Page 90 of When the Rogue Returns
“That’s it!” Victor whirled to face Rupert. “Where does your mother keep the diamonds?”
“In... in her jewelry case. Why?”
“Could it be breached easily? Broken into?”
Rupert scowled. “You don’t have to break into it. I’mgivingyou the jewelry.”
“Just answer the question, damn it!” Victor growled.
The poor lad blinked. “It has a key, but Mother hides that in her bureau. I suppose the case could be smashed open if someone really wanted to steal anything, but here in the country, with all the servants about—”
“Someone would almost definitely be caught,” Victor said gleefully. “Or at least seen fleeing with the gems.”
Mr. Bonnaud’s eyes lit up. “So if Gerhart can be seen running off with them by someone other than you two—or us—then when we capture him on the road, we won’t have to mention any kidnapping. We’ll merely be part of a group of men apprehending him for the theft he just committed.”
“Desperate men do desperate things, after all,” Mr. Manton said, a slow smile curving up his lips. “Everything that has happened can be recast to fit our tale. Gerhart assaulted Mrs. Cale in the woods when she wouldn’t give him money. He grew desperate after that, and ran into the manor to steal the diamonds.”
Victor got excited. “We can point out that his wife showed up at Isa’s home to get money from her a few days ago. Isa’s servant can testify that Isa threw Jacoba out for it.”
“And if he starts claiming that Mrs. Cale stole those diamonds in Amsterdam,” Mr. Bonnaud said eagerly, “Victor’s claims otherwise will sound more believable in light of Gerhart’s clear theft of the diamonds now.”
“The timing will have to be precise,” Mr. Manton warned. “We’ll have to work fast.”
“But—” Isa began, not following the conversation atall.
“I know,” Victor said, ignoring her. “Fortunately, with Lochlaw involved, we can shape events to our satisfaction. He’ll make sure the right people are in the right places at the right time.”
Isa stared at them. “But I don’t see—”
“And since no one needs to actually lay their eyes on the diamonds,” Mr. Manton said, “your wife can already have them in her possession while everything is happening.”
“Yes,” Victor said, “she’ll have a part to play as well. Because she has to have a firm alibi for the theft.”
Isa scowled. “I don’t—”
“As do you,” Mr. Manton pointed out.
“Will all of you just be quiet!” Isa finally cried. When she’d got their attention, she said, “I don’t understand you. How can you possibly get Gerhart to steal the diamonds?”
“We can’t,” Victor said, grinning at her. “But we don’t have to. We just have to make itlooklike he did.” He turned to Mr. Bonnaud. “Ready to do a bit of playacting, old chap?”
♦♦♦
BY TWO O’CLOCK,Victor and Isa were ready for their “alibi” performance. As they headed out to the banks of the river that ran along one end of the Kinlaw Castle grounds, Victor could tell she was nervous, but it didn’t matter.
They had to do this. It was the only way he could think of to save Amalie and her. He hated that she still had to meet with Gerhart, but there was no way around it. He could only pray that Lochlaw was right, and they’d be able to keep her well in sight from certain vantage points along Strathridge Road.
“Victor, I’m not so sure about this part of the plan,” she murmured.
“You don’t think Tristan can steal the diamonds?”
“I’m sure he can, but what if someone gets a good look at him? He’s at least ten years younger than Gerhart, and their faces aren’t remotely similar. Though I suppose the false beard does help.”
“Trust me, Isa,” Victor said as he escorted her down the stairs. “Tristan’s disguise will hold up from a distance.”
“Yes, but what if—”
“Tristan is experienced at slipping into and out of tight spots. He’s not going to let anyone see him closely but Miss Gordon, and she’s already been coached in what to say.”
