Feeling like it was futile to try to predict the woman’s next target, assuming the woman was the thief she was searching for, Savannah fought through the crowds and made her way outside for some much needed fresh air.
Damn that woman! How dare she have such an effect on Savannah? Savannah, who was calm, cool, and collected all the time. Savannah, who was the picture of professionalism especially when on a case. And yet this woman, this potential criminal, could disarm her with a mere glance.
She took a deep breath of the warm salt air and steeled herself to go back inside. She shouldn’t let that woman out of her sight. She knew that. Maybe she should assign Li to follow her. But she knew she wouldn’t. This was personal. She had to prove to herself that she could keep her head in the game where it belonged. She could stay focused on the subject at hand. She could catch the jewel thief who had been terrorizing some of the world’s most popular casinos.
And if that drop-dead gorgeous woman was the jewel thief, well then, she’d go down like the rest of the criminals Savannah had tracked. It would be simple. It would be over. She’d be behind bars where she belonged rather than in Savannah’s thoughts, waking and asleep.
The night before, Savannah had dreamed of the woman. It had been a very sexual dream, and Savannah could still feel everything the woman had done to her with her talented tongue and probing fingers. She shook her head. She didn’t need to be thinking about it. Not now. Not ever.
She took one more deep breath and braced herself to go back into the casino. She’d march right back to the roulette table and pay close attention to who was around the stranger. Her next victim could have been right in front of her and she’d missed it.
But when she arrived at the roulette table, the strange woman was nowhere to be seen. She must have collected her winnings and moved on. Who knew? She could be plotting to rob another woman right then. Savannah kicked herself again for losing her composure earlier.
She made the rounds through the casino, paying close attention to the card tables as she remembered seeing the woman at the blackjack table in Monte Carlo. But she couldn’t find her.
Savannah made a perfunctory round through the slots area, but the smoke was so thick she didn’t pay a lot of attention. She was sure the androgynous beauty was a high roller and didn’t think she’d find her at the slot machines.
She kept herself vigilant through the night, searching for the woman as well as keeping her eyes open for anyone who seemed suspicious. While she was sure the handsome woman was the jewel thief, she had no proof and had to keep her mind open to the possibility it was someone else. And she hoped in her heart of hearts that it was someone different. Then she’d be free to pursue the gorgeous one. No. She was fantasizing again. She really needed to get a grip.
It was early morning when, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a woman moving away from the baccarat table. She was a middle-aged woman with graying hair who was bedecked in diamonds. A man was with her. A younger man who looked like he’d rented the suit he was wearing. It didn’t fit him well at all. He certainly didn’t look like he belonged.
She followed them at a discreet distance and, when they entered her room, she posted herself at her door to be there in case the man robbed her. And that’s where she was several hours later when her phone buzzed. It was Li.
“Talk to me, Li.”
“The robber struck again. We’re heading to room four twenty. Meet us there?”
“I’m on my way.”
Reluctant to leave her post and mad at herself for following the wrong suspect, Savannah hurried down the hall to the elevators and punched the four button. The elevator seemed to travel at an ant’s pace but finally got her to the floor she needed to be at.
She knocked on the door and announced herself. Li opened it.
“What have we got?” she said.
“A woman was robbed while she slept. Husband is determined it was someone from the staff who entered the room and took her jewels. He’s convinced and isn’t open to suggestions.”
“I’m Special Agent Savannah Brown.” She presented them her identification. “I realize you’ve already gone over this with Agent Nguyen, but please tell me again exactly what happened, Mrs.…?”
“Rottingham. I’m Midge Rottingham. Please call me Midge.”
“Okay, Midge. Now, one more time. What happened?”
“I don’t know. I was tired. Jim was in the tournament and I didn’t want to disturb him, so I came up to the room. I went to sleep and woke when he got back to the room. He went to put his winnings in the safe and found it empty. That’s all I know.”
“Thank you for that.”
Jim Rottingham was a large man with an angry red face. He was livid and Savannah could understand why.
“No one has access to these rooms except the staff,” he said. “I want each and every one of them questioned.”
“And they will be.” She turned to Li. “Get some agents on that ASAP.”
“Thank you,” Jim said.
“Now, Mr. Rottingham, surely you know your wife was not the first victim of a jewel thief lately.”
“I’ve heard of the robberies. Sure. But this isn’t one of them. This is a simple case of a staff member abusing their position.”
“Was the safe locked, Midge? Are you sure you locked it? How would a member of the staff know your combination?”
“I thought I locked it,” Midge said. “But I can’t be sure.”
“I’m sure she didn’t. She was tired and just wanted to go to sleep,” Jim said.
There was something about Midge’s demeanor that bothered Savannah. Like she seemed to be lying. The way she wouldn’t look anyone in the eye. And her skin was flushed, like someone who’d just had sex. Could it be she had been seduced by the jewel thief?
“Midge, I’d like to ask you some questions in my suite if that’s okay? Would you come with me, please?”
“My wife did nothing wrong,” Jim said.
