Shades of Earl Grey by Laura Childs Read Free Book Online Page B

the hundreds for sale in the store. Security, it would seem, was very big business these days.
    â€œThis motion detector functions like the automatic range finder on a camera,” said the young store manager whose name tag read RILEY. “Basically, you set the perimeter via this keypad.” Riley’s fingers tapped lightly on the shiny keypad. “Then, once the device is programmed, it emits sonar pulses and waits for an echo. But if someone breaks the electronic beam, say they walk through it or even pass a hand nearby . . . then wham! The alarm goes off!”
    â€œHow large an area will this secure?” asked Theodosia.
    â€œWhat are we talking, warehouse or retail?” Riley asked.
    â€œThink of a smaller retail space,” said Drayton. “With glass cases.”
    â€œA smaller area, I’d say you should probably go with two,” Riley told them. “If you decide later that you need to expand your protected area, you can always add a couple additional modules.” Riley smiled and nodded over the top of Theodosia’s head toward a customer. “Could you excuse me for a moment? I’ve got a customer who’s here to pick up a security camera. Poor guy owns a couple liquor stores and is constantly getting ripped off.”
    Theodosia looked askance at the device in Drayton’s hand. “How much is this thing?” she asked.
    Drayton studied the price tag. “Ninety-nine dollars,” he told her. “I’m amazed this stuff is so affordable.”
    â€œMe too. But you know how much technology has come down in price. Look at DVD and CD players.”
    Drayton stared at her blankly. As a self-professed curmudgeon who was scornful of all things technologic, he still preferred his old Philco stereo and vinyl record albums.
    â€œWell, never mind,” Theodosia told him, deciding this probably wasn’t the best time to illuminate Drayton on the advances that had been made in the past ten years. “You think we’d need two of these?” she asked.
    Drayton studied the brochure and did some quick math, figuring square footage while he mumbled to himself. “Two should do it,” he decided. “The jewelry will be on display in the small gallery. That’s really our key area of concern right now.”
    â€œAnd Timothy approved this expenditure?” Even though Timothy Neville lived in baronial splendor in a huge red brick Georgian mansion, he was notoriously frugal when it came to expenditures for the Heritage Society.
    â€œWhen I spoke with him yesterday, he certainly agreed there was a potential for trouble. So yes, he did approve this. Tonight’s party is members-only, of course, and he didn’t seem to feel we should expect any problems. I think Timothy’s got more of an eye toward next weekend. That’s when there could be a security issue. I suppose he views tonight as a sort of dry run.”
    â€œBut he’s agreed to security guards, too,” said Theodosia. She wasn’t about to pin all her hopes on two ninety-nine-dollar motion sensors.
    â€œTwo security guards will be posted. But realize, we had to employ them anyway,” Drayton told her. “For insurance purposes. Anytime you have a traveling show like this European Jewel Collection, you’re contractually obligated to provide a certain amount of security.”
    They stood there silently, eyeing the device.
    â€œAre we overreacting?” asked Theodosia.
    â€œProbably,” admitted Drayton. “In the cold, clear light of day, when you stand in this store and see all this tricky-techy stuff that plays right into people’s paranoias, our cat burglar theory does seem awfully far-fetched.”
    â€œRight,” Theodosia nodded. Her hand reached out and touched the motion sensor. It had a black metallic surface with a matte finish. Very gadgety and Mission Impossible looking. “This is sort of crazy,” she