand. “Maybe I can do better than that.”
After saying their goodbyes to the senator and Mrs. Roseland, Dan and Jenna waited outside for a limo. Jenna looked at the sky. The night turned sultry, with no breeze and some distant thunder. A storm was on the way.
Dan scanned the immediate area. “No sign of Harper, Brock, or Gail. So, they conveniently disappeared—when and how?”
“Maybe they are doing something fun together, the three of them. If they have that diamond necklace one of them took—and my money is on Harper, they are celebrating somewhere.”
Dan laughed. “The three of them having fun together, with or without the necklace, conjures up so many odd thoughts, none appealing.”
On the ride back to town, Jenna wondered about Brock and what he might be doing. She didn’t think he would have had anything to do with the theft, but she did wonder if he was with Gail or Harper, or both, and why he would be. In fact, she wondered why Gail and Harper hit it off so well. But when it came to the user-type of person, it was all about motives. Gail and Harper might have similar agendas, but Brock, she wasn’t so sure about. He was not stupid and never seemed interested in making money illegally. But if they convinced him of a big payoff and no risk, what would he do? Or more likely, if they convinced him of some other scenario, how involved would he want to be?
They went back to the hotel and packed up Jenna’s things, and they left quickly, both relieved Brock was not there. One more awkward situation no one wanted to deal with at that late hour. Dan loaded Jenna’s bag into the limo, and they made the short trip to the townhouse he was using, courtesy of a friend.
Dan collected the bags from the limo and joined Jenna, who stood on the sidewalk, staring up at the stately old townhouse. “Home at last. It’s impressive, isn’t it?”
Jenna stood, not moving, just continuing to stare at the townhouse. “This is an amazing townhouse. Wow, three levels. You know, my grandmother used to walk with me down this street. It looks different in the daytime, of course, but I remember this street, this house. Whoever lived there then had the door painted a deep-blue, and there were dolphins intertwined in the door wreath every summer.”
“I’m glad you like the house. Now, let’s get inside and on to better things,” Dan said.
“Tell me about the family and your friends who live here now.”
“Your ordinary couple with three kids. These days they aren’t around here much—none of them. Two kids are in college, and one is married, I think, or all of them by now for all I know. The wife is an attorney in Atlanta, and Ray travels in his job, a security analyst for the government. He is in usually in D.C. or Atlanta mostly. Lucky for us.”
Jenna hardly moved as she continued to look at the house.
“Well, are you going to stand there all day?” Dan started gathering her luggage.
“Oh, yes, sorry. I want to see if it is as interesting as the outside.”
Dan wrestled the bags to the front door and fished the door keys from his pocket. “I’m trying to get you inside, Jenn. Stop staring at the house and come on in.”
Jenna followed Dan inside and stopped in the foyer, as she stopped to take in everything. “Why are they keeping the house if they are never here?”
“I don’t know, but I think it might have been his family home, his parents’ house, I mean.”
“Sentimental value, but real value, too. They could get a lot for this place. Location is everything, and three floors, fantastic. The more I look, the more I understand why they wouldn’t want to let it go.”
“I see right now you spent far too much time with the pretty boy, real estate guy.”
Jenna laughed. “Yes, you might be right, but I love these old townhouses. Wonder what he’d take for it?”
“Come on, let’s move on from the foyer, and you can ooh and ah over the rest of the house.” Dan moved the bags out of the way. “Oh, wait a second.” He looked at Jenna, open-mouthed. “You’re not thinking of leaving New York City to live here, are you? Seriously?”
“Not leaving it exactly, but maybe having an escape place.” Jenna picked up one of her bags and followed Dan upstairs. “The bed is huge,” she said as she unzipped her dress and removed the uncomfortable shoes, her gaze taking in the details of the master bedroom. “Oh, look at the crown molding and those windows. This place is fantastic.”
Dan kicked off his shoes. “It’s too late to have this conversation now, but I will remind you tomorrow to tell me why you want to be here and not in New York. Stop house shopping, and let’s get these bags unpacked while I still have enough energy left for other things.”
Jenna stood at the foot of the bed in her underwear, taking in every detail of the bedroom. “Oh, and look at this master suite. Why didn’t you tell me you borrowed a place like this—practically a Southern mansion?”
Dan walked up behind her and unhooked her bra. “I guess there were more important things on my mind.”