All That Glitters

Chapter Six

When Tidus turned on the light in the secret room in Leblanc

Dumont's basement, Rikku's misgivings about their

break-in turned to certainty.

The room was filled with treasures to die for — Ming

vases, Fabergé eggs, bronzes, and original artworks.

Glass display cases were filled with priceless

scrimshaw, jade, and magnificent jewelry, much of which

had been duplicated.

She took a closer look at one of the bronzes. "This is a

fake."

Tidus peered into the jewelry cases. "Lots of duplicates.

I count three rings that look like Leblanc's blue diamond."

"She must be stealing the originals, then selling the

copies."

"Black market sales with phony authentication." He

grinned sheepishly. "I never should have suspected you,

Rikku."

"What?" She couldn't believe her ears. "You didn't trust

me. That's why you fucking stayed away from me for the past two

weeks."

"Damn it, I needed to be sure." He picked up the Sword of

LeFevre. "Apparently, this hasn't been copied yet."

She wasn't about to let him off the hook. The

differences between them had never been more apparent.

"Just because you're a rich attorney —"

"Wealth has nothing to do with suspicion."

"A lot you know." Everything she wanted in life had to

do with security and safety and all those tangible

things that money could buy. "It's everything."

The door to the secret room creaked open, framing a

husky young man with auburn hair. In his right hand, he

held a gun.

Rikku's irritation at Tidus vanished in the face of this

larger threat.

"I knew a man was involved," Tidus said calmly. "A male

voice spoke to Gippal on the phone, claiming to be me,

then lured him out and grabbed the sword. So, who are

you? Leblanc's latest boyfriend?"

Leblanc herself appeared. "Allow me to introduce my son.

His name is Red." She held up the photograph of a Denver

Bronco football player that had hidden the latch to the

secret room. "Named after his father, Red Haywood."

"You're not old enough to have a grown son," Rikku said.

"Aren't you sweet?" She preened. "I got pregnant when I

was fourteen. If I'd known that my boyfriend was going

to be a wealthy running back, I certainly would've

married him. But we all make silly mistakes."

"Like putting me up for adoption," her son said.

She patted his cheek. "My son returned to me two years

ago after he was accused of robbery. We've improved his

technique since then, haven't we, Red?"

"Red," Rikku repeated. "And he's your son. The calling

card of the cat burglar is a red sun."

"Ta-da!" Leblanc said. "One must have one's little

amusements."

Rikku had another question. "Why did you go to Tidus's

house and prepare that surprise dinner?"

"I planned to drug his wine and steal the sword. But I

learned — before he arrived — that Tidus was accompanied

by a security guard. I faked an attack by the cat

burglar to throw off police suspicions. Also, as a ploy

for sympathy." She pressed her wrist melodramatically to

her forehead. "Poor little me! I thought Tidus would

become my gallant protector."

"I'd rather protect a pit viper." Tidus growled.

"Such a pity," Lebl;anc said. "Now I'll have to…eliminate

you. Both of you."

"You won't get away with murder," Tidus said.

"You're trespassing." Her dark eyes shone harshly.

"There won't be much investigation. You're both dressed

in black…like cat burglars, caught in the act."

Rikku didn't intend to go quietly. As Tidus edged toward

the doorway with the sword still in his hand, she picked

up a Ming vase. "I'll smash this."

When Leblanc and Red stared at her, Tidus had the distraction

he needed. Using the gold hilt of the sword, he knocked

the gun from Red's hand and charged him.

Rikku raced after him. She kicked the gun away from

Leblanc's grasp. It slid under the entertainment center in

the rec room. Leblanc rose athletically. She struck a

karate pose.

In an instant, Rikku transformed from her role as

sophisticated interior decorator to her former identity

as a tough street kid. She grabbed a lamp and swung it

like a baseball bat, keeping Leblanc at bay.

At the far end of the room, Sam and Red battled,

hand-to-hand. Tidus got in a good, hard uppercut. When Red

went down, Tidus grabbed the sword and held the tip to

Red's throat.

A familiar voice shouted, "Freeze."

Rikku pivoted and saw Donna, accompanied by three

uniformed policemen. Around Donna's throat, dangling amid

colorful scarves and necklaces, was a badge. "You're a

cop!"

"An undercover detective, and a damn good one," Donna

said. "How did you think I knew all that stuff about you

and Tidus?"

"Psychically?"

"In your dreams," Donna said with a grin. "I've been

investigating this case for months. Now, it looks like

we've caught our cat burglars."

While the officers took Leblanc and her son into custody,

Tidus came to Rikku's side. "I think we might all get

exactly what we want."

"And what might that be?" she asked.

"You," he said. "It's been hell staying away from you.

All I could think about was this…." He pulled her into

his arms for a long, deep kiss. She heard a clatter as

the Sword of LeFevre dropped from his hand.

* * *

Two days later, Rikku stood in the lobby of the Brown

Palace Hotel. She wore a strapless gown of emerald silk

— material that she'd purchased for boudoir curtains

before Leblanc decided on red velvet. The Benefit Ball was

under way. Dozens of Denver's elite were here in all

their finery, wearing enough gems to make a cat

burglar's fur stand on end.

But Tidus had not yet arrived.

Where was he? During the past forty-eight hours, Rikku

had more than forgiven him. They'd been inseparable. He

came with her while she supervised the ball decorations,

which, ironically, included bouquets of gilded lilies.

And she'd gone with him to the courthouse, where he was

approved as a foster parent after Detective Donna Corsky

testified to his outstanding character.

The crowd parted, and she saw him. In his tuxedo with

his blond hair shining under the chandelier's glow, he

was…amazing.

Though Rikku had fully intended to chastise him for being

late, she could only say, "Hi."

"Hi yourself." He caressed her freckled shoulder. Last

night in bed, he'd played a seductive game of connect

the dots. "You're beautiful, Rikku."

Taking her arm, he escorted her through the ballroom to

the dais, where he stepped in front of the microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have a presentation to make. As

most of you know, I offered a half-million-dollar reward

for the return of the Sword of LeFevre. The reward goes

to Rikku Huffman."

A security guard with a lockbox stepped in front of her.

Inside was more money than she'd ever imagined. All her

life, she'd yearned for security, and here it was. She

should have been satisfied, but she wanted something

different. Her priorities had changed. She wanted Tidus —

the chance to build a life with him.

She spoke into the microphone. "I'm pleased to donate

the full amount of this reward to the Benefit for

Homeless Children."

Tidus pulled her aside. "I thought money was everything."

"All that glitters isn't gold." Now, she knew the truth.

"You're my everything."

"I hope you won't give this back." He opened a small

black velvet box. Inside was a Tiffany engagement ring.

"Marry me, Rikku."

She flung her arms around his neck. He might not be a

cat burglar, but he had truly stolen her heart.

The End