“Look who’s come in. Ed Mahoney and his girlfriend, Maxie Robinson. I’ll ask them to join us.”
She bolted away and Connor turned to stare at Tony’s pale face. “What in the hell is going on between the two of you? Is this all because Venus bought the brooch?”
“We will work out this business of the brooch. I fear it may not be as simple to undo the past.”
Puzzled by the firm set of Tony’s mouth, Connor shook his head. “It’s never too late to negotiate a settlement. If you regret Bridget’s selling Venus the brooch, then we’ll buy it back from her.”
“Yes, the brooch is important, but getting it back may not solve everything.” Tony slowly stood. “Maxie and Ed are joining us.”
Connor had no choice but to stand, kiss Maxie on her soft, scented cheek, and shake Ed’s hand.
“I’m very excited. We’ve been watching Rebecca Covington-Sumner’s Talk of the Town show and now here she is right across the room. I think she’s wonderful,” Maxie sighed while Connor held out the chair for her.
Generally he enjoyed Maxie’s company, but tonight he couldn’t concentrate on her starstruck gushing about Rebecca’s show and how she looked even younger in person.
Ed was the best insurance broker in the city, and Clayworth’s had benefited by being his biggest client, but his statistics-riddled conversation with Tony about the necessary cost of insurance for home security systems left Connor bored.
Tonight all his senses zeroed in on the careful way both Tony and Bridget held themselves and the way they picked at their steak dinners even though earlier his aunt had said she was starving.
Tony, his eyes hooded, rubbed at his temples.
Bridget glanced over. “That’s the fourth time you’ve done that. You didn’t take your blood pressure pill, did you?”
Tony flashed her an impatient look, a gesture so rare, it seemed surreal to Connor.
“It seems I did forget, cara. Perhaps I should leave you the car and cab home.”
“Don’t be foolish. I’m always sayin’ you need to take better care of yourself. We’ll both go.” Bridget stood up, flashing another of her forced smiles. “Sorry to leave before dessert. Have a piece of the ice cream pie for me. Connor, I’ll get the car and meet you both outside.”
Watching Bridget hurry out, Maxie’s eyes grew rounder.
Puffing out his barrel chest, Ed rose. “Tony, may I be of assistance?”
“No, thank you. All is well.” Tony bent over Maxie and kissed her hand. “It is always a pleasure to see you. Please enjoy the rest of your evening. Good night.”
It hurt Connor to see Tony’s slumped shoulders and slow steps as he maneuvered between the tables.
“I’ll be back,” Connor bit out to Ed before quickly following his uncle.
By the time they reached the entrance, Tony’s black BMW sat waiting at the curb.
With innate courtesy, Tony held the car door open. Avoiding his eyes and Connor’s, Bridget quickly slipped in.
“Good-bye, Connor. Need to get your uncle home and make sure he takes his medicine this time. See you tomorrow morning at Clayworth’s.”
Watching his aunt and uncle pull away, he told himself to think rationally about how to help them.
The image of Venus, the mermaid winking at him from her breast, flashed before him.
Yes, getting the brooch back from Venus is the logical place to start.
Chapter 4
Late as usual, Venus drove past Pandora’s Box on the way to the garage. The sun reflected off the large front windows. Even squinting, she couldn’t see if Diana had arrived and opened the door.
Of course she has. Diana is never late.
Venus turned the corner, heading into the alley. Passing the small side parking lot she slowed, surprised she didn’t see Diana parked in her normal spot.
It struck her as odd, but then she remembered Diana had more than once taken a cab to the store.
Running from the garage, through the small yard to the back door of Pandora’s Box, Venus fumbled in her black Croc tote for the store keys.
A stiff breeze carried the scent of late-blooming roses from the yard across the alley. The wind whipped her hair into her eyes as she reached out to unlock the back door.
It creaked open before she touched it.
The cool morning air sent chills down her spine. Her heart pounded so hard nausea welled up in her tight throat, making it hard to breathe.