“I don’t think she did. I simply need to ask her some questions away from the scene.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“No, Mr. Rottingham. I need you to stay here while the agents work the scene. We’ll be back shortly.”
“May I get dressed first?” Midge pulled her robe tight around herself.
“Of course.”
Once Midge was ready, Savannah escorted her to her suite. She had her sit on the couch while Savannah sat on a chair.
“Would you like a cup of coffee? Tea?”
Midge shook her head and Savannah saw unshed tears in her eyes.
“Are you okay?”
“I feel violated. That’s all.”
“I understand that. Midge, is there anything, anything at all you want to tell me that happened that might help us find who did this?”
Midge stared at a spot above Savannah’s shoulder and shook her head.
“I’ve told you people everything I can.”
“Are you certain? Your husband’s not here now. You can tell me anything.”
Fear registered in Midge’s eyes as she finally met Savannah’s gaze before quickly looking away.
“There’s nothing more to tell.”
“Fair enough. Come on. I’ll walk you back to your room.”
Savannah was frustrated and exhausted by the time she got back to her suite. She knew there was more to Midge’s story. Why wouldn’t she admit it? How were they supposed to solve this string of jewel thefts if people wouldn’t be honest with her?
Chapter Five
Next stop on Kit’s trip around the world was Les Ambassadeurs in London. She arrived a day early to get the lay of the land. She’d rented a flat that served its purpose of providing her a space away from the scene of her crime. She dressed in a black Calvin Klein suit and wore a black shirt under it. Her red tie was the only color she had on. She checked herself out in the mirror and, satisfied, made her way to the casino to check things out.
The casino wa
sn’t as large as the ones she was used to, so she’d have to be careful. She wandered around and felt like she was being watched. It was an uncomfortable feeling. She slowly turned around and saw the mysterious blonde standing there. Sure she was being followed, Kit remembered the old adage, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. With that in mind, she sauntered over to the woman.
“We seem to keep running into each other,” Kit said.
“Do we?”
Was it possible the woman hadn’t noticed Kit before? No. She had seen the lust in her eyes every time they’d looked at each other. So, she wanted to play it cool? That was fine. Kit was sure she could defrost her.
“May I buy you a drink?” Kit asked.
“Are you always this forward?” The woman seemed almost nervous. Was it hormonal? Or was she upset that Kit had found her? If she was following Kit trying to catch her, Kit needed to know.
“Only with beautiful women. Now, will you join me?”
Kit held out her hand and the blonde took it. Kit led her to a bar she’d noticed while making her rounds. She held her hand all the way up to the bar when the woman extricated it from her grasp.
“You’re awfully sure of yourself.” The woman tried to sound calm, but her voice shook, betraying her.
“I’m sure you’re a beautiful woman and I’d like to get to know you better. Now, what can I get you?”
“A dirty martini.”
Kit smiled. She was making progress. And she hadn’t misjudged the woman. She was clearly interested. Kit ordered a martini for the blonde and a beer for herself. She led the way to a small table in a dark corner in the back of the bar. She set the drinks down.
“I’m Randi,” she said.
“Are you?” The woman smiled.
Kit laughed.
“Why yes, yes I am.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. What’s your real name?”
“My real name is Randi.”
“I don’t believe you, but whatever. I’m Savannah.”
“Ah. A beautiful name for a beautiful woman. And, you got me. My real name is Kit,” Kit said.
She brought Savannah’s knuckles to her lips and brushed a soft kiss over them. Then she pulled out Savannah’s chair and waited until she was seated to sit.
“What brings you to Les Ambassadeurs?” Kit asked.
“Same as you I’d imagine. I’m here to gamble.”
“Then why were you simply wandering around? Why weren’t you at a table?”
“It’s only Friday night,” Savannah said. “I was just getting the lay of the land. I usually gamble on Saturdays. That’s my lucky night.”
“Well, this just might prove to be your lucky night.” Kit smiled. “So, I’ve seen you around before. I feel like you’re following me.”
“Don’t be absurd. I don’t even know you.”
Kit arched an eyebrow.
“Is that right? Okay. Then how is it we happen to end up at all the same casinos?”
“That would be strictly random.”
“Would it now? Tell me about yourself, Savannah. What do you do that allows you to travel from casino to casino worldwide?”
“If you must know, I’m a widow. My wife died and left me a small fortune.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Kit said. Though she didn’t notice any sadness in Savannah’s eyes when she mentioned her dead wife. “You must miss her terribly.”
“I do.” She wiped an imaginary tear from her eye.
“And now you spend your time jetsetting?”
“For the most part. It keeps me busy and takes my mind off sad things.”
“I hope to keep your mind off sad things as well,” Kit said. “Where is home? You sound American.”
“I am. I live in Maryland. And you?”
“I call California home. Though I’m seldom there.”
“And how did you amass your fortune, Kit?”
“I’ve been very lucky in the stock market. My parents bought stock for me when I was born, and it’s done very well.”
“Good for you. You’re fortunate.”
