Page 41 of Gem Warfare

“Sure from the general public. I’m an FBI agent. I’m intrigued. I want to help out.”

I frowned, narrowing my eyes. “Do you?”

“Of course! It’s not every day a stash of jewels is unearthed from a shallow grave. It’s the kind of case we all hope for. So the body was a man? Not a woman?”

“Definitely a man, according to Garrett. I didn’t get close enough and even if I did, I’m not sure I could tell the difference without some obvious clues. Like lipstick. Or a beard.”

“And it wasn’t recent? Is everyone sure?”

“Apparently, but the ME still needs to confirm.”

“When?”

“Soon, hopefully.”

“And there’s no clue who this guy could be?”

“It’s looking like he had a bunch of aliases. What we don’t know is why.”

“Criminal activity,” said Maddox decisively.

I held back a laugh. “We figured that. What we don’t know is what kind of criminal activity. We do have a possible photo ofthe guy with his kid. It was in his wallet.”

Maddox was quiet a moment then. “A girl?”

“No, a boy. A teenager.”

“Have the names Stanley, Underwood, Temple, or Fournier come up?”

“No. Why all the questions?”

“Thought it might have some bearing on a case I’ve been working on a while but it doesn’t sound like it.”

“If it involves jewel theft and murder, I’d like to hear about it.”

“Jewels and theft, yes. Murder, maybe. It’s complicated.”

“It’s never complicated,” I said.

Maddox laughed. “It’s an ongoing case so my lips are sealed. Let’s get drinks soon anyway.”

“Lily’s bar?”

“Of course. I’ve had enough of O’Grady’s. The beer is tepid and nothing crazy happens. Although I’d prefer not to fall through anything, get shot at, or lose any clothes in the next few days.”

“Maybe we should go somewhere else,” I quipped.

“Nowhere’s safe with you, Graves. Keep me posted on your case and if you want to cozy up in any dark crawl spaces, let me know.” He disconnected before he had a chance to hear my eyeballs roll back into my head.

I sent Lily a text asking her if she wanted to join me on a lead and almost immediately she replied:Yes! Where are you?

At the office. Need to go to Bedford Hills.

I’m nearby. Meet you out front.

I grabbed my purse and tossed my phone in my pocket and headed to the parking lot. By the time I’d driven up the ramp to idle outside the building, Lily was walking towards me wearing denim shorts, a t-shirt that bared her midriff, and tennis shoes. She hopped in eagerly. “Is this another stakeout? Do I actuallyget to see something this time?”

“We’re going to speak to someone who used to own the end house,” I told her.

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