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The older woman said, “He used the restroom.”
“Anything else?”
Sandy shook her head. “They weren’t here more than a few minutes. I said you were out, he used the bathroom, and they left.”
Clare got up and headed for the hall, using her key and holding the door when she realized Gage was right behind her.
“You think he hid the diamonds here because he thinks it’s so safe?” he asked.
“Makes sense,” she replied. “He didn’t want to walk around with it, and he could tell the police where it is after he’d given his statement. A bargaining chip.”
Gage made a face. “Why does it seem like everyone involved in this thinks they need leverage?”
She hit the men’s room door with both palms and strode in, looking around. “Toilet tanks?”
“Or a trap.”
She pulled out her phone and texted Simon to get Maintenance in here. She pushed open all the stall doors. Looked at the walls. There were vents high up, close to the ceiling. Difficult to reach. At the end was a closet door, just storage. She checked it, and it opened right away. “This is supposed to be locked, I think.”
Just big enough for one person to turn around in, the floor was occupied by a big yellow mop bucket with two sides. Up on the shelf there was another vent. She stepped on the first shelf and grabbed the opposite side, levering herself up so she could see all the shelves.
Still holding on, she moved some things.
“There’s a vent back there.”
Clare saw it. “Looks like there’s a screw missing.”
“Was he in here long enough to do that?”
“Guess we’ll find out.” She shifted her foot to another shelf and lifted up high enough to pry the vent open. “Bingo.”
Clare grasped the pouch and moved to get down.
Gage’s hands landed on her hips, and he lowered her to the floor—and up against him.
“Thanks.” The word came out far more breathy than she wanted.
His lips curled up. “Those diamonds are evidence.” He lowered his head until their lips almost touched.
He saw the blush on her cheeks up close.
“He’s here—oh,” Simon said. “Sorry. Alex is outside, headed for the barn door.”
“Thank you.” She cleared her throat. “Let him inside, but tell Peter don’t move in.”
Clare didn’t want her employees withholding important information just because they thought she was having a private moment with Gage. In a bathroom storage closet. In the middle of an intense situation.
This wasn’t the time.
But when Simon turned away, she stopped long enough to clasp Gage’s arm and lift up. Then planted a kiss on his cheek. She felt the reflexive squeeze of his hand on her hip.
“Hand them over,” he said.
Clare dropped the pouch into his hand.
Gage checked the contents and pocketed it. “I need an evidence bag.”
When she reached the hall, Simon lifted his hand to his ear. “Okay.” He glanced at her and she continued, “Peter has him in the barn.”
