Read Online 34 - The Queen's Jewels by Jessica Fletcher, Donald Bain - Free Book Online Page B

minutes on the deck, take in some sea air.”
    “No, I—”
    He lowered his voice to a conspiratorial level. “I’ll fill you in on some very juicy information concerning the robbery of that famous diamond and the murder of its owner. Ten minutes—I promise. Then you can head for your cabin. Deal?”
    It was no use trying to resist Michael Haggerty. He was very convincing, and to tell the truth, I was mildly curious about what he knew of the diamond theft in London and the killing of its owner—maybe a bit more than mildly.
    Had Seth Hazlitt been privy to our conversation, he would have shaken his head and given me a long-suffering sigh. He would have said he’d known immediately that I would agree to hear Haggerty’s story. My inquisitiveness when it comes to crime is deeply embedded in my psyche, often to my chagrin. I have no idea where it comes from. Had my mother and father possessed that curiosity gene and passed it along to their daughter? Was there something in my DNA, or a section of my brain that released some hormone whenever a crime had been committed in my sphere? Or was it environmental? Had my years in New York City sharpened my need to know about crime and criminals? No, I was exactly the same in Cabot Cove long before I’d moved temporarily to an apartment in Manhattan. Perhaps writing so many murder-mystery novels triggered my fascination with crime from real life to the page—or the other way around. Whatever the answer, it was impossible for me to walk away from Michael Haggerty’s tantalizing promise.
    We took the elevator up to Deck Seven and stepped out to the deck that skirted the Queen Mary 2 , where in the daytime joggers and walkers alike take their exercise, and where strollers try to keep out of their way. The ship was making good time, causing a stiff breeze to slap our faces and toss our hair. A few other intrepid people were on the deck, too. I spotted the Kensingtons, who leaned over the railing, peering down into the churning seas below. Richard picked up Marcia and pretended he was going to throw her overboard. She screamed, just as he’d expected, and when he let her down, they laughed and hugged each other. It was nice to see some affection between them.
    “Beautiful, isn’t it, Jessica?” Haggerty said as we walked toward the stern of the ship, the wind at our backs.
    “Very.”
    “Are you chilly?”
    “No, not at all, but I am curious.”
    “As I knew you would be.” He laughed. “I found just the right bait for this fish.”
    “You did,” I said. “Here’s a question: Why are you involved with the theft of the Heart of India and the murder of its owner? You’re an intelligence officer. This is a police matter.”
    “You are absolutely right, Jessica. It is a police matter. But if rumors are true that its owner was using proceeds from his business dealings to fund terrorist groups around the world, it very much becomes a matter for MI6 and other intelligence agencies.”
    “‘If’ is a very big word, Michael. My understanding is that that charge has never been proved. No one’s been able to find a solid link from Walter Yang to the terrorist organizations. It could all be gossip and innuendo. I find it hard to believe that your agency would get you involved on so slim a pretext.”
    Michael cocked his head. “Ah, you’re too smart for me, Jessica. But evidence seems to be mounting that makes it more of a plausible charge. I would tell you more, but my oath of secrecy means I must keep mum.” He put his index finger to his lips and smiled.
    “All right,” I said, “I’ll let you off the hook for now. Now get back to your dancing partner, and let me get a good night’s rest.”
    He laughed gently and looked around to ensure that we were alone. “I think I might have fallen in love. She is very beautiful, and a wonderful dancer, I might add.”
    “You’ve always had a discerning eye when it comes to beautiful women, Michael.”
    “Which is why I