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Marta leaned against her old friend. “Maybe a small one. Don’t tell James, but if I ruled the world, I’d pack it in, get on a cruise ship, and sail away into the sunset. I’m suddenly tired of politics. Tired of it all.”
Lizbeth hugged her friend. “Oh, you just need a little rest, Marta. No one loves a good fight more than you. You know you are the icing on the cake for James in this race. Your dad is remembered fondly in this state, as are you. You are important to James and to the party, don’t forget that, not ever. You are a star player in your own right.”
Marta huffed out a loud sigh. “Yeah, the show must go on. I don’t know how many times I heard my momma say that over the years as she went out again and again every election cycle with Daddy. She smiled through it all, never letting anything slow her down. If she could do it, maybe I can, too.”
“No doubt about it.” Jenna took Marta’s hand. “I’ve not known you long, but I know a steel magnolia when I see one.”
“Steel magnolia, huh? I’ve always loved that term. But you’re not from here as I recall. How do you know so much about the South?” Lizbeth asked.
Jenna smiled at the memory of her grandmother. “I spent many summers and spring breaks here with my grandmother. She was a great influence, more than my own parents to tell the truth.”
“There is nothing stronger on this earth or more dangerous than a Southern woman—nothing.” Lizbeth pointed toward Dan and the group of people he was talking to now. “What’s happening over there? Oh, I think Dan wants you to join them, Jenna.”
Dan was with the senator and the detectives, and one detective pulled him aside.
Jenna knew Dan must have told them his suspicions. This made her stomach lurch because of her experience from five years before, but more so because she still felt the plan was somehow to blame the robbery on Dan. Seeing a detective pull Dan aside still jangled her nerves.
Jenna attempted a smile. “Yes, I’m getting the signal. I’ll go see what I can find out.” She joined Dan and the detective who had been talking to him one-on-one. After the introductions, she learned everyone would be allowed to leave because they had what they needed, which was mainly the guest list, and a secure crime scene. But he asked the big question: who was missing?
“The fact someone is missing doesn’t mean they are the guilty party, of course,” Detective Thomas said as he tapped his pen on his notepad. “Anyone could have left before or even right after the robbery for their own reasons, but it would help a lot to know who they are. We must count on memories that will be influenced by drink, unfortunately. I’d be surprised if we come up with anything using that approach. But, I have to start somewhere.”
Jenna took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She knew what the detective wanted, but she knew better than to make accusations. Anything she said now would be scrutinized. “Yes, I understand, but it’s almost impossible to determine who was where and when. People milled around in different parts of the room and out on the balcony. The only thing I can tell you is I didn’t see several people after the theft, but they might be accounted for by now. I was talking to Mrs. Roseland at the time of the theft.”
Dan nodded and looked at Jenna. “Yeah, it’s too many people and all of them moving around. The perfect event for anyone wanting to get lost in the crowed. I’ve already mentioned Gail, Harper, and Brock as those I didn’t see after the theft. Did you have any more in mind?”
Jenna turned to the detective. “Only one, the senator’s aide, the new one, Larry Winston, I think his name is, but you’ll need to check. I last saw him taking a drink to Harper, but she is a loud, blonde, man magnet. So, I don’t know if that is significant, but where was he when the scream happened?”
“Yeah, he didn’t go running toward the scream or to his boss to see if he could help. Where was he indeed? Good catch, Jenna.” Dan hid his amusement at her description of Harper. “Though the thief is long gone, Detective, what are you doing to keep it from happening again? And I mean the real prize and what I think they will be back for, Mrs. Roseland’s necklace?”
The detective frowned. “The senator refused to cancel any event, so we can only do so much. He has his own security detail, and we will offer what we can, but we can’t sidetrack our local police department to watch for a thief who might or might not strike again. I’m sure you understand that.”
Dan nodded. “Yes, I do, and honestly, I don’t think any number of officers will stop what will happen. You’re not working with a common jewelry thief here, Detective.”
The detective looked at Dan with more interest. “You seem to know a lot about this, how is that?”
Dan took a deep breath and gave his rehearsed line. “I have a friend in Paris who worked the Black Cat cases, the international thefts across Europe. The thief has started up again, and Luc, my friend, thinks there is a copycat situation now, and the thief has come to America. What I’ve seen so far fits.”
“Oh, I see. That makes a difference. This might turn into something for the FBI, especially since it’s a senator involved.” Detective Thomas put his notebook away.
Dan frowned. “Yes, but only if we prove out of state or country connection. In the meantime, these are your citizens, and this is your state senator, so I’d expect you’ll want to be in on everything.”
“And we will be,” the detective snapped. “We know our job. But I don’t think you have a job here, do you? What is your role, exactly?”
Dan and Jenna expected this question.
Dan shrugged. “Not a job as such, but experience and good contacts, Detective.”
“Are you a former detective by any chance?” Detective Thomas asked.
Dan nodded. “Yes, NYPD, but some years ago.”
The detective looked at Dan with new eyes. “That tracks. Smart mouth, but hey, good training.” He smiled at Dan. “So, have a good rest of your night.” The detective looked at Jenna winked, and gave her small salute.
Dan looked at Jenna and grinned as the detective walked away. “Was he just flirting with you? You know he will be making a beeline for his computer to find out more about me. And that tracks? Is that Southern lingo?”
Jenna laughed. “Ah, new detective slang. You’ve been out of the game too long. Do you not watch detective shows on television anymore?”
Dan rolled his eyes. “Other than to make fun of them, no. I’ve had little time for television. Why does every cop on the planet think they have a right to make snide remarks about New York’s finest?”
