Page 54 of The Fragile Truth
“Is it?” Sadie’s voice rose. “You gave Lina the necklace.”
Banks looked at her like she was out of her mind. “What necklace?” His expression was stupefied. “Why on earth would I give Lina a necklace?”
Sadie blew out a frustrated breath. “Are you really gonna play dumb and make me spell it out?”
“Humor me,” Banks punched out, his jaw razor sharp.
“Fine,” Sadie huffed. “Here goes.” She looked at Ian but couldn’t get a read on his expression, so she pushed forward. “The necklace was made from a coin that was part of The Gorham Gally Treasure. You gave that necklace to Lina. My brother recognized it as being part of the treasure that had been stolen from several private collections by the notorious thief,The Shadow. He questioned Lina, wanting to know who gave her the necklace, but she wouldn’t tell him. Brent started investigating and learned thatThe Shadowhas connections to Honeysuckle Island. It’s my firm belief that Brent’s interest inThe Shadowgot him killed.” Seeing the incredulous expression on Banks’s face fueled her anger. “Don’t try to deny it.” She held up the ring. “This is part of The Gorham Treasure. In fact, it was part of one of the private collections.” She felt the vindication of having revealed his treachery. “The fact that it’s in your possession is proof of your guilt.”
Madeline turned to Banks, distress deepening the fine lines around her eyes. “Tell me it’s not true.”
“Of course it’s not true,” he raged.
It was astounding that Banks could stand there, pleading his innocence when he was clearly guilty. “If you’re not the thief, then how did the ring get into your possession?”
All eyes turned to Banks. For the first time since she’d met the man, Sadie sensed a sliver of weakness as hesitancy crept into his features.
“I’d answer the question,” Ian piped in, his voice rock hard.
A hint of desperation sounded in Banks’s voice. “It was a gift, given to me by a friend. He got it from a collector.”
“What friend?” Ian demanded.
Banks rubbed a hand across his forehead in what looked to be defeat. A second later, however, he straightened his shoulders, turning to Ian. “You knew Sadie’s history, and yet, you recommended that she work in our home.” His voice hardened with one who had gone from being the hunted to the hunter. “I trusted you,” he roared. “And you knowingly put my family at the risk of some woman who’s a loose cannon.” He threw Sadie a look so withering that she could almost feel her insides shrivel.
Ian’s jaw grew slack. Sadie could feel his uncertainty slithering dark shadows around her heart. She needed him in her corner—not just in this circumstance but for always. In a flash, her thoughts shifted, and she viewed the situation from Ian’s point of view. In her zeal to bring Banks to justice, she’d put Ian in a precarious state. She forgot about herself or even her desire to avenge Brent as her desire to protect Ian overshadowed all else. “This whole thing was my idea. I acted alone!”
Ian’s gaze met hers. It seemed to take forever for him to speak. “That’s not true,” he said quietly.
Sadie gave a pleading look. “Tell them this is not your fault. I came to Summerhaven and Honeysuckle Island to find out what happened to my brother. I got Ian involved.”
A dismal but resolute smile touched Ian’s lips. “I have to own up to my part in this,” he uttered. “Because it’s the right thing to do.”
Moisture filled Sadie’s eyes. Ian was one of those heroes applauded in books and movies. She had the utmost respect for the incredible man that he was. And yet, it hurt to see him risk losing everything because of her.
Banks went on the rampage, pointing at Sadie as he spoke to Ian. “She had no right to break into my desk.”
Carter inserted himself into the conversation. “You need to contact the attorneys immediately. An illegal search violates the Fourth Amendment.” His eyes were frosty as he looked at Ian.
Panic raced through Sadie’s veins. This was all wrong. Banks was the culprit here, not Ian. “I’m the one who broke into your desk,” she asserted, pointing to herself. “The blame falls on me.”
Ian turned his attention to Banks. “Let’s go to my office, so we can discuss this further. I’ll need the names of both your friend who gave you the ring and the collector.”
Banks rooted his feet into the floor. “I don’t think so.” His eyes blazed with outrage. “Here’s how this is gonna work. Take your cohort and get out of my house.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” Ian countered, his voice hard. His hand went to his gun. “I need some answers.”
The two men stared one another down. The muscles in Banks’s jaw flicked. “Okay,” he finally said, “I’ll go in on Monday morning and give you a full statement.”
Ian grunted. “What makes you think I’d give you extra time?”
Banks ground out the words. “Because if you don’t, I’ll nail you to the wall. You’ve broken so many laws here that you won’t stand a prayer of keeping your job. You have my word that I’ll come in first thing Monday morning.” He paused, eyeing Ian. “Do we have a deal?”
Sadie wasn’t sure what to think or how to feel. She didn’t want to be the cause of Ian losing his job. And yet, could they just walk out of here, trusting that Banks would come forward on Monday morning? She held her breath, waiting to see what Ian would decide.
“Okay,” he muttered. “We have a deal.”
Disappointment and relief rushed simultaneously through Sadie.