All That Glitters
Chapter Three
Clutching Leblanc's blue diamond ring, Rikku telephoned the
police detective who had interviewed her at Tidus's house.
She'd found the ring in her purse after arriving home
from Tidus's, but to anyone else, it would look as if
she'd stolen it. She had to clear her name immediately.
If accused of theft, her interior decorating business
was ruined. People who hired Rikku to work in their homes
had to be able to trust her.
Pacing nervously, she waited for the detective to
arrive. She grasped the ring in her hand, not daring to
let it out of her sight. How had the diamond gotten into
her purse? Was someone trying to frame her? Why?
Her doorbell chimed, and Rikku ran to answer. Standing on
her stoop was Donna Corsky.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Rikku asked. "It's after ten
o'clock at night."
"But you're wide-awake," the psychic said as if stating
the obvious was a brilliant revelation. "I'll make a pot
of tea."
Donna slipped inside. Her dark eyes darted as she studied
the layout of Rikku's two-story carriage house. The
downstairs was an open room with a galley kitchen
against the south wall. A spiral staircase led to the
bedroom. As Donna strode toward the kitchen, her long
scarves swirled like the silky plumage of an exotic bird
— a multicolored vulture.
Behind the counter that separated the kitchen from the
rest of the room, she lit the burner under the teapot.
"I was right when I said a Taurus man would sweep you
off your feet."
"You're referring to Tidus." She had also said he'd be the
death of her.
"Such a dear." Donna grinned knowingly. "Taurus is ruled
by Venus. As are you. A Libra. I see a sky filled with
romantic sparks."
Rikku's fingers closed tightly on the diamond ring. This
sparkler was closer to earth. "What happened at Tidus's
house after I left?"
"Questions from the police. Blah, blah, blah. When I
left, Tidus was comforting Leblanc."
About the loss of her ring. "She must have been
distraught."
"Of course. Leblanc was attacked by the cat burglar. Such a
marvelous excuse for being coddled! She's been after Tidus's ass
for quite a while, but he prefers you. You two have so
much in common."
"Like what?" Tidus Clarendon was a wealthy, privileged
attorney. Rikku was raised in foster care and struggled
all her life. What could they have in common?
"Taurus and Libra. You both adore beautiful things. Yet,
you're practical." Donna emerged from behind the counter.
"And, of course, you're both thieves."
"What?"
"Give me your hand, Rikku. I'll read your palm."
And take the diamond? Rikku hid both hands behind her
back. "You're wrong, Donna. I'm not a thief."
"Don't fucking lie! You did a bit of shoplifting as a girl.
Unlike you, Tidus has never been arrested. He's far too
clever. His eyes are focused on the golden sword. Blue
eyes, much like yours."
The teapot screamed to a boil. At the same time, the
doorbell rang.
"It's the police," Rikku said as she went toward the
door. "I called them."
By the time the detective came inside, Donna had already
poured boiling water into two mugs and added tea bags.
It was rather amazing that she'd found everything so
quickly. Maybe she truly was psychic. As she exited, she
said, "I'll read your palm another time, Rikku."
After she left, the police detective took the ring, much
to Rikku's relief. She said, "I'm sure Leblanc was frantic
looking for this."
"She didn't report it missing," the detective replied.
"But she was wearing the ring earlier tonight," Rikku
said. "I saw it."
"This might be a copy."
When the detective held the diamond in the light,
reflections from fifty-seven facets in a Tiffany cut
shimmered in breathtaking splendor. Rikku knew — as well
as she knew her own name — that this gem was genuine.
After a few routine questions, he turned to leave. "Be
sure to lock your door. If — as you claim — someone hid
the ring in your purse, they'll come after it."
She closed the door behind him. Donna might have come
here looking for the diamond. The psychic was a likely
cat burglar. Her association with the wealthy of Denver
gave her access to their homes, their secrets, their
precious belongings…and their gossip. Why had she
accused Tidus?
When her cell phone rang, Rikku feared it might be him,
coming for the ring. "Hello?"
"Did I wake you?" The sound of Tidus's voice was both
exciting and troubling. "I wanted to apologize about
tonight."
"I'm okay," she said. "How's Leblanc?"
"No damn crazier than usual." He paused. "You sound nervous,
Rikku. Would you like some company?"
"I couldn't ask you to come all the way to my place."
"No problem. I'm on my cell phone, parked next door to
your carriage house."
He was outside, waiting in the dark, watching the light
from her windows. A gaggle of goose bumps marched up her
arm. Was he here for nefarious reasons? There was only
one way to find out. "Since you're already nearby —"
The doorbell sounded.
She unlocked the door, and they faced each other. Each
with cell phone in hand.
Rikku disconnected. "Guess we don't need these."
