The Diamond Affair Read online

  CHAPTER 14

  As dawn cracked over the horizon, Jake left Ruby sleeping in his bed. She looked so beautiful and peaceful with her hair tumbling over his pillow and her face relaxed in slumber. She'd been through so much, she needed to rest as long as possible. He'd got up without even allowing himself a final touch of her silky skin. It was hard, but he'd employed every bit of his infamous self-control and managed it.

  He did take one last look at her, however, as he left the room. His heart twisted and clenched at the sight. The thought that he'd never meet anyone like her again struck him like a hammer blow to the chest. She affected him in a way no other woman ever had. She made him feel...whole.

  He pushed away the thought and left in case she awoke. There was no room for sentimental crap in his world. No room for soft, sensuous, steal-your-heart women like Ruby.

  Besides, he couldn't risk facing her right now. Not when he was still affected by their lovemaking, still weak and still wanting her so bad that it felt like torture to leave.

  But he had to walk away. He couldn't risk loving her and losing her the way he'd lost everyone else. His parents, who'd never really deserved his love but had taken it anyway, and those Afghani kids he'd tried desperately to save but couldn't.

  He went out for a run to clear his mind and sweat the frustrations out of his body. It would have been a good plan if it had worked. He arrived back at the house more irritable than when he'd left.

  Ruby was up. She was making herself breakfast in the kitchen. Relief flittered across her face and she pressed a hand to her chest as if to still her heartbeat. Maybe he should have left her a note.

  "Sorry," he said. He seemed to be saying that word a lot lately. "I thought you'd still be asleep when I got back."

  "It's okay." She looked away, avoiding him. He got the feeling she was very far from okay. Did she think he'd left of his own accord or that something sinister had happened to him?

  "Toast?" she offered.

  "Thanks." They ate in silence then he took a shower. The cold water dampened desire and sharpened his focus. From now on, it had to be all about the mission. It was time to reclaim Ruby's life for her. It was the only way he could give her some of the happiness she deserved.

  When he came out, she wasn't in the kitchen, the lounge room or her bedroom. He called her name, perhaps a little too frantically because she immediately answered him from a distant room. A study, he realized when he entered. She was on the computer.

  "I'm Googling Sinestri." She looked up and her eyes narrowed as her gaze grazed over his body. She cleared her throat. "Go put more clothes on." She turned back to the computer.

  When he returned, T-shirt on, she was writing something on a notepad. "Find anything?" he asked, pulling up a chair alongside her. They were so close their shoulders touched. He shifted an inch further away.

  She wriggled in her seat before clicking on a link. "Not much. He's turned up in news articles relating to the theft of a rare gem in Europe but as an expert witness, not a suspect. There's a court document that also mentions his name. It seems he worked for the Italian Gemological Institute which is a research unit dedicated to the identification of diamonds and other gems. That's just before he formed his own company, so he probably got many of his contacts from there. He's been in Australia for five years, which I knew. That's about it."

  "Strange to come to Australia when there'd be more business in Europe for his line of work."

  "Maybe he had a different reason for returning. It seems he was born here so perhaps he wanted to return to his family, look after elderly parents or something."

  Like any good son would. Jake shrugged off the thought. "Anything else?"

  "There are thousands more links. It'll take forever to look through them all."

  "Try Facebook. Do you have an account?"

  Within a few seconds she was in, her slender fingers swiftly typing. "Here we go." They scanned Sinestri's page together so they saw his "friend's" name at the same time.

  Jake's breath caught at the moment Ruby gasped. "Sonya!" they both said.

  He quickly scanned the timeline and spotted a message she'd left a month ago.

  I was searching for a few old friends and found you on here. What a wonderful surprise! I had no idea you were living in Melbourne! It must be fate. I've been thinking a lot about you lately. Want to catch up?

  "He hasn't left a response," Ruby said.

  "Must have got in touch with her some other way. We know they did end up together."

  "Old lovers?"

  He shrugged. "Could be."

