Diamond Deceit Read Online Free PDF Page A

spot. Don’t you love it here?” Bess asked enthusiastically. “Walks on the beach, golf, shopping . . .”
    Ted was watching them carefully, Nancy noticed. No wonder he was so possessive of Bess—he didn’t want Nancy or George to talk Bess out of staying in Carmel.
    â€œYou don’t seem very happy for me,” Bess said.
    â€œIt’s not that,” Nancy said quickly. “It’s just that you really surprised us with this news.”
    â€œYou’ll get used to it,” Ted said. After picking up one of the plastic containers of food, he began to spoon potato salad onto the six plastic plates. “Why don’t we eat?”
    Obviously Ted considered the matter settled. Nancy decided to let the subject drop—but only for now. She didn’t want to ruin the picnic for everyone.
    George leaned close to Nancy. “We need to talk to Bess about this move,” she whispered.
    â€œDefinitely,” Nancy agreed. “Later, when we can discuss it privately.”
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    Nancy’s thoughts were still on Bess’s proposed move an hour later as she made her way up Ocean Avenue to Marcia Cheung’s jewelry store.
    The picnic dinner had been delicious, but the mood was forced. Everyone had pretended to be happy, skirting the issue of Bess’s move with smiles and small talk.
    Nancy had been relieved when it was almost eight o’clock so she could excuse herself for her meeting with Marcia Cheung.
    The sun had set during their beach picnic. As Nancy hurried up the hill, she saw that most of the stores were closed. There were a lot fewertourists milling about than there had been during the day. The lights were still on in Cheung Original Designs, but a Closed sign hung in the window.
    Nancy knocked softly, and a moment later Marcia appeared in the doorway between the showroom and the back room. Seeing Nancy, Marcia hurried to the door.
    â€œNancy?” she mouthed through the glass door.
    Nancy nodded, then moved to the side so Marcia could open the door. “Thanks for waiting around.”
    â€œI had work to do, anyway,” Marcia said softly. “Come on back into my workroom. Can I get you some coffee or a soda?”
    â€œNo, thanks. I just ate way too much dinner,” Nancy said with a smile.
    Marcia’s room was dominated by a long, well-lit workbench with tools scattered on it. A desk covered with papers was pushed against the wall opposite the workbench, and a small safe sat in the far corner. There was a solid wood back door and no windows in the room.
    â€œIt’s so nice of you to agree to help me,” Marcia said, smiling shyly.
    â€œYou may not think so after I ask you a million questions,” Nancy responded.
    â€œAsk away,” Marcia said with a nervous chuckle. She gestured for Nancy to sit on one of the two swivel chairs in front of the desk. She took the other one.
    Nancy was surprised by Marcia’s quiet manner. It was in such marked contrast to Len’s explosiveness. The couple certainly seemed like a case of opposites attracting.
    Nancy decided to start with small talk, hoping to put Marcia at ease. “How long have you had your own studio?” she asked.
    â€œAbout six months,” Marcia answered, “but I’ve been designing jewelry ever since I was a teenager. I majored in art at college, then went to work for Cy Baxter.”
    Nancy nodded. “I visited Mr. Baxter this afternoon. He didn’t seem very happy about your opening up your own shop,” she commented.
    â€œHe was furious!” Marcia exclaimed, rolling her eyes. “Then, when Joanna Burton asked me to design a necklace for her, Cy called and accused me of stealing his client,” she added.
    â€œBaxter told me that Miss Burton asked him to design the necklace first, but he wouldn’t because she owed him money,” Nancy said. Now she wondered if he’d been lying. He