SEAL the Deal(84)
Well, at least the woman wasn’t avoiding her. After leaving three unreturned messages, Lacey was starting to wonder. Who would have guessed her duplex had been broken into? Lacey was all too familiar with that feeling—first when Maeve’s house was broken into, and then her own car.
Funny how nothing was missing in those cases either.
Lacey leaned back in her chair thoughtfully. Three break-ins and all with nothing stolen?
Hell of a coincidence.
***
Heading to Bess’s doctor’s appointment, Maeve had the heat on high in the convertible and the top down. It was 55 degrees, which was balmy compared to last week, and she was going to enjoy this first hint of spring.
“Aren’t we taking Spa Road, Maeve?”
“No, let’s cut through downtown. You haven’t been outside in ages. You need a little diversion. And it’s actually nice out.”
Glancing at Bess as they reached the stoplight on Main, Maeve smiled seeing her friend relaxed in the car’s heated seats and enjoying watching people bustle in and out of the historic buildings that line Main Street. The poor girl really needed to get out more.
A man in a Navy uniform walking purposefully down the street caught Maeve’s eye. “Is that Mick?”
“Yeah, that’s him. Honk your—wait! Don’t!” She rested her hand on Maeve’s arm.
“What? Why not?”
“Isn’t that a jewelry shop he just walked into?”
Maeve shrugged. “Yeah, so?” Realization washed over her face. “Whoa. You think?”
They exchanged a look as Maeve pulled up slowly to the window of the store. “Can you see him in there?”
“No. Too many reflections. Wait. I think that’s him by the last counter. It’s hard to tell.”
“He didn’t see us, did he?”
“I’m sure he didn’t.”
Maeve’s eyes narrowed. “Should we turn around and take another pass?” she asked as they drove on.
“No. We shouldn’t risk it.”
Reaching another red light on Church Circle, they sat silently contemplating.
“I wonder why he’s in a jewelry store,” Bess finally dared to say aloud.
Maeve raised her eyebrows in silent answer.
“Do you really think, Maeve?”
“I don’t know. Maybe he just needed to get a new watch battery or something. Or that graduation ring he always wears? Maybe he needed it cleaned.”
“Or maybe he’s looking for something for Lacey.”
Maeve couldn’t suppress a grin. “Maybe.”
“Maybe even something sparkly for her finger.”
Warming at the thought, Maeve looked in the rear view mirror in the direction of the jewelry store. “Maybe.”
“But we don’t know for sure…”
“…so we better not mention anything,” Maeve finished for her.
“Right. Chances are, it was a watch battery he was buying. Right?”
Maeve’s phone rang, and she pressed the speaker button. “Hey, we were just talking about you, Lacey.”
Bess shot her a look.
Maeve clarified. “And wondering if you need anything at the store. We’re headed there after Bess’s doctor’s appointment.”
“Actually, I could use some dental floss.”
“Mint, right?”
“Yep.”
“Got it.”
“Are you going into your office at all today, Maeve?”
“Yep. I have a client coming in at three.”
Lacey paused. “Well, would you mind bringing home those boxes that I asked you to store?”
“The ones I put in storage? Sure. That Carolyn woman is finally ready to go through them?”
“No. I don’t think she’s given them a second thought. Neither did I, till today. I just heard that her duplex in the retirement village was broken into. But nothing was stolen. Just like my car.”
“And the house,” Bess chimed in.
“So I got to wondering if the three were linked. And I remembered those boxes. I know this is a stretch and I don’t want to get all Nancy Drew on you…”
“…or Charlie’s Angels. I think that works better considering there are three of us,” Maeve interrupted.
“Right. But what if someone is after something in those boxes?”
“Do you think we should call the police?” Bess asked.
“I’d hate to hand over her property to the police on such a long shot. Don’t you think we should take a look first?”
“Agreed,” Maeve said. “I’ll bring them home tonight.”
***
Sitting on the living room floor surrounded by boxes, papers, and file folders, Lacey regretted ever calling Maeve. “This is just so not right.”