Page 67 of Tangled Up In You

That information made him doubtful that Weatherly would try to steal the diamond rather than go through legal channels. "Tell me about the items that Caroline sent to Phoebe Haller. Do you have an itemized list? Do you know who packed the boxes, or who might have had access to them?"

"I don't have a list of what went to Phoebe. Caroline told me that they were all personal items. The rest of her estate was to be distributed to various parties."

"Can you give me any more details on those parties?"

"The properties that were owned by both Mr. Weatherly and Caroline, including the house in Whisper Lake, will go to Mr. Weatherly. Caroline owned two other properties that will be sold. The money received, in addition to her personal investments, will be donated to a foundation that Caroline supported. She was a world traveler, and she wanted her money to support a variety of charities dedicated to animals and the environment."

"What about her previous husbands and her stepchildren? Did they inherit anything?"

"No. Caroline wasn't close to her previous husbands or any of her stepchildren. She wasn't involved in raising any of them, and I know she didn't particularly care for Charles's two sons. She thought they were spoiled and entitled. However, she did leave some money to her step-siblings." Ava paused. "Are you suggesting that someone stole the diamond because they didn't get an inheritance?"

"It's a theory. I know Caroline was sick, so it seems doubtful she packed the boxes that were later sent to Phoebe."

"Her housekeeper, Rebecca Pierce, handled that under Caroline's supervision. She had most of the items packed before Caroline passed away."

"What can you tell me about Rebecca Pierce?"

"Rebecca worked for Caroline for over twenty years. I believe she returned to Los Angeles after Caroline passed away." Ava paused. "I have her number." She rattled off the digits. "She would certainly be able to tell you about what was in the boxes."

"Would she have had access to the safe where the diamond was supposed to be?"

"I don't know. It's possible. As I said, she was a longtime friend and employee of Caroline's. She worked for Caroline for many years and was devoted to her."

"Did Rebecca get an inheritance?"

"Yes. It wasn't huge, but it was enough that she can retire if she wants. She's in her late fifties, so I think that's probably what she'll do."

"All right. What about other employees? Do you know who else was with Caroline when she moved to Whisper Lake?"

"There were no other full-time employees. Hold on one second." She paused for a long moment, then said, "Rebecca hired a woman named Brenda Dunn to come in once a week for heavier housecleaning. She lives in Whisper Lake. She also hired a gardener, Reuben Cardoza, who handled the landscaping."

"Anyone else?"

"There were hospice workers and a nurse who went into the house. I don't have that specific information. I can have my assistant look into it. I'll also have her send you the contact information for the individuals I just mentioned."

"I'd appreciate that."

"No problem. I would like to resolve the issue of the missing diamond, so whatever I can do to help…"

"I'll let you know if I need anything else." After ending the call with Ava, he punched in Rebecca's number. It didn't connect. A feeling of unease ran down his spine. The only person who knew what was in those boxes had changed her number. That wasn't good.

Ava said Rebecca had gotten an inheritance. Maybe it wasn't enough. Maybe she'd decided to swap out the diamond and/or steal it. Rebecca was probably the person who had had the most access to Caroline and to the diamond. He needed to find her.

ChapterSeventeen

"Not a bad first day,"Drew said as Molly turned the Open sign to Closed Friday evening.

"It was better than I thought," she admitted. "Thanks for all your help, Drew."

"I didn't have anything better to do."

"I saw Cassie come in this afternoon. Are you two seeing each other?"

"We're hanging out," he said carelessly. "She's cool. She plays guitar and sings."

A beautiful, guitar-playing singer. Drew was a goner. "Have you met her friends?"

"Some. We're meeting up tonight at the festival."

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