Diana always uses the front door. Never this one.
Shaking, Venus searched through her tote, frantically throwing out her wallet and makeup bag until at last she found her iPhone.
She punched contacts for Diana’s number.
Her fingers trembled so badly default came up.
Sucking in a deep, ragged breath, she tried again.
This time the call went through.
On the third ring fear shuddered through her.
What if Diana had arrived early and interrupted a robbery.
On the fourth ring, Diana answered.
Weak with relief, Venus slumped against the wooden post of the overhanging porch. “Where are you?”
“Still at home. Isn’t our meeting at eleven before my appointments at Clayworth’s?”
“Thank God you didn’t get here early like you usually do,” Venus whispered, cupping her hand around her iPhone. “I’m at the back door of the store. I think it’s been burgled or is being burgled.”
“I’ll call the police. I’m coming. Don’t go in,” Diana commanded, her voice deliberately soft and soothing, yet firm.
Willing her pulse to stop pounding, Venus dropped the phone into her tote and bent down to pick up her wallet and makeup bag.
Her body felt heavy, as if she could only move in slow motion. Like in a nightmare when she needed to flee but her legs wouldn’t move, only run in place.
Time seemed to stand still.
Too slow for me.
Kicking out with the left toe of her thigh-high black leather boots, she nudged at the door until it swung open.
Silent, half-lit by the sunlight filtering in from the large front window, the store loomed empty and trashed in front of her.
“Oh, no,” she screamed, rushing in to turn on lights.
Display cabinets and tables lay toppled on their sides. Broken glass winked on the Oriental rugs where hundreds of pieces of vintage jewelry lay tangled and broken.
Tears of rage nearly blinding her, she twirled around to scan the room. The clothes were all hung as neatly in their closets without doors as she’d left them after doing Rebecca’s TV show yesterday.
She dashed into the smaller side room. The art deco vanity table with triple mirrors rested in a sea of crushed hat boxes, delicate hats with their feathers and veils broken or torn, purses yawning open, and balls of white tissue paper strewn across the wood floor.
What were they looking to find?
Through the half-open powder room door, she saw no one could be hiding in the tiny space.
Out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed the brown velvet dressing-room curtain move.
Anger and fear gave her a rush of adrenaline. Grasping her tote like a weapon ready to swing, she yanked the curtain aside.
Only then did she feel the breeze coming in through the back door she’d left open.
She swung around, her eyes searching the hushed, empty room.
There’s only one last place for anyone to hide.
At the top of the stairs leading down into the basement storage for off-season merchandise and items to be repaired, she hesitated.
Hadn’t she read somewhere about thieves never going into basements because they had no escape route?
She flipped on the light. The first step creaked under her boot.
A pounding on the front door shot shock and a jabbing fear through every nerve in her body. She gripped the hand rail to keep from falling. Sucking in a deep breath for courage, she turned toward the door.
Two stern-faced police
men with Diana behind them stared through the glass at her.
More relieved than she thought possible, Venus rushed to let them into the store.
Pushing past the men, Diana engulfed Venus in a tight hug.
“I told you not to come in here.” Diana pulled back to gaze up at her. “Are you all right?”
Taking a deep, shuddering breath, Venus nodded. “There’s no one here. I’ve checked everything on this floor. I was just ready to check out the basement.”
The taller policeman surveyed the wreckage around them while the other officer headed down the stairs.
He emerged a few minutes later. “The perps were down there but it’s all clear now.”
Remembering the three trays of jewelry belonging to clients she’d left on her work table, Venus rushed down the steps.
The usually tidy, organized room looked like a bargain basement after a sale. All three drawers of her wooden file cabinet hung open. The clothing racks of off-season clothes had been riffled through, leaving dresses on the floor or half off their hangers.
Fresh tears burning her eyes, she picked up the empty felt-lined jewelry trays tossed on the floor.
