“It’s possible that she says she’s handing it to the next generation when she’s really selling the pieces. But how would it help her to say it was lost?”
“Insurance money?” Travis suggested.
“She won’t get anything from us,” Christine said quietly. “A bank doesn’t have to pay for lost items from a safe-deposit box. Mrs. Lamb would have to see if it’s covered by her homeowner’s insurance, but that’s not always the case.”
He had run out of possible scenarios. The only explanation was that the bracelet had been stolen. “I don’t think it’s lost,” Travis murmured. “I think someone took it.”
“No.” Christine shook her head. “No way. I trust everyone in this bank.”
“Everyone?”
She met his gaze and abruptly looked away. “Yes, even you. You were nowhere near Faye Lamb and her daughter.”
But you were, Travis thought as he watched the tension build inside Christine when she watched the police car enter the parking lot. You were close enough to remove it from Faye. And you have an unusual habit of being around when jewels go missing.
* * *
“JILL, IT WAS AWFUL,” Christine said as she took the last sip of her beer and looked around the bar later that evening. She was in the corner booth with her friend and Travis, but she felt as if she was in the harsh spotlight. She had caught the eye of more than one person. She saw the silent accusation. She heard the snatches of conversation.
Her neighbors believed she had something to do with the missing bracelet.
“We can’t find Mrs. Lamb’s bracelet anywhere,” Christine continued. “The police took a report, and I swear I felt as if I was being interrogated like a criminal.”
Jill nodded her head. “Yeah, I heard all about it.”
“I’m sure you did.” She leaned back and rested her head on Travis’s arm. It felt good to have him around. She wanted to curl into him and hold on tight. But she shouldn’t get used to the feeling. No doubt he was leaving soon and would be long gone before the case of the missing bracelet was solved.
“I heard Laurie made a big show of opening her purse and her desk to prove she didn’t have the bracelet. And then everyone followed her lead because they didn’t want to look as if they were hiding anything.” Jill rolled her eyes and took another sip of her drink. “Who needs a search warrant when you have Laurie around?”
It had felt strange to prove to her coworkers that she didn’t have the bracelet. Christine had always been considered trustworthy until today. Now the good citizens of Cedar Valley were starting to think her wild streak included stealing. “Maybe I’m paranoid, but I feel as if everyone has been giving me dirty looks all day.”
“I’m sure it’s your imagination,” Travis said.
“No,” Jill said matter-of-factly. “They think she had something to do with the missing bracelet.”
“Why?” he asked. “There’s no proof. She doesn’t have a history of stealing, does she? Why would they be quick to suspect Christine?”
Jill gave him a pointed look.
“You have to be kidding me,” Christine muttered. It was already happening. The people of Cedar Valley didn’t trust her, didn’t trust her judgment, because she was with Travis. Worse, she didn’t feel the need to hide it.
“I’m lost,” Travis admitted. “What are you talking about?”
“Christine has been in Vegas recently,” Jill said, checking off her list with her fingers. “Jumped out of a building. Gambled. Hooked up with a stranger. There’s no telling what she would do next.”
“These people know me,” Christine insisted. “I’ve never given them cause for concern.”
“They thought they knew you. But you’re changing. Right before our eyes,” Jill said with a proud smile.
Christine smacked her hand on the table. “I didn’t take the bracelet.”
“I know that,” her friend assured her. “Travis knows that. Let the dust settle and everyone will say they knew it, too.”
She shook her head. “What if they don’t find the bracelet?” The possibility made her sick. “People are going to blame me. They aren’t going to trust me or trust the bank.”
“They’ll find the bracelet,” Travis said.
Christine wasn’t so sure. They’d searched the bank and she had a bad feeling that someone she worked with had stolen the bracelet. One of her coworkers was going to let her take the fall. The idea made her stomach churn. “I need to leave,” she said as she grabbed her purse. “I’m sorry.”