Cynthia Hamilton - Madeline Dawkins 02 - A High Price to Pay Read Free Page B

Madeline laugh again. Vivian glanced around nonchalantly, checking for spies. As Madeline had witnessed firsthand, Cherie was constantly looking for proof of her mother-in-law’s disapproval, imagining it when it wasn’t in evidence. They weren’t enemies, but they weren’t allies, either.
    “Well, I’m with you on that one,” Madeline confided. “But even though I’ll be working the whole time, I do think it will be a lot of fun.” This last statement earned her an arched eyebrow and a skeptical stare. “I’m sure the tension will ease once all the workers are gone. Having Ross back will have a calming effect on Cherie,” she predicted optimistically.
    Vivian coughed delicately. “He phoned earlier to say he won’t be home until Friday morning.” This bulletin explained why Cherie was in a worse dither than usual. The women traded glances and wisely let the subject drop.
    “Teresa, be a love and get my wrap. It’s cooler out here than I realized.”
    “Do you want your hat too, Miss Story?” Teresa asked, already getting to her feet.
    “That’s a good idea,” Vivian replied. “Oh, and would you please ask Helen if we could have some tea in the solarium?”
    “For both of you?” Teresa asked. Vivian turned toward Madeline with an inquiring look.
    “Oh, no thank you. I’ve got to get back to work.”
    “Just you and me, Teresa,” Vivian said. Teresa smiled courteously at Madeline before turning toward the house.
    Vivian watched the girl until she was out of sight and turned back to Madeline . “I have a business matter to discuss with you,” she said, her demeanor becoming serious. Madeline always welcomed new business, but the circumstances caught her off guard. She stared at Vivian, momentarily speechless.
    “Don’t worry, dear. I’m not going to ask you to spearhead my eighty-fifth birthday party. It’s about your other business, the sleuthing thing.” Madeline was surprised that Vivian even knew about that.
    “You want to hire me as a private investigator?”
    “Yes,” Vivian whispered. She scanned the environs for bodies before continuing. “It’s about Teresa,” she said, keeping her voice low. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m very fond of the child. But you see, a few pieces of my good jewels have gone missing… I don’t seriously believe she took them, but the rest of the staff has been here for years.”
    Madeline’s expression registered the appropriate concern as her mind whirred with all the potential ramifications. Teresa was hardly the only new face on the Alexander estate. The preparations for this birthday extravaganza had involved a continuous parade of tradespeople. All the work they’d done had been outside, but anyone with thieving inclinations would know how and when to strike.
    “When did you notice your jewelry was missing?” Madeline asked, reaching into her bag for a notepad.
    “A week ago. Ross will have a fit, I’m sure. He doesn’t like that I don’t keep all my good things in the safe. But I’m very sentimental these days, and having those particular pieces close at hand reminded me of happier times. Not that I’m unhappy now,” Vivian rushed to add.
    “ I understand.”
    “But I do miss Walter terribly.”
    “I’m sure you do. So, prior to their disappearance, where exactly did you keep these pieces?”
    “In a Limoges box, on my dressing table.”
    “And I suppose you’ve looked everywhere for them?” Vivian nodded ruefully. “Have you checked the safe?” Madeline couched her question with a sympathetic smile.
    “I did. And don’t feel badly about asking. I know my wits aren’t as sharp as they used to be.”
    “Could Cherie have taken them to a jeweler for cleaning?”
    Vivian almost laughed. “It would’ve never entered her head.”
    Madeline knew she was right. “Did anyone other than Teresa know that you kept those pieces in your room?”
    “It’s possible that the maids came across them. But like I said, most everyone