Page 74 of A Breath of Life
“We figured Clarence wanted to dump the card on us because it was stolen, right?” I motioned to the mess. “Clearly, whoever he stole it from came looking for it… or him.” It sounded logical to me. Why was Diem getting his shirt in a knot? “The guy is in hot water, and he knows it, so he ran.” I shrugged.
Diem rubbed a hand over his jaw and winced before gently prodding his swollen nose.
“Do you think I’m right?”
“It’s possible,” he mumbled.
“What do we do? Leave the card here? Pretend we never had it? It’s Clarence’s problem. Let him deal with the blowback.”
“No. We find Clarence.”
“Maybe we should turn it over to the police.” Money or not, with the state of the apartment, I no longer wanted anything to do with the stupid card.
“No. We find Clarence.” Diem’s tone brooked no argument.
“Okay. We find Clarence.” No sense in causing another argument. Diem seemed adamant.
I scanned the mess, debating logistics and Diem’s insistence. Wasn’t he the one who originally wanted to give it to the police or toss it in a dumpster? The card dangled from his wrist, and it seemed he wouldn’t part with it unless it was to hand it over to Clarence.
Why the change of heart? Why now?
Diem squatted and riffled through a pile of discarded papers. His pinched expression and the room’s lighting made the bruises on his face stand out in sharp relief. I considered them. His broken nose. The mysterious men who had beaten him. His absence the other night. Diem’s certainty that danger lurked in the shadows.
Mr. Hi Glitter Gold Converse.
It dawned on me all at once. The card, the unexplained beating, and the man following us were connected. I tumbled over information to see if those puzzle pieces fit. Yes. I was sure of it, but how? Why? Were the men who hurt Diem looking for the card? Had Clarence stolen it from them? Did Diem have it the night he went to visit his nana? Why hadn’t he handed it over? Diem didn’t care about the money. Had he concealed it somehow? Why didn’t the men search him, find it, and take it back?
I was still missing something.
They had clearly threatened him. That much was obvious.
With what?
“Are you going to help or stand there?”
I jolted. “Help? What am I helping with?”
“We need to figure out where Clarence took off to.”
“Oh. Right. So we can return the card.”
Diem glanced up from perusing debris, brows angled gravely. “Yes, Tallus.”
“I’ll start in the bedroom.”
A maelstrom wreaked havoc on my brain as I headed down the hall. If what I believed was close to the truth, why didn’t Diem tell me? Why the secrecy?
I shoved the million questions eating me alive aside as I contemplated Clarence’s bedroom. The area was sparsely decorated compared to the living room. A double bed, end tables, a wide dresser, and a cat tree. The latter gave me pause. We hadn’t encountered an animal. Had Clarence taken his pet with him?
The doors to a walk-in closet stood open, displaying empty hangers and a few bare shelves like Diem had noted. Underneath were shoe mats with a few empty spots I suspected were ordinarily filled. Being a fashion diva, I immediately noted Clarence’s preferred style. Many of the remaining suits were of the same Edwardian elegance we’d seen him wear the night he was attacked. Others were modern, recognizable brands I couldn’t afford.
Above the clothing rack was a high shelf and fabric-covered storage boxes. A few lids had been knocked aside. Either Clarence had rummaged through them while packing, or his determined company had disturbed the contents.
I pulled one down and peeked inside. Leather belts—neatly rolled—suspenders of various styles, bow ties, and scarves. Nothing important. I replaced it and tried the next one over, discovering wooden boxes filled with tie pins and cuff links, pocket watches and regular watches, along with various bits of jewelry.
The third container held framed photographs. Most were of the same woman. Mid-thirties. Luscious golden hair that cascaded in waves over her slim shoulders. Salacious dark eyes. Full lips.
In two of the pictures, she posed with Clarence at her side. Their affection and chemistry were unmistakable. One of them showed thecouple on a stone bridge overlooking a waterway. The distinct scenery suggested it was taken in a different country, although I couldn’t tell where. The ancient stone buildings dated back to a time long before America was discovered. Somewhere in Europe, I assumed. The other showed the couple dressed in finery and toasting with champagne. The backdrop could have been the interior of a castle. On closer inspection, I noticed matching wedding bands. Husband and wife?
