Four Warned (Quick Reads 2014) Read Online Free PDF Page B

moments before he fully recovered, and then he remembered Arabella telling him he would be presented with a wide choice of stones so the salesman could estimate his price range
without having to ask him directly.
    Jeremy studied the box’s contents intently, and after some thought selected a ring from the bottom row with three perfectly cut small emeralds set proud on a gold band.
    ‘Quite beautiful,’ said Jeremy as he studied the stones more carefully. ‘What is the price of this ring?’
    ‘One hundred and twenty-four thousand pounds, sir,’ said Crombie, as if the amount was not worthy of note.
    Jeremy placed the ring back in the box, and turned his attention to the row above. This time he selected a ring with a circle of sapphires on a white-gold band. He removed it from the box and
pretended to study it more closely before asking the price.
    ‘Two hundred and sixty-nine thousand pounds,’ replied the same honeyed voice, accompanied by a smile that suggested the customer was heading in the right direction.
    Jeremy replaced the ring and turned his attention to a large single diamond that lodged alone in the top row, leaving no doubt of its superiority. He removed it and, as with the others, studied
it closely. ‘And this magnificent stone,’ he said, raising an eyebrow. ‘Can you tell me a little about its origin?’
    ‘I can indeed, sir,’ said Crombie. ‘It’s a flawless, eighteen-point-four carat cushion-cut yellow diamond that was recently extracted from our mine in Rhodes. It has been
certified by the Gemmological Institute of America as a Fancy Intense Yellow, and was cut from the original stone by one of our master craftsmen in Amsterdam. The stone has been set on a platinum
band. I can assure sir that it is quite unique, and therefore worthy of a unique lady.’
    Jeremy had a feeling that Mr Crombie might just have delivered that line before. ‘No doubt there’s a quite unique price to go with it.’ He handed the ring to Crombie, who
placed it back in the box.
    ‘Eight hundred and fifty-four thousand pounds,’ he said in a hushed voice.
    ‘Do you have a loupe?’ asked Jeremy. ‘I’d like to study the stone more closely.’ Arabella had taught him the word diamond merchants use when referring to a small
magnifying glass, telling him that it would make him sound as if he regularly went to such places.
    ‘Yes, of course, sir,’ said Crombie, pulling open a drawer on his side of the table and extracting a small tortoiseshell loupe. When he looked back up, there was no sign of the
Kandice Diamond, just a gaping space in the top row of the box.
    ‘Do you still have the ring?’ he asked, trying not to sound concerned.
    ‘No,’ said Jeremy. ‘I handed it back to you a moment ago.’
    Without another word, the assistant snapped the box closed and pressed the button below his side of the table. This time he did not indulge in any small talk while he waited. A moment later, two
burly, flat-nosed men who looked as if they’d be more at home in a boxing ring than De Beers entered the room. One stayed by the door while the other stood a few inches behind Jeremy.
    ‘Perhaps you’d be kind enough to return the ring?’ said Crombie in a firm, flat, composed voice.
    ‘I have never been so insulted,’ said Jeremy, trying to sound insulted.
    ‘I’m going to say this only once, sir. If you return the ring, we will not press charges, but if you do not—’
    ‘And I’m going to say this only once,’ said Jeremy, rising from his seat. ‘The last time I saw the ring was when I handed it back to you.’
    Jeremy turned to leave, but the man behind him placed a hand firmly on his shoulder and pushed him back down into the chair. Arabella had promised him there would be no rough stuff as long as he
did exactly what they told him. Jeremy remained seated, not moving a muscle. Crombie rose from his place and said, ‘Please follow me.’
    One of the heavyweights opened the door and led Jeremy