The Emerald Eagle

by Jane Corrie

  Rory glanced at her swiftly. 'Later,' he said harshly. 'Right now I need a drink,' and he strode off towards the house.

  Kirk squeezed Sonia's hand. 'I take it he was unsuccessful,' he murmured, grinning.

  Sonia gave him an innocent look. 'How do you mean?' she queried.

  `That's one man in a hell of a temper. Sure gave Babs the brush-off. Mind you, it's about time someone gave her a taste of her own medicine. She's had things her own way for too long with the male of the species.' He nodded thoughtfully. 'So has his lordship,' he added, and his grin grew wider. 'Guess it's as well you're going, honey. Guys like that are used to getting their own way, and you're the fairy on the Christmas tree as far as he's concerned—in case you didn't know it.'

  Sonia tried to look indignant. 'I'm engaged, remember.'

  This only produced another grin and an attempt to hold her closer, which she resisted. `That wouldn't stop him,' observed Kirk. 'He's hardly taken his eyes off you. I know that look in a man's eye. So run, baby.' He twirled her round, then asked, 'Thought any more about my offer to show you around the Bahamas ? I can't promise to behave like the perfect gentleman all the time. If I step out of line just slap me down, how about it? If your fiancé turns up I'll bow out like a good boy.'

  To be honest, Sonia quite liked the idea. He was an amusing companion, and Rory's words still echoed in her brain. 'Safe for the time being.' Now just what did he mean by that? The

  Bahamas were not that far away. Did he plan to follow her there? She would put nothing past him. Once set on a course he would be a force to be reckoned with. If Kirk were there, she would at least have a champion. 'Can you just take off whenever you want to?' she asked him.

  He glanced over to where his father was standing talking to Rory, who Sonia noted apprehensively was watching them with hooded eyes. She wondered if he heard what Mr Dilson was saying; his mind appeared to be elsewhere !

  `Ask my father that question,' replied Kirk. `According to him I'm a goddamned drag on society. He threatens to cut my allowance every now and again, but I guess he's too soft. I'm okay as long as I don't step out of line, and it's kinda important right now I mind my p.s and q.s,' he added a little bitterly.

  `Does he think it's your fault he didn't get the contract?' she asked worriedly.

  She was relieved to see that grin again. 'I'm not exactly top of the pops,' he said lazily. 'That contract was only a side issue, what he's really after is the chance to make an offer for one or two of the Maragal collection pieces. Seeing them tonight only whetted his appetite. He's talked of nothing else since I arrived,' he said disgustedly.

  Sonia now understood Mr Dilson's calm acceptance of the loss of the contract. Poor

  Kirk,' she murmured sympathetically. 'You know, I don't think he's going to be successful there either.'

  Kirk grimaced. 'Try and tell that to a collector on the trail, honey. You'd be wasting your time. Trouble with Dad is, he thinks there's a price for everything. If Maragal says it's no dice, then it's no dice. He can afford to say no. Dad's just living in a pipe dream.'

  She did not miss the bitterness in his voice when he referred to Rory's money. That he envied him there was no doubt. She sighed. It was only natural, she supposed, particularly if his father's allowance was inadequate to his needs. But she had a shrewd idea that. Kirk's needs would be a little above average.

  `So—how about the trip?' he asked suddenly.

  Sonia blinked, then remembered the question. She felt sorry for Kirk. She could imagine his father's reaction when he finally came down to earth and realised he hadn't a hope of changing Rory's mind. Kirk needed to be out of the vicinity as much as she did.

  `Very well,' she said. 'Providing you behave yourself.'

  He twirled her round twice in succession. `Yippee ! ' he shouted. Sonia closed her eyes. It had a startling effect on the other couples, and they stared curiously at them. Kirk, however, just grinned at them. 'It's okay, folks,' he

  chuckled. 'Just high spirits.'

  Sonia had an uncomfortable feeling Rory would guess the reason for Kirk's elation. Escorting her back to Chloe, he advised her which hotel to book into at Nassau. He hoped to join her, at the latest, Sunday morning. He had to get organised this end first, he told her.

