Suzy struggled to read the information on the screen before her. ‘I think I need to sit down.’
Gerard pulled out the desk chair and Suzy flopped gratefully into it.
‘Don’t you understand what this means?’ he asked excitedly.
Suzy swallowed, her mouth suddenly hung-over-the-morning-after dry. ‘I think you should tell me so it sinks in.’
Gerard clapped his hands together. ‘You have the lost Vydrina Diamond!’
‘The what?’
‘The lost Vydrina Diamond,’ the jeweller repeated.
The words and images on the computer screen swam before Suzy’s eyes.
‘That’s not the best part!’ Gerard prodded at the computer screen. ‘Look at the estimated price-tag!’
Suzy shook her head disbelievingly, there appeared to be too many zeros.
‘Three-hundred and twenty-five million!’
Suzy wondered who had screamed out the sum. Had she? Was she dreaming?
‘Keep your voice down!’ Gerard reprimanded his teenage daughter, who was staring agog at the monitor. He hurried over and closed the office door.
Suzy tested the words out in her head.
Three-hundred and twenty-five million pounds.
Shakily, she retrieved the ring and flipped the box lid open. The stone was cool to the touch and Suzy knew instantly if her mother heard the news, she’d tell her to flog it and buy a small island for the three of them to live on.
‘I can’t sell it.’ Even saying the words felt right.
Had Simon really bought her a ring worth so much? How on earth would he have been able to afford it?
The ring sent off shards of light as Suzy held it up.
Had Simon known its true value? Obviously not else she wouldn’t have found it wrapped up with all the other gifts he had left for her in her bedroom.
‘You should have it authenticated,’ Gerard advised. ‘And you should seriously consider storing it in a safety-deposit box. You can’t leave something like this lying about.’
Suzy nodded. ‘Can you arrange for the authentication, is that something you can do?’
‘I’m actually heading to London late this evening,’ he replied. ‘I’ll be happy to take it with me and have it looked at by a specialist. Until then I have a secure safe where it can be kept. Amanda,’ he addressed his daughter, ‘call Peterson and have him drive over immediately. Peterson,’ he informed Suzy, ‘is my head of security. He handles all of my security issues.’
Amanda trotted importantly to the telephone, pleased to have been given a duty of such responsibility.
‘I wouldn’t broadcast the news you may have found the Vydrina Diamond.’ Gerard showed Suzy from the office. ‘It is one of the most expensive rings in the whole world.’
Suzy nodded, her head whirring. The people she could have turned to about all of this would have been Simon’s kind mother who was mere ashes in an urn, having passed away six months ago, or Simon, who was just as uselessly laying stone-cold in the mortuary. Suzy didn’t trust her own mother with the news, the pound signs would roll before her eyes at the mere mention of it considering the state of her current finances.
No, Suzy reasoned, until she knew what she wanted to do with the ring she was best off keeping the news to herself and telling her mother the ring was a clever fake and therefore, worthless.
The shop floor was still jostling as Suzy pushed her way through customers burdened with bags. Late-night opening was a hit, the town was booming and there was still a week to pass before Christmas day arrived.
Suzy turned from the shop and followed the gently sloping High Street down to the harbour with its views over Eastcove Bay. Multi-coloured Christmas lights wrapped around the iron railings at the edge of the harbour cast subtle, rippled balls of reflection. A few small boats were moored in the harbour’s curve but nothing fancy, those type of boats occupied private moorings in the next cove and Simon’s father had his own yacht there. Suzy hadn’t yet been brave enough to face Simon’s father, fearful he would think her responsible in some way for the death of his only son.
Suzy was ripped from her thoughts and suddenly wrenched backwards. She stumbled and grappled in thin air, her arms failing and legs slipping from underneath her. It all happened in a heartbeat. As she fell, her handbag was yanked from her shoulder, causing her to crash onto the hard ground, elbows jarring upon impact.
She could not see who had attacked her but heard rapidly retreating footsteps. Forcing herself to her feet she gave chase after her assailant. Her boots, although flat, slipped on the compressed snow and she struggled to remain upright. Another figure shot past her, knocking against her and causing her to spin.
