Deadly Diamond

“The dog has a human master; the cat is the master of his human.”

––Murfy

CHAPTER THIRTY: Antiques & Designs–A Midnight Visit

Alyx sat up in bed, none of us sure what she’d heard until the doorbell rang again. She grabbed her robe and peered out the kitchen window before going to the door or turning on any lights. A Beachside police cruiser was in her driveway and she hurried to the front door.

The shorter of the two officers spoke first,” Are you Alyx Hille?”

“Yes. What’s wrong? Did something happen to my son, Ethan?”

The officer introduced himself and his partner.

“No, ma’am, we’re here to report a break-in at your store on Ocean Street.”

She took a deep breath, “Okay, tell me what happened,” she said, opening the door wider, inviting them into the foyer.

“We were patrolling the area and didn’t see anything outstanding until we drove around to the parking area in the rear of the stores and saw the back door to your establishment wide open. We investigated and found no one inside. We believe the perpetrator or perpetrators fled when they saw us. We’d like you to come with us and identify any missing items for our report.”

She wished Maggie were around. As if he read her mind, the taller officer said, “We also tried to contact Maggie Broeck; there was no answer.”

“Maggie is my business partner and she’s out of town, but you already know that, don’t you?”

They gave her one of those polite smiles that isn’t a real smile and fools no one.

She started to walk away and remembered her manners. “Excuse me while I put some clothes on. I’ll meet you there.”