BLUDGEONED

Chapter Twenty-Three, Part 1

Sergeant Jennifer Wang continued the investigation. Their conversation lasted for forty-five minutes. Mike spoke in detail and claimed his partners in London fired the hacker for an unrelated matter. Tammy waited for him in the lounge. With pen and notepad in hand and a door opened Jennifer exited, pulled her iPhone, and received a call from one of the former owners of the Duchess' brooch and agreed to talk.  The drive through the estate was breathtaking with green and well-kept lawns. The door was answered by the owner, tall and wore loafers, Bootcut khaki, and a blue tailored shirt. She was an auctioneer and worked in the art industry for years. 'Good afternoon, Detective Luck,' she said. Tammy said, 'Your invite was a breakthrough we needed.'She introduced Sergeant Wang to the woman smiled and nodded. Beautiful paintings lined the great and large room. The furniture was brown sofa leather with cream cushions. The room had erected wooden beams and white walls. They entered a room filled with books organized in black painted shelves. They were offered a seat and Tammy spoke. 'Had you met the Duchess of Windsor?' She asked.  The auctioneer laughed. 'Oh no,' I'm much too young to have had the privilege,' she replied. She asked, 'A drink?' Tammy answered, 'Perrier.'The conversation continued. 'Who bought the brooch?' Tammy asked. 'The sale was anonymous,' The woman replied. 'We were told under no circumstances should we enquire,' she said. She continued. 'I was informed that some of the collection was at Sotheby's.' 'My company and I received a generous percentage,' she said. Tammy asked, 'Could you describe the jewel?' The auctioneer replied, 'It was a magnificent and well crafted.' 'The prince went to a great deal of expense. It was in my opinion, a remarkable piece,' she continued. 'A loving piece?' Tammy asked. 'What do you mean?' The auctioneer replied, 'It was no doubt, a work of tremendous artistry.' She continued, ' If I sold it today, I'm confident the amount received would be multi-millions.' 'The Cartier name has stood the test of time,' she said. 'Detective Luck, it was created with emerald, rubies and other gems.' 'Sergeant Wang told me on the phone some detail on your investigation.' 'How awful someone was killed and others planned to steal the brooch,' she continued. 'Yes,' Tammy said. 'I hope I helped you,' The auctioneer said. Tammy said, 'A great deal.' They left, called Sotheby's who declined confirmation they once had the brooch and the day drew to a close. Tammy sat on a stool in the kitchen, turned a page in the magazine placed her eyeglasses on the counter and reached for the phone. Mike Valentino was on the other end. She arrived at Dorchester and Mike's eyes beamed as he saw her. Tammy dressed in Timberland yellow boots and grey Levi denim hugged him. He held her and they walked into the suite. Dinner was prepared on a silver wheel tray. He poured a glass of Perrier for her. Relaxed, she ran her hand on the top portion of the couch. He asked, 'Had a busy day?' She sighed and replied, 'Yes, the case.' He held a glass of white wine, pulled a chair and sat. 'What was the auctioneer's answer?' He asked.  She shifted and placed her glass on the coffee table. 'The jewel was sold at Sotheby's and no word who bought it.' Mike said, 'It must be in safe hands.' She exhaled, slapped her knee, and replied, 'Maybe, I hope.' 'How was San Francisco?' She asked. 'Great.' 'I completed a new office space and opened a drama studio for teens in Santa Monica,' he replied.  They sat, talked and watched YouTube videos. He asked, 'Tammy, have you thought of my proposal?'She folded her legs and turned. Her hands grabbed a cushion and squeezed the edge. 'Mike,' she said.  He brushed his chin and bent his fingers. 'Okay,' he answered. 'You're not ready,' he continued. 'Sorry, I'm not,' she said. 'I love you, but Scotland Yard's got my full attention.' She sat for another four minutes, looked at her watch, rose and he walked her to the car. At the corner of the car park, she gripped the steering wheel and stopped. Tears filled her eyes. She bowed her head and cried. Days on, Tammy heard an interview on the radio. Mike Valentino spoke on his new studio and flew to California. Would she ever see him again?  