Page 59 of Misadventures With My Fake Fiancé

“I told them I gave it to you as a gift,” Jubal added.

“Congratulations, by the way, on the baby,” Laurel said as his gaze dropped to my stomach.

Mike still held my hand in his so I gave him a good, hard squeeze. Was I perpetuating a crime by lying to the FBI about a fake baby? Yeah, probably not.

“Um...thank you. Would you like me to get the necklace?”

“I went looking for it but didn't know where to find it,” Mike told me. “Sorry.”

I shook my head. “No, no. It's fine. It should be on the sink in the bathroom. I'll just go get it.”

Not sure if I could go, I looked to Laurel and Hardy, who both nodded.

When I left the room I heard Goldie say, “I thought you all wore black suits and ties.”

Knowing they wouldn't get bored while I was gone, I went directly to the bathroom. I remembered taking it off after brunch the day before when talking with Mike. But it wasn't there. It was big enough that I couldn't miss it. I looked in my toiletry case, on the floor in front of the vanity, all around the bathroom. Gone.

I turned to go back into the bedroom and looming in the doorway was Mike. My heart jumped into my throat. “Shit, you scared me.”

“Sorry. I guess you didn't find it?”

“No. I took it off in there.” I pointed to the sink. “Alex rifled through my suitcase the other day so it wouldn't surprise me if he took it for something.”

We looked around the bedroom, scanning. We saw it at the same time and we both let out a pent-up breath. Sitting on top of the dresser was George with the necklace around his neck. The chain was wrapped three times and he looked like a gnome rapper.

“Good thing we're fake pregnant,” I said. “I'm not ready for real kids.”

Mike made a noncommittal sound as he carefully pulled it from George and we went back to give it to the feds. Goldie was still yammering away, asking them about their badges and what metal they were made from.

Both men stood abruptly when we came in the room, probably thrilled to be able to cut Goldie off.

“Looks like we have a match,” Mike said, the necklace dangling from his fingers.

He handed it to Laurel. The man inspected it, flipped it over, assessing the chain, and compared it to the other.

“Can I see them?” Goldie asked.

Laurel thought for a moment, and then handed them both to Goldie.

“Hmm,” she said, weighing both. “This one feels heavier. No, they look identical, don't they, Violet?”

They did. Identical. Goldie lifted them up and held them to her ample chest. “Same length.” She put them side by side. “Remarkable. Violet gets to keep the fake one then?”

“Yes. You're welcome to keep the replica which is what Mr. Jgorgen paid for.”

Goldie handed the replica to me, the real necklace back to Laurel. I had no choice but to put it on. The chain tangled in my hair and Mike helped me pull it free. To me, I couldn't tell the difference. My back was going to ache regardless of authenticity.

“Mr. Jgorgen, we're sorry for the confusion. Thank you for your time.”

“Sure, no problem.”

The men gave us their thanks, nodded to Goldie—probably afraid she'd start asking more questions if they talked anymore—and left.

“Sweetheart, I'm so sorry for the mix-up,” Jubal said to me. “At least now you won't be afraid to wear it, knowing it's not the real deal.”

Right. “It's okay.”

“Bob, what is all this about? Stolen jewelry?” Goldie asked.

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