Page 29 of Savannah Heat

Marta Roseland sat with a sigh. “Sorry you witnessed her rant, Jenna. Iris plays the older sister card a lot, even now, after all these years. But to be fair, she is worried. I hated to be harsh, but her constant criticism of James has gotten old. It was something I should have said before.”

Jenna nodded. “Family dynamics can be difficult. I didn’t have siblings, but I know people who do, and I understand. Now, what did you need to talk about?”

“I was wondering if you have any more clues about who the thief might be—I mean anything that might help me prepare. Is it a male, female, both, or is there anything that will help us? And do you think they will strike again tonight like last time? The same method, I mean. I know you are here to discuss all that with James in a few minutes, but I won’t be at the meeting, and he glosses over everything he thinks might worry me.”

“Dan seems to think they will make the attempt. He believes the other theft from your guest was all practice for the bigger events. Some rich and famous people will be here tonight, even some celebrities, so yes, it could be a big haul. Unfortunately, we still don’t know if we are talking about one person, two people, or a team. But either way, your necklace is the grand prize. If they can take any more jewels in the meantime, it’s a win.”

Marta took a sip of wine. “Ah, well, I needed to ask. I won’t keep you. Go on and talk to James and his security people. I will hope for the best and keep my hand on my jewelry.”

Jenna didn’t want to alarm the Roselands, especially Marta, but she wanted her to be safe. She leaned in and lowered her voice. “Remember one thing, Marta, they will want to get close to you. Be aware of anyone spending a lot of time in your orbit, so to speak. Notice if anyone gets close behind you, because they will be looking at the clasp on your necklace and at your other jewelry. It will be especially telling if someone touches your necklace or asks questions about it.”

“You’re saying I should trust no one, aren’t you?”

Jenna shrugged. “Well, not exactly no one. Just be careful of those you don’t know well or at all. If we are dealing with a team, and I personally believe we are, one will distract you while the other lifts the item off you. If they think that’s too risky, they might go for the hotel safes before or after the event and just get what they can. But of course, your jewelry won’t be there, but rather at your heavily guarded house, or on your person.”

“Yes, I see. Thanks for the clarification, Jenna. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you and Dan helping us with all this. So, Dan’s dad was in the diamond business, and your dad was, too, import, export, and design, I think Dan mentioned.”

“Yes, my dad was more into gems and designing, where Dan’s dad was a true diamond merchant and expert. It’s amazing our fathers knew each other and were in the same business, and we all lived in New York City not far apart. Yet, Dan and I met in Ireland at a motorcycle race.”

“And you’ve been together ever since?” Mrs. Roseland asked.

“Well, not exactly. It’s complicated. We only recently got back together.”

“Yes, I understand that. Most relationships are complicated, and it doesn’t seem to get better with age. Some things become unimportant, and sometimes different complications arise. But the two of you seem to make a wonderful team.”

“We used to be—a good team. I suppose we might try it again. It’s early days. Our focus right now is on catching this thief. Dan has a special interest in catching jewel thieves. A master thief stole from his father, and then framed him for a robbery. His father suffered a fatal heart attack during the stress of trying to prove his innocence. Dan has a long memory.”

“Oh dear, I see why he is so interested in all this,” Marta said. “I certainly wish you the best of luck, and not only for us, but I mean for the two of you, as well. Please be careful. I don’t want anything to happen to you on our account. I would never get over that.”

Jenna looked at Marta Roseland and knew what she said was true. “Don’t worry, and as a reminder, Dan is, among other things, an ex-police officer. He knows what he is doing. I trust him completely.”

Marta smiled and put a hand on Jenna’s arm. “So, then I will also trust him. My husband seems to trust him, and he trusts very few people. I’m sure they will spend another hour hashing out details.”

“Most likely. I’ll leave you now if you feel okay about everything.”

Marta frowned. “Yes, of course. I’m so nervous I won’t enjoy this dinner and all the lovely dresses. Darn troublemakers, thieves, people who always want what is not theirs—human nature, is it?”

Jenna stood to go. “A kind of twisted nature, I think. Remember, you might not see me or notice me, but I will be keeping an eye on you tonight.”

Marta walked her to the door. “That makes me feel better, it truly does. Give Dan my thanks.”

Jenna hurried down the hall to join the senator and Dan.

The senator and Dan looked up when she walked in. “Ah, Mrs. Roseland found you, I see,” the senator said.

Jenna nodded. “She is a little nervous and wanted to talk it through. Her sister Iris left, so she was alone, and I wanted to stay until I knew she was okay.”

“Thank you for that, Jenna. That sister of hers,” the senator said, shaking his head. “She lives to make trouble for Marta. She’s jealous and a bitter old maid, and Marta is too good to her.”

Jenna, not wanting to get into the family’s personal lives, didn’t say Marta told her sister where to get off. Also, the three security team leaders sitting there taking it all in didn’t need to know about the sister feud. That was how rumors got started. “She is fine, I think. Your wife is a strong woman.”

After nearly an hour talking through security concerns, door locations, security camera placements, and safes at the hotel and the senator’s house, the meeting broke up.

The senator left to get dressed for the party and to check on his wife.

The security guys left to do their thing.

Dan checked his buzzing phone as they walked back toward the main room. “Butch, the security supervisor at the hotel, reports most all the expensive jewelry was taken out of the safes this evening.”

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