Diamonds & Disguises

by Laina Turner

  I recounted the few minutes before my bag was snatched, but there really wasn’t much to say. It happened so fast.

  “So, you didn’t recognize him? You haven’t noticed him hanging around or anything?”

  “No.” I grimaced. I knew I didn’t have any helpful information and even if I did, the chances of me getting anything back was slim. That guy was likely long gone by now. My main goal needed to be to cancel everything so it didn’t get worse. Which is exactly what the police said as they were leaving.

  “Unfortunately cases like these don’t often get solved. But make sure to keep this report and case number handy. You might need it if you find there are any fraudulent charges on your accounts.”

  “Thanks,” I said, and they left as Molly walked in.

  “What happened? Are you OK?” she said, looking at the cops leaving.

  “I’m fine, I’m fine. Someone mugged me and stole my bag. So if you don’t mind, can you finishing opening up? I need to go call my creditors and the phone company before whoever has my stuff tries to use it.”

  “Sure, sure. Of course. I’m so sorry.”

  “I walked back in the office, sat down in my chair and went to pick up the phone. Then emotion hit me. I didn’t even know what number to dial. I didn’t have that information written down anywhere. I’d need to look up every account. Tears welled up in my eyes and I willed myself not to cry. Crying wouldn’t solve anything. Deep breathes, Presley. Take some deep breaths.

  The list. Where was the list? I’d started making a list of who I needed to call when the cops showed up? I needed to finish that list, then just start calling. I also needed coffee. Coffee helped any crisis. Especially one happening too early for wine. Damn that mugger for spilling my latte.

  I walked back out into the common break area and put a pod in the Keurig. It wasn’t a latte, but I did like my hazelnut flavored coffee. While waiting for it to brew I went out and grabbed the list I’d started off the counter, along with a pen and walked back to the coffee machine.

  The aroma instantly lifted my spirits and I walked back in my office with the list and coffee in hand and felt a little better. As good as I could, considering. Feeling like I was doing something was helpful. My first call was to the phone company, who was able to disconnect my line from that phone and ship me out a new phone that would arrive tomorrow. Luckily, I had insurance that covered loss. Who knew? Apparently, I’d been paying five ninety-nine a month for it and didn’t know it, but now it sure was coming in handy.

  I was pleasantly surprised at how all the credit card companies handled it as well. They probably had to deal with this sort of thing all the time. So far only one card had unauthorized purchases, although the others said they might be hanging out in cyberspace and could still come through but would be reversed.

  The guy hadn’t lost any time charging coffee, a bagel, and some groceries. Seemed very practical for a thief. Wouldn’t he be after gift cards or big-ticket items? Things he could turn around and sell? The credit card companies were reissuing my cards and, in a few days, it would almost be like it had never happened.

  If only the murder could be solved so quickly. Speaking of which, I wondered if Willie had any more information. I dialed his number but got voicemail, so I left a message.

  I started to walk back out to the front and get to work when the phone rang. It was Willie. That was quick.

  “Hey. I just left you a message.”

  “Sorry, I didn’t realize it was you. What’s up?”

  “Oh, nothing urgent. I just wanted to see if you had any new information. Oh, and to tell you I got mugged today.”

  “What? Where? Why didn’t you call me?”

  “Because in the grand scheme of what all’s been happening lately, it’s not a big deal. But they stole my phone, which is why I called you from my work phone.”

  “I don’t have any news yet. Final toxicology reports should be in this afternoon. Are you sure you don’t need anything?”

  “No, I’m fine. A little shook up, but I’ll be fine. Call me as soon as you hear something, OK?

  “I will. Oh, by the way, can you ask Molly to please stop in today? I need her statement.”

  I made a face. Wasn’t that what she left to do yesterday? If not, where did she go?”

  “OK, I will.” I hung up and freshened my lipstick, took the last swig of coffee and once again headed out to the front.

  Molly was helping a customer. The only one in the store, but it was better than none.

