Eye of the God (30 page)

Peter Trent paused and then leaned in, whispering, “Are we talking about
strip
searches?”

“No. Voluntary searches with full pat downs. The innocent have nothing to hide. Those who protest will be subjected to a vigorous interrogation. Now can we please do this?”

Peter closed his eyes and nodded.

Isaac dropped to the ground and crouched in the shadows. The alarm fell silent, but he heard the roar of sirens approaching. He stowed the tool belt in the briefcase, along with the mask and gloves, and slipped into his sport coat.

With the Hope Diamond tucked safely beneath his shirt, Isaac headed down Constitution Avenue, away from the scene of the crime.

21

“
W
HAT DO YOU MEAN YOU CAN'T FIND IT?” PURPLE CAPILLARIES PRESSED
to the surface of Daniel's nose, and his eyes bulged.

A security officer cowered before him, the harbinger of bad news. “We searched everyone, sir. Every single person. Some of them down to their underwear. No one has it.”

“Do cavity searches then. I want that necklace found!”

“Er, yes … well … I doubt that would help.”

“And why is that?”

“Sir, the diamond is too big to … fit … in a cavity.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes sir.”

Beads of sweat popped out on Daniel's forehead. This couldn't be happening—not on his watch.

Daniel observed Dr. Trent approaching him from the Hall of Mammals, jacket in hand and shirt partially unbuttoned.

“We have to let them go, Daniel.”

“We haven't found the diamond, Dr. Trent.”

“That is exactly why they have to be released. These people didn't do anything.”

“I'm not letting anyone out of here until we find that thing.”

“You are going to do exactly what I tell you, Daniel, because you work for me!”

“My butt is on the line here.”

“No, Daniel, mine is. I made the decision to take the diamond out of the vault. The Board of Regents approved. You were just doing your job.”

“And failed.”

“Apparently, we all failed. But in the end I will be the one to answer for it. Now let these people go.”

“I'm going to find it, sir. I promise you that.”

Dr. Trent said nothing and just walked away in defeat.

Abby listened as Daniel made the announcement on his bullhorn that everyone was being released. The irate crowd of guests collected their belongings and made their way to the front door. She stood a few feet from Dr. Trent, dreading the conversation they were about to have.

“You okay?” Alex slid an arm around her shoulders.

Abby lifted her eyes, meeting his briefly. It was answer enough.

Dr. Trent shifted from foot to foot. He finally cleared his throat. “We need to talk, Dr. Mitchell.” He motioned with his head that he wanted her to come with him for a private conversation.

Abby nodded and followed him toward a corner of the room, holding her head as high as possible.

“I must say, Dr. Mitchell, there are no words. What I mean is, I just don't … how could you let this happen?” He spat out the angry question.

“Please, Dr. Trent. You have to believe me. I didn't have anything to do with this.”

“You can understand why I have a difficult time believing that, Dr. Mitchell.”

“I—”

“I cannot convey how disappointed I am. How angry I am.”

“I know it looks bad. I do. But you have to believe me,” she said, swallowing her tears, “I had no part in this.”

Dr. Trent glared at her over the wire rims of his glasses. “Then who did?” His voice stayed calm … level … unnerving.

“I don't know!” Exasperated, Abby lifted her arms and then dropped them to her side.

Daniel Wallace pushed his way through the crowd, glowering at Abby as he approached. “Dr. Trent, have you made your decision?”

Abby looked back and forth between the two men. “What decision?”

“You must understand that this is very difficult for me, Abby.”

“What are you talking about?”

“It all looks very bad, and the Board of Regents is already pressing me for action.”

“I don't understand. What are you trying to say?”

Daniel broke in and spoke for Dr. Trent. “What he's trying to say is that someone needs to be held responsible for this, and that someone is you, Dr. Mitchell.”

“Me?”

“You were wearing the diamond when it disappeared. All signs point to your involvement.”

The edges of her face hardened, and she stood up straight, shoulders squared. “Is that so?”

Dr. Trent looked as though he was in pain, while Daniel appeared to be enjoying every moment.

“Yes, Dr. Mitchell, it is.”

“Let's be honest, gentlemen,” she said. “I made a ghastly mistake. But I'm not the only one who used poor judgment.”

“Do enlighten me,” Dr. Trent said.

Abby turned to Daniel, her fists clenched. “What about you, Daniel? This happened on your watch.”

Daniel jerked. “Now wait a minute!”

“It was my understanding,” she said, her voice rising above his, “that you spent the last twenty years in security management. Why couldn't you manage this?”

“I argued against letting you wear the diamond.”

“This entire event rested on the assumption that you were fully capable of protecting that diamond, Daniel. I understand the situation that I'm in, but you screwed up too.”

Daniel pulled a pair of handcuffs from his belt, shaking with anger. “This is a conversation we can finish later, Dr. Mitchell.”

Her instinct was to pull away, but she remained where she stood and eyed the cuffs with disdain. “You're arresting me?”

