Page 92 of A Real Good Bad Thing

“I’ll have intel for you in an hour,” she said in her crisp, businesslike tone.

“Excellent,” I said. “Tell Mason I’m bringing him back a new snorkel mask, and we’re going to dive for buried treasure off the coast of Key Largo.”

Kate laughed. “He’ll be excited.” She downshifted to a softer voice. “He misses you.”

“I miss the little guy too.”

I headed out of the diamond district down Wayboard Street toward Tristan’s, passing International Diamonds along the way. Monica had helped me the other day and had told me about the watermark—and she’d said they’d had other diamonds like it lately. Would she tell me if they’d had more in the last few days? Hard to say but I could duck in and ask if they’d had any others brought in since the other day. But it would have to be after my eleven-thirty appointment. She’d seemed suspicious of me. I didn’t think it was just the tight bun and strict-schoolmarm glasses.

I stopped suddenly on the steps to the restaurant, the hair on the back of my neck standing on end. Dark hair. Tight bun.

I’d just seen that.

I spun around, searching the busy street. There—

But by the time I’d descended the stairs, she’d disappeared. Ducked into a shop, maybe.

Holy shit. Was the sex-toy diamond saleswoman following me?

45

SHOWTIME

Ruby

At eleven-fifteen, I walked to Eli’s club from Jake’s hotel. It wasn’t far, and there was a crystal-blue sky and a cooling breeze. Just another day in this island paradise.

My lunch with Eli wasn’t for another forty-five minutes, but I thought I’d find him at one of his favorite spots first. He’d told me he spent time at Sapphire most days. I’d donned a pink sundress, flip-flop sandals, and a pair of delicate mermaid earrings—quirky but pretty. I’d dressed to appear approachable.Tell me all your secrets, Eli.

The club looked different without flashing lights and cool blue neon signs. Just a gray front door with one security guard manning it. I climbed the steps and told him, “Hi. I’m Ruby Ashley. I’m here to see Eli.”

The guard’s blank expression disappeared and he smiled. “Welcome back, Ms. Ashley. Mr. Thompson is in his office,” the man said, pushing open the heavy steel door. He gestured for me to head inside. “Go right in.”

Sapphire during the day was like a Halloween haunted house with the lights on, exposing all its secrets. Overhead fluorescents unmasked the bar, the floor, the stage, and the balcony, chasing away the slinky, sexy, sultry mood of after-hours. There was no pulse of techno-heavy music. No hum of crowds, no clink of glasses. Just the echo of my sandals as they slapped across the tiles when I crossed the dance floor. As I neared the winding staircase on the other side, I heard my name shouted from above.

“Ruby!”

I craned my neck and saw Clarissa, the club’s assistant manager, coming down the steps to intercept me. Her chestnut hair and banana-yellow dress made the empty club seem even more drab.

“Cal told me you were here,” Clarissa said as she reached the bottom step. “Eli’s in his office working,” the assistant manager continued, “but he’s looking forward to your lunch together.”

“I’m excited to see him too.”

And his artwork. I’m incredibly excited to see that.

“He told me you had a scuba tour next week,” she said as she turned around and climbed the steps with me.

“Do you dive? I’ve got room if you want to join us.” I made the offer casually, not expecting her to accept. But I wouldn’t mind filling a slot on the tour either. I told her what day we were diving.

“Must be fate. I have that day off.” We neared the top of the steps as she said, “Are you enjoying your extra time?”

Enjoyingdidn’t cover it. I was intrigued, frustrated, and anxious about the mystery. I wassavoringthe time with Jake.

“It’s been the experience of a lifetime,” I said honestly, with a private little grin. “Have you lived on the island long?”

“A while. Circumstances were making work difficult in the mainland, but I came down here to get away from it all for a bit and ended up staying.” The corner of her mouth twitched in private amusement. Maybe there was a special someone behind that secret smile for her too.

“Anyway,” she said as we turned into the hall that led toward the office, passing the three Lynx artworks. I tried not to stare at them, to bide my time. “This is a great job, and I love working for Eli,” Clarissa finished, her permanent smile fixed in place.