Laina Turner - Presley Thurman 05 - Gems & Gunshots by Laina Turner Read Free Book Online Page B

advantage. I could work on persuading Cooper to tell me what was going on, for Amelia’s benefit, and as a bonus I’d learn more about the case. “Do you think it could be related to the break in?” I asked her.
    “It’s probably worth thinking about. Since you were a witness to the robbery it would make perfect sense for you to be the one to investigate the whole picture,” she said almost excited, like she’d just come up with a great idea.
    “I’m not a detective, Amelia. Neither the cops, nor Cooper, will want me interfering.” Especially Cooper, I thought.
    “Details,” she said waving away my concerns. “You were there and I’ve asked you to look into things. Since I’m half owner of that company it should be sufficient. Greg just can’t know.”
    “What she was asking was no easy feat, but I was up for the challenge. Not to mention it fed right into my obsessive need to solve the Gemstones murder puzzle. Amelia wanting me to be involved would help my case a little with Cooper. At least he couldn’t accuse me of sticking my nose where it didn’t belong since Amelia asked me to help.
    “Okay, I’ll try, but no promises. Now, tell me, where else should I be shopping?”

Chapter 7
    W hile I didn’t get all the answers I wanted from Amelia, since she didn’t really know anything, I did find out a lot about how the business ran and that she didn’t think they had any enemies. That conflicted with what Jill said she’d heard, so maybe Amelia didn’t want those things to come out or maybe she really didn’t know about Greg’s philandering ways. I was hoping that with all she did tell me, Cooper would be willing to divulge a few more details, but, knowing him, it probably wouldn’t matter.
    I was meeting Cooper for dinner at a seafood restaurant down by the water, not too far from where I had met Amelia. I didn’t feel like going home, so thought I would wander around. There were many small shops, and I loved finding unique things like Amelia’s ring I had admired. She told me which shops were must–sees. Maybe I could discover some great finds for the boutique where I worked.
    The time flew as I wandered in and out of shop after shop looking at everything from paintings to jewelry to clothes to unusual knickknacks. I picked up more than a few business cards of shops and artisans I would definitely be calling on once I got back to Chicago. There were many unique pieces I had found that I knew the clientele back home would eat up. Especially once they found out they were one of a kind pieces. There was nothing my rich clients liked more than wearing something that no one else would be able to have.
    I finally made my way back down to the end of the street the restaurant was on and since I was early, I thought it would be nice to sit at the bar, relax, and enjoy a glass of wine while I waited for Cooper. I walked in and let my eyes adjust to the dim interior of the bar and then walked up to the counter. I was reaching over for a drink menu when someone came up behind me and goosed me. “What the hell!” I spun around ready to slap whatever idiot had just done that.
    There behind me stood Cooper, laughing so hard he had tears rolling down his face. I put my hands on my hips and pretended to be mad. “What do you think you’re doing?”
    “Copping a feel and having fun scaring you apparently,” he said, still laughing.
    “You’re not funny,” I said trying to be stern but I was happy to see him.
    “I think I am. You walked in just as I pulled up and I followed you in here. I saw my chance and had to take it. I couldn’t resist.”
    “Yeah, well, now you owe me a drink.”
    “It’s totally worth it.” He smiled. “Listen, go and grab us a table outside where we can enjoy the weather, and I’ll get us a couple drinks. We can relax for a few before we head to the dining room to eat. I made reservations for six and it’s only five thirty, so we have plenty of time.”
    “Now, that is