Emeralds Are Forever (Love on the Run Book 2)

by Jaclyn Hardy

  “Definitely.” Deirdre took another bite, keeping an eye on the window. “Hey, is that the guy?”

  Ben looked in the direction Deirdre pointed. A man stood off among the trees, staring out at the sidewalk. He scanned the area to make sure the police were still in their cars. “I think it is.”

  Deirdre shivered. “So he just stands there? How creepy.”

  “You hope he just stands there instead of attacking women.” Ben opened the glove compartment and pulled out his binoculars. Holding his plate in one hand, he held the binoculars. “I'd say white guy, maybe 5'10” with short hair. No, he's got it pulled back. The clothes are baggy on him.”

  Deirdre grabbed her phone and wrote them down. “Will you give this to the police?”

  “Not unless they ask. They're probably writing it down too.” Ben turned his binoculars toward the sidewalk. “Problem is, no one is out this late at night. We could be here for hours.” He turned to Dee. “Want to stick around?”

  “Are you kidding me? I want this guy out of here. Besides, I'm enjoying the company.” Deirdre smiled over at him.

  “I was thinking the same thing.” Ben set the binoculars down and took a bite of his food. It was a good thing he didn't have anything the next day. He was pretty sure they'd be there all night.

  Dee suppressed a yawn and checked her phone again. It was almost two in the morning and the guy hadn't moved. Dani had already given up and gone to bed, and Dee was ready for sleep herself.

  Ben typed away at his computer, writing down everything they knew so far. Which was pretty much nothing.

  “Shouldn't just standing there count for something? Loitering maybe?” Dee wasn't creeped out anymore. It had gone from that to just plain annoyed. This was her jogging path and he had no right to be there.

  “You'd think so, but they want to get him for actually doing something.” Ben glanced over at her. “Want me to take you home? I have a feeling this is going to take a long time.”

  Dee shook her head. “If we leave now it'll spook him. But what if we speed things up a bit?”

  “What do you mean?” His eyes widened. “No.”

  “Something has to get this going. Just make sure the police stop him, okay?” Dee slipped out of the car and gently shut the door so she wouldn't give herself away.

  Her heart thumped in her throat, but she kept telling herself she'd be protected. She walked down the sidewalk. Her heels clicked on the sidewalk, and as she got closer to where the man stood, the feeling from that morning returned full force. The man left the trees and followed closely behind her. It took every ounce of control for her to keep going. What had she been thinking?

  Hands reached out and grabbed for her. They were rough on her skin, and as he pulled her closer, she caught the smell of alcohol and sweat. She screamed, earning a laugh from him.

  “Out with your hands up.” Lights flooded the area and police flowed from all directions, cutting the man off from escape.

  His fingers tightened on her arm, and she felt something poke into her back. “Get away, or she's dead.”

  The police in front of them held up their hands in surrender. Dee's heart thundered in her ears. Why hadn't she just stayed in the car? Suddenly the man jerked forward and his grip loosened.

  Ben stood behind them with his backpack in his hand. The man lay unconscious on the ground. The police darted forward and grabbed the man to cuff him. Ben pulled Dee into his arms.

  “What were you thinking?”

  Dee just shook her head and let out a sob.

  “Come on. Let's get you out of here before people ask questions.” Ben pulled her into the trees and helped her into the car. He drove her home and helped her upstairs. “Would your roommate be awake?”

  Dee nodded and pulled her keys out of her purse. She fumbled with the door, so Ben took the keys and unlocked the door. She allowed him to scoop her up and walk inside. He set her on the couch and pulled a blanket up onto her.

  “Now, will you please tell me what you were thinking?” His gentle voice had turned to anger.

  “We needed him to move, and I made that happen.”

  “You did what?” The hysteria in Dani's voice mirrored the anger in Ben's. She turned and slugged Ben's arm. “Why'd you let her do that?”

  Ben stood. “I didn't. She took off before I could do anything.”

  Dani pointed to the door. “Leave.”

  “Fine. Thank you for dinner, Deirdre.” The door slammed behind him, and Dani crawled onto the couch next to Dee.

