Page 52 of The Fragile Truth
“Would you like for me to get it?” Sadie asked, her heart slamming against her ribcage. She swallowed, willing herself to calm down. It had been a long time since Sadie had been on an undercover assignment. She was rusty. Also, a lot was riding on tonight.
“Sure. Thank you.” Madeline sat back down.
Sadie went to the door and opened it. A zing of electric emotion went through her when she saw Ian, standing proud and tall in his uniform. She took in his even features, high cheekbones, and his golden locks. Time froze as their gazes locked. “Hey,” she said softly. She could get lost in those pristine blue eyes, as pure and undiluted as pools of water.
“Hey,” he uttered, stepping inside. “How’s it going?”
“Everything’s on track,” she whispered.
He caught hold of her arm, his fingers brushing her skin and sending ripples of awareness through her. “I’ve missed you this week,” he said brusquely.
For a second, she wondered if she’d heard him correctly. “Really?” she squeaked. Did she dare hope that Ian was coming around?
He swallowed, glancing behind her. “We don’t have a lot of time, so I’ll cut to the chase. Would you like to go to church with me tomorrow?”
An incredulous laugh rose in her throat. “Is this really the best time to be asking me out?”
A crooked grin pulled at his lips. “I know; my timing is rotten.” Urgency trickled over his expression as he glanced behind her again. “Whaddaya say?”
“I’d love to.” A burst of joy went through her, pushing aside the anxiety for one blip of a moment. “What time?” she whispered.
“Service starts at ten. Pick you up at nine-thirty?”
“Deal,” she grinned. Sadie had no idea what had changed Ian’s mind, but she was immensely grateful.
He took in a resolute breath. “Let’s do this thing.”
Nodding, she tightened her jaw as she rubbed her sweaty palms up and down her pants. A few seconds later, Sadie made a point of walking casually as she led Ian into the dining room.
“Good evening,” Ian began in a deep, authoritative tone.
Banks frowned as he scooted back his chair and stood. “Sheriff Russell, what brings you out this time of the evening?”
“I’m sorry to interrupt your party.” Ian’s gaze flickered across all those gathered around the table. “We’ve gotten some reports. There appears to be a prowler in the neighborhood.”
Lizette’s hand went over her chest. “What?” she gasped, giving Carter a worried look.
He placed a hand over her arm. “I’m sure it’ll be okay,” he soothed.
Sadie took that opportunity to slip out of the room. With her heart in her throat, she hurried to the study. She voiced another prayer in her mind, asking for help. Removing her lock pick kit from the pocket of her pants, she circled the desk and went to work first on the middle desk drawer. Sweat beads broke over her nose as she worked, ignoring the trembling in her hands. It only took her a couple of minutes to pick the lock, but it seemed to take forever. She opened the drawer and rummaged through the contents, finding only papers that appeared to be stock reports. She went to the side drawers next and found normal desk items—a stapler, paper weight, a box of paperclips, some rubber bands. It was on her third drawer that she struck pay-dirt.
Her breath froze when she saw it. Resting in a plastic tray beside regular coins and a wad of various denominations of bills was a gold ring from The Gorham Treasure. She grabbed it and held it up for inspection, recognizing the cross in the center. The knowledge that her hunch was right whooshed through her with the force of a freight train as she placed the ring on the desk, pulled out her phone, and snapped several pictures of it. She was about to put the ring back when a hoarse voice stopped her cold.
“I knew you were trouble from day one.”
She looked up to see Josette standing in the doorway, balancing on her cane. Her long, lanky body and stooped shoulders resembled a praying mantis. Heat blitzed through Sadie, making her dizzy. Her brain raced for a way out of the situation.
Josette turned and bellowed up the hall, “Come quick.”
Seconds later, rapid footsteps paddled the wood floor. Banks stepped up beside Josette. “What’s wrong?” he asked, concern etching his voice.
Josette pointed an accusing finger. “She took something from your desk.”
Banks looked across the room, focusing on Sadie. The murderous expression on his face caused Sadie’s blood to curdle. He marched up to the desk. “What did you take?” He looked down at the ring, a look of utter astonishment streaking over his face.
Madeline rushed into the study and up to Banks. “What’s wrong?”
Banks’s voice took on a ruthless edge. “This is the second time I’ve caught this woman snooping around in my study.”