  George, who had spent most of the evening chewing over past triumphs of the M.C.C. with John Hanser, was not too keen on being dragged away in the middle of the evening, but a stealthy kick from Chloe convinced him.

  The farewells were said, and Rory escorted them to the car. Sonia, about to get into the car, murmured a hasty, 'Nice to know you,' to Rory, and found her hand caught. She was pulled back towards him so that only she could hear his words.

  `Farewell for now, Snow Queen. We'll meet again,' he said softly. 'Until then, sweet dreams.'

  On the way back Sonia tried to shake off the depression that completely enveloped her. It didn't make sense feeling this way. She must be overtired, there was no other explanation for her low spirits. She made a determined effort to listen to what Chloe was asking George, and found she was suggesting they joined her for a week in the Bahamas. She cheered up a little. She would like that. She waited for George's answer.

  `I don't see why not,' he said expansively. 'I'll need a couple of days getting things organised the London end, no need for me to fly out straight away, not for a couple of weeks anyway. Book us a room, Sonia, say from Tuesday.'

  Chloe said he was a darling, which crowned his day, and the rest of the journey was spent in idle speculation of what they would do during that week.

  It did occur to Sonia that George might have known of Kirk's proposed visit. In spite of his half-abstracted manner, there was not much he missed. Not that it mattered now anyway. He had the contract, there was no reason why he should still object to his presence, and a foursome was better than a threesome.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  THE following morning, Chloe took Sonia down to the small harbour to catch the ferry. On the way, she gave Sonia strict instructions as to which hotel to book into in Nassau, as it happened it was the same one as recommended by Kirk, but she said nothing of this to Chloe.

  `I don't mind you going so much now, dear,' Chloe confided. 'I might be able to get George to stretch it to two weeks so we needn't rush the tour.'

  As they drew up in the small parking space outside the harbour offices where Sonia was to collect her ticket, Sonia saw Kirk's sports car parked farther along. Her eyes swept the rest of the cars. There were no Mercedes. Again that tinge of sadness touched her; he hadn't bothered then to see her off. She shrugged impatiently. It was this place, she told herself. Once away, she'd get things in perspective again.

  Kirk had appeared by the time they alighted from the car. Chloe frowned slightly when, she saw 'him, but quickly recovered and gave him a smile as he moved forward and relieved her of Sonia's case, also Sonia's light coat she carried

  over her arm, so that Sonia could collect her ticket without any encumbrances.

  `Thank you, Kirk,' smiled Chloe 'What got you up so early?'

  Kirk grinned. 'Had to see my favourite girl off, hadn't I?' he said in his drawling way.

  Again that frown appeared on Chloe's face. Sonia spoke hastily.

  `It's much appreciated, thank you, Kirk.' She looked at the offices. Now, where do I collect that ticket?'

  Before Chloe could speak, Kirk took charge. `This way, ma'am,' he said, taking Sonia's arm and leading her towards one of the doors in front of them.

  When the farewells were said, Sonia went on board the large ferry drawn up at the quay. She was vastly relieved that neither Chloe nor Kirk had elected to stay until the boat left. It always went on time and there was barely five minutes to go by the time Sonia climbed the gangway. Giving Chloe a slight hug and a kiss on the cheek, she offered the waiting Kirk her hand, not failing to note the impudent look he gave her. She devoutly hoped he would behave himself in front of Chloe. The amusement was there in his eyes as if he could guess her
thoughts; however, he contented himself with giving her hand an extra squeeze and murmuring, 'See you,' in a soft voice.

  Now as she stood on deck, she suddenly felt lost and miserable. Her eyes went past the harbour to the velvety green hills behind it. White spots nestled in the greenery, and here and there pink ones, which she knew were houses. Yes, she mused, she would remember this island. The tears pricked at the back of her eyelids as once again the dark handsome face of Rory appeared before her mind's eye. Had he meant what he had said? Or was it fury that had prompted that threat of melting the. ice within her? Her lips twisted wryly. Was it a threat—or was it a promise? She sighed and pushed these thoughts away; they weren't exactly helping to brighten her outlook.