  I went back to work on putting sale items together, which reminded me the sale announcement email blast still needed to go out. I assumed Molly hadn’t had time to write it up. Molly’s customer made a purchase, but then she left and Molly and I were the only ones in the store.

  “Did you get all your credit cards canceled?”

  “Yeah and so far, only a couple minor charges.”

  “That’s good.”

  “Listen, did you get that blast out yesterday about the sale?”

  “No. I didn’t. I’m sorry. I’ll go do it right now.”

  “Ok. By the way, where did you go yesterday when I was on the phone with Cooper?”

  “I went to the police station to give my statement.”

  “Oh. You did?”

  “Yes. You said they needed it ASAP. It was OK that I left, wasn’t it?”

  “Of course.”

  She gave me a smile. “I’ll go do the email and come back up.”

  “OK.”

  As she walked away, I wondered why she lied.

  Chapter 8

  What? We’re not going to the vegan sushi place again?” I teased as we were on our way to meet Cooper’s new employee. While it hadn’t been that bad, I wasn’t in a hurry to eat there again, if ever. Once was enough.

  “Funny. No, I thought I’d play it safe and stick with a steak and seafood place that we’ve been to before. No new restaurants this time. We’re going to McCormick’s.”

  “Oh, yummy! They have the best salmon.”

  “That’s why I picked it. I know it’s one of your favorites and I feel compelled to make it up to you after the vegan sushi fiasco.” He grinned. “I owe you a good dinner.”

  “No, you don’t, but I appreciate it.” Granted that hadn’t been one of our better meals, but it wasn’t terrible and it was a funny story to tell. Especially at some point when I was ready to recount the almost proposal to people other than Katy. It would be a funny story at some point, although not yet. It was currently a little raw. I wasn’t mad, but I didn’t want to think about it either. I wanted to put it out of my mind until he proposed again.

  “So, tell me about Bill and Andrea. Have they been married long, how old are they, do they have kids?”

  “None of those are appropriate interview questions, so I have no idea. Though I know he’s married since we’re having dinner tonight. You’ll have to find out for yourself. All I know and care about is he has great experience, comes highly recommended, and is going to take a huge load off my plate. Giving me more time to focus on you. On us.” Cooper looked at me and grabbed my hand. He raised it up to his lips, kissing it. “He even came in today when I told him what happened and worked all day. Even though he wasn’t supposed to start until next week.”

  We got to the restaurant, barely making it on time. The Chicago traffic had been a nightmare. We were quickly seated at the table where Bill and Andrea were already waiting with their cocktails. Cooper had barely finished introductions when the waiter arrived and took our drink orders.

  “So, Presley, I hear congratulations are in order,” Andrea said, and Bill grimaced.

  “I’m sorry I hadn’t had the chance to tell her yet, what with what happened at work and all.”

  Andrea looked around, confused.

  “It’s OK. We didn’t get engaged,” I said. It stung a little, but not as much as I thought it would. Though I was surprised Cooper already told this information to Bill. He was usually such a
private person. This whole situation, hiring Bill and telling him about our almost proposal, seemed a little out of character for him.

  “Oh, my God.” Andrea looked at me horrified. “I really stuck my foot in it. I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s fine. Really. Don’t worry about it. Bill, what made you decide to leave your last company?” I said in an effort to change the subject so the tension at the table would dissipate. I could tell her husband was annoyed with her for bringing up the engagement and she felt bad. But it wasn’t her fault.

  “They were bought by a company who was taking things in a different direction and I decided that direction wasn’t the one I wanted to go in. It made sense to part ways and, when I thought about my next step, I knew I wanted to work for the best. Sands Security is the best. I called Cooper out of the blue and here I am. Perfect timing.”

  “I don’t know about the best,” Cooper said. He didn’t like praise. At least not about his own accomplishments.

  “Don’t be modest. Of course you’re the best,” I said, proud of him.