  "I've been thinking a lot about you lately," she read. "To me that means they had a past that had nothing to do with business."

  "Why don't you Google both their names together. It might narrow the results."

  She did. It came up with nothing. "Do you know her maiden name?"

  He searched his memory for the information his friends had sent him. "I think it was Blackthorn."

  She replaced Sonya Beauvoir with Sonya Blackthorn. Only five results were returned. She clicked on the first one. "That's them!" She pointed at an image of a couple sitting at a park bench and staring into each other's eyes. The website was in Italian but their names were clearly recognizable in the caption.

  "It looks like they were lovers, but I wish I knew what the site was saying about them" she said.

  Jake quickly scanned the heading and the first few paragraphs. "It's a where-are-they-now type of website. It seems Sonya did some modeling and TV commercials in Italy which got her face into the society pages over there for a while. Sinestri was her boyfriend at the time."

  "You know Italian?" She sounded surprised, and dare he say it, impressed. It was a small thing and he shouldn't have been pleased by her praise but he couldn't help it.

  "I learnt it as part of SAS training. The more languages you know, the better your career prospects in the forces."

  She nodded. "Matt learned German."

  "According to this site," he said, forcing his focus back to what was important and not the breathiness of her voice or the smell of her hair, "they were talking marriage, but the relationship broke up just before he moved to Australia."

  "Is Sonya a born and bred Aussie?"

  "It says so."

  "She must have come back here a short time after him and married Beauvoir." She chewed her bottom lip and he was nearly undone by that one sensual gesture. Not kissing her was becoming harder than any training he'd ever endured. "I wonder if Sinestri knew."

  "That," he said, "is something I intend to find out."

  He stood and so did she. "I'm coming. Don't argue with me," she said when he opened his mouth to protest. "Don't worry, I'll wear the disguise."

  And he'd carry his gun.

  ***

  After two minutes of ringing the doorbell and knocking, it was clear Harry Sinestri wasn't home. Ruby's disappointment tasted bitter in her mouth. When they got back to the car, she took her frustration out on the dashboard.

  "Hey," Jake said quietly, "we'll come back later. Don't worry, we'll get to the bottom of this. We're close. I can feel it."

  "Glad you can, because all I feel is anger." And a kind of sadness that had nothing to do with finding out who really stole the Florentine and everything to do with Jake leaving.

  She thought he'd left her that morning. He'd seemed so distant after their love-making that she'd wondered whether he'd just up and left. But when he returned, common sense came flooding back, albeit a little late. He'd never leave her, not like this, not when she needed him so much. She knew that with absolute certainty.

  But he would leave, eventually. The closer they came to finding the real thief, the closer they came to parting. It was a simple, awful correlation.

  She closed her eyes and rested her head back against the seat.

  "Hey," he said again. "Just hang in there a while longer. I'll get you out of this, I promise."

  She smiled wanly. It was the best s
he could do. "Thank you. You're the best friend Matt could ever have."

  He grunted and put the car into gear. "I'm pretty sure my slate will be wiped clean after this little escapade." He gave her a rueful smile.

  "If it's not, he must have done one hell of a favor for you."

  His smile vanished. "Yeah," he said softly, "he sure did."

  The phone rang. He pulled over to the side of the road to answer it but after he looked at the screen, he handed it to Ruby. "Is that Aaron's number?"

  She nodded.

  "Answer it," he said. "Arrange a time and place to meet as soon as possible if you can."

  She took a deep breath and accepted the call. "Aaron, is that you?"

  "Hey, Rube, was I glad to get your message." He did sound genuinely pleased, but was that part of his elaborate lie? "I've been so worried about you. You said in your message that it's all over."

  "It is," she said. She glanced at Jake. His face was impassive as he watched her.

  It sounded like Aaron heaved a big sigh. "Thank God for that. So I can go home now?"

  "Ah, yes, I suppose so. Aaron, can we meet and talk? I want to discuss some security changes with you."

