Chapter 75

 

The Heist Ladies were tired but too wound up over the evening’s events to immediately fall asleep. Gracie brought out a bottle of wine, which she poured into four glasses as Pen paced the suite’s large living room.

“I keep thinking about Detective Caplin,” Pen said when she paused to pick up her glass. “He’s on the trail of Frank Morrell but I got the feeling there’s more to this than he’s telling me. Despite what he said, I have a deep-down feeling if he gets to Morrell first I’ll not see my necklace again.”

“So, we need to get there first,” Amber said.

“Quite simple on the face of it, but how?”

“The detective promised to keep you in the loop, right?” Sandy asked. “So, call him and ask if he’s learned anything new.”

“This late at night?”

“It’s only a little after ten. Surely he’ll be awake.”

Amber was right, Pen realized. She needed to let go of her idea that everyone worked nine-to-five. She had no idea if his mobile phone worked in this country but it was worth a try. She tapped his number and put the phone on speaker so the others could hear.

There were traffic sounds in the background when he picked up. “Mrs. Fitzpatrick. I hope you enjoyed the gem show and are safely tucked in at your hotel again.” A car door slammed and the surrounding noises abated.

“I’m just fine, thanks for your concern.” Pen rolled her eyes and Amber held back a snicker. “I’m calling to see what you’ve learned. French police were talking as I left the show, something about an American cop roughing up a suspicious American man outside the venue.”

He made a little denial sound but Pen interrupted.

“It’s too much of a coincidence, detective. You were there. There’s every reason to believe Frank Morrell was there. I’d simply like to know what happened.”

“Like they said, I roughed him up a little.”

Amber pulled a Yes! with her fist.

“And during this I supposed he talked a bit?” Pen asked.

“Not much. He told me he’d been to a safe house today and sold the necklace.”

“Oh, no. Where—?”

“Doesn’t matter. I’ve already been there and no one’s around. I’m leaving now to follow up one small lead. Somebody in the group frequents the Palm Garden restaurant. Places around here stay open late so I’m heading there now.”

“That’s all he told you?” Pen pressed, her voice wavering.

“Well, as I was doing my best to choke the little prick, he squawked out something about a mausoleum. I guess that’ll be next on my list to track down.”

Pen saw Amber madly typing on her laptop keyboard.

“Please keep me posted, detective. I’m very upset that my necklace is now in other hands.”

“I know. The authorities are on the trail of this theft ring and I’m doing my best to follow the guy Morrell was dealing with.”

Amber’s face lit up and she pointed rapidly at her computer. Pen ended the call with Caplin and stepped behind Amber’s chair to see what the excitement was about.

“To hell with the restaurant,” Amber said. “I’ve found the mausoleum.”