She drove to Robin's home, sat and talked. Robin pulled a can of ginger beer and handed it to Tammy. 'Where's mom?' She asked. 'I took her her home,' Robin replied. She pulled a chair, stretched her fingers and asked, 'What's wrong?' Tammy replied, 'nothing.' Robin said, 'Mike, and Scotland Yard career.'  Tammy moved her fingers on the can and looked at Robin. She said and asked, 'What have you done?'Tammy closed her lips and held her head.  'He left,' she said. 'Tammy you told him no,' Robin said. 'It was hard.' 'And,' Robin said. 'None,' Tammy responded. 'Have you made something I can eat?' Tammy asked. Robin braced her hands on the table and moved to the freezer. She grabbed garlic and other seasoning. In four minutes, she slapped a steak on a large steel grill in her utility room. The smell of the seasoned the steak was awesome. A grill fork was placed on a platter plate and she held iceberg lettuce. 'Walnuts, raisins, and celery?' Robin asked. 'Yes,' Tammy replied. Robin threw a towel on the table. The steak was placed in a cast iron platter with peeled avocado, celery, and parsley. 'Good,' Tammy said with a thumb in the air. Robin asked, 'Are you worried about Mike?' 'Yes,' Tammy replied. 'But I can't have both worlds,' she continued.  She pulled a piece of steak on the side of her mouth. 'He was in a rush.' Robin lifted a glass of red wine and said, 'In a word, you won't sacrifice your work.' 'Why should women have to?' Tammy asked. 'It's a new era.' 'Isn't it?' 'I've worked so long,' she continued. Robin said, 'Those are the words of stubbornness.' 'An attribute I won't deny,' Tammy said. 'I'm not interested in being tied.' 'No one questioned Jones' status,' she continued. Robin wiped the counter, sink and said, 'He's married with kids.'Tammy laid her fork on the table and said, 'Yes.' 'He excelled. His wife stayed at home.' 'Thanks sis, the steak was lovely.' 'Are you staying the night?' Robin asked. 'Yes,' Tammy replied. 'I'll wait and read my notes.' 'No sleep,' Robin said. 'An early brief in Scotland Yard in the morning,' Tammy said. Robin walked and stood in the walk-in closet. She handed a few thick bath sheets and bed linen. 'I've made the guest room,' she said. An hour passed, Tammy turned the bed covers and switched the light. Morning arrived and sounds of knocks on the window disturbed her. It was Robin's window cleaner. In a white nightshirt, she turned and moved her feet. 'Morning,' Robin said. 'What time are you headed for work?' Tammy asked. 'I've done all drafts for the building, and other engineers have agreed to the expansion,' Robin replied. 'What expansion?' Tammy asked. 'We've received approved plans to build housing for single career women and mothers,' Robin said. 'Who funded the project?' Tammy asked. Robin replied, 'A Rothschild's funds.'Tammy nodded. 'Breakfast,' Robin said. 'Coffee,' Tammy replied and dashed to the bathroom. She hit a toe on the side of the door frame. 'Damn it,' she said. Robin rushed and asked, 'Are you alright?' 'Yes,' Tammy replied.  Dressed, Robin handed coffee, which she drank, a bagel and a small carafe of orange juice. 'Love you, sis,' Robin said.  Tammy blew a kiss. In a short time, Jennifer met her at Michel Powers' office on the Governor's Square. He had a scary experience with the man in the black cloak and cooperated without incident. 'Can you shed any light on the man and what he wore?' Tammy asked. He replied, 'I'd rather have the ordeal erased.' 'Anything,' Jennifer said.  Michel Powers sat on the edge of his desk and pressed his hands on the wood. 'The black shine on his shoes,' He said. 'I saw the  reflection, and then I was out,' he continued. 'Black shine,' Tammy said. 'Yes,' he said. 'Maybe it's nothing,' he continued.  Tammy wrote and nodded to Jennifer. They were in the office for fifteen minutes. Jennifer said, 'Our fellow had polished shoes.'Tammy shook her head and turned the ignition. Her vehicle stopped at Belgrave Square. Tammy's eyes glanced at the patent awards in Susan Powers' reception area. 'Detective Luck dead bodies have not helped my position,' Susan Powers' said. 'Have you caught the person who used chloroform on Michel?'She asked. 'How could a person have lured Michel to a hotel?' 'Could it be someone close to the case? Tammy said, 'We're close, but not involved.' 'Sergeant Wang told you about the serial numbers and code,' she continued. 