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“I was asking if you’d be willing to help on a possible jewel theft case. It’s not something we normally work, but apparently, it’s been happening all over the southeast. Megan, Ellie, and Ela can help you with identifying stones, quality, that sort of thing.”
“It’s not just jewelry stores,” said Megan. “We think they’re stealing estate jewels, crown jewels, and more. This has to be an inside job. It’s too big.”
“Yeah, it’s no problem. I don’t know shit about jewelry, but happy to help where I can.”
“Great, thanks,” said Eric. “We’ll be all hands helping to finish the Mardi Gras floats and the tent set-up. We’ve got extra security at the gates on the dock across from Halo Island, for the ball. Only those with invitations will get on one of the barges coming across to the island. The invitations have a hologram of our logo behind the print that can only be seen with one of our laser blacklights. Foolproof.”
“Cool,” nodded Mike. Just as the meeting was about to adjourn, the doors burst open, and Mama Irene came in.
“Grandma, what’s wrong?” asked Luke.
“Luke, I need you to send some boys into the city for me.” She was wringing her hands, seemingly out of sorts, which was unusual for Irene.
“For what, Grandma?”
“I just heard that my dear old friend who passed not long ago, her home in the Garden District was burned to the ground. Arson. She was special to me, Luke, and her granddaughter is now home and runnin’ her business. Can you send some boys to see if you can find her and help her?”
“Of course, Grandma.”
“I’ll go,” said Mike. “I don’t have anything to do today.”
“Take Dan with you. He’s home on leave.” Mike nodded at Dan as the two big men left the room. Mama Irene handed them a piece of paper with the address and kissed their cheeks.
“Y’all be careful,” she said.
“We will,” they smiled.
“I didn’t know you were home,” grinned Mike.
“Got in late last night and crashed. It’s good to be home, brother. I’m ready for this to be a permanent situation. I’ve loved being a SEAL, but damn, I just want to be in my own bed every night.”
“I know what you mean. Nate and I certainly shared a few dirt floors these last few years,” he smirked. “I’m just ready to slide into something normal.”
They spoke casually on the way into town, remarking at how things had changed, yet stayed the same. As they wound their way into the Garden District, it wasn’t hard to spot the smoldering billows of smoke coming from the remnants of a two-hundred-year-old home. Sitting between St. Charles and Brittania, her once Greek Revival columns were now nothing more than tiny stumps.
“Shit,” muttered Dan. “I hope no one was inside that house.”
“Only one,” said the fire chief, walking toward them. “Mornin’ boys. Eric and Luke said they’d be sendin’ someone. The maid was in the kitchen, which is where the fire started.”
“Gas leak?”
“Nope.”
“She had opportunity to make it out. Why didn’t she?” asked Mike.
“She was beaten over the head with a crowbar. The flames were hot, nearly melted the whole damn thing. I doubt we’ll get anything from it. Neighbors said she’s been arriving at five or so every morning for almost forty years. The woman who owned this place, Loretta Brandenburg, owns Symphony Jewelers in the Quarter.”
“Symphony? I think that’s the jewelers that Mama Irene uses all the time,” said Dan. The fire chief nodded.
“Probably. Been around over a hundred years. Her granddaughter took over after her death, but we can’t find her anywhere. She had no reason to burn the house down. Besides, neighbors said she’s gone on a buying trip to Los Angeles and was supposed to return today. Hotel records confirm that she wasn’t here.”
“Okay, so we’ll wait for her here,” said Mike.
“I’d wait at the shop,” said the chief. “Our boys will stay close to the house for a while, but she’ll probably head right to the shop.” Mike nodded at the man, then looked at Dan.
“Then I guess we’re going jewelry shopping.”
CHAPTER FOUR
