Grace and Disgrace by Kayne Milhomme Read Free Book Online Page A

design—could be a ruse, but most of the analysts that have worked the case agree that the heist was coordinated by three individuals—a master jeweler, a man on the inside, and a logistics coordinator. The crowns act as their collective signature, if you will.”
    “Braggarts too clever for their own good.” Eliza twisted her mouth into a thoughtful frown. “So which one is Crippen supposed to be?”
    “The master jeweler,” replied Tuohay. “Kip Crippen grew up as an orphan at Sacredwood Priory in North Belfast. The priory was known for its emphasis on artistry, especially in colored and stained glass.”
    “I hope that’s not the only evidence you have,” Eliza remarked, exhaling smoke through the corner of her mouth.
    “No, of course not,” Tuohay replied. “Crippen showed promising gifts, but ran away from the orphanage as an adolescent and disappeared from the public eye for years. He resurfaced as a master craftsman working for the Ocean Steam Navigation Company, otherwise known as the White Star Line. Primarily a glassblower, he also dabbled in mechanical work with intricate skill—they had him working on their high end products ranging from chandeliers to navigation tools to personal wrist watches sold on the ships.” Tuohay shrugged. “But that was his day job, as it turned out. His propensity for high-end jewel thievery, primarily from Protestant churches and rectories across the countryside, was uncovered by the RIC. By me, specifically. Once taken in, his skill—and passion —as a gem cutter was uncovered through interrogation. He was an exhibitionist at heart, an artist. He wanted his work to be recognized.”
    “Another braggart,” Eliza scoffed. “Don’t they know that the most successful criminals keep a tight lip?”
    Tuohay nodded in agreement. “There are attention seekers in every field. He was unparalleled in the artistry of gem cutting, and several unsolved crimes fell into his lap, which he happily confessed to. He spilled information on his partners in exchange for an abbreviated sentence, and spent four years in the clink. He was out a year prior to the disappearance of the Templar Diamond.”  
    “That is all very intriguing, but what about hard evidence?” Eldredge inquired.
    “The deceased priest, Father Kearney, wired me at the RIC several months ago. He said that he had uncovered details about the Templar Diamond. His contact with me was close to the time that I received my anonymous invitation in silver ink, predicting that Kip Crippen would sail for America in search of the diamond.”
    Eldredge scratched his chin thoughtfully. “Not exactly hard evidence…”
    “True. But Kip Crippen did sail for America, as predicted,” said Tuohay.
    “And Father Kearney is now dead under mysterious circumstances,” added Eliza.
    Tuohay took a drag of the clove cigarette. “It was enough of a concurrence for the RIC to give me leave to follow Crippen—on a faster ship than his, of course—to America. And for Scotland Yard to pay attention, and for the Boston authorities to cooperate. All in the hopes that if Crippen knows something about the diamond, he will sing.”
    “And now we wait?” Eliza eyed Tuohay’s cigarette. “Those cloves are a horrid habit, Jack.”
    “And now,” Tuohay paused, handing the cigarette back to Eliza, “we wait.”             
    A shout in the distance grabbed their attention. It was followed by several others, echoing from the various mist-soaked alleyways. There was a sudden, sharp crack . 
    Eldredge’s eyes widened. “Was that a gunshot?”
    “Well, that was quick,” Eliza quipped.
    “Stay here,” Tuohay ordered as he strode onto the road towards the sounds, his cane striking the ground with force.
    “Like hell,” said Eliza, jogging up next to him.
    “Eliza, this could be dangerous.”
    “Tell me something I don’t know.”
    Eldredge appeared beside them. “We are coming along, old friend.” The tremor in his