“Well, thank you for being direct. And we are still investigating. But, please don’t feel like we were targeting just them. We are looking at all avenues.”
“I understand that now. Thank you for coming to talk to me. I really do think it is matter of bad timing on their part, and perhaps bad choices. And I promise, I will call Joseph. Let him know that for me, if you see him before I get the chance.”
“I will. And please, if anything does come to you, let us know so we can properly investigate. We are just trying to narrow down the suspects, and your help is really appreciated in that.”
“I will. I promise,” she gave Tawny her word.
The woman began to turn, but stopped before she left, and turned back to Jewel once more. “It is my understanding that you have been the one raising your brothers for some time.”
“Three years now. We are very close. They have never lied to me when I’ve asked them directly. Yes, they have been in some trouble, but when it comes down to it, they are always honest, even if they make stupid choices from time to time.”
Tawny understood that. Her own children had made plenty of mistakes, she had made them when she was younger, but her children and she, when questioned had always owned up to it and faced their consequences. She saw Jewel in yet another light. Her mother’s instinct told her Jewel was definitely not involved, and most likely her bothers were not either. She would tell that to Joseph knowing it would ease his heart to know she got the same vibe from the girl as he did. “Well, I think you are doing a fine job. From what Joseph tells me, they are great young men. And like I said, it’s not that Joseph doesn’t trust them. Or you. It’s that he doesn’t trust himself. But that’s his story to tell. Understand?” At Jewel’s nod, Tawny shared one more bit of wisdom, “Be patient with him. He’s working things out in his mind. I’m a great judge of character and I can see that you are an honorable woman. I really do hope we will see much more of you.” And with those words, and Jewel’s slight nod, she left.
Tawny left the kitchen knowing in her heart of hearts that her son had found himself a good woman. Yes, Jewel would make a great addition to their family. And so too, would Lesley and Wesley. She hoped to meet them soon as well. Boys may stray, but never far from their roots. And Jewel was most certainly grounded, and that meant those boys were too. She would head upstairs, check the tapes to be 100 percent sure, but she now knew they had been headed down the wrong path in suspecting any of them. But, they still needed to figure out who it was. The only suspect of note left was Justin Sock. And a twenty year old with eighty thousand dollars was very much suspect in her mind. He was their best lead now. That was where they needed to focus.
Reaching the elevators, Tawny stepped into the one used for staff only, and thought about her family. They were growing. By leaps and bounds. First Aliya, and the new baby that was coming in a matter of months, and now these triple diamonds. Maybe her girls would meet someone special too, soon, she mused. So far this New Year, despite the turmoil they had endured with the embezzlement scheme, and these thefts, was turning out to pretty good for her family.
Chapter 21
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Joseph was relieved when Jewel called him. She had a busy day of unpacking and suggested lunch before her next shift. And when they met it had helped to clear the air.
He was slightly embarrassed that it had been his mother who had gotten involved to help him see things more clearly. When he told her about Jewel and his feelings for her, and she had asked why, he’d told her all about her.
He was surprised that it was his mom, who had said, “I think it is just a bunch of horrible coincidences. She just doesn’t sound like a girl that would be involved in these kinds of things. Her brothers either, from what you’ve told me.”
He had remained quiet mulling it over. It’s what his instincts had been telling him all along, but those doubts kept creeping in. Then her next words had shocked him. “Maybe because of what happened in college with Tara, you’re not willing to put your trust into this girl. And that’s not fair to her,” she pointed out.
“Mom, but all the pieces. . .”
“No buts, Joseph. It’s yourself you don’t trust. I haven’t spent much time with the girl, but if what you’ve told me about her is true, I don’t think she could be involved. I’m going to talk to her.”
And she had. Then, she’d called him saying to give Jewel some space, and informed him about what the boys had been doing at the casino that night. The tapes from the kitchen had backed up their story. His suspicions had been for naught.
He had sweated it all night waiting for her call. He hadn’t slept well either when it didn’t come, but thankfully she had called when he had just gotten into the office suggesting a quick lunch at the bistro in the casino.