The Hammett Hex (25 page)

I read it, “‘Make sure not to mention SeaWorld. Trust me,'” and then I held it up—perhaps aggressively—close to his confused face.

“Oh man, that Autocorrect is gonna ruin my life.” Kev's shoulders slumped.

“Not if I end it first.” I flared my nostrils. “What did you do, Kev? You know that Farley Tso is probably dead, don't you? Does this have something to do with Seamus?”

“I know, but I had almost nothing to do with it!”
Almost nothing?
How comforting. “I couldn't tell you before. Not even Mick knows and I swore I'd never mention it. And you know how good I am at keeping promises, Jordie.”

“Back in the day, Farley and Seamus did ‘a little job' together. They thought they were robbing some bombshell socialite named Laurie Leff. She was a real stunner, but it turned out this Laurie Leff was not only rich, but she was also really well connected. And I do mean
connected.
”

“Are we talking about the Mob here?” My stomach turned.

“Yeah, she liked to walk on the wild side with a mob guy named Les ‘the Bat' Blatt. The story goes, this Laurie Leff had been seen at an after-hours club flashing one heck of a diamond necklace. Showing it off, ya know. I guess Seamus heard she was staying in a hotel that he'd already cased.
Batta-bing batta-boom!
When she was sleeping it off that night, they swiped it.”

“When was this?” My temples were throbbing.

“Early eighties.”

“And why is this all coming up now? Why wait all this time to kill Farley Tso?”

“Seamus knew they were going to get caught, once he realized what a mistake they'd made. He put the word out that he'd done the heist alone. Mick even thinks it was a solo
job. But that was just to protect Farley. And it didn't work. Someone dropped Farley Tso's name. Next he gets cornered by some mobsters connected to Les Blatt and he ends up shooting one of them. Blatt pays off some cops and the cops make sure Farley goes down for twenty-five years. Out in twenty for good behavior.”

“I think my brain is going to explode.”

“Stay with me, Jordie. Here's where Seamus comes into it. He decides to leave the necklace for Farley, somewhere safe, for when he gets outta jail. He feels bad 'cause it was all his idea and there was way too much heat on to pawn the stupid thing.”

Something in the back of my mind said,
Necklace? Like the one in the handkerchief box upstairs? The one that Farley gave me?

“And then Seamus disappeared himself, and I helped him. I'm sorry, Jordan, I couldn't tell you, besides you weren't even born yet. Mick has no idea about any of this, otherwise he would've never sent you to see Farley. I didn't realize he made that connection. I think he just felt bad for the guy, 'cause he just got out of jail, and his business was slow.”

“Mick and Lucky don't know about the robbery or the necklace?”

“They knew that Seamus was in the wind, because he stole something, but they never found out about Farley's part in it.”

“Why do you think Farley didn't sell the necklace? He could have made out like a bandit, which he was, I suppose.”

“Well, he was pretty sure that he would still be watched. That necklace is worth at least a hundred and fifty grand now, it would have been risky but—”

“What?”

“He wanted to give it back to Seamus, or at least back to his family. To thank him for taking the blame and for walking away from his own life to save Farley's, even though he
got twenty-five. I talked to him right after he gave you the necklace, but by the time I got down to San Francisco, he was already dead.” I guess there is some honor among thieves. “It's in that box he gave you, Jordan. That's what those guys in suits were after at the hotel. They were Les ‘the Bat' Blatt's goons.”

“I'm the reason Farley Tso is dead.” I felt a lump in my throat.

“Don't feel bad, Jordie. Even if he'd had the necklace, and given it up, they woulda killed him. Just to make a point, ya know?”

“What about Laurie Leff? The necklace belongs to her.”

“I guess, but she got caught in the crossfire one night she was out with Les Blatt, about twenty years ago, and that was it for her.”

“She died.”

“Yup. Too bad. She was a beauty.”

“And that's why you came? To keep me from getting hurt?”

“Yeah, but I texted you not to mention Seamus to anyone.”

I still had to go back to the planning party. How was I going to keep the burden of this information off my face? Tyler would pick up on it immediately. I had to hope he'd be too enveloped in the sting and attribute any weirdness I exuded to adrenaline.