  “You've done some stupid things in your life, Deirdre Anne, but this takes the cake.” Dani laid her head on Dee's shoulder.

  “I know.” Dee's heartbeat was slowly returning to normal, and the adrenaline drained from her, leaving her shaking.

  Dani grabbed another blanket from the couch. “Was the date really that bad? I mean, usually people don't go running off like that if it wasn't.”

  Dee chuckled. “No, it was actually perfect. When we heard about this guy, I was the one who insisted that we help track him down.”

  “Being Carlie's roommate has worn off on you, I think.” Dani turned on the TV and flipped it to a cheesy chick flick.

  Dee tried to pay attention, but her mind kept drifting back to the look on Ben's face. She'd seriously messed things up with him. They'd caught the guy, but she'd probably just lost any chance she'd had with the guy she could have spent the rest of her life with. Typical.

  “You're sure you have the tickets?” Dani called from the other room.

  “They're on my phone.” Dee called back. She grabbed a few pairs of shoes and threw them into her bag, then zipped it shut. Her flight to New York was in a few hours, and Dee couldn't wait to get out of this city. Ben had never called back, and it hurt worse than she'd expected.

  The newspaper on the bed had a picture of her on the front cover. It was blurred, and her name was left out of the article, but it was still her. Ben had written the news story, and Dee had to admit that he was a great writer.

  “Ready?” Dani stood in the doorway with a grin on her face.

  “Yep.” Dee grabbed her bag and her purse and followed Dani out of the apartment. They locked the door and headed to Dani's car. She pulled out of the parking lot and headed for the airport. “You sure you can't get out of work?”

  Dani shook her head. “I tried everything. Everyone else is off so they can go home for the summer. I'm so annoyed.”

  Dee sighed. “But you can try for the weekend, right? I have two tickets to Broadway and no one to go with.”

  “I'll do my best. I have a few more things to do, but I should easily be done by then.” Dani pulled onto the freeway. “And if not, you can always go with Carlie.”

  “I wish. She's taking off to get some emerald after this.” Dee rolled her eyes. “Maybe one of these days she'll come back and teach.”

  “Doubtful. She's having too much fun.” Dani turned up the radio. “Besides, when you have a hottie like Braden to travel with, why stay home?”

  Dee shook her head. “They're married. They could stay home and still be together.”

  “Yes, but that's not nearly as fun.”

  “Good point.” Dee ran through everything in her bag again, making sure she had what she needed. Not that it mattered at this point. She had no time to turn back around.

  The drop-off was packed, and by the time they were able to find a place to pull over, Dee was cutting it close to her flight time.

  Dee leaned down to look into the car. “See you when I get back.”

  “Give Carlie a hug for me. And don't do anything crazy.”

  “I never do.” Dee waved and ran inside the airport.

  Security was blessedly short, but Dee still had to run to her gate. She dropped into her seat with only a few minutes remaining. She really needed to leave sooner next time. Which is exactly what she said every time she flew.

  The pilot welcomed everyone onto the flight, and Dee settled into her seat. She wa
s so ready for this vacation. Something had to take her mind off of Ben. She'd gone grocery shopping at the same store every night that week, hoping to run into him when he wouldn't return her calls. It was time to move on, but her heart wasn't quite ready yet.

  Dee zipped up her dress and stood in front of the mirror. The green mermaid style dress wasn't something she normally would have bought, but she had to admit it worked for her. She pulled her hair up into a bun at the nape of her neck.

  There was a knock on the door of the hotel room. Carlie stood in the hall and grinned when Dee opened the door. They squealed and Dee grabbed her in a hug. It had been a month since Carlie had last been in town.

  Carlie pulled away. “Thank you for coming.”

  “Like I'd miss your exhibit.” Dee held her at arm's length. “You don't look like someone who just fought a dreadful disease.”

  Carlie rolled her eyes. “And you don't look like someone who used herself as bait. What were you thinking?”

