of Lisbeth Carew.â
Geraldine reached out and grabbed the velvet case. âThatâs the biggest diamond Iâve ever seen.â She lifted out the ring, slipped it on her left ring finger, held her hand high.
Sherman clapped appreciatively. âSparkles real pretty.â
Geraldine preened, made a pirouette.
Doug took a step forward and there was no good humor in his face.
Geraldine proclaimed dramatically, âThis ring should have my name on it,â but she was pulling off the ring, replacing it in the box. She pressed the box to her heart for a moment, then, clearly reluctant, handed it to the oilman. âThat is one big ring.â
Shermanâs laughter boomed. âDoug, the lady put her finger on it. And in it.â Geraldineâs face was a mixture of cupidity and jealousy. Megan gave the ring a brief glance, one eyebrow slightly raised. Sharonâs gaze locked on the vivid, sparkling stone. Anita blinked, perhaps trying to merge this odd moment into the welter of fear in her mind. Lou made a soft cooing sound. âOh, so lovely. So beautiful. Thatâs the biggest diamond Iâve ever seen. The little stones around the setting are amazing.â Nancyâs eyes were wide, her lips slightly parted. Winifred touched a cameo pinned to her blouse. Small pearl earrings were her only other jewelry. Her expression suggested she thought the stone and its setting gaudy and vulgar.
Sherman stopped in front of Keith Porter. âEver seen anything like this, son?â
Keith stared down at the glittering diamond.
The big man threw back his big head, delighted to stretch out the moment. âDonât ever say Jack Sherman didnât give you a glimpse of life among the one percent in Adelaide, Oklahoma.â He turned back to the cluster of women. âLadies, youâre among the first to know that Doug is landing in a big patch of clover. When he marries Lisbeth Carew, he wonât need clients.â Sherman snapped the ring case shut. âOn your toes, Doug.â He tossed the ring case in a smooth underhand throw to Doug. âBetter put it in the bank âtil you need it.â
The lawyer moved fast, caught the red plush velvet case in his right hand, held it tightly. âMaybe I should.â He tried to sound good-humored, but he was obviously angry.
âYou got to promise to send a selfie of you and Lisbeth when you give it to her. I hear sheâs due back from Lucerne next week. Now, I got to get out to the rig.â Sherman clumped heavily up the hall.
Keith Porter scowled at Graham. âIâll be back in touch. Like tomorrow.â He turned, walked away. He reached the door to the reception area as it was closing, gave one last angry look over his shoulder, stepped through, and pulled the door shut. Hard. There was silence in the hallway.
Doug Graham looked at his partner. âIâm sorry the noise interrupted your meeting with Winifred. I know youâll both dismiss Jackâs performance from your minds and not mention it to anyone.â
Brewster raised an eyebrow. âI donât discuss private matters.â
Winifred gave Doug a chilly glance. Her tone was clipped. âI wouldnât dream of speaking of the matter. It is of no interest to me.â She turned and stepped into Brewsterâs office. He followed and the door closed.
Grahamâs face was touched with red. He knew a put-down when he heard it. He turned toward the others in the hallway. âThe showâs over.â His tone was brusque. âLike everything else in a law office, anything discussed in the hallway this morning is confidential. I expect everyoneââhe looked at each in turnââto dismiss this from your mind.â In other words, no gossip, no description of the scene, keep your mouths shut. He looked at Megan, jerked his head toward his office.
Megan, green folder beneath one arm, followed him.
As if that had been a
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