Haunting at Remington House. Laura V. Keegan

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СКАЧАТЬ don’t have a clue, Joe. Let me get you your pie, and I’ll check with Mr. Thorn—see if he knows. They moved in last week. I’ve seen a couple of men go in and out, business suit types, but that’s all I know. Be right back.” Joanie returned with a huge slice of warm blueberry pie and a cup of coffee. “Fresh out of the oven. Enjoy, Joe.” She smiled at him. “Be right back. I’ll go ask Mr. Thorn about the new business.”

      Joe always suspected Joanie was attracted to him. She was a cute girl but a bit young for him, he thought. A little on the wild side too, from what he’d heard. It was nice to be fussed over though. He was lonely since Anna left him and was glad that he’d met Tom. Glad he had plenty of work to keep him busy and tide him over this winter. That reminded him, he better get to Len’s today—see if he could order the workout and boxing equipment for Tom’s basement gym. That would be quite a project—a very good idea. He was eager to tackle it.

      “Joe?” Joanie interrupted his thoughts. “Mr. Thorn said the place is an importing business—diamonds and gemstones. He thinks Mr. Harrison probably owns it—just a guess on his part.”

      “Makes sense,” Joe said.

      “Yeah. Mr. Harrison does all that importing stuff. Mr. Thorn said he met the owners but they offered little information about themselves or the business. In such a small town, it won’t be long before we all know everything there is to know about it. When I hear more, do you want me to call you or something?”

      “Sure. You’re right though, in a week or two we’ll know all about them. Not a big deal, just being nosy. Small towns bring that out in all of us, huh?”

      “Joe. Didn’t expect to run into you here,” Tom said walking up to Joe’s table. “Sara and I just finished lunch. Very good, I might add. Thought you were under Nell’s thumb for the day.”

      “Had a fare. Thank God. That Nell’s a slave driver. She and her nieces are a force to reckon with. But I won’t be in town long. You guys headed home?”

      “Not for a while. We have some shopping to do before Cassie and Michael get here. We saw you had Vivian in your cab. Don’t tell her you saw us. Okay? Sara and I wanted some private time.” Tom smiled a bit uneasily.

      Sara asked Joe, “Where did you take her? I was surprised to see her in town at all. Especially alone. What’s she up to?”

      “Not a clue. But be forewarned—Vivian told me I was to tell no one she came to town. As far as anyone knows, she’s at home. You didn’t see her. You didn’t see me. Okay?”

      “Very mysterious. My dear cousin, what is she up to now?” Sara asked. “What time are you picking her up? We better be careful so we don’t run into her.”

      “She said half an hour. So about another fifteen minutes. You two better beat it before she shows up. You’ll get us all in trouble.”

      “Where is she?” Tom asked.

      “Down the street.” Joe pointed. “You two should head uptown,” Joe said, putting the last bite of pie on his fork. “Need me to come back and pick you up later? How’d you get here anyhow?”

      “Borrowed Nell’s car. We don’t require your services today, my man.” Tom laughed, took Sara’s arm and the two left, quickly ducking into The Hallowed Ground, a gourmet coffee shop.

      Chapter 30

      Vivian examined the brilliant diamond, its intricately chiseled facets gleaming in the light from the chandelier hanging from the ceiling above the table. “It’s perfect. I have to have this. It’s simply exquisite.” Vivian put the stone down on the black velvet pad and looked boldly at the gentleman standing to her right.

      The attractive man wore an expensive black, pinstriped Armani suit with a white silk shirt and black calfskin Gucci shoes. A black tie with a single diamond tie tack and white gold cufflinks at his cuffs completed his ensemble. Vivian was impressed by his appearance, as of course she was supposed to be. Anthony Rivers knew how to look the part of a successful diamond broker.

      “It’s a perfect diamond, Mrs. Harrison.” He gave her his loop for a better examination. “Would you like to see the stones we’ve cut for the accents?” He didn’t wait for her response but opened a small, velvet pouch. He poured a dozen smaller baguette cut stones next to the larger, single gem. “Fantastic aren’t they? Also the same perfect quality and clarity. I have all the papers here for you to examine as well. These are from the same mine as your last diamond, the one you had set in the cocktail ring with the pink sapphires. Best quality I’ve found for some time. What do you think? Shall I show you more?”

      Vivian’s face lit up as she caressed the diamonds lying in front of her. “No, I’ve made up my mind. I’ve never seen such a unique cut. This is the one I want,” Vivian said. “Set with the baguette-cut stones.”

      “Let me show you the designer’s drawings. I have several renditions for you to choose from, each exclusive of course.” He opened a leather portfolio and extracted several drawings. “I think we can do either of the first two necklaces quite easily here in our studio, but the last two designs would take several weeks. We don’t have the mountings here, yet. We expect another delivery, but not until after Thanksgiving.”

      “I’d like to have it as soon as possible. This necklace is perfect.” She handed Anthony one of the drawings. “And of course, I must have the earrings, too. When will you have them ready for me?”

      “Would next Friday morning be agreeable?” Anthony asked studying the sketch. “I have to check the availability of my jeweler.” But he knew it wouldn’t be a problem. No matter what other work Caesar had lined up, for the right price, he’d accommodate Anthony.

      “I’ll pay you in cash. My husband is not to know about this.” Her smile gone, she stared icily at Anthony. “This is just between us. Do you understand?”

      “Certainly. As you wish, Mrs. Harrison. Shall we discuss the price before you leave?”

      “I’ll pay you twenty-five thousand dollars. That’s a fair price. Don’t you agree?” Vivian asked as she began putting her tan, wool coat on. From her suede bag she pulled an envelope and handed it to him. “I’ll give you a deposit today of ten thousand dollars. I’ll call you in a week. Don’t call me. Do you understand?”

      “Of course.” Anthony wasn’t sure what was wrong with Vivian. In the ten or so years he’d known her, he’d never experienced that tone of voice or her rude demeanor. She was almost like a stranger. If he hadn’t known better, he’d think she was ‘on’ something. Her voice sounded harsh; her eyes were glassy. What was going on with her?

      “Oh, get that look off your face. My money’s good here, isn’t it? Can’t a woman buy her own jewelry without you men feeling all pussy-whipped for heaven’s sake?”

      A very surprised Anthony watched her leave the store.

      “I’ll be in touch,” she said as she pulled the heavy door shut behind her.

      After getting into the cab, she called Joe. “I’m waiting in the cab, Joe. Hurry up.”

      “I’ll be right there.” He handed Joanie a ten. “Keep the change. I’m in a hurry.” He took long strides and was at the car in minutes. Opening the door, СКАЧАТЬ