Cat Burglar in Training

by Shelley Munro

“Yes?”

  “Would you save a dance for me later on?”

  He wasn’t my type. He wasn’t tall. He wasn’t dark, and he didn’t speak with an exotic accent. “That sounds lovely.” Get over it. Kahu doesn’t trust you. “I’ll look forward to it.”

  He seemed like a decent man. Guilt thumped me over the head, and I reiterated my earlier silent promise to return his index cards.

  Finally, I was allowed into the ballroom. I paused in the doorway to give everyone a chance to note my arrival and the lack of an escort. Might as well get the hard bit out of the way first.

  The organizing committee had gone to a lot of trouble to keep to the Indian theme. Swathes of colorful silks billowed from the walls. Large urns of flowers and peacock feathers decorated alcoves and corners, and the subtle scent of sandalwood permeated the air. In the portion of the huge ballroom that led out to a private balcony, they’d created an outdoor feel with potted trees and lush tropical plants along with hundreds of tiny colored lights.

  The staff wore turbans and silk suits or flowing saris. They distributed champagne and small samosas and pakoras along with cubes of fresh melon and chocolate-dipped strawberries.

  As my gaze took in the decorations and acquaintances in attendance, I recalled the conversation I’d had with Alistair and Grace. It seemed rubies were still in demand. At the back of my mind, I catalogued jewels, once again experiencing a sliver of unease because I was actively planning a theft. I forced myself to think of Amber, and my focus cleared. The usual assortment. Diamonds and more diamonds.

  Propelled into the ballroom by guests arriving behind me, I drifted closer to a waitress dressed in a bright orange sari to check out the offerings on her tray.

  Oh! Bite-sized chocolate treats and miniature lemon tarts. As I reached for a napkin and one of each succulent mouthful, a sense of déjà vu filled me.

  Jemima.

  I didn’t want her horrified screeches drawing attention.

  My hasty glance didn’t place her in the vicinity. Safe, I reached for my chocolate treats and went in search of a nonalcoholic beverage. There had to be a bar here somewhere.

  I tried to think when I’d seen Jemima last. A frown formed. Not since the ball where I’d run into her and she’d been uncharacteristically snappish. Nothing like her normal self at all, and that strange mystery man. No, she’d been at the fashion parade. That had been the last time I’d seen her. A sneaking suspicion kicked me in the rear end. Was it possible? Could Jemima be my competitor?

  “Is there a bar?” I asked a passing waiter.

  “Yes, over there.” He gestured with a sweeping wave of his hand and disappeared between a chubby young lady in a skintight black dress that didn’t reach her knees and an older woman who I guessed was related. Even standing on tiptoes, I couldn’t see a bar.

  “Hello, Lady Eve.”

  The formal voice started my heart racing even though I was wasting my time thinking about him. I turned slowly, with what I hoped was a poker face. “Kahu.” Damn, he looked good. My hands itched to caress his face, to run my fingers across his lips. “How are you?”

  His eyes appeared serious, lacking their normal sparkle and hint of mischief. “I’ve been busy with work.”

  “Caught any crooks lately?” I don’t know where that came from, and suddenly I felt ashamed of my flippancy. My gaze slid away to study my black shoes. When the silence lengthened, I darted a look at him to gauge his reaction. He surprised me with a grin.

  “Nope, the crooks are still running loose.” He gestured at my uneaten lemon tart. “Are you finished or would you like to dance?”

  “I didn’t think you wanted anything to do with me.” My heart did a series of excited leaps at the idea of being close to him. I knew I was setting myself up for hurt again but the reality didn’t seem to matter.

  He closed one eye in a wink. “I’ll take a chance.”

  I searched for a place to stash my lemon tart. Kahu plucked the pastry from my hand. “Open up.”

  My eyes widened as Kahu nudged the tart against my mouth, his gaze intent.

  I opened my mouth and at the same time, reached to hold the pastry by myself. My hand collided with Kahu’s. Our eyes met and, just like that, every single one of my good resolutions regarding men faded into oblivion.

  Somehow I swallowed, and we joined the other dancers on the floor. A four-piece band played easy-listening music, the saxophone throbbing and wailing through an impressive solo.