  “What about you, Presley? What keeps you busy? Don’t tell me it’s shopping, which is what Andrea does. If it was a sport, she’d be an Olympic Champion.” He laughed.

  He was obviously joking, but I saw a fleeting glimpse of irritation on Andrea’s face. I kind of felt bad. Even if she was a shopper it was kind of crappy for him to call her out like that, especially when meeting new people, on top of what had already happened. This was not starting out as a very good night for her.

  “Presley owns a very successful boutique,” Cooper said and put his arm around me. Now it was his turn to praise me and it made me feel good. He knew better than anyone else how hard the past year had been trying to get Silk to the point it was at today.

  “Oh no. Promise me you won’t let Andrea in,” Bill joked again, and I bristled at his comment. I really wanted to like him, but he wasn’t making it easy. I would be mortified if Cooper jokingly complained about one of my bad habits as a joke to a new couple.

  “What kind of boutique, Presley? I want to know which credit card to bring,” she said sharply, glancing at her husband who at least had the sense to look a little embarrassed. Good for her. I’m glad she stood up for herself.

  “We carry a little bit of everything from formal to leisure. It tends to be on the higher price side. We cater to a lot of wealthy people who want that more exclusive piece. One that’s not mass produced,” I said, almost apologetic. I hated that people like me, average middle-class income people, weren’t our target market, but when I bought Silk it had been exclusively high-end. Over the top high-end, like buy a dress that cost more than the mortgage on my condo high-end. I’d worked to bring the price point down a little, but I had to be careful because the clientele wanted what they wanted and I hadn’t yet decided to take the risk to change that completely. To do that meant finding a whole new client base. And it took time to make that kind of change. Though one day, that was my hope. Great fashion at an affordable price.

  “Then it’s perfect for me. I’ll make sure to stop by. Can I have your phone? To put in my number so you can text me the address,” she added when I looked confused as to why she’d want my phone. I was panicked because I didn’t have my phone and didn’t want Cooper to know why. I didn’t tell him before dinner as not to ruin the mood.

  “Oh right. Actually, I left it at home. Why don’t I just put it in yours?”

  “You left your phone at home? That’s not like you,” Cooper teased.

  “I was distracted by the lure of a good meal,” I said, smiling a little too brightly.

  He seemed to accept that. Though why wouldn’t he. I hated lying to him, but telling him here definitely wasn’t an option.

  Andrea handed me her phone and I put my number in while Cooper asked another question. “You said you’re staying in a temporary apartment while you’re house shopping?”

  Hopefully this didn’t bring any snider comments from Bill about Andrea’s shopping habits. We started to discuss property values in Chicago and the conversation veered toward their shock at how expensive everything here was compared to St. Louis.

  The rest of the evening passed quickly, and we soon realized the dining room was closing when we were one of two tables left in the place and the wait staff stared at us. As if to will us to leave. Which a few minutes later we did, after leaving a big tip.

  “Well, what did you think?” Cooper asked me when we were settled in the car.

  “I liked them. I can see why you liked Bill from a business standpoint, he seems to mesh with your views and long-term vision, but I have to admit he was a little annoying when he was being a little snippy to Andrea about shopping.”

  “Yeah, that did seem a little odd, but then maybe that’s a sore spot with them.”

  “Maybe. Anyway all that matters is he is a good VP for you and gives you more free time.”

  Cooper was silent and I could tell something was on his mind. But I also knew he didn’t like talking before he was ready and had learned to be patient over the years.

  As usual, it paid off, because after a few minutes he started talking. “Do you mind if I drop you off at home and head back into the office?”

  “Of course not.”

  “I want to see if they’ve made any progress. We could lose this client over this and it would be a huge blow.”

  It seemed like he could do that with a phone call, but I could understand him wanting to go in person. Like me earlier, it helped to stay busy.

  “Just drop me off here. You don’t need to park,” I said when we reached home.