How would I deal with the stolen necklace that belonged to a dead bombshell?

“Now what do we do?” Kev's huge blue saucer eyes stared into mine.

“One plan at a time, Kev.”

*   *   *

GRAM WAS DRESSED
to kill, a vision in fuchsia silk, her soft white waves shining, looking fragile and delicate
with her bird-handled cane at her side. And yet, I knew, having the time of her life. Zoya had caved and served her a G and T in a flowered Shelley china cup.

Smiley and I were set up at our observation posts in the dining room with the pocket doors closed. The Chinese screen was set up to hide us on the off chance that someone took a trip to the powder room and decided to snoop around. The boys were posted in closets, on the back stairs and, in Gus's case, behind a wicker love seat. For his sins, Uncle Kev was also in position with a remote video camera setup and a special job when the trouble started.

Gram was stationed as hostess at a large, low table set up for afternoon tea in the wide, formal parlor with Zoya behind her. A silver samovar gleamed next to the rest of the tea service. Pretty, crustless party sandwiches—my favorite—were arranged to tempt on tiered plates, and cookies and chocolates sat flirtatiously in delicate china dishes. Asta was circling and obviously had a plan too.

Zoya was wearing a sober dark gray dress that emphasized her slim figure and angry silver eyes. She was also sporting a purely symbolic white maid's apron. Her jaw appeared to be clenched, if such a thing is anatomically possible.

Nancy Mitchell, also with a china teacup and saucer, was still and watchful in one of the deep rose velvet wingback chairs.

I quivered when the doorbell rang.

Zoya answered the door. The first batch of Huddy relatives had arrived—Janet Kargol and her son, Josh. I still thought of him as Michael. His mother obviously was in charge. He hung back and looked everywhere except at Gram. Zoya escorted them to the parlor, her wide silver eyes radiating daggers. Oh well. We can't all be as cool as Gram.

“Darling Auntie Jean,” Janet said, sweeping close enough to give Gram a pair of air kisses. She was tall, with highlighted hair, well dressed and very confident.

Gram smiled a twinkling smile at her.

Asta scampered around snapping at Josh's ankles. Gram ignored her. It was one more way to ratchet up the tension.

My heart was thundering. We had been right. This niece was much more than she'd pretended to be. I tried to make eye contact with Smiley. But no luck there.

“I don't know what's keeping Clara, but let me say that it's been much too long and we have missed you. Haven't we, Josh?”

He shrugged. I noticed he couldn't bring himself to look at Gram.

Gram twinkled a bit more. “We're so glad you're here. Tea or champagne?”

Josh shook his head. Maybe he wanted an energy drink. Janet chose champagne and practically purred as Zoya poured it. From my perch, Zoya looked like she wanted to wrap her hands around Janet's throat. Luckily, she wasn't in charge.

Gram waved her hand toward the table. “Zoya has outdone herself with sandwiches and sweets.”

The doorbell rang again. Josh jumped. I knew who Janet was and I knew I'd recognize Clara when she arrived too.

I hadn't been too worried about Josh, but it belatedly occurred to me that I should be much more worried about his mother. Josh was a twit and Jessica not much better.

The mothers were the ones to watch out for.

Was there a chance that I could alert Smiley and warn him? Apparently not. Zoya stormed in with a slightly shorter woman with equally expensive highlighted hair and the person we'd known as Sierra at her side. Clara raised her eyebrow to her sister. “Thought you could have waited the few seconds.”

“No harm done, Clara. You might have kept up.”

“Auntie Jean, it's lovely to see you,” Clara said in a voice like poisoned syrup.

Gram must have practiced her most sugary responses. “Yes, after all this time, together again. Jessica, how you've grown up. I can't believe you and Josh are here. So wonderful.”

Asta turned her attention to Jessica and yipped and even hurled herself. Jessica did her best to ignore the dog. Janet looked daggers at Jessica and at Asta.

“Now that you are all here, let me introduce my neighbor and good friend, Nancy Mitchell.”

A round of greetings ensued.

Gram said, “Nancy is not only a wonderful neighbor and friend, but she's also my lawyer.”

