Hearts & Diamonds (3 page)

Nia woke up with a weary groan before the sunlight hit her face. Turning on her side, she peeked at her alarm clock. Five thirty-four. Her eyes felt grainy and the same headache from the previous evening still pounded against her temples. She sat up in bed as the sound of gunfire replayed in her mind. For a split second she’d almost believed last night’s robbery had all been a nightmare.

She felt like she hadn’t slept at all and when she’d finally drifted off her dreams had been about Tess. Something she had said stuck out in her dream.

Nia stared at the little clock, watching the minutes tick by as her mind raced. “No more sleep for me.” She shoved her feet into her fuzzy mouse slippers with a little shiver. She always dialled down the heat while she was gone to save on the bill and now there was a definite chill in the air. Last night she had been so tired she’d forgotten to turn the heat back up.

Coffee.

She needed at least two cups to even think about starting her day. The kitchen smelt of fresh hazelnut, her caffeine fix already brewing on the countertop. She grabbed a mug from the dishwasher, opened the fridge, took out caramel coffee creamer and poured a generous dollop in her cup.

Tess had told her Scott travelled to LA and
New York City
on business. That’s what she’d remembered in her dream. She poured the coffee into her mug and stared out the kitchen window at her snow-covered backyard.

Did that mean anything? Was it worth calling Quin about?

She sipped the hot brew as she padded into her living room. The curtains were drawn and she pulled them back to look out the window as she drank her coffee. Her street was quiet, but it was Sunday. She glanced at her winter coat thrown across the couch with Quin’s card inside the pocket.

He’d probably want to kill her himself if she called this damn early.

I’ll wait until seven.

With her mind made up, she flipped on the television to the morning news. One story after another of violence and mayhem had her changing the channel to an early morning talk show where last minute holiday gifts were the topic of conversation. She watched it with little interest as she waited for seven o’clock. Finally, she got up, retrieved Quin’s card from her coat and picked up her phone.

A bolt of nervousness riffled through her stomach as the phone rang.

“Agent Rios.”

His deep husky voice was smoother than her java. “Um, Quin, it’s Nia, Nia Sanders.” She swallowed the lump in her throat that came out of nowhere as she clutched the handheld phone.

“Good morning, Nia, how can I help you?”

Was he always so polite and professional?

“I thought of something last night…this morning rather. I don’t know if it means anything or if it will help the case any, but I thought I’d call and tell you anyway.” A rush of heat flooded her cheeks. How could she be rambling on like this after two cups of the good stuff?

“I’m glad you called. I’m actually in your area.”

“You are?”

“I could stop by…if it’s not too early for you.”

“That’s fine, how soon?”

“Hmm…about twenty minutes. Is that okay?”

Twenty minutes to wash her face, fix her wild hair and throw something on. Impossible. “Sounds good.”

“See you then.”

She ended the call and stared at the phone for a split second before dashing up to her bedroom. There was not time for anything but the essentials. Exactly nineteen minutes and twenty-three seconds later, she was washed and dressed in her favourite pink jogging suit. She pulled a headband around her naturally curly hair, hoping she didn’t look as tired as she felt.

Well, it’s not every day you survive a jewellery heist.

She grabbed her eyeliner and had just applied lip gloss as the doorbell rang.

“You’re lucky. I was already up, Rios.”

Quin grinned. “You’re always up, Tan.”

His partner stifled a yawn. “I know. I should have made coffee part of the deal to meet you this morning.”

“Next Starbucks run is on me.”

Agent Tan snorted as he rang the bell a second time. “I can’t wait to look into Ms. Sander’s eyes and see if she plays a part in all of this.” She tucked a loose strand of auburn hair behind her ear.

“I say, no.”

The sound of the lock turning drew his attention away from his partner.

“We’ll see,” Agent Tan said with a challenging smile as the door swung open. “Good morning, Ms. Sander.”

Quin echoed the greeting, unable to keep his eyes from travelling over Nia. She was even lovelier in the soft morning light. The light pink colour of her jogging suit looked amazing against her honey brown skin, curves her work attire had hinted to were now revealed in the loving way the soft material hugged every luscious inch of her body.

“Oh, hello.” Nia flashed them both a warm smile and stepped aside to let them in.

“Nia, this is Agent Tan. She’s been a part of this ongoing investigation as well.” He watched her shake Stephanie’s hand and wondered if she always looked so kissable in the morning. She looked damned delicious
and
there was something delicious baking in the kitchen.

Get a grip, Rios.

“Won’t you both come into the kitchen? I have tons of coffee and blueberry muffins if you want some.”

