30

They all huddled on the deck of the Coast Guard ship. Theodosia with an arm around Haley, Drayton on her other side, Billy Grainger standing right behind Haley, gently kneading her shoulders.

Grace Dawson had been tied up and was being guarded belowdecks. Two of her minions had also been captured and a Coast Guardsman had taken the wheel of Grace’s yacht and was guiding it back to the harbor.

“It was Grace all along,” Theodosia said. “She was the one who had the gang. Pity we only caught two of them when we stopped their ship.”

“I suppose the others got away,” Drayton said.

Tidwell stepped out of the wheelhouse. “Not to worry. I already sent a SWAT team to Grace Dawson’s house. And I’m pleased to say three others have been apprehended.”

“Wait a minute.” Drayton looked totally befuddled. “Grace had a gang?”

“I told you one of the robbers might have been a woman,” Theodosia said. “It looks as though Grace was the leader.”

“She was their leader,” Tidwell said.

“So who are the other guys?” Drayton asked.

“Paid thugs,” Tidwell said. “Recruited to help her carry out the Heart’s Desire robbery.”

“And then they were going to go after the Fabergé egg,” Theodosia said. “But they chickened out.”

“Probably scared off by too much security,” Tidwell said. “Which is why their fallback was to steal your ruby-and-diamond pin.” He opened his hand and there it was, glimmering and elegant, looking none the worse for wear.

“Thank you,” Theodosia said as she accepted the pin. “I can’t wait to return this to Brooke.”

“And tell her that the mystery’s been solved,” Haley said.

“That Kaitlin’s murder has been solved,” Theodosia said in a quiet tone.

Drayton still looked puzzled. “I was under the impression that Grace Dawson was an extremely wealthy woman. That her late husband owned a Mercedes dealership.”

“Doubtful,” Tidwell said. “I’d be willing to bet that her life is a complete fabrication. I’ve got investigators going through her house right now.” His cell phone shrilled and he stepped out of the circle to answer it. “Yes?” he said. “Go ahead.”

“Your investigators?” Theodosia asked him as he listened on his phone.

Tidwell frowned at her but nodded his head.

“Did they find anything?”

Tidwell held up a paw. “Wait a minute . . . I’m having trouble hearing you. Speak up.” Then the connection seemed to improve because he suddenly seemed on full alert. “Is that so? Really. Well, get a crime scene team in there immediately. That’s right, photograph everything. No, better yet, videotape it. We’ll want to take everything into court for show-and-tell.” He listened for another ten seconds and said, “That’s exactly right—it’s a murder charge now.”

“What?” Theodosia demanded once he’d hung up.

Tidwell’s eyes had taken on an odd light. Probably the light of victory. “Would you believe the woman’s bedroom looks like Ali Baba’s treasure cave?”

“No!” Drayton exclaimed.

“Grace must have been a modern-day pirate,” Theodosia said. “Dip over to Hilton Head for a quick heist, then scoot down to Miami for another raid.”

“And Lionel Rinicker wasn’t in on it?” Drayton asked.

Tidwell shook his head. “He doesn’t appear to have been.”

“Grace was using him as cover,” Theodosia said. “Getting introductions to all the right people, going to the opera, the chamber music society, all the charity events. Meeting all the right people.”

“Rinicker’s going to be awfully stunned when he finds out that his girlfriend is an international jewel thief,” Haley said.

“Ex-girlfriend,” Drayton said.

Theodosia touched a hand to Haley again, reassuring herself that the girl was okay. “What a night. And to think that the FBI missed out on this.”

“I have a feeling you’ll be seeing Special Agent Zimmer again,” Drayton said with a mousy grin. “And when you do, just think of the conversation starter you’ll have for your first date.”

Haley perked up. “You’re going to date that guy? Cool.”

“Maybe,” Theodosia said.

“Hey there,” Lieutenant Commander Barley called as he leaned out of the wheelhouse. “Why don’t you folks try to crowd in here and get warm? Grab a hot drink if you want.”

They all moved stiffly inside, grateful to be out of the wind and pouring rain.

“What have we got in the thermos?” Barley asked one of his Coast Guardsmen.

The young ensign, the same one who’d helped haul Haley in, shrugged and said, “I don’t know. I think just some hot tea.”

Drayton caught Theodosia’s eye and gave a slow wink.

“Is that okay?” the young man asked.

Theodosia smiled. “I’d say it’s just about perfect.”