‘Help!’ she screamed. ‘My bag’s been stolen!’
Pushing past people who were staring in confusion, Suzy launched herself onto the snow-cleared road, picked up her feet and fled in the direction the mugger and other person had taken.
Turning the corner from the main seafront into a side alley, Suzy clutched at her side. Running had really knocked the wind out of her considering she hadn’t done any such strenuous exercise for many years. She was catching her breath when a hand holding her handbag appeared under her nose.
‘Is this yours?’ asked a voice thick with a foreign accent.
Suzy snapped upright, the stitch in her side forgotten. ‘Yes,’ she replied nervously.
The tall man with broad shoulders, waggled the bag at her. ‘Take it. I managed to grab it but I am afraid I was not able to stop the person who stole it from you.’
Suzy snatched her bag from the stranger’s hand. ‘Thank you for intervening.’
‘No problem, I saw your attacker rip it from your shoulder. I could not stand by and let a thief ruin your Christmas. Is everything still there?’
Suzy opened the bag and shuffled the contents about. ‘My phone’s gone.’
‘Is that all? I saw you were in Cove Jewellery earlier.’
Suzy stiffened. Was this a ruse? Was he working with the person who had grabbed her bag because they had been in the jeweller’s shop and heard about the Vydrina Diamond?
The man ran his large hands through his pale blond hair. ‘I would hate to think a street-thief made off with what was supposed to be a Christmas present for your mother or yourself.’
Suzy slipped the strap of her handbag over her shoulder, determinedly retaining a hold on it. ‘No, I didn’t buy anything so there was nothing to steal. Well, thanks again. Goodbye.’ She followed the path back onto the main road.
‘Do you know the owner of the jewellery store?’ The man had followed her. ‘I saw you going into the back with him.’
‘Look, I’m not being funny or anything but why are you so interested?’
The smile from the man’s stubble covered jaw failed to reach his piercing, ice-blue crystal eyes. ‘You are Suzanna Harte, are you not?’
Suzy anxiously took a step backwards. ‘How do you know that?’
‘I have been told. My name is Sevastian Zacharov.’ He reached into his overcoat pocket and pulled out a business card. ‘I am most sorry for your recent loss.’
Suzy courteously glanced at the card before her eyes popped out on stalks. ‘You’re a jeweller?’ She took another step backwards.
Damn, he was after the Vydrina Diamond!
Sevastian nodded. ‘I have a business in London but I am looking to expand my client base and I heard here is a good place.’
‘I see.’ Suzy, further away now, glanced around. Why wasn’t anyone picking up on her distress? ‘I must rush, off to my mother’s for dinner,’ she lied.
‘You are not attending the Prendergast pre-Christmas party? My contacts tell me it is the place to be seen for those who want to be seen, if you know what I mean.’ He laughed, a deep throaty laugh.
Suzy mentally kicked herself, she’d completely forgotten about it. ‘I doubt it’s being held today, Stephen may not feel up to hosting now he is alone and without his son.’ As soon as
she said it Suzy realised that wouldn’t be true, Simon had loved the Pre-Christmas parties and Stephen would probably want to hold it in his honour.
‘I will be there.’ The blond-haired man winked. ‘So if you decide to attend you can repay me for retrieving your bag with a dance or two.’
Three of his huge strides brought him close to Suzy and he loomed head and shoulders above her.
‘It would be nice for me to know someone who will be there,’ he continued. ‘I will look forward to meeting with you again, Suzanna.’
He peered hungrily down once more, eyes piercing into her and causing Suzy’s heart to drop a beat then race to catch back up. With a rush of blood filling her ears, she watched Sevastian’s tall, square-shouldered frame weave through the crowds and stride up the hill back towards the town, the tails of his overcoat flapping darkly in the breeze and scarily resembling the cloak-tails of a vampire cape. She shuddered, breathing deeply to calm herself. Her palms were sweating despite the cold weather. If she never saw Sevastian Zacharov again it would be too soon.