“I am. And the rest of my money came from gambling.”
“You’re very good at roulette, aren’t you?” Savannah said.
Kit grinned.
“Ah. So you do remember me?”
Savannah blushed, obviously embarrassed at outing herself. She took a sip of her drink.
“I suppose I do.”
Kit felt the heat inside her belly kick up a notch. This woman would be fun to bed. And she knew she’d be adorned in jewels the next night. Jewels Kit would be more than happy to take off her hands.
“Would you like another drink?” Kit said.
“Thank you, but I should get going.”
“Can I buy you dinner first?”
“You are persistent, aren’t you?”
“What’s the harm? You’re a beautiful woman, Savannah. Can you blame me for wanting to know you better?”
“You flatter me, Kit, or whatever your name is. But I really should take my leave. Perhaps I’ll see you tomorrow night?”
“Count on it.”
“Good night, Kit.”
“Good night, Savannah.”
Kit sat at the table a long while after Savannah had left. There was something about her. She was dangerous, Kit could sense it. But just how dangerous remained to be seen. Was she after Kit? Was she determined to put her in jail? Or was she really just a widow who enjoyed the finer things in life?
Finally needing to get out of her own head, Kit left the bar and wandered about the casino taking in the lay of the land. Once confident she knew where everything was, she hailed a taxi and went back to her flat.
Alone again with her thoughts, she kept playing over her drink with Savannah. Was that her real name? How had she known Kit was lying about her name? Did she know who Kit was? Did she have a dossier on her somewhere? No. Kit didn’t want to believe that. She just wanted to believe that Savannah was another rich, beautiful woman she could rob. Nothing more. Nothing less.
* * *
Savannah left the casino as soon as she finished her drink. She didn’t want to be there any longer. She’d finally made contact with Kit, if that was her name. She was as charming and sweet as she was good-looking. It was a dangerous combination, and Savannah’s whole body hummed every time she thought about her.
She opened her laptop and pulled up the page she had that described Kit. She now had a name to associate with the description. Whether it was her real name or not was left to be seen. But she wrote Kit across the top of the page.
She filled in what little facts she knew of her. Even though she didn’t believe her, she jotted down that she’d made her money in the market. She made notes that she was charming, witty, and well spoken. All dangerous traits to unsuspecting older women.
She finally had something on the mysterious woman. Although she was sure it was all fraudulent. At least it was something. She just needed Kit’s last name and she’d be able to run a search on her. She could check her real finances as well as a criminal history. So she had a goal. And another reason to spend time with her.
Savannah cautioned herself to be careful. She was playing with fire. Sure, she wanted to catch the thief and yes, she believed Kit was that thief. But she couldn’t deny the pure, unadulterated passion that flared whenever she thought of her.
Shaking with desire, she closed her laptop and climbed into bed. She tossed and turned, trying to focus on something, anything but Kit, but she occupied her thoughts. She monopolized them, not allowing her to focus on anything else. And it was more than simply wanting to catch a thief. It was way more than that.
The last time she checked the clock, it was after five in the morning. She awoke at one and took a quick shower before everyone was due in her room for a briefing. The briefing went well, and she finally mentioned Kit to the group.
“She’s been at the last three casinos we’ve been to,” Savannah said. “And the l
ast two have had robberies. I’m almost certain she’s our culprit.”
“But, boss,” Li said. “We’ve been told by several of the women that it’s a man who’s robbed them.”
“And why not?” Savannah said. “If you were a happily married woman who’d been seduced by a cad of a woman who then stole your jewels, would you admit you’d been with a woman?”
There was silence in the room as the others mulled that over.
“You mean these women are cheating on their husbands with another woman?” Li finally said.
“That’s exactly what I mean.”
He let out a low whistle.
“No offense, boss, but that seems a little farfetched.”
“Does it? Think about it.”
“So, you want me to put a tail on this woman?” Li asked.
“No, thanks. She’s mine. I’ll follow her closely. The rest of you keep your eyes peeled. I have a feeling someone is going to get robbed tonight. I just hope we get there in time to catch whoever’s been doing these.”
Everyone cleared out and Savannah ordered room service. She’d need her strength to make it through another long night. And she knew the night would be long. Dare she hope it would involve sex? Would she be able to seduce Kit and catch her in the act of robbing her? She could only hope. It would almost be disappointing if Kit wasn’t the thief. But it would be more disappointing if she didn’t end up in bed with her.
She finished her dinner and chided herself to think with the brain in her head and not the throbbing nerve center between her legs. She still had an hour or so before it would be late enough to hit the casino.
Savannah drew herself a hot bath and soaked in it for some time. She dropped some perfume in the water and inhaled deeply of the sensual scent. She felt the warm water lapping at her like a lover and fought to keep her hands on the sides of the tub. She longed to touch herself, to pretend it was Kit’s touch on her, and bring herself to an orgasm. But she fought the urge. She would keep her hormones buzzing for Kit. That way she’d be more intent on seducing her.
Thief of the Heart Page 4
