Deadly Diamond

“Cats are glorious creatures––who must on no accounts be underestimated. Their eyes are fathomless depths of cat-world mysteries.”

––Lesley Anne Ivory (from Glorious Cats: The

Paintings of Lesley Anne Ivory)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: Far Away Places Not Far from Home

Mornings at Antiques & Designs are usually slow, and everyone is relaxed, enjoying their morning coffee. Customers trickle in until lunchtime when it starts to get busy. I monitor what goes on whether there is one customer in the store or twenty.

A young couple walked in that I’d never seen before and Alyx greeted them warmly.

“Hi, Alyx, remember us … Melissa and Sean?”

“Of course, I do. We sat at the same table at the masked ball. I’m so glad you decided to stop in.”

Melissa looked over at Sean, “We’re ready to start looking to buy. I wanted to see those items you told me about, so that when we look for a place to live, we’ll know approximately what size and room configuration to look for.”

“That’s very smart of you.”

Melissa put her arm around Sean’s waist, her eyes bright with adoration. “It was Sean’s idea.”

The first item Alyx wanted to show them was Althea’s bed. She never made it to the rear of the store, however, as Melissa spotted the slant-front desk, and Alyx knew she wasn’t going to be interested in looking at anything else.

“Oh…honey, isn’t it beautiful!” I’ve always wanted a desk like this. I love all the little pigeon holes, and the leather top. And look at the inlaid work, Sean.”

“It’s really not my style, a little too delicate for my taste,” he said, and then seeing the disappointment on her face, he quickly added, “It’s perfect for you, though. If you like it, let’s get it. How much is it?”

“I’m sorry; this desk isn’t for sale right now. I promise I’ll let you know if I decide to sell it. I have some other pieces from the same estate that you might like though,” she said pointing them to the rest of the items from Althea’s condominium.

Later on, Bernice was back from lunch in a happier mood than the day called for, and in a singsong voice announced, “I know who’s opening shop in the old lamp store, and you’ll never guess.”

“Well, if I’ll never guess, you’d better tell me,” teased Alyx.

“You’re no fun,” said Bernice and proceeded to tell her.

“Did you ever watch that travel show where the host traveled to out-of the-way places rather than the more common tourist places in the world?”

“Yes, the show was on TV a couple of years ago on the PBS station, right?” guessed Maggie. “I was sorry to see it go off the air.”

Bernice nodded, “The host of that show is the owner of Far Away Places, the new shop where the old lamp store used to be.”

“Really?” mused Maggie. “I wonder why he picked this city to open such a store. You’d think after all his travels, he’d want a more sophisticated place than Beachside.”

“His father lives here,” explained Bernice. “I had lunch with my parents, and it so happens that they live in the same condominium building as his father. They wanted to see his new store, so we stopped in for a few minutes.”

“Did you meet him?” asked Alyx, excited.

“Yes. The handsome and charming Jonathan Steele––and he has excellent taste. He has some very unusual items in the store. You should stop in, Alyx. I’m sure you’ll find the perfect item for that housewarming gift you mentioned you needed.”

“Good idea,” replied Maggie. “Thanks, Bernice. I’ll do that, and it’ll give me the opportunity to solicit his support to save the Blue Heron Yacht Clubhouse. I think it might interest a world traveler, someone who must have an appreciation for history.”

“What’s the latest on that, anyway?” asked Maggie.

“Can you imagine the oldest clubhouse on the east coast to operate continuously at its original location since it was built in 1897, and efforts to save it have gone nowhere? The only interested developer suggested relocating it via barge, and as he had trouble renting one, he dropped the idea. The contractor of the new building has made another suggestion. He wants to take apart the building, pack up the planks, and reassemble them in replica form next to some other historic buildings he’s rescued. Everyone was hoping to see it moved––but this is the next best thing.”

“When do you make the final decision?” asked Alyx.

“At next month’s meeting when we find out how much it’s going to cost,” said Maggie. “Of course, the more money we have pledged prior to the meeting, the easier it will be to get yes votes.”

Alyx interrupted their discussion to go looking for Bernice who had wandered off, and waited for Bernice to finish up with a customer, then asked her, “Do you feel comfortable being left alone for an hour or so?”

“No problem,” Bernice quickly agreed.

“I’ve decided now is as good a time as any to check out that new store you told me about. If anyone’s looking for me, have them call me on my cell, and if they don’t have my number, tell them to call me here, later.”

“Will do, Alyx, and if you’re not back, I’ll just assume that you and the handsome Jon Steele have run off somewhere exciting.” She grinned, savoring the romantic notion.

“Oh, so now it’s Jon, is it? Honestly, Bernice, you’re worse than Maggie.”

Bernice smiled broadly. “Thank you; I consider that a compliment,” she said as she sashayed over to assist the two women who’d just walked in the door.