Page 101 of Heist

Tim cleared his throat and took a swallow of wine. “My name was on the list provided by Mr. Sutton—Nicholas that is—of people who had been part of collecting the diamonds over the years. Someone, I think the courts or maybe the museum selected my name and Grant Sterling’s name off the list to come and just verify that the collection was there in its entirety and to sign off on the transfer of ownership. I don’t understand all the legalities, but it was part of the chain of evidence or something like that.” He shrugged and picked up his napkin, twisting it in his fingers.

Austin wrote something down on the notepad she’d pulled out. “And what did you do on the day the diamonds arrived at the museum?”

Tim laughed. “To be honest, I just kind of stood there. It all felt like a grand ceremony more than something really necessary.”

Austin nodded and kept writing. “And Mr. Sterling, did he have anything to do that day?”

Tim shook his head then paused. “Wait. He did ask me to take pictures of the diamonds before we signed all the paperwork.”

Patrick raised an eyebrow. “Do you still have those photos?”

Tim shook his head. “After I emailed them to Mr. Sterling, I deleted them. I try to save space in my phone for pictures of my little girl,” he said, a smile playing at his lips.

Austin gave the man a smile of her own and set her pen down. “Did you go into the museum vault with the diamonds at all?”

“I did. It was really nice of them to invite me on a tour. Got to see the whole back room where they process everything. It’s really high tech back there. Is this helping at all, Miss Yates?” he asked, rubbing at back of his neck.

Austin nodded. “Absolutely, Tim. It’s giving me a clearer picture of what happened leading up to the disappearance of the diamonds.”

Tim smiled. “Well I hope you find whoever did it. I know Mr. Sutton here couldn’t have.”

Austin put her notebook away. “I happen to agree with you, Tim. We’re going to do our best to figure out who did. Would you be OK coming into my office next week for a formal deposition?”

Tim shrugged. “I can do that. You’ve got my number. Just let me know when you need me.”

When they had cleaned their dessert plates, Time stood and said he had an early morning.

“Thanks for dinner, Mr. Sutton. Was nice to meet you, Miss Yates,” he said, extending his hand.

Patrick said goodnight and sat in the seat the man had vacated so he could look at Austin. “What did you think?”

Austin gave a shrug. “Not sure how much help he’ll be. Seems like a nice enough guy though.”

Patrick nodded. “He seemed nervous, but I think that might have been because I’m the boss.”

Austin grinned and lifted her wine glass. “I like thinking of you as the boss. So hot,” she said before taking a sip.

Patrick shook his head. She was incorrigible.

“Ready to go back to the hotel?”

Austin nodded. “Yes please.”

When Patrick had paid the check, they stood and walked from the restaurant. “I hate to leave you tomorrow. I’m going to put you on the Eastman’s New York jet on Friday. We can just meet in Colorado.”

Austin raised an eyebrow. “Eastman has a New York jet?”

Patrick laughed. “He’s got one for each of the cities he does business most in. Makes it easier to fly top level clients in style when we need to.”

Austin shook her head. “And I was excited when I started making enough to pay my student loans off early.”

Patrick grimaced. “The student loan system is fucking highway robbery. I’m proud of you for getting those off your plate though.”

Austin smiled. “I’m proud of me too. One of the few things I’m proud of in my life.”

Patrick fixed her with a stern glare. “We need to work on your self-confidence. You have a lot to be proud of. I’m going to start making you repeat affirmations to me on the phone every night.”

Austin shook her head and made a disgusted face. “Please no.”

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