Chapter 4 - THE STOLEN HEIRLOOM
The trap was sprung the very next morning. Claire was summoned to the grand foyer. When she arrived, Vivienne was weeping dramatically onto the shoulder of her father, Arthur Cross, a prominent board member of Archer Meridian. Two police officers stood awkwardly by the door.
“That’s her!” Vivienne shrieked, pointing a manicured finger at Claire. “She stole the Archer Sun Diamond. I saw her slip it into her apron yesterday!”
Ruth Alvarez, the head housekeeper, stepped forward. “That is a lie. Claire was nowhere near your quarters, Ms. Cross.”
“Search her room!” Arthur Cross demanded, his face purple with outrage. “This street rat has infiltrated this house to steal from us.”
Nathan descended the grand staircase, his face like thunder. “What is going on here?”
“Your precious housekeeper is a thief, Nathan,” Vivienne sneered.
The officers returned from the staff quarters holding a small velvet box. Inside rested the glowing, multi-million-dollar Archer Sun Diamond. Claire stared at it, her mind racing. She had never seen the box before in her life.
“Arrest her,” Arthur commanded.
An officer reached for his handcuffs. Claire’s breath slowed. The Stillwater Form wasn’t just physical; it was mental. She calculated the distance to the door, the weight of the officers, the exits. She could escape, but it would make her look guilty.
“Stop,” Nathan’s voice cracked like a whip. He walked down the remaining stairs and stood directly in front of Claire, shielding her from the police. “She didn’t steal it.”
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“It was in her room, Nathan!” Vivienne cried.
“It’s impossible,” Nathan said coldly. “Because the diamond in that box is a replica. The real Archer Sun Diamond has been in a secure vault in Switzerland for three years. So, Vivienne, care to explain how a fake diamond you had made ended up in my employee’s room?”
