Page 106 of Gem Warfare

He’d asked me if I’d heard the name Temple!

Who was she? Why had she come to my aid? What was I to her?

“What did she tell you?” asked Maddox.

“Nothing!”

“You were talking.”

“About this!” I waved my hand at Gideon.

Maddox ran a hand over his hair, turning away briefly. “It was a good thing we spotted you both. Sadiq called Garrett. They’ll all be here in a moment.”

“She was inside the police station less than an hour ago. She was wearing a police uniform. She must have been after the jewels but she didn’t get them. Neither did Gideon,” I told him.

“Are you sure of that? Are you sure she didn’t steal anything?”

“Garrett and I saw the jewels, if that’s what you mean. The sergeant in the evidence locker unsealed the box in front of us and counted them out. We saw them!”

“And you just happened to run into her?”

“She said she waited around and saw Gideon. She followed him. She helped me.”

“She’s going to disappear.” Maddox looked skyward, his fists clenching and unclenching.

Then Garrett arrived, calling to us, several police officers in tow, their weapons drawn as they circled Gideon. Someone tugged me back while another officer scooped up Gideon’s gun. Another officer checked over Gideon as he groaned some more, then two pulled him into a seated position against the wall. Iwaited as he was handcuffed, and an ambulance called for.

“Hi, Garrett,” I said when my brother took me by the shoulders, running an eye over me and giving a satisfied nod.

“You don’t seem hurt,” said Garrett, a deep frown marring his forehead.

“I’m not. But I need you to do something.”

“Name it.”

“First find out where Poppy is and make sure she’s safe.”

Garrett glanced at Gideon, his face darkening. “Why wouldn’t she be safe?” he asked, his voice a low growl.

“I’m sure she is. I think it was just an idle threat but we need to be sure. Gideon said someone’s watching her and Lily’s with Mom.”

“I’ll call Jord now and tell him to get over to wherever she is.”

“There’s one more thing,” I said, the missing pieces beginning to click into place. Cass Temple hadn’t stolen the jewels… except… what if she had? What if we’d all been hoodwinked? Was it even possible?

“Go on.”

“I told you I saw her but when we checked the jewels and found nothing missing, I figured I had to be wrong. But what if I weren’t? What if I really did see her walking out of the building?”

“Her?”

“The woman! She was…” I looked around. “She was here. Maddox saw her!”

Garrett regarded me skeptically. “We saw the jewels,” he reminded me.

“I know. Maybe she was casing the station or… or… I don’t know but she was here! Everyone saw her!”

Garrett nodded. “Outside, not inside MPD. You can explain more about this thief later,” he said, looking over my shoulder. “Or Maddox can.”