The oxygen turned heavy in my throat, and I struggled to breathe as I reached for the paper and ripped it off the door. It wasn’t note paper. I stared at the glossy eight-by-ten photo and felt fear snaking down my spine. The photo was of Luke standing next to me beside Brock’s pool, his hand covering mine. Someone had circled our hands with a black Sharpie marker and written an exclamation point next to the circle.
Tears stung my eyes as I read the message printed across the bottom, also with the black Sharpie:
Only a diamond ring will keep you safe.
I let the picture fall to the ground as I scrambled for my cell phone. By the time Tony answered, I was in hysterics. I struggled to put into words what I had just discovered.
“I’ll be right there,” Tony said. “Go wait out front.”
The picture stared up at me menacingly with the fine hand penned beneath. My breath caught. “The handwriting is different.”
“It’s okay, Adri,” Tony reassured me. “Are you outside?”
I pulled my eyes from the message on the picture. “I never made it inside. It was taped to my front door.”
“Good. Hamilton and I are on our way. Can you wait in your car?”
“Yes.” I hurried to my Mountaineer, and once inside, double-checked the locks and slid down in the seat. I covered my face with my hands and took ragged breaths. My mind raced through scenarios. Was this somehow connected to Sylvia’s missing wedding gown? There must be more diamonds inside the dress, but I didn’t know where the dress was.
I heard a tap at my window and screamed. Tony stepped back as I unlocked the door and pushed it open.
“I’m sorry, Adri. I stood there for a couple seconds because I didn’t want to scare you, but you weren’t moving.”
“That’s okay.” I looked past him to see Detective Hamilton climbing the steps toward the photo.
Tony took my hand and helped me out of the vehicle. “You look a little pale. Why don’t you sit on the steps in the fresh air, and we’ll talk?”
I held onto his arm as we walked the few feet toward my door. “I’d like to go in your house and check things out, if that’s okay.”
I thrust my keys into his hand. “Definitely.”
Tony helped me sit and then hurried inside, while Hamilton waited with me. He studied me. “Are you okay? Do you need anything?”
“I’ll be fine—just need to breathe.” I gave him a weak smile.
Hamilton patted my shoulder. “We’ll figure out who’s behind this. It’s good that you called us right away.”
I nodded and leaned against the steps as I viewed the horizon. The last pinkish rays of light had retreated toward the mountains, replaced with pinpricks of glitter scattered across the sky. It was a beautiful night, and I was angry at the person who took the picture for ruining the evening.
“All clear,” Tony said as he came back out.
“There must be more diamonds somewhere, and they think Adri has them,” Hamilton said.
I flinched. “But I thought that criminal told you everything.”
Tony’s mouth was set in a grim line. “I thought he did. He said he named everyone involved. He didn’t say anything about more diamonds.”
“That scum was probably waiting for another package to get lifted out of here. Must be a boss man he hasn’t named yet.” Hamilton flipped open his notebook and scribbled for a moment before scrutinizing me. “No more secrets?”
I saw Tony’s brow furrow in frustration as I opened my mouth to retort. Tony believed me, so I thought better and stepped down my defense. “I told you everything. I value my life, detective. I don’t want to be involved in this anymore.”
Tony studied the picture for a moment. “So tell me a little more about this.”
I glanced at Luke’s smile in the photo, and I could tell Tony was trying to piece together the situation, in light of the boyfriend he had met last night. “This is Brock Grafton’s pool. I was there for Natalie’s bridal shower. Luke was there hanging out with Brock.”
“I thought you had a boyfriend. Why is Luke holding your hand?”
I started to explain but then clamped my mouth shut as a realization came over me. “Wait a minute. This picture was taken at Brock’s house, on his private property.”
That got Hamilton’s attention. “That’s right. It’s a gated property—fenced, with surveillance.”
“So the person who took this picture was at the party or found his way around Brock’s security system,” Tony said.
“But it was a bridal shower—all women—except for Luke and Brock. They were in the house, but they left shortly after things got started.”
“How many in attendance?” Hamilton asked.
“Thirty-six.” I knew the exact number of attendees because they had been asked to RSVP. “Forty-two were invited.”
Tony stood. “We’ll have to go over there and check things out in the morning.”
“I’m sure Brock will be happy to help you,” I said.
“I’m not sure what this means, but I don’t think you should stay here tonight,” Hamilton said before Tony could comment. “Do you have somewhere else you could stay? Maybe your boyfriend’s?”
My face reddened, and I shook my head. “I could stay with Lorea.”
“Good. I’ll follow you over.” Tony seemed relieved with my answer. I almost asked him what was up before I thought better of it.
“Let me make a call while I grab my things.” When I called Lorea and told her what had happened, she said to get myself over to her house. It took me only a few minutes to stuff a bag with overnight necessities and the clothes I planned on wearing up to the springs the next