  "Sure." He sounded chirpy. He wouldn't be chirpy if he were guilty. Would he? "At the office tomorrow?"

  "Not the office. How about..." She chewed her lip, thinking of somewhere out of the way, yet public. "O'Brian's Bar in Ascot Vale," she said into the phone. "Do you know it?"

  "No but I'll find it. That gorgeous man still with you?" The mischief in Aaron's voice tinkled down the line.

  "Not for long." She glanced again at Jake. He must have realized they were discussing him because he colored slightly and turned away to look out his side window. "See you about midday, okay?"

  "Take care, Hon."

  She hung up and handed the phone back to Jake. "He's going to meet me tomorrow. That means he's innocent."

  "Or he's buying time. We'll know tomorrow. If he turns up and doesn't try to hurt you, we'll know he's innocent."

  "No!" She'd had enough. All this distrust over someone who'd been a good friend to her—it was wrong, and she didn't want to hear it anymore. "Stop it, Jake. Why can't you just admit he's innocent? Why can't you believe me when I say I trust him? Aren't my own instincts enough or are yours the only ones you believe? Well?" she prompted when he said nothing.

  He sat rigid as a statue, still staring out the window. With a huff, she crossed her arms and sat back in her seat.

  "Now where?" she said.

  "Ruby..." He blew out a breath but said nothing more.

  "Yes?"

  "I do trust you. You're right. Aaron's innocent. Probably."

  "Probably?"

  He shook his head and finally turned to look at her. His eyes were deep, dark pools, filled with emotions she couldn't even begin to identify. "Just like I can't guarantee I won't lie again to keep you safe, I also can't discount a suspect unless I have absolute proof of his innocence. This is about you, Ruby, and keeping you safe."

  "You're right," she said. "It is about me. It's about trusting me. I know I'm right about Aaron."

  "And I know I'm doing the right thing to protect you. It looks like we'll have to differ on this one."

  "Yeah," she said through a tight jaw, "looks like." Damned SAS men. Always thinking they have the last word when it comes to safety. Her safety. She may need Jake's help in this situation but having her word doubted made her question her sanity in employing him.

  If he couldn't trust her, how much could she trust him not to turn vigilante on her and go after Aaron? The thought drove a spike of horror through her.

  "Care for a trip to Beauvoir's?" he said, driving the car back into traffic.

  "Why?"

  "If I get Sonya alone, she might tell me what's going on between her and Sinestri."

  "Oh. Actually, I was asking why are you asking me to come along? I thought the Beauvoir residence would be strictly off-limits."

  "You can sit in the car and listen in. We've still got the bugs." He was placating her, she realized. It was his kind of peace offering. It was about as good as she would get out of him.

  They drove the short distance to Toorak in awkward silence. Ruby hated every minute of it. She ached to have their easy banter back again. It had been harmless and fun and something to take her mind off her predicament.

  Well, perhaps not harmless in the end considering where they'd ended up, but it had been fun.

  Jake climbed into the back of the car and pulled out the case containing the listening equipment.

  "I thought that was in your car," she said.

  "I rescued it after I got out of hospital. Still works fine."

  He tweaked some knobs and it crackled to life. A female voice came through the speakers. "He's everything to me!" she shouted. "Everything. But you wouldn't understand that, would you? You've never loved anyone in your life. The only thing you love is your money."

  "That's not Sonya," Ruby said, leaning through the gap between the front seats to get closer.

  "No," Jake said, "it's her step-daughter Penny."

  "Darling," came Beauvoir's unmistakable voice, "what's happened to you? You've changed since you began seeing him. But I still love you. You're everything to me."

  "Well I hate you!" Penny spat.

  "Darling, if this is all because I limited your phone calls then you can have your phone back," Beauvoir soothed. "I was worried that you were spending too much time on it and the computer talking to your boyfriend and not enough time studying. This is a very important year for you after all. Darling—"

  "Oh, puh-lease. Like it matters what grades I get in school. You dropped out but that didn't stop you from lying and thieving your way to where you are now."

