Page 73 of Sleigh Bells and Snowstorms
Natalie looked good enough to eat, even in her winter coat. I could see the memory of our night together flash through her eyes when I picked her up. It was almost as satisfying as the multiple orgasms I’d given her.
We got in my car, and I turned my thoughts to the business at hand.
“Maple did some digging for us,” I began. “I have his address, as well as some initial findings.”
“What did she find out?”
“On social media, he says he’s in finance. He owns a home here and one in the Seattle area. He travels extensively and appears to have an interest in art as well as history. Lots of trips to museums when he’s abroad. Obviously, that makes him very interesting to us.”
“Wait, finance? That’s so weird.”
“Why?”
“There’s this woman here in town, Louise Haven. She’s like an amateur matchmaker. I ran into her not that long ago, and she was trying to talk me into letting her set me up with her friend’s grandson. She said he works in finance and doesn’t live here full-time. I wonder if that was Julian.”
“Certainly possible. If he has a grandmother here, it might explain why he chose Tilikum.”
“I did wonder why a guy who can afford a ten-thousand-dollar suit would move here. Although he wouldn’t be the first wealthy person to relocate to the mountains. Some do it for the scenery. Others like the small town because they can be a big fish in a small pond.”
“I’m interested in how he can afford that ten-thousand-dollar suit. And his imported statues, and whatever other luxuries are making him the subject of town gossip.”
“Don’t people in finance make good money?”
“Not all of them, and it depends on what ‘finance’ means. He also might have another, less reputable, source of income.”
“Do you think he’s the thief? Or the money behind the thief?”
“At this point, he could be either. The right buyer would pay a considerable amount for the necklace. And if that wasn’t his first score, perhaps that’s why he’s strutting around in a Brioni.”
“Or maybe he’s the one who wanted the necklace, and he had the money to hire someone to get it for him.”
“Precisely.”
“So what’s the plan?”
I smirked at her. “You like plans, don’t you?”
“I’m a quintessential oldest child. I can’t help it.”
“The plan is, we take a look and go from there.”
She took a deep breath and let it out through pursed lips. “Okay.”
“Nervous?”
“A little.”
“You’re going to do great.”
Julian’s house wasn’t far outside town. His street was filled with homes elaborately decorated for Christmas, almost as if they’d coordinated with each other. All except his. Not a sign of Christmas anywhere on his property.
What a Scrooge.
The driveway was gated, and an iron fence surrounded the front. Based on the map, it was backed by the river, although the water wasn’t visible from the street. I slowed as we passed, noting security cameras at the gate and more mounted on the house.
Interesting.
“Now I see why the guys at the Timberbeast were talking about his statues,” Natalie said.
