Free Ethics of a Thief by Mary Gale Hinrichsen

together,” the man said harshly.
    After she calmed down, they got up, got dressed and drove off.
    It was then that we noticed the bleached blond hair on the woman. “My God, she looks like your mother. Oh shit! Her name is Sally! That’s your mother’s name.” We were in shock, horrified and speechless. We both watched his mother having sex with another man, how awful!
    Soon Jack became physically ill. While sobbing he said, “How could she?”
    I was unable to move, say a word, or to comfort. It took years before either of us spoke about what happened. One day, out of the blue, Jack asked how it affected me.
    It was crazy, right up there with the man in the park who murdered that boy. Seeing his mother like that! I kept asking myself how I would feel. It would be too humiliating for words.
    Jack never told his father or mother about that day. Soon after the incident, his mother started going to AA meetings. I think it was her wake-up call for what happens when she’s drunk.
    Abigail walked up to Matt. “What happened? All of a sudden you shut down.”
    “I told you. Talking about those things gives me the creeps. I haven’t thought about those things in years.”
    “What you told me still doesn’t eliminate Jack as a murder suspect.”
    “True, but I know he would never intentionally hurt anyone. Maybe in self-defense or to defend a friend, but that’s it. He’s a loyal friend. Someone I can count on. And, he’s a man of his word.”
    “If he is a man of his word, then ask if he did it.”
    “No. I know he didn’t,” Matt said, flatly. “For starters, he and I arrived on the yacht together. He didn’t have time to kill them.” He moved back to the bookshelf to examine the last set of books.
    She moved closer. “I need to ask you something. How did you and your men know where to find us at sea?”
    “Forelli faxed us the yacht’s course.”
    Abigail walked toward the children and whispered, “Did you tell Lisa about our plan?”
    “No.”
    “If Matt and I talk again, will you tell her?”
    “Sure.”
    In a normal voice, she said, “So, what have you been up to?”
    Danny pointed to an object in the corner sitting on a pedestal table.
    “What do we have here?” she said, as she picked up what looked like a Russian Fabergé egg.
    “Come. Look what Danny found.”
    Matt dropped his book and walked over. After carefully examining it, he said, “Yes. It is a gem. But, why would they leave it in plain sight?”
    “I thought the same thing.”
    He grabbed the jeweled egg to examine it more closely. His eyes opened wide during his inspection.
    “I found it!” Danny yelled.
    “We found it together,” Lisa yelled back.
    “If this thing is genuine, it is worth a bundle. This diamond looks to be two carats.” He glanced toward Abigail. “Unfortunately, some good cuts of zirconium sparkle like diamonds. I’ll have Jack evaluate its authenticity.”
    “But, why would the Kilgores keep it in plain view?” Then, she remembered what a good sense of humor the couple had. They would have gotten a kick out of having it out. “If it is genuine, you can bet Larry put it someplace safe before letting guests disembark.”
    Matt grinned. “This might be real. Let’s say the diamonds, rubies and emeralds are each worth $200,000, plus the value of gold and workmanship, it could be worth a lot. If it’s rare or has historical value, it is worth much more.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Let’s say someone like Hitler or Stalin owned it -- the egg could be priceless. Who knows? It might be what we’re looking for.
    But, just as easily, it could be a good fake, worth little, or secondary to the real treasure.
    Jack’s a jeweler, by trade; he has a good eye. He can tell its value.”
    Abigail’s mouth dropped open. “You mean you’re planning on showing this to Jack?”
    “Yes. We’re a team. We split any money.”
    She was concerned at the thought of him showing the egg to Jack. He might trust his