“Historic value, and the gold is real.” He shrugged.
Eden shook her head. “I wish I knew who that French duchess was who offered it to Mrs. Farrington’s ancestor. I’ve wondered why she didn’t hide the sapphires. The story was that she showed the greedy young man the pearls, but he turned them down and demanded the sapphires.”
“Clever young woman. The pearls were probably real.”
“Yes. He did just what she wanted him to do. He took the fake gems and left her with the real stuff.”
“And later people were killed over that necklace.”
Eden leaned back in the chair. “Irony,” she whispered and thought about it all for a moment, then looked at McBride. “So you’re leaving.”
“Yes. I’m under orders, and, besides, things between you and me—”
She looked at him sharply.
“Okay, so maybe the attraction was one-sided. But I—”
“Don’t,” she said, turning her head away. She could feel him looking at her, but she wouldn’t meet his eyes.
“Can’t blame a man for trying,” he said, and his voice changed, lightened. “I said good-bye to Minnie, and yes, I let her down easy. She was in a state over the gossip about us. And Granville’s pretty broken up over what he saw this morning. I tried to talk to him, but he wouldn’t listen.”
“I’d better go to him,” Eden said, getting up.
“He had to get back to his office, but if you want to keep that going, you’d better come up with some good lies.”
She glared at McBride. “I plan to tell him the truth. There was nothing, is nothing between you and me.”
“And who’s going to believe that?”
Eden stood up. “You really are despicable, you know that?”
“Yeah.” He was grinning at her, and, suddenly, the heaviness between them was gone. Eden sat back down; they were friends again. “So how’s it with you and your daughter?”
“She’s okay. She thinks she’s a mess and that her marriage is over, but she’s okay. I figure Stuart will be here by tomorrow and demand that she return home with him.”
“Will that work?”
“Probably. I think she just wants proof of love.”
“Don’t we all?” he said under his breath.
For a moment they looked at each other, their eyes locked. Eden was the first to look away. “I’m sure your boss is right and that this whole thing was about that horrible necklace.” Her head came up. “Brad’s daughter told mine that Brad wants to marry me.”
“Is that supposed to be news?”
“No,” she said as she looked down at her hands. “What am I going to tell my daughter about all this? FBI and spies, and snakes in my bed.”
“Snakes in your bed! You and Granville have been lovers?!”
She glared at him.
“Sorry. Couldn’t resist. I agree that the truth is too much, so maybe you should make up a few lies. After spending so much time with me you should have learned a thing or two about lying.”
Eden smiled. “I should probably see a therapist about this, but I’m almost going to miss you.”
“I could give you some great memories,” he said, his eyes hot.
“Go on, get out of here.” Standing up, she smiled at him. When he hesitated, she said, “If you make a pass at me, I’ll tell my daughter that you’re a great listener. I’ll encourage her to tell you all the dreadful things her husband has done to her in the last week. In detail.”