* * *
Chapter Three
Stephen Prendergast unknotted his tie for the umpteenth time. Nothing seemed to be going as planned this evening. Firstly the ice-sculpture, the focal centre-piece of the entire party, had arrived with a broken arm, and then the local bakery had failed to send the correct amount of pathetically pretentious teeny-tiny cakes Simon had ordered pre-death. Stephen flung his tie across the room just as there was a knock at his bedroom door.
‘The family are arriving. They are early.’ The pretty, young assistant housekeeper popped her head around the door. ‘I show them into the billiard room to wait for you? Harriet is finishing the decorations in the Grand Hall.’
‘No, Alyona, take them straight into the Grand Hall. I will be down very shortly.’
Alyona’s gaze fell upon the crumpled tie on the floor. ‘I help you with your tie?’ Her footsteps were silenced by the dense pile of the pure-wool carpet as she hurried across the room and retrieved the hand-woven silk tie.
Stephen smiled. ‘What would I do without you, Alyona? My life has been so much easier since you entered it.’
Alyona gestured for Stephen to face away from her. Even in her sensible work footwear she was of equal height to him. He shivered deliciously as she slid the tie around the collar of his Egyptian cotton shirt and deftly formed a perfect Pratt Knot. Her touch was gentle and Stephen wondered how she would respond if he touched her in return.
Coldly, he thought, like the way she approached her work. Yet that could change with the offer of more money in her pay packet. He smiled to himself.
‘Thank you, my darling.’ Stephen nodded in approval at his reflection. ‘You are very excellent with your hands.’
Alyona flinched minutely as his hand brushed her elbow.
Just as he had suspected. Cold.
‘If that is all, I will leave you to put on your jacket,’ Alyona’s voice was sharpened by the clipped tones of her Russian accent.
‘Simon always said how your complexion reminded him of a porcelain doll. So perfect.’ He lightly touched Alyona’s cheek, wondering if his boy had ever managed to lay his hands on her perfection.
Alyona lifted her chin and moved away. ‘Have a nice evening, Sir.’ She turned quickly and departed from the room, leaving the door wide open.
Definitely too uptight for his tastes, although he did enjoy a chase. After all, with his wealth the woman he wanted usually ended up in his bed.
His thoughts turned to Suzy.
‘Oh, Simon, my dear boy,’ he said to the empty room. ‘What a shame you’ve left the delectable Suzanna all alone. I will consider it my duty to ensure she isn’t lonely. I was rather looking forward to having such a beauty join the family.’
* * *
Suzy, thinking about the Prendergast Pre Christmas party while languishing in a rose-scented bubble bath, decided she definitely wouldn’t go. Last year’s, attended with Simon, had been a whirl of dancing, laughter, and champagne quaffing. She just didn’t feel in the mood for celebrating this year. Not without Simon.
Holding her breath, she slipped her head under the water, enjoying how her hair lifted and bobbed. Popping her head back up, she reached for the matching rose scented body-wash and generously slathered it on. Simon had adored the delicate fragrance, often telling her she smelt good enough to eat. Suzy laughed, the sound echoing in the room, and wondered whether Nathaniel had used the exact same scent.
No, she couldn’t attend the party. All of the gossips would be there, including her nasty cousin Siobhan. It was far easier to stay at home and lay in the bath until her fingertips resembled prunes. She jumped at a knock on the bathroom door.
‘Can you hurry up?’ her mother, called. ‘You’ve been in there for half an hour already!’
Suzy remembered such moans from when she was a teenager. ‘You just want someone to talk to, I know you!’
Arabella rattled the door handle. ‘Open the door then and I’ll come in to talk to you, like I used to when you were younger.’
Suzy grinned despite herself; hours of chatting had passed between mother and daughter in the bathroom. Nostalgia forced her from the bath and she padded to the door, flipping the latch and allowing Arabella to slip into the room.
‘So,’ Arabella began, ‘Did you ever have any suspicion about Simon’s sexual preferences?’