  “I was thinking we'd catch him easier if something was actually happening.” Dee turned away and slipped on her shoes. “Oh, and Dani wanted me to give you a hug. She's so bummed she had to miss out.”

  “I get it. She's wanted to hit the manager position for so long, and this is the only way to make that happen.”

  Dee found the pearl necklace from her mom and put it on. “I think she'll get it this time.”

  “You look so great.” Carlie sat on the bed. “I know basics, but I want to know how things are. How's the new apartment?”

  Dee finished applying her lipstick. “It's quieter without you. But it was a definite upgrade from our last place.”

  “Anything was an upgrade from our last apartment.” Carlie stood and checked her makeup. “We should probably get going. Braden's down in the limo.”

  “Maybe you should have told me that five minutes ago.” Dee smoothed her dress and made sure she had her hotel key in her phone case. She followed Carlie down to the lobby and met Braden at the door. He slid his arm around Carlie's waist and kissed her forehead.

  “I was beginning to think you two forgot about the exhibit tonight.”

  “We did. We're just coming down for dinner.” Carlie winked and climbed into the limo.

  Dee climbed in next. “Wow, this amazing.”

  “I told them we didn't need something so fancy, but they insisted.” Carlie opened a small fridge. “Drink anyone?”

  “Don't you get charged for those?”

  Carlie shrugged. “They told me I could have whatever I wanted.”

  She handed Dee and Braden each a Coke and grabbed a water bottle for herself. “This thing is stocked with all of my favorite snacks. It's crazy.”

  “I guess that's what happens when you fill their museum with jewelry that's been lost for centuries.” Dee leaned forward. “Okay, so what's this emerald you're so excited to go after?”

  “A few years ago, they discovered this shipwreck that was four hundred years old. It had a bunch of other stuff, but there was this emerald that's the largest they've ever found. It was sold in Thailand while we were there, and we just found out where it's being kept.”

  “And I assume you don't want to just buy it from them?” Dee asked.

  Carlie shook her head. “They shouldn't have gotten it in the first place. It was stolen before it could go to the actual auction it was supposed to be sold at, and we want to make sure it gets there.”

  “Fair enough. And you're going to be careful?”

  Braden laughed. “According to her, she's always careful. But I'll be there to make sure that it happens.”

  “Good.”

  The limo stopped in front of the museum where hundreds of people stood waiting for them. Excitement bubbled up in Dee's stomach as they climbed out and waved to the press. Carlie was escorted through the crowd up to the exhibit, and it was everything Dee could do to keep up.

  The display for Cleopatra's necklace now contained the earrings that Carlie had found. Cameras flashed, and conversations buzzed around them. Dee accepted a drink from one of the waiters and took a sip.

  Carlie stood next to the display with her hands covering her face. Dee put an arm around her and Carlie wiped a tear.

  “You did it.” Dee took another drink and handed it to Carlie. “It took diverting a plane, but you made it happen. Your dad would be so proud.”

  “Thank you.” Carlie wiped a tear. “I just can't believe they're together again.”

  Dee laughed. “I can. I know you won't stop until you get what you set out for. Now, come on. Time to schmooze.”

  “Not my favorite part.” Carlie wiped her face again and turned with a smile. “Let's do this.”

  Braden stood a couple of feet away talking to a reporter, so Dee and Carlie joined him. “Oh, here they are. Carlie is the one you want to talk to about the location. Excuse me.”

  Dee's eyes wandered as she listened to Carlie talk about her find. Hundreds of people mingled throughout the exhibit, talking and laughing. Wait. Dee gasped and searched the crowd again. It couldn't have been . . . She walked away from Carlie and tried again to find him. There. Her stomach dropped. Ben. He was here. She wasn't sure if she should be thrilled to death or annoyed. They hadn't exactly left their first date on great terms. But they'd hit it off so well before that.

  Maybe she should just ignore him. After all, he hadn't seen her yet, and they were quite a ways from home.

  “Deirdre?” Ben's voice sent a shiver through Dee. How could he do that so easily? “What are you doing here?”

