Chapter 3 - The Stolen Diamond Earrings
The applause died in an instant, replaced by a suffocating, terrified silence.
Julian pushed through the front row, his face flushed with a mixture of hysterical panic and humiliation. "Audrey, stop this! You're having a manic episode! Malcolm, she doesn't own this company! She’s my wife! She’s an artist!"
Malcolm Reed stepped to the microphone, his expression stern and unyielding. "The legal transfer was certified by the Securities and Exchange Commission four hours ago, Julian. Audrey Vance is your sole boss. And your employment is officially terminated."
Four burly private security guards in dark suits moved in, surrounding Julian and Camilla near the champagne tables.
I walked down the stage steps, stopping three feet in front of Camilla.
The communications director was trembling, her hands clawing at her throat as if trying to hide the jewelry glittering beneath her auburn curls.
"Take them off, Camilla," I said quietly, my voice carrying across the silent circle of onlookers.
"What?" Camilla whimpered, tears cutting black mascara tracks down her powdered cheeks.
"My late mother's 1952 Cartier diamond drop earrings," I said, pointing to her ears. "The ones you stole from the safe in my master bedroom when Julian invited you to my home while I was in London last month."
Gasps of pure disgust erupted from the female executives standing nearby.
"I... I didn't steal them! Julian gave them to me!" Camilla cried, looking desperately at my husband. "Julian, tell her! You said they were family heirlooms that belonged to your grandmother!"
"Julian’s grandmother was a schoolteacher in Idaho who died with twelve dollars in her bank account," I replied smoothly. "Those earrings were custom-forged for Eleanor Vance by Cartier in Paris. The insurance appraisal and serial numbers are on file with the Boston Police Department."
Two uniformed city police officers, who had been waiting in the hotel lobby, stepped through the double doors.
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"Remove them now, Miss Price," the lead officer instructed. "Or you will be booked for grand larceny of jewelry valued over one hundred thousand dollars right here in front of your peers."
Sobbing hysterically in front of two hundred of her colleagues, Camilla reached up with shaking fingers, unclipped the heavy diamond earrings, and placed them into the velvet pouch held by the officer.
