Laura Childs - Shades of Earl Grey

Theodosia made a quick appraisal of him. His tie was loosened, his shock of ginger-colored hair slightly disheveled, and he seemed tired. In fact, Graham Carmody didn’t look at all like a professional cat burglar who was biding his time, poised to strike. He looked like a slightly pooped waiter who was about to go home, put his feet up, and catch the late-night headlines on CNN.

“You think he’s going to make a move?” asked Drayton hopefully.

“Are you kidding? The man looks like he’s barely able to move,” said Theodosia.

Drayton yawned. “I know the feeling.”

“What a washout,” said Theodosia. “I was sure something was going to pop tonight.”

“Let’s go back and check the two galleries,” said Dray-ton. “Make sure.”

“Okay,” agreed Theodosia.

On their way back through the kitchen and down the hallway, they ran into Delaine and Cooper Hobcaw. Delaine was still flitting about like a social butterfly, chitchatting with guests, bragging about ticket sales, but Cooper Hobcaw looked as if he was ready to pack it in for the evening.

“Having fun?” Theodosia asked him.

Cooper Hobcaw stifled a yawn. “I’m out on my feet and Delaine here is still going strong.”

“No jogging tonight?” said Theodosia.

“No nothing tonight,” he told her.

Timothy was suddenly at Theodosia’s side, touching her arm. Pulling her aside, he cast a glance about. When he was sure no one would overhear their conversation, he spoke.

“That waiter you had suspicions about?” said Timothy. “I spoke with him just a few moments ago. He was telling me how much he enjoyed the Treasures Show. It seems he’s an amateur antique dealer himself. Spends every free moment scouring estate sales and flea markets for various items.”

“Yes . . .” said Theodosia, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

“Then he sells them on the Internet,” said Timothy.

“Graham Carmody told you this?” asked Theodosia.

“Yes,” said Timothy. “He mentioned that he used to have a booth in one of the North Charleston antique malls, but now he does far better selling his finds on the Internet auction sites.”

Oh, lord, thought Theodosia. Did we leap to conclusions about Graham Carmody, too?

“Did you mention this to Drayton?”

Timothy nodded. “Yes, I just spoke to him.” He cast a quick glance over Theodosia’s shoulder. “Here he is now.”

“So Timothy’s told you?” asked Drayton. “About Graham Carmody?”

“Afraid so,” said Theodosia.

The three of them drew deep breaths and stared at each other for a few moments.

“Let’s look at the positive side,” said Theodosia. “We’ve just eliminated Claire Kitridge and Graham Carmody as suspects.”

“At least for tonight,” added Drayton. “I suppose any one of them could still be our thief.” If anyone could sound down but still hopeful, it was Drayton.

“What about this Cooper Hobcaw fellow?” asked Timothy. “You were so suspicious of his late-night jogs.”

“Cooper Hobcaw didn’t even seem to notice any of the objects,” said Drayton. “He just followed Delaine around with a slightly morose look on his face.” Drayton looked about quickly. “If you ask me, Hobcaw’s not as charmed by Delaine as he once was.”

“Maybe, just maybe,” said Theodosia, “our cat burglar decided it was far too risky to hit the Heritage Society a second time.”

“Maybe,” said Drayton, but his heart wasn’t in it.

“Thank God,” said Timothy, relief apparent on his face.

Theodosia reached for the old man’s hand. “Timothy,” she said, “thank you for letting us set this up tonight. I know you took a terrible risk.”

“Theodosia,” Timothy replied, his eyes bright with intensity, “if you can do anything, and I do mean anything to help get the Blue Kashmir necklace returned, I will be forever grateful.”

It was eleven o’clock by the time Theodosia made her way upstairs to her apartment above the Indigo Tea Shop. She’d talked with Jory Davis on her cell phone one last time, thanked him profusely for keeping tabs on Claire Kitridge, then bid him good night.

She unlocked the door at the top of the stairs and pushed her way into her kitchen before realization dawned that she’d forgotten to swing by Haley’s apartment to pick up Earl Grey.

“Oh rats,” she said out loud, then stopped suddenly in her tracks.

Did I leave the light on in the dining room?

She thought she’d turned everything off except for the little light over the kitchen sink. That light was still on, winking at her. But there was a definite glow coming from beneath the door that led to the dining room.

Okay, then. Maybe Haley already let Earl Grey in. And he’s in there now, curled up on his bed. Or on the couch. That hadn’t been part of their plan, but with Haley, who knew what could happen? She was like a miniature sidewinder, always going off in different directions.

Well, decided Theodosia, only one way to find out.

Her heart pounding mildly, she pushed open the swinging door that led from the kitchen to her dining room and stepped gingerly into the room.

Every light in the dining room and adjacent living room was on! The cut glass chandelier hanging above the polished oak dining table blazed brightly.

And there, in the dead center of her dining room table, sat a tea caddy!

Theodosia stared at it, barely daring to breathe. The mild pounding in her chest suddenly accelerated to double time.

Is that the tea caddy that was stolen two days ago from the Hall-Barnett House? she wondered. She stared at the highly polished tortoiseshell. Has to be.

What is it doing here? Better yet, how did it get here?

Figure all that out later, her brain suddenly flashed. Just get out! And get out now!

Theodosia whipped down the stairway, made a mad dash across the cobble stone alley, and pounded on the door of Haley’s small garden apartment. Theodosia could see that a light was still on and she could hear faint music.

“Haley, let me in!” Theodosia called.

“Is that you, Theo?” came Haley’s voice from the other side of the door.

“It’s me,” Theodosia answered. “Open up. Hurry!”

“Oh, hi,” called Haley as the lock was unlatched and the chain unhooked from the door. The door swung open inward and Haley appeared, dressed in pajamas and fluffy slippers. “Come for your good dog, I suppose . . .” began Haley. Then she stopped, her smile frozen in place as she caught the look of fear and utter confusion on her dear friend and employer’s face.

“Theodosia,” she said. “What’s wrong?”

“Remember that sleepover we talked about?”

Haley nodded.

“This is it. Someone’s been inside my apartment.”

“They broke in?” Haley asked, horrified, as she grabbed Theodosia by the arm and pulled her quickly inside.

“I...I think maybe the lock might have been picked,” said Theodosia.

“Oh my god, we’ve got to call the police!” exclaimed Haley as she threw her apartment door closed, quickly turned the dead bolt, and scrambled to refasten the chain.

Theodosia watched as Haley dove for the phone. I’m in a mild state of shock, Theodosia decided. Things seem a little hazy and it feels like everything’s happening in slow motion. She shook her head, tried to clear her brain.

“Do you remember the note that someone left yesterday morning?” Theodosia finally asked Haley.

“The twinkle twinkle little bat note?” said Haley. She stood, poised, ready to dial 911.

“I think it might have been the same person,” said Theodosia. “Only this time they didn’t leave a note. They left a tea caddy.”