Part 12 (1/2)

Lauren looked at the screen on her phone. What had she done? Had she really thrown away her final chance to be proven innocent? For a woman who was possibly guilty? The sudden cessation of texts seemed to drag on forever, but what more was there to say?

Wait, I know how we can salvage this. Do you remember what the engraving said? We might be able to still work with just you describing the necklace.

Lauren released her breath. There was still a chance for her name to be cleared. But what was the cost?

I do remember it, but I would be crossing a line of privacy I promised not to cross when I was allowed to move in here. Rent-free. I cannot repay the Edwards family that way. You will have to decide whether or not it is worth telling the truth about Marisa with things as they are.

No, I'd say it's up to you whether or not you're willing to help me tell the truth. The decision of whether this article runs is 100% up to you.

Her rescue was so very close. Rhonda's verse came once again to her mind. Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land where you are going, or they will be a snare among you. Only then was the answer clear to her. The people who lived in the land were those who at first would appear to be helpful allies, but in the end would be a snare. Just like Kendall. Cooperating with her was the treaty that shouldn't be made. Lauren took a deep breath, worked up her nerve, and sent her response.

At this point, I'd say that article is not going to run, then. The cost is too high. Good luck to you.

And to you. You're going to need it.

”Miss Montgomery, Mr. Winston is on the phone for you.” Frances stood at the doorway of Charlotte's bedroom, looking grim. ”He said it was urgent.”

”Yes, thank you, Frances.” Charlotte sat up in bed, smoothed back her hair, and reached for the phone at her bedside table. ”Neil, to what do I owe the pleasure of this early-morning call?” Her voice had that just-awakened scratchy sound that she hated. It made her sound old.

”Miss Montgomery, I received a call last night from Sotheby's auction house. It seems that they have been approached about quietly selling a piece of jewelry. I suspect it is the very piece that you notified me as being stolen, and I told them so.”

”And?”

”They are awaiting my further instructions.”

At last the trap had worked. Now they could take care of that little thief once and for all. ”How was it they came to contact you?”

”It is such an unusual piece, the people at Sotheby's made some inquiries, which eventually led them to your estate, and hence, me. They were concerned it could have been obtained in a less-than-legitimate way.”

”And, of course, it was obtained in a less-than-legitimate way. When did Lauren Summers bring it to them?”

”It wasn't Lauren. It was a young Asian woman. They believe that she is simply working as the runner for someone else.”

”I am sure they are correct about that. That necklace was stolen.”

”What do you want me to do about it?”

Charlotte drew back the draperies in her room and looked out toward the ocean. She thought about the girl who walked the path every morning to go down to the beach. The one who had pretended to be so kind, planting flowers out of neighborly goodwill. Well, her true colors had been revealed. ”I want the thief arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” She savored the thought of watching the police car pull up and take that lying, thieving girl away.

”Are you sure about that? There will be quite a bit of publicity. This will likely blow up all over the news.”

Charlotte thought for just a minute. She did not want to reinsert herself into the limelight, that was true. But the thought of putting that girl where she belonged outweighed that. ”As a matter of fact, I am quite sure. Please notify me as soon as you have more information.”

Tuesday night, Lauren had the sewing machine running at full tilt, so when she first heard a distant banging, she dismissed it. It was during a pause when a louder knock sounded, and there could be no mistaking it. She went to the door, wondering who it could possibly be. Frances was standing there, a pleasant look on her face.

”Good evening, Frances. What can I do for you?”

”Miss Montgomery has asked you to come round for tea tomorrow. Would that suit you?”

”Tea? With Miss Montgomery?” Lauren couldn't imagine an invitation that would surprise her more than this one. But if the offer was made, who was she to refuse? ”Well, sure. Tea would be great.”

Frances nodded once. ”She'll be glad to hear it.” Frances didn't move. She looked at the ground, her face growing a bit red. ”There is one more piece to her invitation. I hope you don't find it insulting.”

”Go on.”

”She asked that I tell you to . . . make certain that you are dressed appropriately.”

Lauren laughed. ”Well, that does take a bit of the flattery out of the invitation. Now that you've brought up the subject, though, I know what to wear in a modern-day tea room in Los Angeles, but I'm a little less clear on what one should wear to tea with Miss Montgomery.”

Frances grinned. ”A nice dress will do fine.”

”All right. Something between Downton Abbey and t.i.tanic?”

Frances looked confused. ”I'm sorry?”

”I was speaking of the television show set in early-1900s England and the t.i.tanic movie-there was a scene where they were having tea.”

”Oh, sorry. I don't get out to many movies, and Miss Montgomery only turns on the television for the evening news, so I'm afraid I'm a bit behind on all those kinds of things.”

”I have to tell you, for the most part, you're not missing much.”

”So I've been told.” She nodded then and turned to go.

”Thank you for the invitation. I find it strangely touching.”

Frances stopped and turned. ”I'm pleased to hear you say that, because it's the first one I've issued in some time.”

”Really?”

”Really. In fact, I believe it may be the first one ever.” She turned and walked away.

Lauren closed the door, quite stunned. She resisted the urge to pump her fist, although she couldn't quite understand why gaining an invitation from a grumpy hermit meant so much to her.

twenty-four.

The dress Lauren had worn to Chloe's tea was the most obvious choice, she decided. She'd always liked the dress, even if it was sixty years out of style. It was fun to have a chance to wear it again. She took one last look in the mirror, took a deep breath, then headed across the road, wondering what the next hour might bring.

When Lauren arrived at Miss Montgomery's house, Frances led her past a large living room. Lauren glanced toward it as she walked by and noticed the heavy velvet drapes that flanked the floor-to-ceiling windows along the curve of the back wall. The hardwood floor was polished to a gleam, making a lovely setting for the Persian rug and the Queen Anne furniture arranged all around it. They kept moving until they made their way around to the back of the house. There Frances led Lauren into a small sun-room, surrounded by windows on three sides. There were plants around the perimeter, and in the middle sat an oval gla.s.s-topped white wicker table, which currently held a multi-tiered serving dish. It looked so similar to the setup at the Great Dane that Lauren smiled at the happy memory.

There were serving dishes of clotted cream and several other kinds of condiments that Lauren did not recognize or have any idea what to do with. Miss Montgomery was sitting on the far side of the table. ”Thank you for coming.” She gestured toward the seat across from her.

”Thank you for the invitation.” Lauren sat down, unsure of what to do next.