Read Online Lost and Found by Elle Casey - Free Book Online

suppose.”
    “Nope.” I shake my head. “There were no cameras of any kind. No phones or anything. Everyone was too busy helping or cheering.”
    What are the chances of that happening, of people in New York City not filming someone almost dying instead of actually helping? Zero. One in a billion, maybe. But I’m prepared to go all the way with this lie because it’s way better than dealing with the real reason I’m here.
    That damn ring — karma’s ass-kicking delivered in the form of a half-million bucks I can’t have. I must have been really bad my whole life to deserve this special kind of torture.
    “That’s astounding.” He moves over to his desk and shuffles through some papers. “I’m glad you made it through okay.”
    “Yeah, me too.” I move closer, hoping he’ll help me change the subject. “So, did you find any information about the ring?”
    “I did. I’m just looking for the paper I wrote it on.”
    His organizational skills look worse than Belinda’s, but he surprises me by slipping a yellow sheet of legal paper out of a pile and holding it up with a smile. “Here it is.”
    He walks over slowly to the counter and stands opposite me. “I did a little digging, made a few phone calls, and came up with this.” He puts the paper down on the glass case and slides it closer to me. When he’s done pushing the paper, he turns on a small lamp that’s sitting nearby. “Can you read my writing? It’s not the best. Ever since my RA kicked in, it’s been difficult. My penmanship teacher is rolling over in her grave.”
    I nod, not sure I know what he’s talking about. His writing is crap, though, that’s no joke. I point to the paper. “Does this say Harper’s?”
    He squints at it and then turns the paper to face him. “No, actually it says Cartier. Fifth Avenue.”
    I can barely swallow, my throat is suddenly so dry. “Cartier? The jeweler Cartier?” Oh my god. It’s right next to the damn fountain. Did the woman throw the ring in right after her boyfriend bought it? Why wouldn’t she just bring it back to the store? Who is she? The stupidest woman alive? She must be.
    He looks up at me, confused. “I’m sorry … I don’t follow.”
    I wave my hand around, maybe to try and dissipate the fog that has gathered around my brain. “I’m just messing with you. Of course you mean Cartier the jeweler on Fifth Avenue, just the most expensive jeweler in the entire world.”
    “Some would argue that title goes to Harry Winston.”
    I laugh really loudly, kind of barking it out like a hyena. “Really? More expensive than Cartier?”
    “I suppose it depends on the piece. But Harry Winston has the Hope Diamond right now.”
    For the life of me, I cannot get my voice to go above a whisper. “I’m not carrying the Hope Diamond around am I?”
    The old man smiles and then chuckles. “No, no, no. The Hope Diamond is over forty-five carats and it’s blue.”
    “Oh. That’s like … a lot bigger than mine. Than my Mom’s, I mean.”
    He winks at me. “Yes. Your mother’s ring is much smaller. But it’s not small by any means.”
    I can finally breathe and talk properly again.   A quick scratch at my armpit has my hive satisfied for the time being. “Yes, you’re right. It’s too damn big. I hate having it.”
    “Are you going to Cartier?” he asks me.
    “Yes. Maybe.” Imagining myself going into that store instead of just drooling outside the windows makes me break out in more hives, this time between my boobs. Nice. Love it when they go there.
    “Well if you do, you can ask to speak with Wendy. She was a colleague of mine once, and I’m sure she’d be happy to help you.”
    “Wendy? Okay, great. Thanks.” I reach into my purse. “How much do I owe you?”
    “Owe me?”
    I look up at his confused tone. “For the work you did for me.” I’m praying feverishly in my head that he’ll say five bucks, because that’s about all I have. Honestly, I don’t even have that