Peter Trent pulled at his collar. “This is difficult, Abby, I know.”

“And what are you arresting me
for
?” The question was simple, but both men shied away from the obvious answer.

“For stealing the Hope Diamond,” Daniel said.

Abby laughed, her voice sounding harsh to her own ears. “For stealing the Hope Diamond! I assume you have some proof.”

“You were wearing it when the lights went out, Abby,” Dr. Trent mumbled.

“Yes, I was, on your orders. And I was searched just like everyone else.” Abby met Daniel's gaze with fierce determination. “Did you or your security team find it on my person?”

“No.”

“Did you find it in my belongings?”

“No.”

“Tell me, Daniel, did you find that diamond at all?”

He flushed with anger.

Abby turned to her boss. “Dr. Trent, if you're accusing me of felony theft, I hope you have the proof to back up that accusation.”

Trent hesitated, unable to meet her eyes, and spun his wedding band around his finger.

“Those are details we can attend to later,” Daniel spat into the silence.

Abby shrugged. “Perhaps it will buy you some time. But it will also buy you the biggest headache you've ever experienced.” She kept her eyes on Dr. Trent and weighed her next words carefully. “If I were you, I would remember the reason you hired me, Peter. I have certain connections you felt would be a great asset to this museum. I will not hesitate to use those in my favor.”

A glance passed between them.

“Is that a threat, Dr. Mitchell?” Daniel asked.

“Yes, it is, but not in the way that you think, Daniel. As Dr. Trent would tell you if he could muster the courage to speak, I am fully prepared to defend myself.”

“She's right,” Dr. Trent whispered. His voice was barely audible above the clamor.

“Excuse me?”

“We don't have the grounds to arrest her.”

“I beg to differ,” Daniel insisted.

“You can beg what you like, but you will not be putting those cuffs on her, Daniel.” Dr. Trent deflated like a circus balloon.

“You're making a huge mistake.”

“Please don't tell me how to do my job. I'm not an idiot. Had you found that diamond in her purse I would be more than happy to let you take her to jail. But the fact is, Daniel, you have not found it at all.”

Daniel's face contorted with rage.

Abby breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Peter. Thank you. Now we can turn our attention to retrieving the stone.”

“We?”

“Well, yes. I think I can be of assistance.”

Dr. Trent placed a hand on her arm. “Abby, dear, I'm afraid you don't understand what's happening here. You won't be helping with anything.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just because I don't have the evidence to have you arrested doesn't mean you are not the prime suspect.”

“But that doesn't make sense!”

“The fact remains, my dear, that you were wearing that stone. You are the only person who had access to it. You are, unfortunately, at the top of the suspect list, and as such I will need your key card and all of your access codes.”

“Please, Peter. You're making a big mistake. I can help.”

“You are officially on administrative leave, without pay.”

“This is the wrong move, Dr. Trent,” she said, eyes narrowed.

“You haven't left me any choice.”

“I don't have that diamond!”

“That remains to be seen.”

“You can't be serious.”

“Don't tell me what I am, Dr. Mitchell. I believe it is time for you to get your things and leave. You've done enough damage for one evening.”

She grabbed her purse from the table and turned on her heel.

“Dr. Mitchell?”

“Yes?” she asked.

“Don't expect to get your job back.”

Abby clenched her jaw. She dug through her purse and handed her badge to Daniel.

“Your security code, Dr. Mitchell.”

“One nine seven eight.”

Daniel spoke into his headset, “Security, this is Daniel Wallace. Eliminate code one nine seven eight from the system.”

“I believe you were leaving,” Dr. Trent said.

“Yes, Peter, I believe I was.”

“Abby.” Daniel addressed her for the last time. “If I were you, I wouldn't leave the country.”

Her voice broke. “And why would I do a thing like that?”

“Just don't.”

Abby brushed past Alex, tears pressing into the corners of her eyes. “Please, take me home.”

22

S
ILENCE PERMEATED THE CAR AS THEY DROVE BACK TO ABBY'S APARTMENT.
Alex kept his gaze on the road while she looked out the window, eyes red and swollen.

After what seemed like an interminable amount of time, he came to a stop before her building and walked her in. Abby stood before her door, turning the keys over and over between her fingers. She wiped a stream of makeup away from her eyes.

“I'm sorry all this happened,” he whispered. “It's not your fault.”

“Even so, it isn't likely to matter. I will forever be known as the woman who lost the Hope Diamond.”

Alex slid his arms around her waist and nuzzled her cheek. He pressed his lips to her temple and then pulled away. “Get some sleep.”

She nodded.

He tipped her chin with his fingers. “I'm here if you need me.”

She sniffled, wiping her face with the back of her hand, and offered him a weak smile.

“I'll call you in the morning.”

“Okay,” she whispered, then put her key in the lock and left him standing on the doorstep.

Alex left the building, guilt brewing beneath the surface. He knew quite well that he would never be calling her again.