Chapter 7

Once they'd supposed they were off for the night, they had to run off from the hotel to make it there in time.

"Are you sure it is here?" Laura checked the address.

"That's what the woman at the hotel bar said. That it was known he used to spend his vacations playing his piano at this place."

When they entered the bar and went downstairs, he was still on the stage, performing. They found a free table at the back of the room and sat down.

"At least we are in front of half of the case, Laura. He's not bad at the piano, eh?"

"He's perfect. And for your information, we have the full case in front of us, Mr. Steele. Take a look at that table."

He raised his eyes and found Ann Jenkins, barely visible in the darkness of the place. Just a bright spark reflecting from her hands betrayed her unnoticed presence there.

"Take a look at the sparkle on her hand, Laura. I think we've just found our missing diamond."

"Are you sure? Why would she take the diamond off the brooch to have it put it on a ring?"

"Who says she did it?"

Laura looked at him in acknowledgment. "You're right."

"Remember the man was not rich. That brooch was part of his father's private collection. So, perhaps it would have been in Mrs. Bressan's hands until she passed away…"

"Or in his son's hands if she decided to leave it to him. It looks like an engagement ring, but on the wrong hand."

"It looks like that."

They were ready to approach Ann's table once the performance was over, but Mr. Steele grabbed Laura's arm, "Wait, Laura. He's walking to her table."

"It looks like a very private moment. Perhaps we should let them talk."She added.

They waited until the conversation was over and Paul left Ann's table. They approached her, "Ann Jenkins?" asked Laura.

"Miss Holt?" asked Ann, "Sit down, please. I found your note on my dresser."

"We have your jewelry box. As we didn't know where you were, we were worried it would be dangerous to leave it there in your apartment. We took it with us and put it in the hotel safe."

"It's okay. Thank you. I knew we were probably going to meet sometime soon. Besides, I always carry the real thing on my finger." She raised her hand showing them, at the same time looking at Laura's left hand and noticing her beautiful ring. "Mildred is right about you two. You make a lovely couple."

"Thank you," answered Laura.

"Just take some advice from an old lady. Don't let life's deceptions interfere between you. Once they get in the middle, it's hard to put things back in place."

"I'm glad we found you, Ann," said Mr. Steele, "Mildred is worried about you."

"I'm sorry I disappeared. But I needed some time alone to find the courage and make things right at least."

"Did it work?" asked Laura, already knowing the answer.

"Yes, it worked. Did you enjoy Paul's performance?"

"It was a precious delight," answered Laura.

"Send in the Clowns," Ann almost whispered. "That piece was the beginning. We met when I was auditioning here in New York performing that song. He was at the piano. A long time ago…"

"It still is the beginning," answered Laura.

Ann looked at the empty stage, a tear dripping down her cheek, "Sure it is, sure it is"