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Cook and Sandy hustled back to the kitchen to fetch more champagne and the cake cutting implements. Just then, Arthur rose to his feet. Reflexively, I reached inside my jacket for the 9mm in my under-shoulder holster. As my fingers touched the gun, Arthur clinked his spoon to his champagne flute. Delicatechimes rang. The man lifted his glass in the air.
“A toast,” he proclaimed. “To my dear niece, Athena.”
Lowering my hand to my lap, I gripped my cane and fought to relax. I’d almost shot Thena’s uncle for no reason at all. The old fool would refrain from giving toasts for the rest of his life if he knew how close he’d been to getting a round to the head. Or two rounds, if Bozeman’s stony face was any indication.
“To Thena’s health,” Arthur said.
Everyone shuffled to their feet and lifted their glasses, including me. “To Thena’s health,” we called out in unison.
“Oh, geesh, please, sit down.” Thena blushed prettily. “Guys, you’re embarrassing me.”
We all eased back into our seats, all but Arthur, who hit a second wind.
“Thena, dear, this is a very special night when we celebrate you, not anyone else.” Arthur shot me a resentful glare.
I didn’t appreciate the gesture, but I was protective of Thena, too. Given the way the dice had fallen, I understood his grievances with me.
“You’ve worked so hard on behalf of our family,” Arthur continued. “You’re always so kind. Thanks for all the wonderful things you’ve done for me and my ministry.”
“Uncle, really.” Thena squirmed in her chair. “This is not necessary.”
“Why not?” A tipsy Monique put in. “He’s certainly mooched off his brother and you all his life. Saying thanks instead of ‘gimme’ is the least he could do.”
Thena grimaced. “Don’t say such unkind things, Monique.”
“Okie dokey.” She tipped her glass and downed the rest of her wine. “It’s your birthday.”
Damn Monique. I didn’t like her tone. My teeth were on edge, the whole of me was on edge, and my instincts wereworking overtime. I hadn’t heard a word from the teams on the ground in New York yet. This was taking for-fucking-ever.
“As I was saying.” Arthur ignored Monique and turned to Thena again. “I’d like to present you with a special gift.” He waddled to the side table where the guests had placed their presents, selected a square, flat box, and after waddling back, offered it to Thena. “For you.”
My gut contracted like the nose of a pointer dog. I knew the gift had been cleared and yet unease pricked all over me like an ant swarm.
“Why don’t I open it for you?” I stood up, reached across the table, and snatched the box from Arthur’s hands, discovering it was a touch too heavy for my taste.
“The present is for her, not you.” Arthur’s stout cheeks turned red. “Haven’t you stolen enough from her as it is?”
The room went dead silent. The guys’ faces turned to stone. I aimed my glower at Arthur. I didn’t like his accusation and yet it was I who’d built this lie to protect Thena. Would I feel any different if the situation had been reversed?
It was the first time I found something likeable about the turd. Pressing my lips into a straight line, I fought an impulse to tell him I hadn’t stolen shit from anyone. To debunk Arthur’s accusation, I’d have to come clean before all the suspects.
Hell, no.
I had to keep up the charade until I had my perp in hand. Anytime now, the reports from my search crews should trickle in. The faces of the people around the table spun in my head like a roulette. In whose slot would the ball fall?
Thena came to my defense. “Father’s will stated that—”
“Arthur,” I spoke over Thena, incinerating him with my glare. “I’m gonna suggest you sit the fuck down and shut your trap. I mean that. Sit. The fuck. Down.”
With an offended huff and a shake of the jowls, the manlowered himself to his seat.
I lifted the box in the air and rumbled, “Are you still sure I should open this?”
The threat implied in my tone widened Arthur’s eyes. It was as if he understood that I would hurt him if whatever was in the box would cause Thena pain, emotional or otherwise.
“Open it.” The man didn’t blink but his voice did shake a little.
I ripped off the paper to reveal a velvet box. I lifted the top. A beautiful cameo about the size of a large medallion rested on a bed of red velvet, hooked to a strapping gold chain.
