| |
Emma breathed a sigh of relief as she watched the last of the construction trucks leave the compound driveway. Zoe was off on an errand for her mother and the few workers remaining were concentrating their efforts on the construction of Emma's future residence. Paul was off on another job, giving Emma assurance that when Oswald arrived, he wouldn't be waylaid or questioned.
Travis was the first to arrive, almost half an hour early. He made up for his early arrival with the bag of donuts to go with the first pot of coffee Emma had made. They were meeting in her design studio, where Dixie had already curled up in her bed under Emma's desk. As they waited for the others to arrive, Emma gave Travis a quick tour of the office, answering questions about her job as she did. She could tell Travis wasn't faking his interest, and she opened up about her dreams for the future of her company. The half-hour went by quickly. Before she knew it, Jake and Kim were at the entrance of the office.
"Wow. Paul went all out for this, didn't he?" Jake said as he walked into the office, whistling in appreciation.
"I don't think I've seen him this excited since he built my first doll house," Emma answered.
"This is a beautiful setup, Emma. I'm going to have Paul redo my office. It looks like he has thought of everything," Kim added.
Emma thanked the two of them and then asked if they had any more information about what had happened the night before.
"The police haven't discovered anything new. At least they're not saying if they have. But maybe Sean will talk to you more than he will me," Jake answered.
"Sean's got his hands full. Not only does he now have two murders to solve, but he has to trip over his boss's efforts to get involved," Kim said.
"How much are we going to trust this Oswald McAllister character?" Jake asked, changing the subject and getting directly to the point, wanting to hear her feelings before their guest arrived.
"I've known Oswald for many years, and my father trusted him, so that's good enough for me," Travis answered.
"On a more practical aspect other than feelings, I did some research on Oswald McAllister. He's an expert in diamonds with a particular interest in antique diamonds. He's also an expert at finding specialty pieces for distinguished clients. I think we can trust him," Kim added.
It wasn't as if Emma needed the reassurance, but she was glad to have the facts confirmed about Oswald. Kim's answer seemed to satisfy Jake, but it was laughter from behind them through the open door that won her over.
"Good, good. I'm pleased you have investigated my past and asked questions. Young man, you're right not to take things at face value. And you, my dear, have excellent investigation skills."
Oswald beamed at Jake and Kim, winning them over with his gnome-like smile. There was no Santa suit today. He was back in his dark gray suit, a walking cane in hand. Jake beamed at his praise and Kim gave a nod, acknowledging his words.
Emma discreetly observed the man's appearance as the others greeted him. At first, she didn't notice it, but then she saw the small package sticking out of his coat pocket. As if he could feel her eyes on him, Oswald turned his attention to Emma and, with a smile, pulled the package out of his pocket.
"Now that we've gotten our greetings out of the way, I think we need to figure out exactly how my plan is going to catch a killer. And we're going to do it all with this little box."
As he spoke, Oswald walked over to the design table and set the box in the center of the table, letting it capture the attention of the others. When he was sure everyone was watching, he reached over and gently removed the top of the box, revealing its treasure.
"Is that real?" Jake asked, giving a low whistle as Oswald nodded.
Emma gently reached out and pulled the item from the box and held it high, letting the light from the windows glisten off the intricate works of the ornament she held.
"Is that a piece from my father's collection?" Travis asked.
"No, it just came into my hands recently. I had been searching for it for your father but unfortunately, he passed before I could receive it." Oswald shook his head with a sad smile.
Emma and Kim said nothing, but they carefully examined every intricate setting that held a spectacular diamond. The design was intricate yet simple at the same time. The diamond glittered as the sunlight caught each jewel of the ornament.
"So, my new friends, do you think this will be bait enough to catch a killer?"
Oswald gently reached out and took it back from Emma, putting it safely back in the box, looking around him as if to make sure no one else could see what they were doing.
"So that's your plan—a bait and hook scenario. Yes, Oswald, I think it will work," Kim answered, letting the admiration for the older man peek through in her voice.
"Yes, that is my plan. But we need to make sure people know I have another ornament for the collection and somehow entice them to steal it at a public forum."
As he spoke, Emma's mind was already racing, and she had known just what to do. Giving a wink to Travis, she turned her attention to Oswald.
"We can take care of making sure people know there's another ornament. You are going to have to let Midge know, and I would suggest presenting it to her at the party. Everyone who is a suspect will be there, and there will be plenty of witnesses to ensure that nothing happens to your ornament."
The others quickly agreed with her, and Oswald raised a concern.
"But how are you possibly going to let enough people know about it before the party? It's only a few days away."
"Don't worry about that. We've got the best gossip chain on this side of the Mississippi, and it all starts with one person." Rather than explaining any further, Emma dialed a number on her phone and grinned when she heard the woman's voice on the other end of the line.
"Good morning, Charlotte. I've got a juicy piece of gossip for you, and I need your help."
By the time Emma had finished her conversation, everyone in the room was nodding their heads and smiling along with her. Charlotte would never spread malicious gossip, but she would certainly help spread gossip that would work to their advantage.
"Now it's my turn to make a call. Oswald, prepare yourself. Once Mother knows you're here, you're going to be in high demand."
Oswald grinned back at Travis and waved his hands to include everyone in his statement.
"Yes, I'm prepared for that, and I think it will work to our advantage. The more people that Midge introduces me to will learn of my credibility in the diamond world the more they are going to take your gossip seriously. We need to get to as many people who are attending your mother's party to know about this ornament. After all, we need to give the thief time to make a plan to steal it, don't we?"