Page 23 of Masked Secrets
“Agreed. I’ll see you at our team meeting tomorrow.”
“Absolutely.”
As he walks away, I turn back to Brooke. Staring at her smooth bare neck, it hits me what’s missing.
“Brooke, why did you take your pearl necklace off?”
She gasps, clutching her throat. “No! No! I didn’t. Oh my god. I have to find it.”
13
BROOKE
Tears threaten to fall. I can’t believe I lost the most precious gift my aunt ever gave me.
Stuart says, “The clasp must have broken. You were wearing the necklace when we sat down at the table. I noticed how lovely it looked with your suit. It’s probably in your chair or under the table. We’ll go back and look.”
“Okay. Let’s hurry.”
Quickly, we return to our table at the front of the ballroom.
Frazzled, I scurry from chair to chair, pulling each one out. We check underneath napkins and peer under the table. Nothing. My breathing becomes faster and more ragged.
“Let’s check the neighboring tables in case it rolled or was accidentally kicked as people hurried to leave,” Stuart says.
“Good idea.” That thought gives me a glimmer of hope.
We look everywhere, including under the skirt of the raised stage. No pearls.
At this point, the room is empty except for the servers who are clearing tables and staff removing the presentation equipment.
One of the servers approaches us, asking, “Do you need assistance?”
“Yes. My friend here is missing her black pearl necklace. Did anyone find it?”
“I didn’t. I’ll check with the other servers and call security to come. Someone could have turned it in to lost and found.”
“Thank you. We’d appreciate that,” Stuart says.
Turning to me, Stuart steps closer, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and pulling me closer. “Don’t worry. We’ll find the necklace. It’s going to be okay.”
I wring my trembling hands as a lump forms in my throat, and my eyes moisten as I struggle to hide my emotions.
“I know it’s just a necklace, but my aunt left it to me in her will. Wearing it makes me feel like she’s still here, giving me strength. I miss her so much. The thought of losing my last connection to her is too much.”
“I understand. Based on your reaction, I assumed the necklace has a particularly special meaning to you. Don’t give up. It must be here somewhere. While we wait for security, let’s sit down at a table and talk through what happened. You may remember something helpful.”
“Okay.”
“I know you were wearing the pearls when they served the first course. When was the last time you’re sure they were around your neck?”
“I don’t know.” My eyes dart around the space looking for any sign of my missing jewelry. I appreciate Stuart’s help, but it’s hard to sit still and focus when I want to be searching every inch of the ballroom.
He takes my face in his hands, softly saying, “Take a deep breath and close your eyes. Now, try to remember. Did you touch the necklace at some point? Did your neck feel lighter at any time?”
I let out the breath slowly, “I’m not sure.”
“Keep your eyes closed and replay the lunch in your head, starting with when they served the salad.”
