Jewelry Can Be Deadly (Sage Gardens Cozy Mystery Book 6) Read online

  “I’m assuming that there is a very good explanation for this?” He looked from Eddy to Jo.

  “Officer, this man murdered this man’s wife.” Eddy pointed from Tony to Roger. “He came here tonight to murder him, and my friend, Jo.”

  “Murder him?” the officer asked.

  “I only killed her because he took the necklace I stole! I never meant it.” Tony thrashed on the ground. “He deserves to be in prison, he’s a thief!”

  “Sir, are you aware that you are confessing to murder?” The officer stared down at him.

  “Yes. Yes, I confess to it all. It was an accident, but what do I care? I’ve lived most of my life in prison, I’m going back either way. But this time, I’m not going back alone. You’re going to pay the price right along beside me, Clem!”

  Roger was pale as the officer called for back-up. He didn’t speak a word. Jo stood quietly as she tried to keep the officer’s attention off her. Walt touched Jo’s shoulder lightly.

  “You did good, Jo. You didn’t give up.”

  “I guess.” Jo frowned. “But we still have no idea where the necklace is.”

  “One of them must have it. I’m sure some good old fashioned police interrogation will get to the bottom of it all.” Eddy winked at her.

  “I hope so,” Jo said.

  Samantha grabbed Jo’s hand. “I’d love to write an article about this, what do you think?”

  “I think it’s better that you don’t.” Jo frowned. “If people know that the necklace is missing, Sage Gardens will experience a very strange kind of gold rush.”

  “Ah, good point.” Samantha nodded. “It’s a shame, it would have been a great article.”

  “Maybe one day, Samantha, if the necklace is ever found.”

  “All right, everyone, I’m going to need statements.” The officer took a deep breath and flipped open his notepad.

  Chapter 17

  It was dark by the time Jo began to walk back to her villa. For the first time she didn’t expect anyone to be hiding in the bushes or following her. Yet as she approached her street, she felt on edge yet again. She felt like someone was following her.

  “Not again.” She reached up and rubbed the back of her neck. “This is getting ridiculous.”

  She paused beneath one of the street lights and looked all around her. Suddenly there was a flash of a figure, just a shadow, that swung from the roof of one villa to the roof of another. When the figure landed it jumped down just as swiftly from that roof and disappeared behind a tall bush. Jo stared hard at the bush. She knew that if she stepped any closer she would be putting herself at risk, but if she stayed right where she was she would risk never getting to find out who was following her. She walked away from the street that led to her villa and towards the bush. When she reached the bush she found nothing. There was no one hidden behind it. She shook her head. Had it been her imagination? An illusion created by the light? Perhaps a cloud passed over the moon at just the right moment. She started to turn back towards her street.

  As she did she caught sight of the figure again. It disappeared just as fast down her street. Jo broke into a run in an attempt to catch up to the person, but there was no one to chase. Whoever it was, was gone, yet again. Frustrated, she stalked towards her villa and instead of going straight in she walked past it and into her garden. Though it was dark and the beauty of it was dulled by the lack of light, it still comforted her. It soothed her nerves enough that she could let go of the memory of the figure. She took a deep breath of the air that was thick with the smell of soil and willed her body to relax. A lot had happened over the past few days. Old memories surfaced and new memories were made.

  Once Jo was calm again she stepped into her villa through the back door. She tossed her things on the kitchen counter and headed down the hallway. She walked into her bedroom ready to collapse. She was still frustrated over Drew’s ability to evade her. She knew that she had lost the necklace once and for all. It would never be returned to the family it was originally stolen from, and Valda’s death, though now solved, would still not be completely resolved.

  As Jo sat down at the foot of her bed she felt some relief. At least Tony was back behind bars where he belonged. She stretched out on the bed, but when she laid her head on her pillow it hit something hard. She jumped up and turned to see the ‘Rose Diamond’ necklace stretched out across her pillow. Pinned beneath it was a short note.

  It’s finally yours.

  Love always,

  Drew

  She stared at the note and the necklace with absolute disbelief. Drew stole the necklace, just to give it to her? Her heart began to race, not only because of old feelings, but because she would be able to return the necklace to its rightful owners.

  Jo picked up the necklace and studied it intently. All at once she knew what had happened. Drew followed her to Tony’s house. While she was outside with Roger threatening to shoot her he broke in through the front door, just as he had taught her, and took the necklace from the curtain rod before she even had the chance to look for it. That was why the door was left open. Then he showed up to pretend to take the bait, as he recognized her plan as his own. The entire time he had the necklace. He was still a thief, and he would always be a thief, but he was not a murderer. That gave Jo quite a bit of comfort.

  Drew had given her a treasure, but the real treasure she discovered, was the love and loyalty of her friends. She picked up her phone to call Samantha. She would have an article to write after all.

  The End

  ***

  Thank you for reading ‘Jewelry Can Be Deadly’. If you would like to be notified of new releases by Cindy Bell you can sign up here: www.cindybellbooks.com.

  Also by Cindy Bell

  A Chocolate Centered Cozy Mystery

  The Sweet Smell of Murder

  A Deadly Delicious Delivery

  Dune House Cozy Mysteries

  Seaside Secrets

  Boats and Bad Guys

  Treasured History

  Hidden Hideaways

  Dodgy Dealings

  Suspects and Surprises

  Ruffled Feathers

  Sage Gardens Cozy Mysteries

  Birthdays Can Be Deadly

  Money Can Be Deadly

  Trust Can Be Deadly

  Ties Can Be Deadly

  Rocks Can Be Deadly

  Wendy the Wedding Planner Cozy Mysteries

  Matrimony, Money and Murder

  Chefs, Ceremonies and Crimes

  Knives and Nuptials

  Mice, Marriage and Murder

  Bekki the Beautician Cozy Mysteries

  Hairspray and Homicide

  A Dyed Blonde and a Dead Body

  Mascara and Murder

  Pageant and Poison

  Conditioner and a Corpse

  Mistletoe, Makeup and Murder

  Hairpin, Hair Dryer and Homicide

  Blush, a Bride and a Body

  Shampoo and a Stiff

  Cosmetics, a Cruise and a Killer

  Lipstick, a Long Iron and Lifeless

  Camping, Concealer and Criminals

  Treated and Dyed

  Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mysteries

  Murdering the Roses

  Dead in the Daisies

  Killing the Carnations

  Drowning the Daffodils

  Suffocating the Sunflowers

  Books, Bullets and Blooms

  A Deadly Serious Gardening Contest

  A Bridal Bouquet and a Body

  About the Author

  Cindy Bell is the author of the cozy mystery series Sage Gardens, Chocolate Centered, Bekki the Beautician, Dune House, Heavenly Highland Inn and Wendy the Wedding Planner.

  Cindy has always loved reading, but it is only recently that she has discovered her passion for writing romantic cozy mysteries. She loves walking along the beach thinking of the next adventure her characters can embark on.

  You can sign up for her newsletter so you are notified of he
r latest releases at http://www.cindybellbooks.com.