“That’s nice.”
“Yeah, I guess it is. Right now she’s not too happy with Megan. Sadie has a way of finding out what’s going on. She figures Meg hurt Dirk and she doesn’t like it.”
“Meg had to think of Charlie.”
“I think she’s underestimating Dirk, but that’s just my opinion.”
Val didn’t agree. Dirk was wild and, as far as she could tell, not the least bit ready to settle down. “So where do we go from here?”
“I’m at a dead end till I hear from Sadie. What’s on your schedule?”
“I checked this morning. Tomorrow’s the tenth anniversary of David Klein. I’ve got an early morning TV interview on CBS Seattle. I’m supposed to show off some of the more affordable pieces of jewelry Klein sells.”
Ethan shook his head. “I don’t like you back in the media spotlight. It might draw the killer’s attention to you.”
“It’s part of my job, Ethan.”
“I know.” He released a slow breath. “So nothing till morning. Let’s go home. We’ll get on the computer and do a little more digging ourselves.”
Val just nodded. Ethan helped her into the Jeep, then went around and slid in behind the wheel.
“If we stop at the grocery store,” Val said, “I could fix us supper at home tonight.”
“You cook?” The look on his face was priceless.
Val grinned. “What, you think because I’m a lingerie model I can’t fry an egg? Cooking’s one of my hobbies. I started learning a couple of years ago. Samantha and I take classes together whenever we can. I’m not as good as she is, but I’m not half bad.”
Ethan smiled. It was a relaxed, really handsome smile, the kind she had rarely seen.
“You look like an angel,” he said, “and now I know you really are one. We’ll stock up, fill the fridge with everything you need.”
“Do you like veal parmigiana?”
Ethan rolled his eyes. “Oh, man.” Reaching down, he started the engine, eager to get back home.
Chapter Thirty-One
In celebration of David Klein’s tenth anniversary, Val was asked to wear a floor-length sapphire gown with a low-cut sequined bodice and a slash up one side. The necklace Klein provided was a gorgeous diamond pendant on a thin platinum chain and an elegant-but-simple diamond bracelet. A slender three-inch string of diamonds dripped from each ear.
“You look lovely this morning, Valentine. We’re glad you could find the time to be on our show.” The morning host, Don Murray, was a heavyset, balding man with a jovial personality and a knack for making people comfortable in front of the camera. Val had been on his show before when she won Miss La Belle, but never for David Klein.
“Thank you, Don. It’s nice to see you again.”
“You too, Val. I see you’re dressed for an anniversary party. Tell us about the David Klein pieces you’re wearing.”
She lifted the pendant, and the camera zoomed in. “It’s a single pear-shaped diamond set in platinum, designed by David Klein himself. It’s eight-point-four total carat weight, valued at just under two million dollars.” She went on to describe the rest of the jewelry she was wearing, the diamond bracelet and earrings.
“It’s all really lovely,” Don said. “But for most people this stuff is way out of their price range. I understand you’ve brought a few things that are a little more affordable.”
“That’s right. We have some very special items over here.” She walked to where the display was set up and Don followed. With her high spike heels, she was five inches taller than he was.
Val tipped back the lid of a polished walnut box, one of three positioned on the table in front of the cameras. On a bed of dark blue velvet, an array of much smaller diamond pendants flashed beneath the bright overhead lights.
“As you know, all the diamonds used by David Klein are very high quality. These are smaller, more affordable stones, but they’re no less precious.” She went on to a second box that held diamond tennis bracelets, quarter-to-half-carat stones, then a box filled with pavé diamond earrings, jewelry that ranged from two thousand dollars to twenty.
“As you can see, Don, almost anyone can afford to own good-quality diamonds.”
Don chuckled. “I just hope my wife isn’t watching the show.”