  Silence whined across the airwaves. Ruby looked at Jake. He looked back and shrugged. "She has a point."

  Ruby laughed and felt a weight lift from her shoulders. It felt good to laugh with Jake again.

  "I know you're upset," Beauvoir said, voice tight, "so I'll let that slide. Now, I've got a business meeting to attend. When I get back, there just might be something sparkly for you." The smile in his voice came through loud and clear. If Penny had been younger, Ruby would have imagined he'd ruffle her hair and kiss her forehead, but she couldn't picture the angry teenager they'd just heard allowing her father to get close enough for a kiss.

  One set of receding footsteps indicated someone had left the room. "Idiot," Penny said.

  "Keep your head down," Jake said to Ruby, "in case he drives this way."

  She pulled her hat down low and sank into the front seat. "That's one angry daughter."

  "Beauvoir doesn't sound like he knows how to handle her," he said. "I don't think diamonds are going to soothe her temper."

  "I almost feel sorry for him."

  He merely grunted.

  "Daddy dearest finally gone?" came another female voice through the transmitter. Sonya's.

  Jake and Ruby exchanged glances then both leaned in closer.

  "What do you want?" Penny said.

  "Nothing. Just on my way out."

  "Good. Then get out. You're in my space."

  Someone, probably Sonya, made a clicking sound with her tongue. "You need to learn how to speak to your betters, young lady, or you might find your father's attitude changing."

  "What are you getting at?"

  "He might not be so generous with his gifts, or his patience, if he finds out what you've been up to."

  "What I've been up to?" Penny snorted. "That's rich coming from you. I know who you've been seeing behind his back."

  "And I know who you've been seeing." Sonya sounded like the cat who'd got the cream, the mouse, and Tweety bird all in one gulp.

  "So what? Who do you think he'll be madder at, you or me? And what do I care what he thinks anyway? I'm old enough to leave if I want."

  "Dear Penny, haven't you learned anything? No one ever leaves your father. That's why you and I are bo
th still here, isn't it?"

  "Get out!"

  A loud thud made Ruby jump. Then there was silence. "Will you go in now?" she asked Jake.

  He nodded and put the case away. "I'll check Beauvoir's car is gone first."

  A strange sensation struck Ruby in her chest and lodged there. She recognized it instantly. Jealousy. "How are you going to question Sonya?"

  "By asking questions." He gave her a 'well-duh' look.

  "What I mean is, will you just outright ask her about Sinestri or will you use more...undercover methods?"

  "You mean will I strip her naked, get her into bed, and hump her senseless so she tells me everything?" His shoulders shook and a grin fought to escape from his lips. He was laughing at her!

  She looked round for something to throw but there was nothing loose so she reached down and removed her running shoe.

  He caught it easily and handed it back to her. "Your weapon, my lady."

  "You're a jerk."

  "And you're being unreasonable. I'll be using plain and simple stand-over tactics to intimidate Sonya into giving me answers. Is that all right with you? Because it doesn't sound like the alternative was much in your favor."

  She refused to be drawn into his ridiculous teasing. He was being juvenile. She refused to take her shoe and instead looked out the window, her arms crossed over her chest. A silver convertible sped past and her determination not to speak to Jake was forgotten.

  "I don't think you'll be employing either tactic," she said. "That was Sonya's car. She just left."

  He swore and returned to the front seat. He placed the shoe on the center console between them and started up the car.

  "Are we going after her?" Ruby asked. "Because if we are, you're letting her get away."

  "I'm not letting her do anything," he said. "Damien's car is no match for Sonya's so we're going home."

  "Home? Oh." Another dead-end. More set-backs. If something didn't start going their way soon, Ruby would explode from the sheer frustration of it all.

  CHAPTER 15

  The good thing about the Brighton house was that it had a pool. The bad thing was that Jake wanted to swim in it, which meant he'd be half-naked again and all wet. How was Ruby supposed to ignore the attraction she felt to him when he wore nothing but a damp pair of shorts?