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Senator Roseland stood to shake their hands.
Mrs. Roseland took Jenna aside. “I appreciate your advice about substituting the fake necklace. If my necklace were stolen, it would break my heart. It really would. Kerri has spoken so highly of you, and it’s reassuring to know you are on our side, as well as Dan. Kerri tells me he is a former police officer who not only has experience with things like this, but he has contacts internationally. It’s good to have someone else on our team, someone to trust. And please, if you need anything at all, just ask.”
“Thank you, and I can understand your concern. With Dan’s background, such as it is, and mine, of course, through my dad and his business, we both are always aware of the world of jewels. I continue to be a collector—in my way. Not to give you any competition, though. Fortunately, Dan has kept his contacts here in the states, as well as in Europe, and they have come in handy already.”
The Roselands walked them out to the waiting limo.
Jenna held out her right hand to Mrs. Roseland, who pushed it aside and gave her a hug instead. “See you this evening.”
As the car made its way toward the main road, Dan remained quiet for the first couple of minutes. Finally, he turned to Jenna as they stopped at a traffic light. “That went better than I expected. It looked as if you and Mrs. Roseland were doing some bonding there. Still, I’m kind of surprised they are welcoming us in so easily.”
“Why do you say that?”
Dan reached for Jenna’s hand. “We’re an unknown, you and I, and you are in the media. Even though Kerri knows you, it’s not like the two of you are lifelong buddies or relatives. I didn’t think they would trust us so much or so soon. You did a hell of a job slipping in those reassuring details, by the way.”
“Everyone is not as suspicious as you are—as we are. But the credit goes to Kerri. I’ve known her a long time, if not exactly a lifetime. She knows enough about me to trust me. Now, the real work begins. Mapping out a plan to catch this thief before they take any more jewels and mess up our lives.”
Dan caressed Jenna’s palm. “Don’t you miss it sometimes?”
“Miss what?”
“The excitement of it all, the adrenaline rush, and the never knowing what is around the next corner. You and I working as a team.”
Jenna rolled her eyes. “The wondering if we will be caught, shot at, killed, or put in prison? Is that what you mean?”
“Ah, come on, you know what I mean. The two of us living by our wits, outsmarting everyone, and working as a team, totally in synch. Of course, the best part was, in the end getting our own revenge, and taking down the really bad guys.”
Jenna sighed and looked at the Savannah scenery passing by along the road. “Yes, of course, I know what you mean, but I can’t go back to that life, Dan. I was there doing that for a reason, the same as you. That’s no way to live for the long term.”
“Jenna, listen, slow down. I wasn’t suggesting we become international jewel thieves—again. I was just wondering if you missed it. I guess I’m asking if you missed me, what we—had.”
Jenna smiled up at Dan and removed her hand from his. “No, not at all. Now shut up, and let’s hear more about your plan.”
Dan took her hand back into his. “That’s easy. It takes a thief to catch a thief.” And they both laughed.
The fake Blalock diamond necklace that everyone, including the press, would be lining up to see on the big night would fool most everyone. Even the fake one cost thousands to make by a designer who specialized in making copies for the rich and famous. The fake necklace was now on a plane from the Atlanta home of Senator and Mrs. Roseland, so Mrs. Roseland could wear it to the party. The idea being no one would know the necklace around Marta Roseland’s neck was a fake, and the real one was locked in the senator’s safe.
Once back in town Jenna and Dan parted ways, each to ponder the best ways to spot the thief at the big event. They knew the thief would be there. There was no doubt in either of their minds now.
Dan headed back to his borrowed townhouse to make a few calls.
Jenna went to her room at the hotel, wondering if Brock would show up. Even more important, when he returned, what would she tell him about her plan to leave him? She would be leaving with Dan no matter what he said, but she didn’t want to hurt him more than necessary.
Jenna and Dan were scheduled to go over to Tybee early to meet with the senator and his team, and there was no way she could explain it all to Brock. She couldn’t have him tagging along. She pondered what to tell Brock as she ordered a room service lunch. She finally decided to tell him the senator’s wife wanted her to take some pictures and do an interview for the magazine before the party. That would be boring enough for Brock so he’d not feel left out, and he would be pacified since he could come later, at the time of the actual party.
Dan called her before she finished her lunch. “Can you talk a minute?”
“Sure, what’s up?”
“I’ve got the plan all worked out, so relax and trust me, please, Jenna.”
“I have no choice, but if you have taken care of everything, I’ll take it. I can go have a facial and get my nails done.”
“Oh, I see, I’m doing all the hard work again, right?”
“I’m going to be pampered now, so, see you later.” Jenna ended the call with a smile. The thing was, she did trust Dan about all of this, but did she trust him not to leave her if things went wrong? A lot was at stake here, and she knew he was the one who could think like this thief, plan like this thief, and would be the one mostly likely to catch him or her. Though if the past came out, especially the legal stuff Dan went through, life would get messy. She could be implicated, especially if the authorities went back and did some digging. Dan had the most at stake if Gail Wells or anyone else wanted to connect him to this new string of robberies. Proving it, maybe not, but destroying his reputation and life—a real possibility.
Putting the thought and Dan in the back of her mind for a few minutes, and wondering where Brock was, Jenna pondered her outfit for the evening. Since it would be the black gown for the big event, she brought her black pearls and matching earrings, which were in the hotel main safe and not the room safe. She did remind herself she failed to mention this detail to Brock, but she wasn’t sure why. She didn’t want to examine the thought to much at the moment.