  “Are you here on business?” I needed to put the brake on my runaway emotions somehow. Talking about police work seemed a fine solution.

  “Mostly.”

  What did he mean by that?

  A finger touched me under the chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. “I wanted to see you,” he said with stark honesty.

  A lump the size of Ben Nevis formed in my throat. Probably just as well since his words made me want to shout with happiness. Another chance? Yes. Yes. Yes!

  Kahu twirled me into a spin, and I caught a glimpse of red. A beautiful ruby choker with a matching bracelet.

  Reality check. Our relationship remained full of potential conflicts.

  “I’ve missed you.” Who needed sensible?

  “I—” Kahu stopped dancing. “Sorry, Eve.” Frustration simmered over his face when he pulled a phone from his inside jacket pocket. He scanned the message and looked back to me. “I have to go. I’ll call you.”

  I watched him fade into the crowd with a sense of real regret. His departure was probably for the best since I needed to concentrate on work. The sooner I raised funds to pay off our debt to Richard Beauchamp, the better. The minute we cleared the debt, Amber would be out of danger.

  Safe.

  That was what I was working toward. I left the dance floor and prowled about making small chat with friends and acquaintances while I checked out the jewels on display. Good news. Both Marilyn Ransome and Fifi MacIntyre wore rubies.

  I retired to the gardens to find a quiet spot to ring Oakthorpe.

  The phone rang twice before Hannah answered. “Two possibles,” I said. “Ransome or MacIntyre.”

  “I’ll start doing preliminary work,” Hannah said.

  “Is Amber all right?”

  “She’s fine. Very excited about the market tomorrow morning.”

  “I hope last week wasn’t a fluke,” I said. “She’ll be crushed if her eggcups don’t sell.”

  “They’ll sell,” Hannah said.

  Richard Beauchamp stepped outside. “Lady Eve! There you are.”

  “I have to go,” I said to Hannah. “Talk to you later.”

  “Would you like to dance?” Richard asked.

  “Sure.” While I wasn’t thrilled with the idea, I still needed to keep on his good side. I hoped he’d keep his hands to himself because I’d create a scene if they wandered.

  We stepped on the dance floor as the band started a new segment of slow dances. I suppressed a sigh when Richard’s hands slid around my waist, pulling me close. Strange. His expression was serious, the sexual gleam absent for once. Perhaps I’d been wrong about another proposition in the wind.

  “Your cheek has healed.” Richard trailed a finger over my abused cheek.

  “Ouch,” I mumbled, jerking from his touch. “I covered the bruise with makeup.”

  Regret chased chagrin across his face. “Sorry.”

  “It’s all right.”

  “No, I mean sorry for putting you in danger. You could’ve died.”

  Huh? What had they done with Richard Beauchamp? This wasn’t him. “A bus might run me over when I leave tonight. We were in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

  Richard didn’t seem convinced. “Maybe.” He turned me into a tight turn to avoid a collision with another couple. “You did a top job for me in Edinburgh. I appreciate it.”

  “Enough to knock some of the interest charges off the loan?” I shot back.

  “Ring me during office hours, and we’ll talk about it. I w
onder…would you consider helping me out again next month?”

  If it meant being debt-free quicker, I’d consider almost anything. “I’ll let you know.”

  The music faded and the lights flickered, signaling the business end of the evening. Speeches.

  “We’ll talk specifics when you ring me.” Richard squeezed my hands and kissed me on the lips. “I need to go. I’m presenting a check to the committee on behalf of Beauchamp Industries. Talk to you later.” He pressed another kiss to my uninjured cheek and strode away, leaving me looking after him with my mouth open.

  Aware the dancers standing nearby were studying me with a great deal of interest, I left the dance floor. I found refuge behind a huge potted palm at the far end of the ballroom.

  But my refuge didn’t remain private for long.

  “You said there was nothing going on with Beauchamp. It doesn’t look like nothing to me.” Kahu’s eyes flashed dark and dangerous. I found myself taking a step backward before I realized and planted my black heels firmly to halt farther retreat.

