Page 38 of Max's Mission

Mouth pursed, he plucked it from her fingers. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” She settled the straps over her shoulder with a wide smile.

Max lifted his phone and called the cell number on the card. “He better answer.” Putting the phone to his ear, he waited. It rang three times, then the agent picked up.

“This is Agent Gallagher.”

“Gallagher, it’s Max Carson. Margot and I have some information for you.”

“What kind of information?”

“The kind that requires law enforcement to take physical possession of it. We’re in Dallas about ready to head into a bank with a safe deposit box key. Can you send an agent to meet us?”

“A safe deposit box key? Is that what you want to turn over? Or is it the contents of the box?”

“Probably both. We think it’s Tad’s. We did what you suggested and checked on Margot’s safe deposit box. This key was inside. I think it’s the spare to the one you found on the body. The numbers are the same.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes. And there’s more. We found a betting journal, and two of her coins are missing.”

“Crap on a cracker.” The agent sighed. “Okay. Give me the address of the bank. I’ll get someone there ASAP.”

Max passed along the bank’s address. “Can you give us an hour? We have another stop to make.”

“Where?”

“Just… somewhere. If it pans out, we’ll let your colleague know.”

“Mr. Carson, if this is pertinent to my investigation, I need to know.”

“That’s the thing. I don’t know if it is. But don’t worry. If it matters, we’ll make sure to pass along the information. Text me the name of the agent, so I know who we’re meeting.”

A beat of silence passed, then, “Fine. But you better not withhold anything.”

“We won’t.” Mentally, Max crossed his fingers. “Bye.” He hung up.

“What other stop do we need to make?” Margot asked the moment he ended the call.

“That jeweler.” Max tipped his phone toward the high-end jewelry shop across the street.

Margot’s gaze swung that way, then she nodded. “Let’s go.”

Traipsing to the corner, they waited for the light to change, then walked across the busy street. Max grabbed the golden handle on the glass door and pulled.

Vanilla-scented air wafted into his face as they stepped inside. Plush cream carpet quieted their footfalls and light gleamed from the gold and crystal chandeliers shining on the glass jewelry cases.

“Good morning. How may I be of assistance?”

An older gentleman in a gray suit and light blue striped tie walked around the counter to greet them.

“We’re wondering if you could do an appraisal for us? I’m happy to pay you, if you charge for the service.” Max returned the man’s polite smile.

“If it’s for an insurance report, there’s a small fee. But if it’s just a general inquiry, I’m happy to take a quick look.”

“It’s the latter.” Margot drew her bag down off her arm.

“Let’s come over here.” Turning, the man led them over to the jewelry cases, moving behind them again. While Margot found the jewelry, the man spread a velvet cloth over the counter and opened a small box that contained a jeweler’s loupe.

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