43

While Shauna and Tyler were hauled off in the back of a police car, Regan and Jack went up to Pamela and Arnold ’s apartment for a quick chat.

“Thank you, thank you,” Pamela cried.

“I’m sorry if I was rude to you yesterday, Regan,” Arnold said contritely. “Turns out it’s a good thing Shauna got publicity. Otherwise those two miserable ingrates would be off with all of Pamela’s jewelry.” Arnold ’s face turned beet red. “I just can’t believe we trusted those two in the first place.”

“Calm down, dear,” Pamela said. She turned to Regan and Jack. “This is embarrassing, but Tyler did save my life.”

“They took advantage of your gratitude,” Regan said.

“She even told us she was pregnant,” Pamela said. “They said they’d name the baby after one of us. I’m sure they were lying.”

“We’ll soon find out,” Jack replied with a raised eyebrow.

Regan looked thoughtful. “They’ve been here since January? They weren’t working that whole time?”

Pamela shrugged. “ Tyler did odd jobs for us. We gave him cash but not that much. He chauffeured us in our car when we had to go out in the evening. Shauna did some cooking. They made themselves so helpful. Shauna kept saying she had to get busy and make more jewelry to sell after the wedding. But it never seemed to happen.”

Regan rolled her eyes.

“I know, Regan. It’s ridiculous.”

“Well, whatever,” Regan said. “The police will be going through their suitcases to see if there’s anything else that belongs to you. Be sure to check around to make sure there’s nothing else missing that they might have taken in these last three months and already sold.”

“We’ll go over this place with a fine-tooth comb,” Arnold declared.

“For all we know they could have been in on the robbery at the bridal salon,” Jack said. “Where were they on Friday night?”

“They went out to a concert. We watched a movie in bed, then went to sleep early. We never hear them when they come in. I have no idea what time they got home,” Pamela replied wearily.

“I’m sure you two could use a rest,” Regan said. “We’ll be in touch.”

By the time Regan and Jack got back downstairs, reporters were already camped outside the building. Regan had contacted the Tiger News Network. They had, after all, been the reason that Shauna and Tyler were thwarted.

“Regan Reilly,” one of the reporters began, “one of the April Brides turns out to be a jewel thief. What do you have to say about that?”

“I’m glad she’s been caught.”

“What about her stolen dress?”

“What about it? Alfred and Charisse have one less dress they have to worry about replacing.”

The reporters laughed.

“You were on the air with Brianne Barth this morning. Have you talked to Tracy Timber or Victoria Beardsley today?”

“I haven’t had any reason to.”

“Do you think you will?”

“I can’t say.”

When Regan and Jack got back in the car, her cell phone rang. It was Alfred. He was delighted with all the excitement about Shauna.

“What did you think of her?” Regan asked.

“She was a phony,” Alfred cried.

“We know that now, Alfred,” Regan said with a slight shake of her head.

Jack’s cell phone rang. He answered it, listened, and put his hand on Regan’s arm. “Joyce’s purse was found this morning downtown. Her cell phone and license were in it. No cash.”

Regan’s face looked grave. “Alfred, I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you later.”

44

Cindy had spent a mostly sleepless night on the couch in Joyce’s apartment. She tried to watch television, but her mind couldn’t focus on anything but the fact that Joyce was missing. Where could she be? She tried Joyce’s cell phone a number of times, not expecting an answer, and not getting one.

What am I going to tell her mother? Cindy worried. She hasn’t been well. She went on the cruise for a little rest and relaxation. Sure she was laid-back, but she’d been having health problems and she always worried about Joyce. When Joyce had had the surgery on her foot last year and they’d given her too much medication, her mother had been frantic. Joyce was out of it for a couple of days. She couldn’t handle more than an aspirin. And last night Joyce probably had too much to drink. Who knows what could have happened to her?

At around eight thirty Cindy fell asleep. She awoke when Joyce’s phone rang. Racing into the kitchen, she grabbed the receiver. “Hello,” she said quickly.

“Who’s this?” a male voice asked.

“Who’s this?” Cindy answered tartly.

“This is Francis. I’m looking for Joyce.”

“Francis, this is Cindy.”

“Oh, hi, Cindy,” Francis answered, sounding guilty. “Is Joyce there?”

“No.”

“Where is she?”

Cindy clenched the phone. “I don’t know, Francis.” The call waiting beeped. “Hold on a second. Maybe this is Joyce.” Cindy pressed the flash button. “Hello.”

“Cindy, it’s Regan. You haven’t heard from Joyce have you?”

“No, I haven’t. Her boyfriend is on the other line.”

“Where is he?”

“I don’t know. He just called.”

“Cindy, I’m sorry to tell you that Joyce’s purse was found downtown.”

“Oh, no!” Tears stung Cindy’s eyes. “What could have happened to her?”

“I don’t know. The police are looking for her. We want to post her picture all over downtown where she was last seen. Are there any good photos of her at the house we could use?”

“Yes. Lots,” Cindy sniffled. “I’ll get a couple of them out.”

“Jack and I are on our way right now.” Regan then told Cindy about the adventure with Shauna and Tyler.

“I missed the show this morning,” Cindy said. “I finally fell asleep for a little while.”

“Thanks to that show we thwarted two jewel thieves. I’m going to see if the producer would be willing to run Joyce’s picture. Now that her purse has been found.”

“I understand,” Cindy said quietly. “What should I tell her boyfriend?”

“Tell him the truth. I’d like to talk to him. Tell him that I’ll call him back when we get to Joyce’s.”

“Okay, Regan.” Cindy clicked back. “Francis?”

“Yes, Cindy. What’s going on?”

“I hate to tell you this, but Joyce is missing. She went to the bathroom last night at a club we were at and never came back.” Cindy’s voice broke. “They just found her purse downtown.”

“What? Oh, my God!” Francis wailed.

“That was a private investigator on the phone. Her name is Regan Reilly and she was here last night. She’s investigating the stolen wedding dresses that everyone is talking about. Now she’s involved in this. Her boyfriend is the head of the Major Case Squad. They’re coming here in a few minutes to get a picture of Joyce. Regan wants to talk to you.”

Francis whimpered.

“Where are you?” Cindy asked.

There was no answer.

The line went dead.