  Kahu kept coming, only stopping when we were so close I felt the heat emanating from his body. Instantly my hormones jumped to high alert.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” My voice emerged breathless as if I’d recently run a four-minute mile. I sounded guilty. Defensive.

  “That kiss,” Kahu snapped.

  Emotion rippled off him in waves. Anger. Determination. Maybe a hint of confusion.

  “It didn’t mean anything.” Truth rang in my voice. I hoped my words convinced Kahu because the last week had been hell. My emotions hadn’t experienced such a rollercoaster ride since Amber’s conception. Funny thing. Both instances involved a man.

  “Stay away from him. He’s involved in illegal activities.”

  Now there was a surprise. “What sort of illegal activities?”

  “Money laundering. Gambling rings.” He paused, clearly hesitating about what he’d intended to say next.

  “What?” I prompted, following my question with a soft touch at Kahu’s nape.

  “Maybe murder.”

  I didn’t need to pretend shock, although I recalled the conversation I’d overheard. “Why hasn’t he been arrested?”

  “Because I can’t prove he’s responsible for my brother’s disappearance.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Look, we can’t talk here. Why don’t we go for coffee somewhere? My flat?”

  I’d seen enough in the way of jewels to have a range of possibilities for the Shadow. If my market wanted rubies, then rubies they would have. “All right, but just for coffee.” I didn’t want any undignified struggles and decided to make that clear up front.

  The familiar cocky grin slashed across his face.

  My mouth firmed. “That wasn’t a dare. It’s a condition.”

  Kahu sobered. “I don’t use force with a woman. Never. I’ll explain in greater detail later, if you insist.”

  What girl could resist that sort of carrot dangling before her? Besides, I was suffering a burning curiosity about this man from New Zealand. Seeing his home would provide glimpses of his personality. I nodded decisively. “All right.”

  Kahu gave me a quick kiss. “Let’s go.”

  We weaved through the crowd of people listening to the speeches. Outside, it was much cooler. An unseasonal light fog had descended over Knightsbridge, giving the streetlights an eerie glow. “You wait here, and I’ll organize a cab.”

  Before Kahu took three steps out the double doors of the hotel, his phone beeped. He turned, a wry smile on his face. “Sorry. Business calls.” He checked the text then dialed a number. The conversation was short and terse. “Work,” he said. “I have to go. I’ll call you.”

  Resigned, I lifted a hand in farewell. He ignored my hand to grasp my shoulders and kiss me again. Hard. My right hand crept up to touch my tingling lips. Wow, that man packed a punch. Before I could react further, he walked away.

  “Is he yours?” a redheaded woman in a flowing black dress asked. Her face held avid interest, none of it directed to me.

  That was my man she ogled. “My man,” I agreed, a touch aggressively.

  The woman laughed and held up her hands in a message-received manner. “Just admiring the view. Can’t blame a girl for looking.”

  I bit back my retort, and a second later, I was calm enough to notice her diamond-and-sapphire necklace.

  Payback.

  Childish, yes, but very satisfactory. It wouldn’t take much investigation to learn her name. I placed her necklace on my mental shopping list.

  When two women joined us, I slipped back inside and glimpsed a man and woman leaving the ballroom. Normally, I wouldn’t have thought anything of it, but the woman didn’t look well. A closer look brought anger. She looked out of it. Drunk or drugged. I hurried after them, but kept to the shadows. If he thought to take advantage of that poor woman, he could think again.

  The man maneuvered her out a small backdoor I hadn’t noticed earlier. A shortcut to the hotel’s underground car park. He headed for a white saloon and hesitated. He couldn’t hold the woman upright and retrieve the keys from his pocket at the same time.

  “Can I help?” I glared, incensed at a man taking advantage.

  “What? Oh, yes! Would you?” The man seemed pathetically grateful for my offer of assistance.

  I studied his pale face. I’d seen those brilliant green eyes before. “Do I know you?” I asked, then snapped my fingers. “Rufus Geraghty!”

  “And you’re Lady Evelyn. Are you going to help me or not? Jocelyn drank too much champagne. I told her to lay off, not to mix the pain pills with the alcohol, but did she listen? No!”

