Jewel let out a shaky breath and tried to keep the emotion that was thickening her vocal chords at bay. Joseph had obviously told Tawny about them. She thought about her own mother, wishing she were still alive to talk this over with. But Tawny was looking at her warmly, waiting for her to respond. Seeing her kind eyes warmed her some, but after yesterday she was still so torn. She loved Joseph, and felt he loved her. But for him to suspect that her brothers might be involved in this, well, it had hurt. That was why she had repeatedly ignored his texts. She didn’t know what to say to him after the implications he had made.
“Thank you Tawny. I appreciate that.” She faltered a bit. If she and Joseph were to last, she wanted to move beyond this, hoped to, and she would have to call him eventually and explain. But she could be honest with his mother now. That would be a start. She had always respected the matriarch of this family, and for all she had done for their people. She made the decision to confide in her truthfully. “I did want to say that I’m sorry about the break-ins happening. And I know it may look bad, but in my heart I know my brothers are not involved. I want you to know that, and Joseph too. I don’t know what they were thinking coming here last night, but I can assure you it wasn’t to steal anything.”
Keeping her voice even, Tawny asked the question that Joseph had asked her. “Did they tell you what they were doing here? Joseph said they had informed you they would be studying.”
She saw the girl’s slight nod, as she looked away briefly in embarrassment. “Yes, that’s what they were supposed to be doing. But then their friend, Justin, called and said he was here. He had been dropped off by a friend and then left. He needed a ride. They came to get him.” She knew it probably sounded lame, but that’s what they told her and she believed them. They also picked up the crates for the food bank she had mentioned earlier in the day that she needed to take for Louis. She had asked to use their truck as there was quite a bit that needed to be brought to the food pantry. They thought they could kill two birds with one stone by picking up their friend and getting the food for her even though it had been late. They had done it before when there had been great quantities. The kitchen staff knew them, although they had never done it so late before.
Tawny searched the girl’s eyes. She was telling the truth. The truth in so far as she knew it. But as a mother, she knew sometimes you had to dig deeper for answers. The girl was still holding something back. “The tapes showed them coming in around midnight, and then leaving after one. They were here for some time.”
Jewel blushed. “It’s so dumb. I’m almost embarrassed to tell you this, because I know it is going to sound bad. It’s one of the reasons I didn’t call Joseph back yesterday. But, my brothers figured since they were here, they would come and get the food we keep in the office that I bring to the food bank on Saturdays and Sundays. I hadn’t been able to do it myself because there was so much this week, and what with the move and all.”
Tawny’s eyes widened in surprise, and Jewel rushed forward. “It’s something I regularly do for Louis. I assure you. We change the menu on Monday, and Louis begins to put the perishables that we didn’t use the week before in the office. We had over ordered because of the convention and not knowing what or how much we would need. But, Louis hates it to go to waste and so he sends it to the food bank. We have the records in the office.”
Tawny was pleased. She smiled broadly at the young girl. “Well, Jewel, darling. You should have just explained that. Something like that would only help to exonerate them, not implicate them. We can simply verify by checking the kitchen cameras.” Tawny saw the relief sweep over the girl’s face.
“Really?” Jewel’s tone sounded hopeful. This could prove their innocence. “I didn’t realize. I mean, I thought it would make them look even guiltier.”
Tawny walked beside the girl and put her arm around her giving her a comforting squeeze. “Sweetheart, I also want you to forgive my son for his rash accusations. He feels horrible about that. Joseph doesn’t trust easily, and it’s not because of you and your brothers, darling. He had a bit of a rough patch in college, and that is why he is so cautious. Please don’t take it too personally. Why don’t you call him when you get a chance? I’m sure he’d love to hear from you. And I think hearing you explain it, would help more rather than coming from me. I’m sure you will be able to put this behind you.”
“I hope so. And, I’ll do that.” Jewel returned the squeeze and just barely managed to keep the tears at bay when she added, “Thank you, Mrs. Sassacus. I mean Tawny.” She self-corrected before Tawny could swallowing past the lump in her throat.
Tawny’s eyes narrowed, assessing the young lady before her. She was competent, efficient, direct, and honest as far as she could tell. She hoped Jewel’s brothers had been honest with her. She believed the girl was not involved, and hoped the boys weren’t either. She would check the tapes with Tom now to be sure. For her son’s sake, she really wanted all of the Diamantes to be innocent. It would make his relationship with Jewel easier. She gave the girl one more hug before leaving, and felt the girl return it tentatively.