Page 112 of Family Jewels

“I only met the top guys. I never saw the lower ones unless they were standin’ guard, in which case I wasn’t introduced. They were just there.”

“Do you know what Reynolds is up to now?”

I hesitated, then said, “I’m Switzerland, Joe. All information that comes from either side stays with me. I don’t tell James what I learn from you and vice versa.”

I expected him to argue, but instead he said, “Whatcanyou tell me?”

“Raddy admitted that the necklace he was looking for was stolen. He’d stowed it with his grandmother’s jewelry, which he’d given to Rayna. His plan was to let it sit and cool off before he tried to sell it.”

“Let me guess. He stole it from Buck Reynolds.”

“Yeah.”

“So why did he call you last night?”

I couldn’t very well tell him that part. “Obviously he was desperate. Maybe he’d gone through his Rolodex of friends and was down to the slim pickin’s at the bottom of the barrel.”

“Huh.” He didn’t sound like he believed me. “Do I need to come home early?”

My heart sank. “I take it you haven’t found Ronnie yet?”

“No, but I have one more place to check.”

“We’re fine,” I said. “Keep looking.”

“You wouldn’t admit if you needed help, would you?”

“Would it make you feel better if I told you we’re bein’ protected?”

He paused. “Malcolm.”

“I’m fine. We’re fine. Find Ronnie.”

He hung up and I cast a glance down at the screen, realizing Jed had heard my side of the conversation. Well, I’d done nothing wrong, and I had nothing to hide.

Neely Kate popped back into the office a few minutes later and handed me a to-go cup. “Did I miss anything?” she asked in a chipper tone. I almost did a double take. Maybe she was pretending Jed wasn’t sitting in the back.

“Joe called.”

“Uh-oh.”

“He’d heard about Raddy, of course, and asked if he needed to come home early. I told him we were fine.”

“And he bought it?”

“Enough that he’s not gonna come rushing home.”

She nodded, then went back to work. The three of us worked in silence for the next half hour, although I could hear Jed talking in a low voice on his phone from time to time in the back. When it was about time for us to leave for our appointment, Jed got up and moved to the edge of the screen. He cast a glance toward Muffy, who was still curled up on her bed.

“Is she okay?” he asked, pointing toward her.

I leaned over and stroked the top of her head. “She will be.”

“What do you plan to do with her when we leave? Are you sure you want to leave her here alone?”

“I’ll stay with her,” Neely Kate said, still looking at her computer.

“Not an option,” Jed said dryly.

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