"What?"
"I'll take care of it," Emil said. "For now, at least you have half the jewels."
"Of all the incompetent—" Most of the words that followed were expletives.
"Get over it," Emil snapped. "You don't really need the jewels."
"And you don't really need the money," the man hissed.
"You won't hold out on me. I'm not a man you want to cross."
Another thud followed.
"There'shalfof your money. But I want the rest of the jewels. Find them or—"
The trill of Emil's phone ringing silenced the room. After a moment, Emil's voice barked through the study.
"What do you want, Chester? . . . What? Are you insane? . . . How did you— . . . You'll regret this, Chester.I promise you that."
A tap indicated Emil set down his phone. "Well, I found your jewels," Emil said.
"Who was that?"
"My assistant, Chester. He took the jewels from the safe. And now he wants these."
"Where is he? I'm done with you," snarled the man. "I'll get the rest of the jewels myself."
"I'll get them." Emil's low tone sent a disturbing chill down Nash's spine. "And you'll pay me the other half of my money. I'll handle this. Chester is out of his league. He wants to meet in an hour. On North Point Beach. It's a few minutes from here."
"Why is he sure you'll show up?" Suspicion quivered in the man's voice. "Does he have something on you?"
Emil laughed. "He doesn't have the upper hand he thinks he has. He's got Cassidy with him. And my aunt's dog-sitter. How that happened, I don't know. He must have taken out my driver. I'm surprised because I thought he could handle himself."
"He has Cassidy?"
"Don't go getting sentimental now, Charles. It was your idea to focus the blame on her so no one would suspect us."
"Yes, I know. It worked, by the way. You're welcome."
Emil mumbled something that sounded impolite.
"Wait," Charles said. "Chester wants to tradethesejewels for Cassidy? Why do you think he'll have the other half of the jewels with him?"
A snort from Emil. "I'll give him some credit. He's covering his bases. He's not sure I'll come for the women, so he texted a picture of Cassidy holding the jewels he stole from the safe. He figures I'll show up for the women or the jewels. He's probably not sure which is more enticing."
"Show me the picture," Charles said.
A few beats of silence passed, then a muttered curse.
"Why is Lena there?" Charles asked.
"Lena? The dog-sitter? How do you—"
"She's not a dog-sitter, you idiot. That's my daughter, Lena."
The declaration knocked the breath out of Nash. And poured acid into his veins. He couldn't fathom the pain her father's involvement would cause Lena. His right hand squeezed his phone, still recording the devastating conversation. His left hand fisted.
A few more beats of silence passed. Emil's laugh crackled through the tension.