'Recovery of the patent will be the answer to foil the planned heist for the Duchess' Cartier Brooch.' Susan Powers said, 'Yes.' 'And Marva Miles? Any progress there?' She asked. Tammy replied, 'In custody.' Tammy's phone vibrated. She lifted her hand, moved and answered. The prison called. Marva Miles had a seizure. She called Jones' secretary and headed to the hospital. Her feet hit the gravel car park, and she slammed the door. The Barrister came to the nurse's station. Tammy breathed and exhaled. 'Marva Miles,' she said. 'In a coma,' The Barrister said. 'Sorry,' Tammy said.  The Barrister lifted her hand and nodded. 'What happened?' Tammy asked. 'She was found in her at the foot of the sink,' The Barrister said. 'It was a reaction to the medication for ovarian cancer,' she continued. 'Detective your case must be dropped,' The Barrister said.  Tammy's curled her lips. 'Attempted murder cannot be ignored,' Tammy said. 'Under the circumstances, you'd be in luck if you got Jones to consider your request,' she continued.  The Barrister breathed and asked, 'What have you done with the contents of the briefcase?' 'Examined,' Tammy replied. 'And,' The Barrister said. 'Your client's motive was money,' Tammy said. 'I've said, she had help.' 'Here,' Tammy said.She opened her jacket and handed the Barrister a search warrant. 'Thanks,' The Barrister said. 'My client's in a coma and you handed me a warrant.' 'Fine,' she continued. She looked at the warrant's description. The search involved every section Marva Miles' home and office files at the fashion house. Late in the evening, Jennifer and Tammy entered Marva Miles residence. With gloves and covered with plastic material on their feet, they searched. A paper crumbled was retrieved at the foot of an old oak table. The note's inscription pointed to the British Library. Dressed in an ivory pencil skirt suit, Susan Powers unlocked her Rolls Royce. In the rear seats were rolls of sketches of potential inventions. Tina stretched and organized them into boxes on the floor. Tammy called. 'Mrs. Powers, we've had a breakthrough. I'm headed to the British Library.' Susan said, 'What, great, alright.' Tina packed another box. She hurried, turned the ignition and drove. Close to the rear of the library, and as her feet stepped on the pavement, Tammy saw a flash. It was a photographer. She held the door, grabbed a magazine and tried to block his lens. She snapped. 'Don't you people have anything to do?' She asked. He shouted, 'News.' 'Damn it,' she grumbled. Susan Powers arrived at 96 Euston Road and opened her vehicle or fast. Jennifer met her. 'Oh good, Sergeant Wang,' she said. 'I've got a press conference and a magazine interview.' She stepped with a tote bag in Tammy's direction. Tina stayed in the car. 'Sergeant Wang and Detective Luck, have you both found the patent?' She asked. Jennifer turned and asked, 'Tammy have you brought the warrant?'Tammy replied, 'Yes, right here.'They walked, took a lift to the second floor and entered the reading room. Jennifer said, 'Tammy important and powerful manuscripts are kept here.' 'Are you sure we're in the right area?' She asked. Tammy replied, 'Yes.' They approached the reference desk and flashed their warrant cards. Susan asked, 'For God's sake detective, is the patent here?'The librarian interjected. 'Oh, Detective Luck.' 'Come with me please.' The librarian stopped, turned and said, 'You've got a key.'With her eyebrows lifted, she continued, ''Our keys are locked and secured.' Tammy pointed to the shelves and said, 'Very well.' The Librarian climbed the steps, lowered containers and unlocked them. Manuscripts were preserved. She stepped on the floor and handed them to Tammy. Susan Powers placed her hands on her mouth and leaned. Gloves on, the Librarian retrieved several torn envelopes. She pulled the contents. Tammy moved to a table and examined. The patent was there. Susan Powers stretched her hands and sobbed. 'Not yet, Mrs. Powers,' Tammy said. 'Fingerprints have to be checked, serial numbers and codes.'Jennifer agreed and grabbed a fingerprint bag. She dusted and placed the patent into a sealed plastic folder. Susan Powers asked, 'What next?' 'We're headed to Scotland Yard. Sergeant Wang must complete her coding,' Tammy replied. '

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