Patricia laughed once, cold and sharp. “Young lady, if you are standing in Emily’s house wearing her earrings, you are very much the problem.”
I looked at Vanessa’s ears. “Take them off.”
Her face flushed. “Excuse me?”
“Those were my grandmother’s pearls. Take them off before I call the police and report stolen property.”
Daniel stepped between us. “Emily, don’t be dramatic.”
I looked past him at the security officer near the door. “Please escort Ms. Reed outside.”
Vanessa finally realized that the porch performance had ended. Her confidence broke as she removed the earrings and dropped them into my hand.
Daniel picked up her suitcase. “Vanessa, wait in the car.”
She hissed, “You told me she had nothing.”
I smiled at him. “Yes, Daniel. What else did you tell her?”
He looked at me, and I knew.
There was more.
Much more.
