She shrugged. “Sorry. Character flaw.”
He rubbed his temple. “So then what’s the real story? And no BS this time. Where’d you get the necklace, and why did you bring it back?”
“Just being a Good Samaritan.”
“Why don’t I believe that?”
“Maybe you have trust issues?”
He ignored that. “Well, someone seriously misinformed you about where to bring the necklace. It belongs to Frances, and that’s where I’m taking it right now.”
“And I’m just supposed to believe you? For all I know you’re heading out that door to pawn the thing.”
He raised an eyebrow but kept silent, waiting to see what she’d say next. He knew she’d say something.He hadn’t spent countless hours interrogating suspects without internalizing a few tricks of the trade.
But she didn’t say anything, and for a moment he thought he’d met his match. When she finally broke, he had to give her credit for being one tough customer. Not many people could keep their mouth shut for so long in the face of a gaping silence.
“Look, buddy. You’re not supposed to be in this room any more than I am. And there’s no way I’m letting you out of here with that necklace.”
“I’d say I have a little more authority than you.”
“Yeah?” She lifted her chin, and he had to admit he found the defiance utterly sexy. She didn’t have a leg to stand on and she was still arguing her point. In any other situation, with any other woman, he’d find the gesture obstinate as hell. But this woman got under his skin. Which was a simple fact that he didn’t intend to examine too closely. He had enough on his plate right now without figuring out how to squeeze a sexy little burglar into the mix.
“Okay,” she continued. “Prove it.”
“My name’s Kyle Radley. Emily’s my grandmother. Frances is my great-aunt.”
“Oh.” She blinked, and he thought he’d scored avictory. She’d leave, and he could get on with his life. “So what?”
He exhaled. So much for counting his chickens. “So, this is a family matter. I appreciate that you brought the necklace here. Now I’ll get it back to its rightful owner.”
“Sorry, bucko. Whatever you’re selling, I’m not buying.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m getting this necklace back where it belongs, and that’s not in your pocket. I don’t care whose grandson or nephew you are.”
“I told you. I’mreturningthe necklace. To my great-aunt.”
“So you said. But how do I know it’s true? You still might be trying to steal the necklace. Do you have any idea how many major thefts occur among relatives?”
As a matter of fact, he did. A lot. He kept his mouth shut.
“You say it belongs to Frances,” she continued. “Fine. I’ll believe you. But it either stays here with Emily or I see it end up with Frances.” She cocked her head. “You ever seeRaiders of the Lost Ark?”
“Of course.” He was too startled by the non sequitur to do anything but answer.
“Until I see that necklace find its way home, it looks like you’ve got yourself a partner.” She smiled. “And I’m sticking to you like glue, mister.”
* * *
MEL PUT HER HANDS ON HER HIPS, determined not to let this guy out of her sight until that necklace was safe and sound with either Emily or Frances.
He might really be a relative, but she didn’t trust him any further than she could throw him, and if he snatched the necklace, then Gramps was going to be up a creek. The cops might never realize he stole it in the first place, but she couldn’t bank on that. She needed everything squared away if she wanted to sleep at night without worrying about her grandfather.
Besides, she wanted to go straight, and how could she really have a clean conscience unless she knew for certain that he hadn’t pocketed the thing? She couldn’t.
Which meant that she intended to stay right by his side until he kept his word. Half a mil provided a lot of temptation. And although Kyle Radley might be gorgeous as sin, it was the “sin” part that concerned her. She’d known some pretty sexy con artists and thieves in her time. And she’d learned the hard way not to trust a pretty face.
