“I’m afraid we’re not open yet,” Drayton told them. “If you’d care to wait outside?”
The lead agent’s jaw tightened as he flipped open his leather ID case. He was tall with chiseled features, probing dark eyes, and just a hint of salt and pepper in his dark, curly hair.
“I’m sorry,” Drayton said, not bothering to glance at the man’s credentials. “There’s no soliciting in here. The Indigo Tea Shop maintains a very strict policy.”
Theodosia started to giggle. Sometimes, Drayton could be a complete stitch. She put a hand on his shoulder and brushed past him.
“Please come in,” Theodosia said. “Of course, we really weren’t expecting you.”
“We really weren’t expecting who?” Drayton asked, puzzled.
“I’m Boyd Zimmer,” the taller of the two men said. “Federal Bureau of Investigation. I’m the AIC, agent in charge, and this is my assistant, Agent David Hurley.”
“You’re FBI?” Drayton stammered out. “Oh my.”
“Nice to meet you,” Theodosia said. Smiling and shaking hands, she introduced herself and Drayton to both agents. She was pleased that her courtesy had caught them off guard. “We’ve got a few minutes before we open the tea shop, so why don’t we all sit down at a table?” She pointed to the one nearest the window and said, “Right this way, gentlemen.”
The agents shuffled toward the table, looking stodgy and staid. They realized they were somehow being handled by this small Southern woman, but weren’t sure what to do about it.
Once the agents were seated, Theodosia said, “If you’d like, we could all enjoy some tea and scones.”
“Scones, ma’am?” Agent Zimmer said. He said it with a certain degree of mistrust. As if she’d just mentioned insider trading or the smuggling of illegal weapons.
“That’s right,” Theodosia chirped. “We have coconut cherry scones and maple nut scones today. Our baker has really outdone herself.”
“They both sound good,” Hurley grunted. He had thinning blond hair; an open, pleasant face; and intensely blue eyes. He seemed more relaxed than his partner, as if he was actually looking forward to some tea and scones.
“Then I’ll bring you one of each.” Theodosia figured if she could impart a bit of grace and civility to these men, there might be faint hope for the FBI yet.
Theodosia bustled back to the kitchen and stacked scones on a silver tray while Drayton fixed a pot of Panyang Congou tea.
When they were all seated, Theodosia passing around the scones and Drayton pouring tea, Hurley said, “I don’t believe I’ve ever had brewed tea before. Except maybe in a Chinese restaurant.”
“Those were probably tea bags,” Drayton said, switching into tea master mode. “Bits of stalk and stems and tea dust. No, you really must drink freshly brewed leaves in order to enjoy the full, rich taste of a great tea.”
“And this is a great tea?” Hurley asked, taking a sip.
“You tell me,” Drayton said.
“Mmn, it’s very good,” Hurley said.
“I thought you’d like it.” Drayton smiled with pride. “A nice Chinese black tea, easygoing and round.”
Zimmer and Hurley watched as Theodosia sliced her scone lengthwise, and then followed her lead.
“And this whipped cream goes on top?” Zimmer asked.
“It’s Devonshire cream,” Theodosia said. She nodded at Drayton. “Made from Drayton’s own proprietary recipe.”
The agents slathered on Devonshire cream, bit into their scones, and nodded appreciatively. They actually seemed to be relishing their tea and treats.
Good, Theodosia thought.
“I was wondering,” Theodosia said, addressing both agents, “why the FBI is involved with this jewel theft? When Detective Burt Tidwell and his team are really quite brilliant at what they do. I mean, we do have every confidence in our own Charleston Police Department.”
“Mmn,” Zimmer said, chewing. “I’m sure you do, ma’am. And we do, too. It’s just that, from our experience, a jewel theft of this magnitude usually involves a gang of criminals that has moved in from another part of the country.”
“So it’s interstate.” Theodosia could see the logic in this, even though Tidwell still resented their butting in.
“That’s exactly right,” Hurley said. He was busying himself with his scone. Slicing off small pieces then smearing them with a judicious amount of Devonshire cream.
“The other reason we’re giving this our full attention,” Zimmer said, “is because diamonds and gems are what the bureau calls an influential means by which to acquire drugs and weapons.”
Theodosia sat back in her chair. “Oh. That doesn’t sound good at all.”
“It’s not, ma’am,” Zimmer said. “But we’re seeing more and more of these robberies that indirectly threaten homeland security.”
“What we’d really like,” Hurley said, glancing at Theodosia, “is to ask you a few questions.”
“That’s fine,” Theodosia said.
“We read the police report,” Hurley said, “in which you were referenced several times.”