“There were four Iradj Moini pieces. A fabulous En trem-blant rose motif pin. A bouquet-of-flowers pin and earrings with hand-blown French glass petals and carved jade leaves. Plus two Kenneth Jay Lane legendary bib necklaces from the 1960s. They were both coral and turquoise. Highly rare and in demand. Both book pieces. All the K.J.L. and Iradj Moini pieces belonged to our customers and now they’ve all been lost while under my care.”
Her knees felt strangely weak. Venus slumped down on her work chair. She felt Diana’s small, strong hand on her shoulder and gripped it with tight fingers.
“I know, I know we’ll work through this,” Venus whispered, tears and rage burning in her throat. “But Diana, it’s all just… so much. Why is all of this happening? All this pain and disillusionment since Clayworth’s trashed Dad eight months ago. And now someone has trashed our store. I know they can’t logically be connected but it feels like someone is out to get us.”
Venus placed her hand protectively over the mermaid hanging between her breasts. “Bridget said she was afraid this brooch was bad luck, but I refused to believe it because it reminds me of happy times with Dad. Do you think she’s right?”
Diana knelt in front of her, staring up with her clear, steady gaze. “No, I don’t. And if Bridget didn’t want the brooch, it should be yours if you love it so.”
Wanting to believe her, Venus nodded. “Thank God I’m never taking this mermaid off or she would be gone, too.”
Connor sat in front of his office computer, ready for his weekly Skype visit with Drew and Athena.
They came onto the screen, laughing, as Drew pulled Athena down onto his lap.
Even through the wavering images Connor saw happiness on their faces.
“Good morning. Everyone looks a little like Yoda on Skype, except the two of you.”
“Thank you, Connor.” Athena blew him a kiss.
“I received the sales figures from last week you sent me. Looks good heading into the holiday season.” Drew’s voice sounded serious and his face was intent, but Connor noticed how his fingers were slowly stroking Athena’s shoulder.
Hearing his office door open, Connor looked up. “Aunt Bridget is here.” He pulled the extra chair closer so she could see the screen.
“Hi, you two. You’re lookin’ good. Havin’ fun?”
“The best.” Athena smiled. “How are you, Bridget?”
“Better since Venus helped me clean my closet.”
Athena’s startling aquamarine eyes widened, just as Venus’s had done when she’d looked up and seen Connor standing in his aunt Bridget’s closet door.
Athena sat up straighter. “Venus helping you is really, really good news, Bridget.”
“Sure was good for me. Tony and Connor were threatenin’ to do it themselves.”
The surprise on both Athena and Drew’s faces made Connor smile.
“You… you were there, too, Connor?” Athena sounded breathless.
Drew leaned closer to the monitor, cheek to cheek with Athena. “I don’t see any battle wounds, buddy.”
Wait until I ask for the mermaid brooch back. “Both Venus and I were painfully polite.”
“That’s a start.” Drew kissed the top of Athena’s shining golden head. “See you both same place, same time next week.”
Beside him, Bridget laughed. “What do you call your holiday again?”
“An engagement-moon,” they shouted in unison before the screen went black.
“Seein’ the two of them like that warms my insides.” Bridget sighed. “I couldn’t be happier today.”
Connor tried to read his aunt’s flushed face. “How is Uncle Tony feeling this morning?”
She stood up so quickly the chair hit the desk. “Now don’t start in again, Connor. Tony’s fine. I’m fine. Now I have an appointment. I’ll see you later.”
The way she hurried out of his office, avoiding his eyes, told Connor all he needed to know.
Ten minutes later he climbed into his car. Walking through the executive parking lot, he noticed Diana’s spot was empty.
Maybe she’s at Pandora’s Box. I hope so. We usually need a referee when Venus and I clash.
Connor saw the flashing blue lights on the two police cars before he realized they sat parked in front of Pandora’s Box.
Three women, one pushing a double stroller, and two men stood on the sidewalk peering through the large picture window of the store where one mannequin lay toppled on her side.
What the hell has happened now?
