Page 85 of Gem Warfare

“What happens if they are?”

“They’ll eventually be repatriated.”

“And if not?”

“Come up with a convincing enough story for the tip line and they could be yours.” Garrett winked and I laughed. “Apparently, the bounty for any leads resulting in their return is still active.” Garrett named a figure and I whistled.

“The Dugans will be interested to hear that,” I said, “and Ruby too.”

The drive to the jail was uneventful and not long after we hit the freeway, I stopped looking over my shoulder for possible tails. Eventually, with the traffic flowing and the radio turned up and pumping out pop songs, I relaxed. By the time we arrived, turning into the parking lot and showing the guard our credentials, I was in a positive mood. If Kelvin Huff knew anything about the jewel heist, and how he might have been used as a chump, I felt sure he would tell us.

Instead of the general public’s visitation room, a guard showed us into a small meeting room with a table bolted to the floor and a window eight feet high in the wall. Probably at the time of building the facility, the room was painted cream and now it had a smattering of scuff marks, a panic button, and was entirely devoid of anything pleasant to look at.

As Garrett placed his file on the table — the only thingwe hadn’t logged into the guard’s possession — he indicated I should take a seat and he did the same. Then we waited.

Finally, the door opened and a ratty-looking man with a receding hairline, dressed in a gray sweat-suit, entered.

“You must be Kelvin Huff,” said Garrett, extending his hand to the man as soon as the guard removed his handcuffs.

The man shook his hand, eyeing us both wearily. “I am. And that would make you?”

“Lieutenant Garrett Graves and this is Private Investigator Lexi Solomon,” said Garrett as he flashed his badge.

I opened my mouth to correct my surname then realized Garrett had omitted half of it purposefully, not giving our sibling relationship away.

“Take a seat,” said Garrett. “Can I get you anything? A coffee? Soda? Candy? Cigarettes?”

“Yes to the soda and candy. No to the cigarettes. Never could stand the things and I don’t care to use them as currency either.”

“I’ll be right back,” I said and headed to the door to retrieve the items, pleasantly surprised that no misogynistic comments followed me. I knocked and the guard unlocked the door, watching me as I slid money into the vending machine further down the corridor. I retrieved a Coke and two candy bars and he let me back into the room.

“Thanks,” said Huff when I deposited them in front of him. He reached for the Coke, snapped open the ring pull, and took a long glug. “To what do I owe this pleasure? I know I’m not in trouble for anything so I guess you’re looking for information on something or someone?”

“Smart guess,” said Garrett, nodding congenially. “You’re right.”

“Go ahead. If I can answer, I will. I figure you know already that I’m getting out soon so I don’t need to trade for any favors but if you feel like adding to my commissary account, I’d beobliged.” He leaned back in his seat, his hand wrapped around the can, looking entirely at ease.

“I’ll see what I can do. Have you got somewhere to go?” asked Garrett, his voice far more casual than his question but Huff didn’t appear to notice as he nodded.

“Man, I have plenty of places to go. I’ve been locked up a long time and I’m looking forward to seeing the world again.” He gave me a tight smile before returning his attention to Garrett. “So what can I help you with?”

“We’re looking at a cold case from New York, almost twenty years ago,” said Garrett.

Huff held up a hand and nodded. “The museum,” he cut in. “That was a big story back then. How come you’re asking about it now?”

“How’d you know that was what we were asking about?” I asked.

“Ah, she speaks. Figured you might be the bad cop,” said Huff with a wink. “Literally nothing else of interest happened in my life there except all that to-do with the museum and that unfortunate incident of grand larceny. I’ve almost done my time on the second so it had to be the first.”

“You’re a smart guy,” said Garrett.

Huff nodded sagely, his face serene like he’d heard that all the time. “I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on my life and get a little education in here,” he said, spreading his hands like he was a guru talking to a rapt assembly.

“What can you tell us about the museum theft?”

“I’m sorry to waste your time but not much.” He reached for a candy bar, peeling the wrapper slowly like he wasn’t so uncouth as to rip it off and eagerly devour the contents. I would have if I’d served as long as he had, with little access to the commissary. I’d have bitten my hand off for it. “A detective interviewed me back when it happened. I don’t remember his name but there will bea file somewhere that’s better than my memory.”

“Detective Phipps?” asked Garrett.

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