Chapter 20

 

Across the room, Penelope spotted a familiar figure. Detective Caplin. Drat—he was walking in her direction. Benton had become involved in conversation near the bar with some men from his club. She was on her own.

“Ms. Fitzpatrick, how are you this evening?”

She wanted to ask how a man of his station came to be at a two-thousand-dollar a plate dinner, but that would be rude and condescending.

“I’m well, detective. And yourself?”

She scanned the room, wondering how Sandy and Gracie were coming along with their mission, but the police officer’s glance began trailing hers. She brought her attention back to his face.

“Sorry I wasn’t there when you came by the station this morning,” he said. “I hope you found what you wanted?”

Hardly. What I want is my necklace returned to me.

“Nice shindig, eh?” He ran his index finger along the inside of his shirt collar, looking ill at ease in a tux. She noticed he didn’t have a drink.

“Is the museum one of your personal causes,” she asked, “or are you here to represent the fine city of Phoenix?”

“Strictly business, I’m afraid. With all the gold and silver floating around here tonight, the directors thought it would be a good idea to have a police presence, even though we are somewhat incognito.” He patted the side of his jacket, just enough to indicate he was armed.

“Ah, I see.” She covered her distress by taking a sip of her champagne.

Where were Sandy and Gracie? She’d seen them slip through that Staff Only door, but no sign of them since. If they happened to set off an alarm, there would be no way to avoid involvement with the police. Their mission would be—as Amber might say—toast.

Above the rim of her glass she caught sight of Stan Higgins walking purposefully toward the offices. Oh, no. Her body tensed.

“Everything all right, Ms. Fitzpatrick?” Caplin asked.

“I, um, just had a bit of a light-headed spell. I should probably switch this champagne for water. Would you be a dear?”

Without waiting for an answer she handed her glass to him. Thank goodness, he walked toward the bar.

Higgins had passed through the Staff Only door. Pen held her breath. All she could do at this point was hope Gracie’s naturally quick thinking would come up with the right excuse at the right moment.

Less than a minute elapsed before Higgins came back. He looked frustrated, striding quickly over to the woman she’d seen him with earlier, most likely his wife. There was a quick exchange between them and the woman reached into her evening bag and pulled out something that looked like a keyring. He took it and headed back toward his office.