Page 8 of To Catch a Sub

Anu entered, closed the door, then hit the button to switch the glass wall between this room and the bullpen from clear to semi-opaque. Silvery sunlight, filtered by the haze of clouds that currently blanketed Manchester and had for the past week, seeped in through the windows, giving the room an almost otherworldly feel.

“Let me begin by introducing myself. I’m Director Anu Kumar.” Landon’s boss went to the other side of the table directly opposite Colette and took a seat.

“It’s nice to meet you, ma’am,” Colette said nervously.

Landon took the bag Barry offered him, then pulled the stone from his pocket and sealed it in the evidence bag. He accepted the pen Barry handed him, filled out the information panel, then passed bag and pen to Barry to counter-sign.

Colette stared at the bag in dismay, for a moment seeming to forget the part she was playing. “Plastic? You’re putting a rare, priceless gem in a plastic bag?”

“Yes, because it’s evidence of your crime,” he told her.

Colette sat back, looking wounded. “My crime? I didn’t steal it. I’m turning it in.”

“Not originally, no.” If this really was the Saudi blue diamond, the original theft wasn’t a mystery. “But if you have it now, you stole it, or purchased stolen property.”

Colette leaned forward, turning and bowing her head as if she were about to cry. What she actually did was angle her body so her hair fell like a curtain, and neither Anu nor Barry could see her face.

Holding Landon’s gaze, she mouthed, “Prove it.”

Landon couldn’t decide if he wanted to shake her, kiss her, or smile.

All three were inappropriate, and given the conversation he’d just had with his boss, he needed to check his reactions.

Anu cleared her throat. “Agent Malik, would you care to tell me more about what’s going on here?”

“This is Colette Beaumont. A known art and antiquities thief and dealer in stolen goods. She’s got a file in our database, and is wanted for questioning in several thefts and burglaries, including?—”

“What? I’m not a thief!” Colette’s eyes were wide and round. She looked like she was about to cry. “I’ve occasionally been a consultant when authorities needed an expert. A consultant, not ‘wanted for questioning’.”

Barry was frowning in concern and Anu looked uncomfortable.

Landon ignored their reaction to Colette’s manipulations. “We met during the investigation into the thefts at the British museum.”

Colette looked beseechingly at Anu, holding up her wrists as if the cuff dangling off only one were evidence of her innocence rather than her guilt. “I came here because I know and respect Detective Inspector Malik. He’s the only one I trust.”

If he hadn’t known better, he would have believed her.

“You’ve met Agent Malik before?” Anu asked, stressing his title.

“Yes, I have. And I thought he’d remember me, but…but I guess I was wrong.” She glanced down, embarrassed, and even Landon believed her for a second.

“I think it’s very clear he remembers you,” Anu said gently.

“But he thinks I’m a thief! He must be thinking of the wrong person.” She shook her head sadly.

“They aren’t mutually exclusive,” Landon said. “Being an art expert and being a thief.”

Colette pointed at the diamond. “I brought this to you, because I think you’re the best people to have it.”

Anu picked up the bag, looking at the diamond through the plastic.

“And how did this item come into your possession?”

“I was asked to appraise it.”

Landon bit down on his need to call her a liar. It was possible she wasn’t lying, because Colette Beaumont was an expert appraiser. It was an open secret that the same woman who could assess an art collection could also help the owner acquire additional pieces…by any means necessary.

“I specialize in insurance and auction evaluations and authentications, as well as appraisals,” she continued. “I was hired to evaluation a jewelry collection.”