  She turned her gaze back to the quayside, and as she watched she saw a car draw up swiftly beside the ferry as the gangplank was about to be lifted. Another last-minute passenger, she thought as she saw the blue-uniformed man leave the car and join the boat. Perhaps it was as well he had caught it, she mused. With a uniform like that, he might even be the captain. Her amused thoughts ran on. Did they have such a thing as a captain on a ferry? She glanced at her watch and noted with a small start that it was eight twenty-five, five minutes after they should have left. So they were not leaving on time for this trip, apparently; the gangplank remained down with no sign of activity around it.

  A voice came over the loudspeaker. `Will all passengers please assemble on C deck.' Sonia looked about her. Was this normal procedure? she wondered. Hearing the queries and grumbles of other passengers, she gathered it was not. She followed them to C deck and stood around with the others clutching their bits and pieces of luggage. It was not a long trip and as such did not necessitate the storing away of baggage.

  A middle-aged woman guarding a holdall looked at Sonia. 'Why are we being searched ?' she demanded.

  Sonia's brows raised. 'I've no idea,' she replied. 'Are they searching ?'

  `See for yourself,' grumbled the woman. 'I've done this trip for twenty years. Do dressmaking,' she confided briskly. 'Have a lot of customers on the island. Never known them search before.'

  They watched another passenger disappear into a cabin. 'Here,' nudged the woman, 'you don't think his lordship's crown jewels have been pinched, do you ?' she broke into a hearty chuckle.

  Sonia thought it was funny too, and grinned. Serve him right, she thought, remembering the way he displayed them the night before.

  She was the last to be searched. When she entered the small cabin, the man she had seen join the boat sat at a table, his cap beside him.

  It was an impressive cap, she thought as she

  walked towards him, and wondered idly what he was, police or Customs. He looked up at her and smiled pleasantly. Sonia noted his bright blue eyes; as were all the natives, he was extremely tanned. His grey close-cropped hair and his quiet air of authority told Sonia he was police and probably high ranking at that. He was studying a list of passengers.

  `Name, please, miss,' he requested in a deep voice.

  Giving her name, Sonia watched him tick it off on the list.

  He looked up at her suddenly. 'I presume you have gathered that all passengers are being searched,' he said. 'A quantity of jewellery was stolen last night and the owner not unnaturally wishes to retrieve it. All transport leaving the island will undergo the same scrutiny. Er... with your permission?' He held out his hand towards her case.

  Sonia handed it over to him. 'Help yourself,' she said airily, trying to keep the amusement out of her voice. So Rory had been burgled ! She was absolutely sure it was him. She watched the man's quick deft fingers search her case. He hardly disturbed the contents. When he -had finished, he almost apologetically held out his hand for her handbag, and she gave it with the same carefree attitude. When that had been searched, he glanced at the coat she held over

  her arm. She handed him that too.

  Suddenly her complete confidence was somewhat shaken when she saw him produce a brown and orange striped cravat from the pocket. She stared at it. She had never seen it before; she couldn't see George wearing it, it was much too modern for his taste. Her eyes widened to their full capacity as she watched the policeman glance at her swiftly before unfolding it and exposing its contents. The rays of the sun caught the eagle pendant and it flashed with a myriad lights. However, Sonia was in no mood to admire its beauty. Numbly, she watched the man put it down reverently, and pick up the rest of the contents. There was a ruby ring, and a brooch with a blood red ruby in the shape of a heart, encrusted with pearls.

  She found her voice. 'I don't—' She swallowed, and stared back at the jewels as if hoping they would disappear as mysteriously as they had arrived. 'Someone must have put them there,' she gasped. 'I've no idea who, or when.'

  The officer turned cynical eyes on her. 'I've heard it all before, miss,' he said sadly. 'They never do know how they got there. Would you mind accompanying me to the station.' It wasn't a question, but an order. Sonia, with a sinking heart, knew she would have to do just that.

