And now it was gone.
A cold ripple slid through me. Margaret Harrington’s voice echoed faintly in my mind,“It is priceless. And it will be pinned to Caroline’s gown right before the ceremony.”
“Oh god,” I whispered, pressing a hand to my mouth.
Has it been stolen?
The Harringtons would sue me.
My name would be blacklisted faster than I could say destination package.
I sank onto the edge of the bed, gripping my knees, willing myself to breathe.
Maybe Cleo had moved it?
No. She wouldn’t.
She wouldn’t touch anything without telling me.
Maybe it was a prank? Who would be that stupid?
I stood and looked around the room again, more slowly this time.
Nothing else was disturbed.
My laptop was still on the desk.
My phone charger still coiled neatly.
My clothes folded.
Whoever had taken it knew exactly what they were looking for.
I pressed my palms to my face, the beginnings of a headache forming just behind my eyes. The air felt thick, too still. Outside, I could hear conversations drifting up from the terrace, the clink of cutlery, the world still moving as if everything was fine.
But inside, everything had shifted.
I crossed to the door, then stopped, unsure whether to run straight to Cleo or call Noah first.
What was I even supposed to say?
Good morning, the priceless family heirloom has vanished, but the oysters are on ice?
The absurdity of it almost made me laugh. Almost.
Instead, I sank back against the wall, heart pounding, trying to decide what on earth I was going to do.
And that was when the knock came.
Sharp, unexpected, too soon.
It startled me so hard I jumped.
“Holly?” Cleo’s voice carried through the door, bright and oblivious. “Where did you get to? Caroline’s been…”
I yanked the door open and grabbed her wrist before she could finish. “Get in. Now.”
“Whoa, okay!” She stumbled inside as I shut the door quickly behind us. “What’s the matter with you?”
