Read Online The Third Sin by Elsa Klensch - Free Book Online

gleaming yellow Braganza, with smaller white diamonds sparkling around it.
    â€œThis is my mother, Esperanza Dias, in the white dress she wore on her eighteenth birthday,” Wade said, glowing with pride. “It’s a very famous portrait and quite valuable, but I’d never sell it. You know she was killed by kidnappers when I was just a baby? I never knew her.”
    â€œYes, I’ve researched your family and am familiar with the story. It must have been hard, growing up with that history behind you.”
    â€œMy family is wonderful and supportive.”
    Cacao interrupted them with a loud shriek, and a “Go way. Go way.”
    Sonya turned and saw Perry. “It’s my cameraman,” she said.
    â€œCacao warns me when a stranger arrives,” Wade said with pride.
    â€œCome in, Perry,” Sonya called. “We’ll start shooting as soon as you are ready.” She turned back to Wade. “How does your wife feel about the painting?”
    â€œYou know how women are…” He paused, waiting for a reaction, but Sonya only smiled. “The women in the family are all a little jealous. My mother was so beautiful and so saintly.”
    â€œShe is beautiful, and we’ll want to get some shots of her, especially since she is wearing the Braganza.”
    â€œHer dress is an exact copy of one worn by the queen of Brazil. I see this painting every day of my life, and never tire of it.”
    â€œWhere would you like to do the interview?” Perry asked Sonya.
    It was Wade who answered, pointing toward the easy chair. “I could sit there with Cacao behind me. He’ll be upset if he’s not on TV.”
    Perry said calmly, “Having Cacao in the background will cause problems with editing. But we can get some shots of you and Cacao and cut them into the piece.”
    â€œAll right,” Wade said. “Kirsten told me it might be a problem. But Cacao must be in the story. I promised him.” He simpered a bit, saying, “Kirsten told me you are the network’s best cameraman and said that you’d make me look so handsome all my friends will be envious.”
    Perry grunted and started to set up the lights.
    â€œI want to make sure that people know I’m so happy about the sale. The auction house told me they’ve already had inquiries about my beautiful diamond. When I told the family, they were thrilled.”
    Sonya said nothing.
    Wade lifted the bird’s perch to move it out of the room. The macaw flapped his wings and squawked angrily. Wade said, “Calm down, Cacao. You’ll be on television later.”
    â€œThat’s some crazy guy,” Perry said. “And the bird too.” He and Sonya finished arranging the chairs and lights.
    Wade came back, brushing off his hands. Sonya wondered how often the perch was cleaned.
    It was immediately apparent that something had changed in the few moments that Wade had been out of the room. Gone was the affable host. Wade was shaking as he sat while Perry adjusted the lights.
    He put his hand up to shield his eyes and snapped, “The lights are blinding me. They’re making me feel sick.”
    Sonya looked at him. “I promise this won’t take long.”
    â€œYou know I’m only doing this to raise the price of the diamond. I hate being interviewed.”
    Perspiration was beading on his forehead. Sonya decided to keep her questions short and to the point. Perry gave her the signal that they were rolling.
    â€œWhy are you auctioning the diamond?”
    â€œWhen my father died, I decided to change my life. I now have a beautiful bride. And to make her happy I want to sell my Braganza. It will set us up so we can enjoy the rest of our lives together.”
    â€œYour mother, Esperanza, was the first member of the Dias family to wear the diamond, wasn’t she?”
    â€œYes, my grandfather gave it to her on her eighteenth birthday and she wore it when