* * *
The last shoppers had departed from Cove Jewellery and Gerard’s wife had already collected their daughter Amanda so the pair could prepare for the Prendergast’s Pre-Christmas party and be ready for Gerard to take them there once he had locked up the shop. Gerard checked the front door was secured and made his way back to his office. The day’s takings, a whopping three times the amount of an average day, were safely stowed away in the office safe.
He wheeled his chair out to sit at his desk and called up the site referencing the Vydrina Diamond.
That diamond entering his shop could turn out to be the most exciting thing to have happened in his whole career.
He leant back in the chair, stretching his arms out, imagining what it would be like to be known as the man who had found the Vydrina Diamond.
Gosh, he thought, maybe he’d be asked to identify other such valuable pieces of lost jewellery. He could carve himself a whole new life out of the find, maybe even appear on television. Or, a nasty thought whispered, he could sell the ring and pocket the money. The stupid woman who’d brought it in hadn’t even had the sense to ask for a receipt.
He glanced over his shoulder, certain the office door had moved a fraction.
He held his breath.
Nothing.
He grinned to himself. Even thinking about the Vydrina Diamond was giving him the willies.
Stretched his legs out in front of him he resumed his daydreaming. A movement in the corner of his eye stole his breath again. Had the door moved? He laughed and pushed his chair out. His imagination was sure playing tricks on him.
Half out of his seat, Gerard froze. He swallowed. The door had creaked.
‘Hello?’ his voice came out in a tremble.
Rising fully to his feet and keeping his eye on the door, Gerard felt around on the desk behind him, hoping to find his letter opener. He jumped as the office door suddenly swung shut revealing a masked figure pressed against the wall. Gerard clutched at his chest, his breath emitting in panicky puffs, a tightening band of pain wrapping around his torso. Fumbling on his desk his hands closing around a stapler.
‘That won’t help.’ The figure chuckled, the voice muffled through the mask. ‘What are you going to do? Staple me to the wall? Drop it.’
Petrified, Gerard allowed the small stapler to slip from his hand. He didn’t even notice when it fell on his toe.
‘Move,’ the figure instructed, pointing to the safe. ‘Open.’
Gerard dubiously eyed up the serrated knife glinting in the figure’s gloved hand and, trembling, made his way acr
oss the room to the safe.
Shit, he thought, why was his happening today of all days? Where was Peterson when he needed him?
Dropping to his knees, Gerard’s fingers shook as he punched in the combination code, he half turned his head toward the desk his daughter had been occupying only a mere thirty minutes before and sent up a silent prayer for the timing of the Prendergast party.
Thank goodness Amanda had already gone.
‘Empty it.’
Gerard, conscious of the blade pointed at his back, pulled the contents onto the floor.
The figure stepped around Gerard and searchingly moved the contents across the carpet with a booted foot. ‘Vydrina,’ the muffled voice said.
Gerard clutched at his head in despair. ‘I don’t have it, just take the money!’
In response a heavy kick was delivered to Gerard’s ribs, making him groan in pain and forcing him to tumble over.
‘Liar!’
‘I don’t, I’m not lying…I promise!’
Crunch. Gerard gasped in agony as the intruder kicked him again, the boot cracking a bone in his ribcage. He cried out as another swift kick made his head ring and blood trickle from his ear. Wrapping his arms around his head, he thought of his daughter and his beautiful wife who were probably giggling away with their preparations for the party. He ached with longing to see them, to touch their precious faces and revel in the safety of their love.
‘Where is it?’ A gloved hand reached down, wrenching Gerard’s arms away from his head.
‘I haven’t seen it!’ Gerard lied bravely, knowing if he revealed the location of the safe holding the diamond he would be putting a very dear friend at risk. ‘Just take the money and anything else you want and leave me alone!’
‘No money.’ The tip of the knife glinted dangerously close to Gerard’s face. ‘You lie. You have seen the diamond.’
Gerard screamed a blood-curdling unearthly wail of pain as the blade punched through the back of his eye-socket.
Unveiling Lies (Eastcove Lies Book 2) Page 3
