Page 11 of Hidden Dane
Brady laughed and walked behind them as he said, “Ahh, so you’re why no other woman holds his interest for long.”
Emily made a sound with her tongue. The banker opened a private metal door with an electric access card and Emily turned toward Brady and said, “That probably has to do with his wish to not get involved with anyone he might have to leave.”
What was she talking about? He let her go as the banker swiped the box in question and handed it to him.
Brady asked Emily, as the banker left, “What do you mean?”
The door clicked and locked while Emily said, “After his mother died-”
Oh. “Emily, that’s enough. We’re in.” He opened the box.
She walked closer to him and looked down as he reached inside. Instead of jewels, he pulled out a piece of paper.
Emily peered over his shoulder and said, “Let’s see this box.”
He flashed the paper her way as he unfolded it and read the written coordinates on a map, and another slip of paper with a different bank box number. Seemed they were going on a scavenger hunt.
This time they were heading to Paris, and a bank he remembered Edmond, the man he’d thought was his father, had gone to many times.
Henry glanced at his phone and the security camera above the door. “Ted Vet San is in the bank upstairs with his associates.”
The box also had another blossom impression, this one smaller. His heart beat faster but then he saw Emily’s earrings she wore that matched the necklace. He held out his palm. “Emily, I need the earrings to your set I gave you.”
“My earrings too?” She unfastened them.
He opened and closed his hand, aware of Ted too close. “Hurry.”
“Here.” She handed him the diamond and emerald flower mounted on platinum and gold.
The rose earring matched the latch and he turned the lock. Once it clicked, he opened it and another box appeared. He took it as Emily said the obvious, “It’s a box.”
“Grab it and let’s go.” Henry braced himself against the front door they’d come in. “We’re out of time.”
Emily held out her hand and did the same motion he’d done earlier. “Can I have my jewelry back?”
He returned her earring and necklace, clasping her hand. “Put it on in the car.”
She made sure that her pocketbook was at her side while they raced down the hall the way they’d come, but Henry directed them to the back door. As they raced up, their footsteps like a marching army departing a battle.
He stopped. On the top step, Ted pointed a gun at him. “Uriel.”
“Ted.” He slipped the small box in his back pocket, maneuvering in front. He’d give his life for Emily and his friends to escape.
Brady pushed Emily behind both of them as Ted said, “I won’t let you leave with those jewels.”
Henry nodded and stepped further back with both Emily and Brady but then Henry pulled out his hand gun and leveled it at Ted.
Brady pushed Emily to run with him the four feet to the back door of the bank, while Uriel remained before him. “You don’t get a choice.”
Ted snapped his fingers and gestured for Uriel to look behind him. Ted’s henchmen showed with their red lasers that they had a clear shot at Emily’s head as she neared the backdoor.
Ted said, “Pity. Your girlfriend is rather pretty.”
Brady stepped in the way of the bullet as Uriel said, “Leave her out of this.”
Ted stared at her and said, “She possesses a treasure around her neck that is probably worth just as much as the fabled crown jewels.”
Emily stopped running and turned toward them. “Wait. If I give you this necklace, will you leave Uriel alone?”