Adrenaline pumping, Connor ignored the tape across the entrance and ran into the store.
Venus and Diana stood with a policeman, staring down at the wreckage of tables and cabinets. Jewelry pieces in all colors and shapes lay tangled across the Oriental rugs.
Venus glanced up, her aquamarine eyes opaque with tears. She seemed to recoil when she saw him. “What are you doing here?” She turned to her sister. “Did you call Clayworth’s?”
“No, I only called Dad.” Diana shook her head and cast Connor a look that burned his skin.
It feels like she’s trying to read my mind.
The feeling vanished when Diana cast her eyes around the room and finally settled on him. “Connor, obviously you can see that someone broke into the store last night or early this morning.”
“They took all our most expensive pieces of jewelry.” Venus wiped away tears. “Plus several pieces belonging to our clients that we were repairing or sending to New York for repairs.”
He’d always hated to see anyone upset. Now Venus looked more upset and vulnerable than he’d ever seen her. She struck the same protective chord in him that she always had since they were kids.
Diana put her arm around her sister’s shoulders. “I know it will be an insurance nightmare, but we’ll handle it.”
What the hell, I’ve got to help her. “You need professional help with this.” He took out his phone. “I’m texting Ed to come over here.”
Blinking away tears, Venus stared up at him. He steeled himself against her unveiled contempt.
“We can handle this without any Clayworth help. We don’t want or need it.”
The policeman cleared his throat, and they all looked at him. “Sorry to interrupt, but I need to ask how you knew about this situation, Mr. O’Flynn.”
He’d been so focused on Venus he hadn’t recognized Jack from the Addison Street Police Station. “Sorry, Jack. I didn’t know about the robbery. I came here concerning another problem. Do you have any clues so far?”
Jack shook his head. “I’ve questioned the neighbors. No one heard or saw anything. Looks like the perps were pros. Disabled the alarm, and it’s not an easy one. My partner has filed the report while I finished questioning the ladies.” He nodded toward them. “I appreciate your cooperation. I’ve got everything I need for th
e moment.”
“Thank you,” Diana said softly.
“Yes, thank you so much.” Venus blinked hard, more tears flicking down her pink cheeks. “I’m sorry to be weeping like some drama queen, but the pieces in this store represent people’s lives. They’re all precious to me.”
“I understand, Miss Smith. Someone will be in touch.” Jack turned away, giving Connor a sympathetic squint. “Hope you get your problem solved.”
No chance. Aunt Bridget’s brooch is gone and I’ve got another Smith mess to sort out.
He felt Venus watching him and he stared back, determined to do the right thing, even though he knew in his gut this would be trouble.
She twisted a thick piece of apricot-colored hair around two fingers. “I can certainly handle this without you or any Clayworth help. But I’m not saying no to Ed’s help. I’m thinking about it.” Twisting more hair between her fingers, she stared him down with her usual thinly veiled dislike. “The insurance papers are in the file cabinet in the basement. I’ll go find them. Diana, watch the store until I get back up here.”
He’d swear Venus’s hand trembled when she gripped the stair railing.
The worried look Diana shot after her fired Connor’s admittedly inflated sense of justice, his need to right wrongs. “I know Venus hates my guts because of your father, but I need to convince her to accept help.”
Again Diana seemed to be looking through him, and then she nodded. “Yes, go convince her to accept your help. It’s the right thing to do.”
Venus heard the stairs groan under heavy footsteps. Not Diana, who moved as lightly as the proverbial feather.
Connor.
She curled her fingers around the drawer of the wooden file cabinet to stop them from trembling. Sure, she’d been angry and frightened by this horrible violation of her store. Didn’t think she could feel any worse until Connor walked in and added confusion to the mix.
He’s only been in the store once. With Drew. How did Connor arrive on the heels of the robbery? Could he have something to do with the break-in?
She took a deep breath, telling herself the idea was crazy even though she’d put nothing past him after the way he’d so coldly treated her father.
All I Want Is You Page 4
