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“How can I help?”
“I’d like to be on the same page, so let me ask…were you employed by Grayson, Mallory, and Simms Insurance at one time?”
“Yes, I worked for GMS as a recovery agent.”
“I thought so. And now you and your partner have your own recovery agency,” he stated.
“That’s right.” I hesitated for a moment. “I’m sorry but was there something I can help you with?”
“Oh, yes. Thank you. It’s good to verify your employment with GMS…only because we lost out on a few nice recovery fees to a rival, and it seemed each time it was the same agent who got to them first. That was you, in case you were wondering.”
I smiled to myself, doing a silent fist bump. I’d been right. The guy who’d lost out on the Van Gogh recoveryhadbeen talking to colleagues. Miguel came back into the room holding two cups of coffee, smiling at me as he put one down on my desk. I smiled back and then realized I hadn’t said anything to Mr. Tomlinson.
“I’m sorry to hear that you lost out on that, Mr. Tomlinson, but how may I help you?”
“Ah, to the point. I like that. In any case, I was wondering if I could make an appointment to come in and see you. I understand BBS might have a recovery which parallels one you’re working on.”
I frowned.A new theft maybe?So, this wasn’t about trying to get to the ruby at all. I wasallears. “My partner is here, Mr. Tomlinson. I’d like to put this call on speaker, if that’s okay.”
“Sure.”
I hit the button on the handset and leaned close. “Mr. Tomlinson, Mr. Huerta, is here.”
“Hi there, Mr. Tomlinson,” Miguel said. “I understand you’re looking for some help with a recovery you’re working on at BBS. Is that correct?”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Huerta. Yes, I could use your help if you’d be willing to meet with me. As I was telling your partner, we’re in the same business as Mr. Mathis’ previous employer, GMS insurance, and we recently received a claim for a high-value piece of diamond and emerald jewelry. In any case, since it was stolen—as Mr. Mathis will tell you—the insurance company always tries to recover the insured item before listing it with the public bounty hunters who are looking for a big payout, much like the work he used to do for GMS.”
Miguel rolled his eyes. “Yes, I’m familiar with that practice.”
“Good. In any case, I was going through similar records of stolen high-value jewelry and came across your company which is currently under contract as recovery agents for a certain pigeon’s blood ruby pendant from the Benedict Flores’ estate.”
I rolled my eyes at Miguel. “I see.”
Tomlinson cleared his throat. “In any case, may I ask…have you been successful in the recovery yet?”
I mouthed the words “in any case” at Miguel before tilting my head back in a silent laugh. I cleared my own throat, returning to business. “Uh…not so far, Mr. Tomlinson,” I said. “The recovery is proving to be troublesome. You said your company has a similar item…also stolen?”
“Yes, in any case, as I said, it’s a diamond and emerald necklace. Our client bought the necklace at a private auction, and we insured it for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars after we had it appraised. Last week, it was apparently stolen from my client’s house during what the police are calling…a routine burglary.”
“I see,” I said, feeling my eyebrows crawling up my forehead as I stared at Miguel. He just pursed his lips before breaking eye contact and leaning toward the phone.
“Mr. Tomlinson, this is Miguel Huerta. We’d be happy to talk to you in person. Would you like to come here, or shall we come to your office?”
“Either way. As you can imagine, BBS is anxious to return the necklace to its rightful owner as soon as possible.”
“We’ll come to you then,” I said. “When are you free?”
“Is this afternoon convenient?”
I checked my watch. “That would be fine. Shall we say one o’clock?”
“That’s great. In any case, let me give you the address.” He quickly rattled off the address and I wrote it down.
“We’ll see you today at one,” Miguel said into the phone.
“See you then.” He hung up, and I sat back in my chair as Miguel put both hands on my desk and hung his head.
“In any case, what are you thinking?” I said, smirking at him.