Page 39 of Tough Justice
A thrill shot through him as he stepped inside. He’d never been to Suzy’s home before. The urge to see her space moved his feet along the worn hardwood floors. He noted the thick throw tossed over the back of the sofa and the basket of pillows that sat in front of the brick fireplace. Cream-colored walls anchored the open floorplan with splashes of blues and oranges and reds coming together to create a warmth he couldn’t explain.
Just like Suzy.
“Nice place,” he said.
“It’s small but I don’t need much. Give me a few minutes and I’ll have everything I need. Make yourself comfortable.”
He waited for her to disappear into her room before strolling to the window and peeking outside. The town was on full display and he could see why she enjoyed living here. Being in the center of the community she loved so much. He wandered through the living room, noting a stack of paperbacks on the end table and a vase of fresh flowers on the mantle.
Crossing to the connected kitchen, his stomach growled, tempting him to look in the fridge. Suzy better hurry if he’d survive until lunch.
A clock with a picture of the mountains ticked on the wall. He didn’t want to rush her, but she said she’d be quick. Taking a chance, he padded down the short hall to her room and knocked on the doorframe.
Suzy stood in front of her dresser. Her narrowed eyes were glued to something he couldn’t see in front of her, her hand suspended in the air with her finger pointing at something.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
Shaking her head, she spun around. “Something’s not right.”
“What do you mean?”
“My necklace. The one my grandpa gave me. I always keep it in this little dish, and it’s gone.”
Frowning, he hurried to her and searched the neat dresser top for the missing jewelry. “Are you sure you didn’t put it somewhere else?”
“I’m positive. If I’m not wearing it—and I forgot to put it on today—I keep it in my mother’s dish. I remember putting it there last night and now it’s gone. Duke, I know I sound crazy, but someone was in my apartment.”
14
Suzy’s hands shook as she took a step away from the dresser and crashed against the long length of Duke. “Someone was here. I know it.”
His big hands latched onto her shoulders and gently kneaded her tight muscles. “I believe you. The first thing I need to do is make sure no one else is in here now. The kitchen and living room were clearly empty. What other rooms do you have?”
“Just the bathroom across the hall.” For the first time she was grateful she couldn’t afford more than her tiny apartment.
“Stay here.”
She studied the dresser again, roaming her palm over the smooth surface and checking the top drawer to make sure the gold chain with the sun pendant hadn’t fallen in when she’d gotten out clothes earlier.
Nothing.
Dropping to her knees, she checked under the furniture then fell back on her bottom where only dust bunnies stared back at her like miniature tumbleweeds.
“Are you okay?”
The concern in Duke’s voice brought tears to her eyes. She sniffed them back. There were more important things in life than her necklace. The last thing she should be doing was wallowing in self-pity at the loss.
But damn, it cut deep.
Duke crouched beside her. “Suzy?”
“I’m sorry. I’m being silly.”
“No, you’re not. Tell me what’s going on.” He settled to sit beside her.
“My grandfather gave me that necklace. I was always so jealous when he gave one that he always wore to Lane.”
“The bull horn?”