  In a dazed state she found herself accompanying the man off the boat. Her bemused mind

  tried to seek an explanation for the predicament she was in. Who, for godness' sake, would do this to her? She went over the guests at the dinner party, for they were the only ones who had had the opportunity of removing the gems. Barbara? Would she do it for sheer spite? There would be no problem in planting the jewels on her. Her coat had hung in George's hall, since her arrival, and as it was an unheard-of thing to lock up at night, entry would have been easy. How they had known it was her coat, she didn't know. It could have been Chloe's—but perhaps it didn't matter, as long as one of them was accused, was that the way of it? Had the loss of the contract, plus the loss of what she considered her property, Rory, goaded her into it?

  She mutely shook her head. She just couldn't see it. Barbara had known she was leaving, she must also have known that Rory had tried to persuade her to stay and she had refused. She had everything to play for. She wouldn't jeopardise her chances by stealing the jewels. Mr Dilson was more or less in the same category. He still hoped to change Rory's mind over selling part of his collection.

  In her mind's eye Sonia saw Kirk carrying her coat; then just as quickly dismissed him; he had not even been present at the showing of the treasures. Besides, he was the last one to do such a despicable thing.

  Suddenly her eyes widened. But someone was ! But of course, it was Rory! He had failed to prevent her from leaving the island, hadn't he? No wonder he was so confident they would meet again. She could even see how he would handle it. He would cover the whole thing up. This policeman worked for him, didn't he? All he need do was explain there had been a mistake and he would deal with it.

  Her lips tightened. She didn't feel so sick now. Not knowing was one thing, knowing quite another. She remembered Rory's words at the luncheon. Would she be considered as a saucy young maiden? Was she going to disappear for what had he said—the master's amusement? Her heart jerked, then she pulled herself together. What nonsense ! There were George and Chloe, weren't there? They wouldn't let anything happen to her.

  Sonia was taken to the island's small police station. As she followed the man inside, she thought of her remarks at that disastrous luncheon about the island's gaol and fervently wished she had held her tongue. Rory was certainly getting back at her with a vengeance !

  Once inside, she was surprised at the airiness and modern fittings. She could see two cells only, and they looked very comfortable. The beds had gay striped coverlets on and were spotless. She wondered which she would be

  assigned, and was slightly disappointed when she was led to a small room to the left. She was left there with a curt 'Excuse me' from the policeman. He locked the door from the outside, and this action brought Sonia back sharply to the seriousness of the situation. She sat down wearily on a chair opposite a desk. This, then, was the interview room.

  She stared around the room. The walls were a spotless white.
Net curtains hung at the one and only window. Apart from a calendar advertising a hotel in Hamilton, the walls were completely bare. She looked at the floor. It was a wooden one, and glowed with countless polishings. A fan whirled monotonously above her. As she completed her inspection, she heard the deep voice of the policeman in the next room. She presumed he was on the telephone; she listened, and made out a definite, 'Yes, sir, right you are, sir.' The ping of the receiver being replaced confirmed her deductions. She clenched her teeth. She had no doubts as to whom the man had been speaking to. Rory Maragal would shortly be putting in an appearance.

  It was about ten minutes later that she caught the sound of voices, and automatically straightened her back. Her hands were clenched in her lap. A few seconds later the key turned in the door and Sonia found herself staring up at Rory.

  `Good morning, Miss Wells,' he said conversationally.

  Sonia's eyes flashed.

  The policeman barked out, 'Stand up ! ' Sonia stared at him.

  `I don't think that's necessary, Harvey,' said Rory. 'Miss Wells and I are acquainted.' He looked at Sonia. 'You may sit,' he said magnanimously, as if Sonia had any intention of doing otherwise.

  The policeman produced the cravat and laid the contents out on the desk. He glanced worriedly at Rory. 'Are they all here, sir?' he asked.

  Sonia watched Rory's lips thin as he looked at the pieces, but his voice was mild when he spoke. He separated the pendant from the ring and brooch. 'Except these two,' he said.

  The officer started. 'You mean those are not your property?' he asked unbelievingly.

  Rory's smile was not pleasant. Sonia looked on as an interested bystander.

  `Let's say they were, shall we?' he said softly. `Given in appreciation, as you might say.'