Page 113 of These White Lies
“Damn,” Sera whispers from behind me.
As carefully as if it were an explosive, Hal lifts the necklace from its case and lays it flat on the dark velvet mat. He then angles the small desk lamp toward it so light is directed down onto the stones. The facets flare, glittering with tiny sparks of fire under the beam of light.
He leans in with his loupe, hovering millimeters above the stones. I’m not sure how much time actually passes, but it’s long enough that I’m struggling to hold on to my patience.
Finally, the man speaks. “Platinum setting. The diamonds… Vvs1, looks like 20th-century cuts, perfectly matched. Whoever did the modern reset was extremely talented.” His gloved finger hovers, barely grazing down the length of the necklace. “This is some of the best craftsmanship I’ve ever seen. I’d say… ballpark retail? Around five hundred thousand.”
Finn lets out a low whistle from his side of the table. “That’s a lot of money for a necklace.”
“But notthatmuch money,” Vincent points out. “Not for what’s been happening. Not for these people."
Rhodes nods, rubbing the back of his neck. “I bet they spend that on their private jet fuel. Hard to believe someone’s willing to kill over this.”
“Ahem.” Hal clears his throat and glares at the younger man. “Can we keep all talk of criminal behavior quiet until I’m gone?” He sniffs. “I have a reputation to uphold.”
Rhodes barks out a laugh. “Sorry, Hal. Wouldn’t want to damage your delicate ears.”
Hal gives him a baleful stare before turning to Vincent. “The piece would be worth a lot more if not for the customization.”
Every antenna in my body springs to life, and my heart rate picks up. “What customization?”
“These diamonds,” Hal says slowly, as if noticing the sudden increase in tension around the room. “They’re engraved.”
Elizabeth’s blue eyes go wide with excitement. “What?”
Hal adjusts his glasses. “With names. Averyfine laser engraving. Done with serious tech, not your average decorative inscription. Each diamond—well, several of them—has a name etched on it. Only visible with magnification. You wouldn’t even know they were there unless you were looking through a loupe.”
My gut clenches. “How many?”
Hal shrugs, then squints again. “At least twenty-five.”
“Let me see,” I say.
He hands me the loupe, and I lean over, shifting the necklace under the light, and start scanning the stones. It takes a second to catch, but there—tiny, barely visible—is a name. And then another.
“Holy fuck.” My gaze rises to catch Elizabeth’s as savage satisfaction courses through me.
This is it. I’ve got the fuckers now.
“What?” Elizabeth asks, voice tight, picking up on the change in my mood.
I straighten. This isn’t something we should discuss in front of the jeweler. “Thank you, Hal. I’m going to keep your loupe for the day.”
Seemingly unbothered by the summary dismissal, Hal carefully packs up his things while Elizabeth shifts on her feet, impatient for me to speak.
“Pleasure as always, gentlemen,” Hal says, after Vincent hands him a thick envelope. He inclines his head toward Sera and Elizabeth. “Ladies.”
The second the door clicks shut behind Hal, I’m moving. Snatching the remote off the table, I power up the largest of the wall monitors, as adrenaline spikes through my nervous system. Elation burns in my chest.
Fucking finally.
I pull out the chair beside me and tip my head toward it. “Sit.” Elizabeth slides into the seat, close enough that I can feel the heat of her thigh against mine. I keep one hand resting on the table; the other squeezes her thigh before letting go.
“I’ll read off the names. Someone type.”
Rhodes drags the nearest laptop toward him, settling into the chair. “Ready.”
I call them out. Line after line. Hearing each name aloud feels like another puzzle piece slotting into place.
