Page 74 of To Steal a Heart
“What if he steals the diamond?”
“That’s a possibility.” Before Arden could articulate a response, Grandmother continued, “You keep questioning if Garrett is here for the diamond or you. The only way you’ll know for sure is to let the situation play out.”
Grandmother had lost her marbles. Or maybe Arden was the crazy one for going along with this harebrained scheme. “We can’t let Garrett steal the diamond. The Bergmans will be devastated. It’s the one tangible link they have to Beatriz.”
“That’s not our problem.”
Arden’s jaw dropped. “How can you say that?” Disgust roiled her gut. “You are unbelievable! Just when I think I’ve seen your worst, you stoop even lower.”
Grandmother smirked. “You really are a drama queen.”
“And you’re a cold-hearted snake.” Normally Arden wouldn’t be this brazen, but Grandmother had pushed her too far.
Her eyes blazed from behind her glasses. “I may be cold-hearted, but at least I’m not a naïve fool. Something about Astor and Katia Bergman doesn’t ring true.”
This was ridiculous. Why was Arden even wasting her time talking to Grandmother? “I’m done with this conversation.” She got up to leave.
“Sit back down,” Grandmother insisted, her voice as unyielding as steel. She peered over her glasses. “Do it!” she croaked.
Arden plopped back down. “You’ve got two minutes.”
A humorless smile spread over Grandmother’s lips. “Then, I’d better make this fast. I’m not buying all of that sentimental drivel about Katia and Astor coming here because Beatriz was your biggest fan.”
Grandmother’s insults knew no bounds. “Do you not think I’m worthy of such an honor?” Arden spat.
“This has nothing to do with you being worthy. I had to sit there tonight and listen to Katia drone on and on about what a saint her late mother was. It was over-the-top. The woman’s a phony.”
“Just because your family doesn’t regard you in the same way doesn’t mean that Katia is a phony.”
“I’m going to ignore that remark,” Grandmother snipped. “Furthermore, Astor claims to have built his wealth by his conglomerate of businesses, but the man’s not the sharpest tool in the shed.” She grunted. “Showing up at the gala in that pink clown suit was absurd.”
“You’re judging the man’s business prowess based on his tux? Wow. That’s a bit much, even for you.”
Grandmother lifted her chin. “You can tell a lot about a person through seemingly insignificant details.”
Arden leaned forward. “What does that say about you? Wearing your funeral dress and honking diamond necklace to every event.” She knew she’d gone too far when fire shot from Grandmother’s eyes.
“Watch yourself,” she warned.
“I’m just trying to show you how absurd you’re being about Astor and Katia.” She nibbled on her lower lip as her mind worked to figure out Grandmother’s angle. “Are you trying to find something wrong with the Bergmans so you won’t feel guilty if Garrett steals the diamond?”
She raised her voice. “I’m trying to figure out why the Bergmans are actually here.”
“Not everyone has an ulterior motive.”
“Of course they do.” Grandmother scrunched her wrinkled face. “I just wish I knew what the Bergmans’ intentions are.” Her eyes widened as she punched out her words with new excitement. “I know. I’ll talk to Casey. See if he has any contacts in New York City. It might be helpful to do a little digging into the Bergmans.”
Casey Wilcock had been over security for the hotel for as long as Arden could remember. Technically, he answered to Talon, but Grandmother thought of Casey as her lackey. The man catered to Grandmother. She saidjump, and Casey said,how high? She enunciated each word, hoping Grandmother would get the point. “Casey has his hands full with keeping the diamond safe. I hardly think he has time to find someone to investigate the Bergmans.” She shook her head. “I don’t understand why you’re so fixated on the Bergmans. It’s Garrett that we need to be worried about.” The heart of the matter was—Garrett was going to attempt to steal the diamond. Arden couldn’t just sit back and do nothing. She hugged her arms, her knee bobbing up and down like the needle of a sewing machine. What was she waiting for here? For Grandmother to suddenly wise up and do the right thing? That wasn’t going to happen. Grandmother’s heart had shriveled up long ago. “The Bergmans deserve to know that a notorious jewel thief is here. That he’s planning to steal their diamond.”
“Have you not heard a word I’ve said?” Grandmother growled. “You need to let this thing play out. Wait a couple of days. Let me put some feelers out to see if we can find out more about the Bergmans.”
“Do you think they’re somehow connected to Garrett?” That seemed preposterous.
She tipped her head. “No, not necessarily. All I know is that my gut tells me that something’s off about them.”
“Maybe your gut is two twists short of a lemon.”
Grandmother’s rebuttal was immediate. “Maybe you’re too close to the heap of garbage to realize that it stinks to high heaven.”