Eight eyes focused on Nancy, who nodded gravely, radiating calm, steely professionalism. I wouldn't have liked to be up against her in court.

Gram twittered. “We have a few estate planning things to discuss, now that we're mending fences.”

Clara's head swiveled. “Mending fences?”

Oops. Zoya deflected attention by offering tea and champagne. Jessica's knuckles were white as she clutched but didn't sip her flute with the sparkling treat.

“I should have said reconnecting. Being family again. Please forgive me. I am terribly upset because of something that's happened to us.”

“Oh? And what is that?” Janet asked. She couldn't quite suppress a gleam in her eye, visible even to me.

“My grandson, whom I told you about. Well, I explained to Clara when we spoke. He came to see me and stayed in the hotel Clara recommended. La Perla? A good choice in hotel but a bad reunion. I think he was just after money. We've had nothing but trouble since he and his girlfriend arrived. I finally had to show him the door, didn't I, Zoya?”

Zoya said, “Gone avay now. Good riddens.”

In a rattly voice, Gram said, “So I really need to get him out of the will altogether. That's why Nancy is here.”

Janet glowed. “I'm so glad you gave him the boot.”

“Yes,” said Clara. “There's nothing worse than a greedy relative.”

Jessica smirked and took a gulp of her champers. Congratulating herself, I supposed. Josh reached for a glass himself.

“To the Huddys!” Gram said.

It was enough to make you hurl.

With perfect timing when they were all in mid-sip, Gram added, “You won't get everything, of course. Most of it will go to a home for pugs—”

I hoped no one heard me laugh out loud at the resulting spew of champagne. Smiley glowered at me, but his lips twitched. I thought Nancy Mitchell's might have too.

The doorbell pealed just in time to distract.

“Oh my,” said Gram. “I think Gloria must be here.”

“Who is Gloria?” Janet said with a frown. Of course, they'd be wanting to ingratiate themselves with Gram without competition.

“Gloria Zeller. Another lovely friend and neighbor, across the street.”

“But shouldn't this just be a family affair?” Jessica squeaked.

“She'll remember your mother as a girl visiting here and Janet too,” Gram said gaily. “I knew she'd be glad to come. And we'll need her as a witness for the will. Zoya can be the second one.”

“Of course,” Janet beamed. I figured she was already working on a plan to get rid of the pug charity.

We were getting close to our action moment.

I tried to signal Tyler without making any noise. No luck. He was staring quite murderously at the cousins. But he needed to be directing his anger at their mothers. He needed to see past the expensive honey-brown and blond highlights and remember them with silver hair and Tilley hats. He
needed to know that they were not attractive and harmless ladies. I was remembering them always being nearby in the hotel, looking so innocuous when we were leaving for dinners, smiling at me on the cable car, passing by just before I was pushed. I was speculating that it had been Clara or Janet in the hallway behind me near the staircase when I pulled off the bedspread. Jessica and Josh were dolts, even if they were criminal dolts. But we needed to beware of their mothers.

Zoya arrived in the parlor with Gloria Zeller. She was in fine form.

Gram waved her greeting and Nancy nodded a welcome to the new arrival. But Josh stared and Jessica's hand shook as Gram introduced everyone.

Gloria played her part perfectly. “Don't I know you, dear?” she said to Jessica, a smile on her kind, generous face.

Jessica shook her head, ponytail swaying. “No. No, you don't.”

Gloria looked startled. “Yes. I do. You are staying next to me in the Himmelfarb house. I recognize you. Of course, you are so very pretty, just like your mother was at that age.”

“I wasn't there!” Jessica shrieked.

Clara reached over and clutched Jessica's hand, perhaps trying to squeeze some brains into her.

Jessica said, “Ouch. Mom!”

“Jessica is often mistaken for people in film and on television,” Clara said.

Jessica's free hand went to her hair and she couldn't hold back a conceited smile. Of course, she somehow had evaded the glares that Tyler was aiming her way through the wall. “As if,” he muttered.

“No, no, dear, it was the Himmelfarb house. You had your baby with you and your husband came and went too, but from the back door.”

Josh whirled and yapped, “That's stupid. You didn't ever see me. Nobody could see anything back—”