  “OK. Thanks, Pres.” He slowed the car and noticed Willie Landon standing on the sidewalk. “Do you think he has news on the murder?”

  “I wasn’t expecting him. Though I don’t have my phone, so maybe he tried to call me.”

  “Do you want me to stay?”

  “No, it’s fine. Go ahead and check in at work.” I leaned over and gave him a kiss goodbye and got out of the car.

  Chapter 9

  I tried to call you,” Wille said as I approached.

  “My phone was stolen in the mugging.”

  “I kind of assumed that when you didn’t return calls or texts.”

  “Yeah, they sent out a new one. It should be here tomorrow.”

  “I was on my way home and thought I could catch you up. I’ve got a little more information.”

  “Well, come up and fill me in.”

  We walked into my place and I hung my keys up and set my stuff down. “Go make yourself comfortable in the living room and I’ll make us some coffee.”

  Willie did just that while I quickly brewed a couple cups of my favorite hazelnut decaf. I knew he liked it too. At least he’d said so before when he’d been here. I carefully picked up the mugs and carried them into the living room, trying not to slosh coffee on the floor. Though that was the advantage of hardwoods. They were easy to clean. It’s also why I rarely wore white. I was notorious for spilling coffee on me.

  “Here you go.” I handed him his mug and sat down across from him in the oversized chair with mine. “So, I hope your news is you’ve solved this thing. I want the spotlight taken off Silk.”

  Willie yawned. “Sorry. It’s been a long day. But no, not really. I did get the toxicology report back and the level of insulin in her body was way beyond any normal dose and you already knew there wasn’t any evidence of her actually needing insulin so there isn’t any doubt this was murder. Not that it changes anything since it was already being treated as murder.”

  “So, who is your main suspect? The husband?”

  “You know her husband?”

  “No, but isn’t the husband always the most likely suspect?”

  “Usually. However, in this case he was out of town with a solid alibi.”

  “And no other good suspects?”

  He shook his head. “Nope. Still working on it. Speaking of suspects, your girl Molly hasn’t called me to sched
ule her interview.”

  I squirmed a little. I knew I should have called her out earlier when she lied to me about going to the police station, but the last thing I needed was for her to quit. I assumed she was just scared and needed to work up to it. Having to give a statement to the police would be scary for a lot of people. Now if I told Willie, which I kind of had to, it might make her look guilty and I know she wasn’t. I was regretting letting this slide earlier.

  He raised his eyebrows. “Something you’re not telling me?”

  “She told me she went. Actually, she even left the store early yesterday and told me today that’s where she was. That was after I talked to you on the phone, so I knew she was lying.”

  “What did she said when you told her you knew she was lying?”

  “Well, I didn’t exactly.”

  Willie sighed and I knew he was waiting for me to explain. Which I did.

  “I know I should have said something to her, but I didn’t want her to freak out. I know she didn’t do this. I promise you. Why would she want to kill some women she doesn’t even know?”

  “Maybe she wouldn’t commit murder, but she knows Susan. At least she knows who she is.”

  “No, she doesn’t. I was standing right there when she told Officer Thomas she didn’t know her.”

  “Actually, she didn’t say that. According to his notes, she said Susan hadn’t been in the store before.”

  I glared at him. “This is why you cops get a bad reputation. You automatically assume Molly’s answer was devious instead of thinking her commenting that Susan had never been in before also implied she didn’t know her.”

  “Listen, we have to be literal. It’s how we remain objective. Besides, she does know her.”

  “You’re positive about that?” Not that I didn’t trust Willie to be thorough and sure of facts before accusing someone, but I was worried. I knew in my heart Molly had nothing to do with this, but lying to me about knowing about Susan wasn’t good.

  “I am. Has she ever talked about her brother?”

  “Chad? Yeah, a couple of times. I only know he’s younger and got in some trouble a few years ago but is off at college now and doing well. I think they are pretty close. I know they talk and text a lot. Why? Does this have something to do with Chad?”