  “Eve,” I said. He sounded so put out I knew he hadn’t intended her harm. I grasped the hapless Jocelyn by the shoulder and balanced her against the car while Rufus found his keys. She didn’t make a sound, although her eyes were open. “I thought you were kidnapping her or something equally sinister.”

  “Me? Kidnap Jocelyn? You have to be joking! She’s my younger cousin, and I’m always having to rescue her from scrapes.” He pushed a button on his remote and the car chirped as the locks disengaged.

  “I wish I had a cousin like you to look out for me.”

  “Did something happen to you?”

  “Yeah.”

  He scrunched his brows together. “I might be talking out of turn here, but a friend of my brother’s was mouthing off about you. It was a few years ago.”

  I sucked in a deep breath, wanting to shake him and demand details. My hand tightened on Jocelyn and she moaned a loud protest.

  “Now who was it? Mark, no, Matt. I have it! It was Matthew.”

  “Matthew who? Not Matthew Beauchamp?”

  His shoulders slumped. “Sorry. Can’t remember.”

  The girl let out a feeble groan.

  “Suppose I’d better get Jocelyn home. She’s gonna have a hell of a head tomorrow.”

  I fished a card from my bag. “If you think of anything else, give me a call. Please.”

  “I promise,” Rufus said. “Men who take advantage like that should be tarred and feathered then paraded down the street.”

  “That’s what I intend to do,” I said sweetly. “The minute I catch his sorry arse.”

  “I’ll ask my brother when I talk to him next,” he promised while he stuffed Jocelyn into the passenger seat and fastened the seatbelt.

  He waved as they drove away. I frowned after his vehicle, praying he’d call me. I checked my watch. I’d intended to go home but decided to do a little more homework. If Kahu ended up back in my life, the opportunity to research targets would become minimal.

  I strolled over to one of my potential donors. She stood by a buffet table that had appeared while I was outside with Kahu. I glanced at her plate and saw she loved chocolate. Score one for the lady.

  “Hello. That looks delicious.”

  A look of guilt flashed across her face. An expression of sus
picion swiftly followed when she glanced at my figure.

  I’m a victim of genes. Good when it comes to the figure department, not so good in occupation. I ignored the suspicion and continued my prattle. “Chocolate is my favorite.” I pursed my lips. “I like it more than lemon.”

  The suspicion cleared like a cloud swept away by a gale force wind. She believed I was a member of the closet chocolate brigade, which I was in truth.

  “I prefer chocolate myself.” She leaned toward me in a confidential manner. “Caramel is my second choice.”

  I instinctively liked this woman. In the social world we inhabited it took a brave woman to admit to a secret vice like chocolate. I don’t know why, but a sex or alcohol addiction was regarded as more acceptable. Chocolate was a secret you kept hidden. “What would you recommend?”

  “The chocolate gâteau,” she said. “Definitely the chocolate gâteau.”

  I reached for a plate. The lady was older than me, a bit on the plump side but it suited her. Her jet-black hair cascaded in casual curls down her back, over silky blue fabric, her dress similar to mine. I imagined a painter from an earlier age would have loved to depict her on canvas. My gaze wandered to the all-important jewelry. The rubies were splendid at close quarters, but I hesitated. We shared a common bond. I’d try one of the others first.

  “Nice to meet a fellow chocolate lover,” I said. “I’m Eve Fawkner.”

  “I’ve seen you at other balls, Lady Eve. I’m Catherine Montville.”

  “Just Eve is fine. Pleased to meet you, Catherine.” I clicked my fingers suddenly as my memory slipped into gear. “Ah. Married to Thomas.”

  To her credit, she reacted with calm and poise, even though her husband jumped in and out of beds like other people boarded buses. She must’ve known people gossiped and laughed about her. That made me feel protective.

  “If you’re ever down near Oakthorpe, pop in to see me,” I said impulsively. “Our housekeeper makes the best chocolate brownies I’ve ever tasted.”

  Initially, she seemed startled, but she thawed quickly. “Thank you. I’d love to visit.”

  I tugged a business card from my purse. “Here’s my number.”

  The delight on her face set the seal on my decision. I wouldn’t steal her necklace.