Page 5

So I reached into my bag and revealed the historical photograph I’d printed this morning, sliding it across the register with my finger.

“I’ve spent a lot of time on this online treasure-hunting forum called X Marks the Spot.

I learned from the folks there that Nadine, at Barb’s Pawn Shop, sold this locket to your aunt about six years ago.

And the rumors surrounding the couple pictured in the locket are pretty epic. ”

Eve’s shoulders rippled with restrained movement. “I cannot repeat this enough. But I really, truly, do not care.”

“Do you know who this couple is?” I asked.

“Nope.”

“You haven’t even looked at the picture,” I chided.

A muscle ticked in her jaw. She glared down at the locket and repeated: “Nope.”

She was lying. She had to be.

“The pictures in the locket are of William Blackburn and his wife, Priscilla,” I said.

“William was an oil baron from New York City during the Gilded Age. Filthy rich, politically influential. On April 7th, 1900, his vast collection of diamonds was stolen and carried off in a large metal box. It was a huge news story at the time. Especially since the diamonds vanished on the same day that Priscilla also went missing.”

Eve’s lips twitched into a smirk. “Can we speed this up? I’ve got a busy day.”

My back molars ground together, but I forced a pleasant tone to match my smile.

“Priscilla was never heard from again, and the diamonds were never found. The urban legend is that she fled an unhappy marriage, took the jewels to pay her way out west, through Santa Fe. Because this locket, with these photos, was discovered in a small town just outside here, leading many to believe Priscilla was ultimately killed by thieves while traveling through.”

Eve’s fingers tightened again, just slightly.

“Five years ago, your aunt and her wife made a very public attempt at finding the missing Blackburn Diamonds—and failed. And now I’m here in Santa Fe, trying to find Monty, and the local forums are suddenly filled with rumors that multiple groups of treasure hunters are making a big, splashy play for the diamonds.

Late last night, some guy named Jensen and his crew did a massive dig at a nearby state park. ”

Eve’s eyebrows knit together in a flash of genuine surprise.

Though she smoothed her expression over just as quickly, cocking her head to the side like she was sizing me up.

“Let me get this straight, Hendrix. You think my aunt is out there in the foothills, trying to find a bunch of diamonds that don’t exist?

It’s an old wives’ tale, always has been.

Nothin’ but a campfire story kids tell each other in the summertime. ”

“Interesting,” I countered. “Because I’ve got the strangest feeling that if I follow those diamonds, they’ll lead me right to Monty. Call it gut instinct from years of being a reporter.”

Her dark eyes flashed with defiance. She stepped a few inches closer, her elbow sliding across the top of the register, body angling toward mine. I heroically ignored the low flutter in my belly that appeared at her nearness.

“I’m not gonna tell you again. Leave it alone, Hendrix,” she said, voice husky at the edges.

“Why?”

“Can’t tell ya why. Just drop it.”

Eve pushed past me, heading back toward the front of the shop.

But I was hot on her heels, and we reached the closed front door at the same time.

Desperate, I slid in front of her, forcing her to stop.

My shoulders pressed into the wood, and barely six inches separated the two of us.

Closer even than before, because now I could smell her, like a sun-dappled hiking trail beneath fragrant cedar trees.

Or, somewhat less poetically, Eve smelled like a hot lady lumberjack, and I was deeply annoyed at my body’s immediate reaction to her.

She cocked a haughty eyebrow. “You really are persistent, aren’t you?”

“I’m sorry, but a bunch of vague statements demanding that I drop this story because of mystery reasons has the opposite effect on my motivations,” I said archly. “I’m not here seeking your permission, Eve. I’m here seeking information I can use.”

Her gaze fell to my lips for all of a second before flying to mine with a scowl. “You know this is why everyone protects Monty from reporters. You don’t give a shit about her or what she wants. You don’t even care about what I want.”

“Why would I care about what you want? I literally just met you.”

“A meeting I already fully regret,” she muttered.

Irritation zipped along my spine. I lifted my chin, all too aware that somehow another inch had disappeared from the space between our bodies. Eve’s thick, black eyeliner was smudged from the heat, giving her a just-woken-up look that was much too tempting given how pissed I was.

“I want this story… I need this story,” I said slowly. Deliberately. “And nothing will stop me from succeeding.”

Eve scoffed in response. “Don’t think I won’t stop you, Hendrix. You might as well pack your bags up and head home now.”

My thoughts darted through my brain like ping-pong balls on a caffeine bender. The truth was, I didn’t doubt this woman’s ability to block my every move—after all, I was the one who’d shown my hand too early.

But then one of those ping-pong balls bounced off an idea so absurd I almost laughed. I shrugged, aiming for nonchalance. “Guess I’ll just have to find the Blackburn Diamonds myself and force Monty out of hiding…that is, if she isn’t already out there looking.”

Eve reared back, lips quirked up in a mocking smile. “What the hell do you know about treasure hunting?”

My eyes narrowed in suspicion. “And what do you? Per our conversation yesterday, it doesn’t seem like it’s much of an interest of yours.”

“It’s not.”

“So why do you care?”

“I literally could not care less.”

Our gazes locked together, neither one backing down. Finally, I said: “Cool, well…guess I’ll be seeing you around, then?”

Her attention had fallen to my mouth again, the long column of her throat working on a swallow. “I highly doubt it.”

Biting back one last burst of frustration, I spun around and stalked outside. “Next time you see me, I’ll be positively swimming in buried treasure.”

“Well, don’t come back here in a week, crying when you can’t find a damn thing,” she snapped. “Monty included.”

“Thanks for your concern,” I said airily. “But you’ll be the one crying when I find those diamonds before anyone else does.”

Eve’s answering laughter was tinged with arrogance. “I’d like to see you try, Hendrix.”