  With a sigh, Dee turned and pasted a smile on her face. “Hey, Ben. I could ask you the same thing.”

  “Newspaper, remember? This is what I do.” He held up a press badge.

  “Right. I'm here with my friend.” Dee glanced over at Carlie, but she was busy with other press.

  Ben's mouth dropped open. “You—you know Carlie?”

  “Yeah, we were roommates. Wait, how do you know her?” His reaction was way more than just a journalist finding out about a common friend.

  He ran his fingers through his hair, messing it up. Which made him even better looking. “So you—oh boy.”

  “What?”

  “I shouldn't be talking to you.” Ben cringed. “Too late.”

  Carlie and Braden came toward them. When they got closer, Carlie's smile grew bigger. “I see you guys met. This is Dee. She's my best friend from college. And Dee, this is Ed.”

  “Dee?”

  “Ed?”

  The names came out simultaneously as the two of them stared at each other. All of the stories that Carlie had told Dee over the years had been this guy. The one she'd opened her heart to for a night. And he wasn't even who he said he was.

  “I . . . do you two know each other?”

  Ben leaned forward. “Carlie, this is Deirdre. My date from a few nights ago.”

  Carlie's eyes widened. “I hadn't thought of the fact that it could be her. I mean, we always call her Dee.”

  Everything seemed to be in slow motion. Carlie and Ben seemed to be thrilled with how things had unfolded, but Dee couldn't get past the fact that he'd lied about what he did for a living.

  “So, you're not a reporter?” Her tone was more accusing than she'd meant it to be. “How much of what you said that night was truth?”

  Ben raised his hands in surrender. “All of it. I swear.”

  “Whoa, Dee. Chill. He's a good guy, really.” Carlie nudged Braden forward. “Tell her he's a good guy.”

  Braden laughed. “Sounds like it's time for Ed and me to go find a drink so you ladies can talk.” He grabbed Ben by the elbow and pulled him away from them.

  “Look, he's saved our lives more than once. He's the one who got us out of the house when those creeps came into our house. Remember? And he's the one who got the plane diverted so we could keep the earrings away from Frank and his guys. And besides, I can't think of a better guy for you.”

  That didn't help much. Or at least it should
n't have. He'd lied about what he did. But then how was he supposed to admit that he was a handler for some girl who travels the world to collection artifacts? There was no way she would have believed that either.

  Dee sighed. “He really is a reporter?”

  “That's his side job. How else do you think he gets the scoop on my findings? He's the one with all the details.” Carlie put a hand on Dee's arm. “Give him a break. If he kept something back, it's because he has to for security's sake.”

  “He said his name is Ben.” Dee's head spun as she thought back on what she knew of him from Carlie's adventures.

  “Well, that I can't help you with. Dad put me in contact with him and I only ever knew him as Ed.” Carlie stared at Ben and Braden as they talked to a few other guys. “He seems more like a Ben, though. And you have to admit he's pretty cute.”

  “Dreamy. He's dreamy.” Dee touched her hair.

  Carlie grabbed her by the shoulders. “You look perfect. Get over there.”

  “Wait. As thrilled as I am that you two met and all that, it's probably better if you don't talk too much here. Too many eyes watching.” Carlie cringed when she heard her name called. “Man. It's time for my speech.”

  “Knock 'em dead.” Dee smiled and clapped with the rest of the group.

  Dee stayed near the back. Carlie was right. They didn't need any extra attention. Her eyes kept drifting toward Ben. He wrote notes during her speech, but Dee wondered if he already knew what Carlie had been planning to say.

  Once her speech was done, the crowd slowly dissipated, moving on to other displays or leaving for the night. Dee wandered over to a display of items that had been found in a shipwreck. Gold, goblets, jewelry, all lost for hundreds of years.

  “This is where the emerald will go if I can recover it.” Carlie's voice made Dee jump.

  “It's amazing.” Dee read the inscription. “So you think it's in Cuba?”

  “Nope. I'm pretty sure it's in Germany. Remember the couple I told you about that Braden and I impersonated? It was sold to them as a gift to apologize for the mistake.”