Page 97 of Tangled Up In You

"That diamond was given to my father."

"That's nothing to do with me." Relief ran through her as Adam's Jeep pulled up in front.

Adam got out of his vehicle and moved as quickly as he could in his walking boot. "Is there a problem?" he challenged.

"None of your business," John replied.

"I'm Detective Adam Cole," he said, pulling out his ID. "If I ask you if there is a problem, you answer. What's your name?"

"John Weatherly."

"He's Charles Weatherly's son. He's here about the diamond," she put in. "I told him I don't have it."

"She doesn't have it," Adam said, giving John a hard look. "I already told your father's lawyer that earlier today."

"She has to have it. It's nowhere else to be found. Caroline had to have given it to Phoebe. They were like sisters. Phoebe was the only one she wanted to see when she was dying." John ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "Look, the ring isn't just of monetary value. It represents the love between my father and Caroline, and he needs that back. He's been distraught since she died. And the diamond will make him feel like he hasn't lost everything."

Molly didn't know what to make of his suddenly sad story. Maybe if he'd told her that tale first, she would have been more receptive. "Look, I'm sorry for your dad, but I can't give you what I don't have."

"We just want to help you look," he said.

"No," she replied "You're going to have to trust me."

"It's worth over three million dollars."

"I thought it wasn't about the money," Adam interjected. "Do you know Ethan Mercer?"

"Who?"

"He broke into the store last week and a few days before that. I'm pretty sure he was looking for the diamond, too."

"I've never heard that name," John said. "Are you telling me someone might have already stolen the diamond?"

"Well, the guy hasn't come back, so who knows?" Adam said. "But what we do know is that Ms. Trent doesn't have it. You need to leave her out of this. Step back, Mr. Weatherly."

Adam's firm voice backed John away from her.

"Please keep looking," John implored. "It's very important."

She didn't know what to say, so she just moved inside. Adam followed, watching Weatherly walk to his car before he shut the door.

"Are you all right, Molly?"

"I'm fine. I shouldn't have opened the door without looking. I thought it was you."

"Did he say anything else before I arrived?"

"No. Do you really think Mercer stole the diamond when he was here last week?"

"It's possible. It wouldn't be big. He could have had it in his pocket."

"I almost hope he does have it, so I can move on."

"I know. How are you doing?"

"Better now that you're here." She leaned into his kiss, feeling like it had been forever since she'd had his mouth on hers.

"I missed you," he said, lifting his head, his eyes sparkling with desire.

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