Free Other People's Baggage by Kendel Lynn, Gigi Pandian, Diane Vallere Page A

aren’t real decorators. They’re faking it. They’re pretending so they can take something valuable from the hotel.”
    The officer looked over my shoulder, then back at me. “I’ll keep an eye on them.”
    â€œSo you believe me? Do you want to take my name down for a statement or something?”
    â€œThat won’t be necessary. I’ll take it from here.”
    That’s exactly what I wanted to hear. “Thank you officer,” I said, all the while knowing the man I spoke to was faking his own identity as much as I had been faking my information.
    I returned to the hotel lobby and found Jack and Agent Reed sitting by the fireplace. I wasn’t terribly surprised they’d left me. I eased myself into the seat in front of them. My back was to the concierge desk.
    â€œHere’s what’s going to happen—” I started.
    â€œMs. Night, with all due respect, you’re not the one calling the shots,” said Special Agent Reed.
    I crossed my arms and leaned forward. “Do you know what’s going on?” I asked Agent Reed. When he didn’t answer, I turned to Jack. “Do you?” I waited a couple of seconds.
    â€œListen to the lady, Reed,” said Jack.
    Agent Reed crossed his own arms to mirror my body language. I wasn’t sure if he was going to say something or not. He didn’t.
    â€œThe cop I approached out front is not a cop but he thinks that I think he is. I told him to follow the men unloading the furniture from the hotel because they’re not really decorators and they’re trying to smuggle something valuable from the hotel.”
    â€œWhy do you think those men aren’t really decorators?” Reed asked.
    â€œThey are decorators—that’s the point. The fake cop doesn’t know that, so now he’s off on a wild goose chase.”
    Neither Reed nor Jack reacted, so I knew the information I’d spoken so far wasn’t news. I continued. “The diamond isn’t in that van. It’s safe. But if you want to make sure the men from 419 don’t get her, we have to act fast.”
    â€œMs. Night, thank you for your help, we’ll take it from here,” said Special Agent Reed. He stood up from the table and turned to Jack. “I’m going after the decorators.”
    Jack nodded, then turned to me. “What else have you figured out?”
    Jack Jordan had been the only person to investigate what I’d said so far. If anybody was going to listen to me, I suspected it would be him.
    â€œThe men loading the truck out front are probably freelancers. I didn’t think about that when I made the reservation, but Brad’s been applying for jobs around the country, trying to build his client base and his reputation. The hotel is under renovation. Brad must have hired freelancers when he took the job. He doesn’t have a staff in California and it would be cheaper to hire someone here then to pay people to travel with him. You already told me Brad’s not on the guest list. He’s here to work, not to play. That’s why his name isn’t in the system. He’s not part of the problem.”
    â€œGo on.”
    â€œThe cop on the bicycle was wearing the same uniform as the man you knocked out upstairs. It says Carmel, NY.”
    â€œAnd you told him to follow the decorators?”
    â€œI figured it was the only way to get him away from the hotel.”
    â€œBut they’re decorators,” Jack said.
    â€œYes. They’re probably putting items in temporary storage so they can paint the place.”
    He held out a hand. I grabbed it and he pulled me up. “Were you telling the truth, Ms. Night? You know where the rock is?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œGood. I’m going to visit our friends. You get the rock. Meet me as soon as you can.”
    â€œYou want me to get it?”
    â€œYou’re the one who’s undercover,” he said,