"Guess not." When he entered, his energy filled the
room. Her home seemed somehow brighter, lit by an
ominous amber flare. "There's something I want to talk
about."
Her heart thumped. She prayed he wouldn't confess to
being the cat burglar. "What is it, Tidus?"
"I think Leblanc staged her assault. She wouldn't allow the
paramedics to check her injuries. I don't think she was
attacked."
"Why would she fake it?"
Like Donna, he surveyed her home. His gaze focused on the
spiral staircase leading to her bedroom. "Leblanc's after
something."
"She's after you," Rikku said. "She went to a lot of
trouble to prepare that romantic candlelit dinner.
Pretending to be attacked is a quick way into your arms.
Obviously, she has the hots for you."
"There's only one thing Leblanc cares about. Money."
Don't we all? "They say it makes the world go round."
"With Leblanc, it's an obsession."
"What do you care about, Tidus? Donna says a Taurus is
supposed to adore objects of art and beauty."
He turned toward her. "I appreciate the finer things."
"Such as?" The Sword of LeFevre. A blue diamond ring.
"The red-gold shine of your hair." His direct gaze
caressed her. "The pattern of freckles across your
nose."
She quickly glanced away — afraid to connect with this
incredibly attractive man who might be a cat burglar.
"Why did you come here?"
"To see you." He strolled to the counter, noticing the
two cups with tea bags. "Were you expecting company?"
"Not anymore."
"You live alone," he said.
His words struck a portentous chord. She was alone. If
she screamed, no one would hear.
He took a step toward her. "I want to know you better,
Rikku. I want to know if I can trust you."
As he approached, she was aware of his height, his broad
chest and muscular forearms. He could overpower her so
easily. His nearness should have made her wary, but a
strange instinct drew her toward him. When he touched
her arm, electricity trembled through her body.
"Trust," she said, "can be dangerous."
"Leblanc knew I was bringing the sword to my house. I think
she was trying to figure out a way to get her hands on
it. And to frame me."
"Or me," Rikku said.
"Why do you think she wanted to frame you?" Tidus asked.
Rikku decided to put her cards on the table. "To get me
away from you," she explained. "She knows I find
you…attractive." Rikku swallowed nervously, not sure how
Tidus would react.
He moved closer to her. There was no escape from him
now. Taking her hands in his, he brought his lips close
to hers. "Rikku," he whispered. "Where is the blue
diamond ring?"
To be continued...
Chapter Three
Clutching Leblanc's blue diamond ring, Rikku telephoned the
police detective who had interviewed her at Tidus's house.
She'd found the ring in her purse after arriving home
from Tidus's, but to anyone else, it would look as if
she'd stolen it. She had to clear her name immediately.
If accused of theft, her interior decorating business
was ruined. People who hired Rikku to work in their homes
had to be able to trust her.
Pacing nervously, she waited for the detective to
arrive. She grasped the ring in her hand, not daring to
let it out of her sight. How had the diamond gotten into
her purse? Was someone trying to frame her? Why?
Her doorbell chimed, and Rikku ran to answer. Standing on
her stoop was Donna Corsky.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Rikku asked. "It's after ten
o'clock at night."
"But you're wide-awake," the psychic said as if stating
the obvious was a brilliant revelation. "I'll make a pot
of tea."
Donna slipped inside. Her dark eyes darted as she studied
the layout of Rikku's two-story carriage house. The
downstairs was an open room with a galley kitchen
against the south wall. A spiral staircase led to the
bedroom. As Donna strode toward the kitchen, her long
scarves swirled like the silky plumage of an exotic bird
— a multicolored vulture.
Behind the counter that separated the kitchen from the
rest of the room, she lit the burner under the teapot.
"I was right when I said a Taurus man would sweep you
off your feet."
"You're referring to Tidus." She had also said he'd be the
death of her.
"Such a dear." Donna grinned knowingly. "Taurus is ruled
by Venus. As are you. A Libra. I see a sky filled with
romantic sparks."
Rikku's fingers closed tightly on the diamond ring. This
sparkler was closer to earth. "What happened at Tidus's
house after I left?"
"Questions from the police. Blah, blah, blah. When I
left, Tidus was comforting Leblanc."
About the loss of her ring. "She must have been
distraught."
"Of course. Leblanc was attacked by the cat burglar. Such a
marvelous excuse for being coddled! She's been after Tidus's ass
for quite a while, but he prefers you. You two have so
much in common."
"Like what?" Tidus Clarendon was a wealthy, privileged
attorney. Rikku was raised in foster care and struggled
all her life. What could they have in common?
"Taurus and Libra. You both adore beautiful things. Yet,
you're practical." Donna emerged from behind the counter.
"And, of course, you're both thieves."
"What?"
"Give me your hand, Rikku. I'll read your palm."
