Page 87 of The Attic on Queen Street

A gentle warmth settled on me, and it wasn’t from the wine. “I can exchange mine for another one.”

“Don’t.”

I looked at him in surprise. “Why not?”

He scratched his chin, thinking. “So that she knows that we are at least united in how we feel about her. That despite everything else, she has both of us watching out for her.”

I looked into my wineglass, blinking rapidly. “We need to keep an eye on her. Rebecca’s last dream was about Nola. A tall shadow was pushing the clock down on top of her. We need to talk with her, to tell her to stay away from the clock until we can figure this out.”

“Agreed.”

I nodded and took another sip of my wine. “How was your day? Is your book research going well?”

“Very.” He paused, and I thought for a moment he might finally tell me more. Instead, he asked, “How was your day?”

I sat back in my chair and began rocking. “I spent most of it with Rebecca, which should tell you pretty much everything you need to know. I did have an interesting conversation with her, though, and learned something that we may or may not find helpful.”

I saw his raised eyebrow in the dimming light.

“Marc’s online handle in the treasure-hunting chat rooms and blogs isn’t Blackbeard. It’s Jonathan Goldsmith.”

“You mean the Most Interesting Man in the World?”

I stared at him. “How did you know that?”

He shrugged. “Doesn’t everyone?”

To avoid answering, I said, “I went back through all the saved chats and read through the blogs, and he’s not the most talkative of members. He never adds anything new to the topic being discussed, but he certainly asks a lot of questions. There’s a definite divide between those who believe in the existence of the missing half of the Hope Diamondand those who don’t. And Mr.Goldsmith, from what I could tell, seems to be on the side of the believers.”

Jack didn’t say anything but rocked slowly back and forth, his chair creaking like old bones against the floorboards.

“What about you, Jack? Are you starting to change your mind?”

He continued to rock silently.

“Jack?”

Startled, he turned to me. “I’m sorry. What?”

“I asked you if you’d started to change your mind. About the existence of a Hope Diamond twin.”

He didn’t answer right away. “I’ve been watching all the back-and-forth chatter online, and some of the evidence is very convincing, especially the theories that Blackbeard has talked about. All I know for sure is that you and I have thoroughly searched this house and found nothing. And I’m positive Marc did the same at Gallen Hall when looking for the rubies. We’ve found nothing.” He shrugged. “I’d love to believe it’s true, but there’s just no solid evidence, and even if it once existed, it has long since disappeared into history.”

I lifted my glass, surprised to find that it was already empty. “Rebecca also told me that Marc found something that he believes will solve all of their financial problems. She thinks it has something to do with a painting he brought home. I’m not even going to bother suggesting there’s a coincidence there with our missing painting.”

He was silent for a long moment, making me think he hadn’t heard me again. I was about to repeat myself when he spoke. “I suppose anything is possible. We can’t know for sure unless we can see it for ourselves.”

I smiled. “Well, then, we’re in luck. I’ve arranged for a baby-shower-planning meeting at Rebecca’s house next Friday. I’ve invited my mother and Jayne to act as decoys—I’ll ask my father to be on grandpa patrol—so I can do some snooping.”

“Sounds like a plan.” His face remained serious as he leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped in front of him.

“I thought you’d be more excited,” I said.

“I guess I’m more interested than excited. Like I said, the success ofthis film and the happy fulfillment of our contract with Marc are becoming less and less important.”

“I wish you’d tell me why, Jack. You used to tell me everything. You even said that we made a great team. What’s changed?”

It was full dark now, but I felt him watching me, sensed his gaze on my face. “I wish I knew the answer, Mellie. I really do.”