And take the diamond? Rikku hid both hands behind her
back. "You're wrong, Donna. I'm not a thief."
"Don't fucking lie! You did a bit of shoplifting as a girl.
Unlike you, Tidus has never been arrested. He's far too
clever. His eyes are focused on the golden sword. Blue
eyes, much like yours."
The teapot screamed to a boil. At the same time, the
doorbell rang.
"It's the police," Rikku said as she went toward the
door. "I called them."
By the time the detective came inside, Donna had already
poured boiling water into two mugs and added tea bags.
It was rather amazing that she'd found everything so
quickly. Maybe she truly was psychic. As she exited, she
said, "I'll read your palm another time, Rikku."
After she left, the police detective took the ring, much
to Rikku's relief. She said, "I'm sure Leblanc was frantic
looking for this."
"She didn't report it missing," the detective replied.
"But she was wearing the ring earlier tonight," Rikku
said. "I saw it."
"This might be a copy."
When the detective held the diamond in the light,
reflections from fifty-seven facets in a Tiffany cut
shimmered in breathtaking splendor. Rikku knew — as well
as she knew her own name — that this gem was genuine.
After a few routine questions, he turned to leave. "Be
sure to lock your door. If — as you claim — someone hid
the ring in your purse, they'll come after it."
She closed the door behind him. Donna might have come
here looking for the diamond. The psychic was a likely
cat burglar. Her association with the wealthy of Denver
gave her access to their homes, their secrets, their
precious belongings…and their gossip. Why had she
accused Tidus?
When her cell phone rang, Rikku feared it might be him,
coming for the ring. "Hello?"
"Did I wake you?" The sound of Tidus's voice was both
exciting and troubling. "I wanted to apologize about
tonight."
"I'm okay," she said. "How's Leblanc?"
"No damn crazier than usual." He paused. "You sound nervous,
Rikku. Would you like some company?"
"I couldn't ask you to come all the way to my place."
"No problem. I'm on my cell phone, parked next door to
your carriage house."
He was outside, waiting in the dark, watching the light
from her windows. A gaggle of goose bumps marched up her
arm. Was he here for nefarious reasons? There was only
one way to find out. "Since you're already nearby —"
The doorbell sounded.
She unlocked the door, and they faced each other. Each
with cell phone in hand.
Rikku disconnected. "Guess we don't need these."
"Guess not." When he entered, his energy filled the
room. Her home seemed somehow brighter, lit by an
ominous amber flare. "There's something I want to talk
about."
Her heart thumped. She prayed he wouldn't confess to
being the cat burglar. "What is it, Tidus?"
"I think Leblanc staged her assault. She wouldn't allow the
paramedics to check her injuries. I don't think she was
attacked."
"Why would she fake it?"
Like Donna, he surveyed her home. His gaze focused on the
spiral staircase leading to her bedroom. "Leblanc's after
something."
"She's after you," Rikku said. "She went to a lot of
trouble to prepare that romantic candlelit dinner.
Pretending to be attacked is a quick way into your arms.
Obviously, she has the hots for you."
"There's only one thing Leblanc cares about. Money."
Don't we all? "They say it makes the world go round."
"With Leblanc, it's an obsession."
"What do you care about, Tidus? Donna says a Taurus is
supposed to adore objects of art and beauty."
He turned toward her. "I appreciate the finer things."
"Such as?" The Sword of LeFevre. A blue diamond ring.
"The red-gold shine of your hair." His direct gaze
caressed her. "The pattern of freckles across your
nose."
She quickly glanced away — afraid to connect with this
incredibly attractive man who might be a cat burglar.
"Why did you come here?"
"To see you." He strolled to the counter, noticing the
two cups with tea bags. "Were you expecting company?"
"Not anymore."
"You live alone," he said.
His words struck a portentous chord. She was alone. If
she screamed, no one would hear.
He took a step toward her. "I want to know you better,
Rikku. I want to know if I can trust you."
As he approached, she was aware of his height, his broad
chest and muscular forearms. He could overpower her so
easily. His nearness should have made her wary, but a
strange instinct drew her toward him. When he touched
her arm, electricity trembled through her body.
"Trust," she said, "can be dangerous."
"Leblanc knew I was bringing the sword to my house. I think
she was trying to figure out a way to get her hands on
it. And to frame me."
"Or me," Rikku said.
"Why do you think she wanted to frame you?" Tidus asked.
Rikku decided to put her cards on the table. "To get me
away from you," she explained. "She knows I find
you…attractive." Rikku swallowed nervously, not sure how
Tidus would react.
He moved closer to her. There was no escape from him
now. Taking her hands in his, he brought his lips close
to hers. "Rikku," he whispered. "Where is the blue
diamond ring?"
To be continued...