They followed her through the living room and Quin took in every detail. Twinkling white lights lined the arched entry; Christmas cards filled the top of the coffee table. Her home was warm and inviting with tasteful, understated furniture, a plethora of family photos hanging on the wall and green plants in every corner. He listened to his partner talk as Nia poured them both coffee while trying to ignore the delectable swell of her ass as she moved around the kitchen.

“So, what did you remember about Tess or Scott?” Agent Tan asked as she took a sip.

Quin took one of the blueberry muffins Nia offered as she relayed what she’d remembered from her dream. “LA and
New York City
are known hot spots for where these jewel thieves fence the stolen goods.” His stomach growled as he lifted the muffin to his lips.

All night stakeouts always went smoother with snacks. His last minute decision to watch over Nia’s house hadn’t left him any time to pick up sustenance.

“They intend to sell the stolen jewels for cold hard cash.” She popped a bite into her mouth as she stared at him.

Damn, if she didn’t have the sexiest lips he’d ever seen.

“That’s correct,” his partner said in his silence. “Happens here and all around the world. It’s a big bad business, usually violent. You’re lucky to have walked away from last night unscathed.”

Quin flashed his friend a
did-you-really-need-to-say-that-look
. Stephanie was a helluva agent, but she didn’t always have the people skills locked down tight. “These are really good. Did you make them?” he asked as Nia grinned.

“Will you arrest me if I tell you I did?”

“Not this time.” He couldn’t stop the wide smile taking over his lips. Something about her made him want to hear her laugh.

When she did, the whole room seemed brighter. Hell, he wanted to laugh with her. One glance at his partner’s raised eyebrow dissolved the ridiculous urge. He cleared his throat instead, hating to tell Nia what they had found out about her friend. “It looks like Tess is involved in this.”

“Seriously?” The gentle smile disappeared as her eyes shifted from his to his partner’s.

Quin nodded watching the look of hurt on her face shift to one of anger. “The police found pictures of the safe at Fletcher’s in her house and a notepad filled with numbers.”

“You think she was trying to crack the code to steal the jewels from right under my nose?” Nia sat her muffin down with a thud.

“Do you recall her ever hanging around while you opened the safe?”

He found his gaze falling from her eyes to the diamond studs in her earlobes as she answered Stephanie’s question. The small stones glittered as she lifted her chin.

“There were times when she would come into the office as I opened it.” Nia shook her head. “I can’t believe I never noticed her making an effort to see the numbers I was dialling.”

“Don’t blame yourself, Nia. Why would you suspect someone you’ve been working with for almost a year?” Quin looked at Stephanie. He could read her expression in a heartbeat.
Unless you were involved too.

“If you think of anything else, let us know. The smallest detail could be the break we need.” Stephanie lifted her mug. “Thanks for the coffee.”

“You’re welcome. Would you like a refill?”

“Don’t mind if I do… “ She held out her cup as she answered her cell.

“How about you?” Nia asked as his partner walked into the living room.

“I’m good.” He finished the last bite of his muffin as she poured more coffee into her mug.

“Why wasn’t your partner with you the night of the robbery?” Nia asked as she leant back against the counter. The sunlight coming in from the kitchen window picked up the ginger highlights in her hair.

“We don’t always work together. She was actually staking out another jewellery store in the area we suspected these guys would target.”

“Are you talking about Lambert’s?”

Quin nodded. “They’ve almost reached Fletcher’s in yearly sales.”

“They won’t beat us.” Nia turned and placed her mug on the counter.

“And why’s that?”

“They don’t have me.”

No, they sure the hell don’t.

She winked at him and he was disgusted to feel his cock swell in response. He encountered many beautiful women with the cases he worked on, so why was he having such a hard time reining in his libido with this lady? “You obviously love your job.”

“I do. I’ve always loved jewellery. When someone walks into the store,” she absently twisted the diamond stud in her ear, “I look forward to making their special occasion memorable
¼
unforgettable.”

“To sell it, you don’t wear much of the sparkly stuff.” He watched her pick up muffin crumbs with the tip of her finger.

“Well, a single girl’s gotta take care of
needs
first and although I love selling the ‘sparkly stuff’, I think too much of it on one person detracts from the beauty of one special piece.” She looked away from him as his partner stepped back into the kitchen.

“Rios, I’ve got to take off.” She glanced at Nia, her sleek dark bob swinging as she turned. “Don’t hesitate to call either of us if you think of anything else.”

“Of course,” Nia said moving towards her. “Let me show you out.” She went ahead of them both to open the front door.

“I’ve got a few more questions for Nia,” Quin said before they reached the door.

“Just a few?” Stephanie asked in a tone only he would know was sardonic. She shrugged when he didn’t take the bait. “I’ll meet you at Fletcher’s in about an hour?”

“Yes.” He turned to Nia as she stepped outside. “I’ll be right back.”

Nia nodded. “Good, because I could really use a lift to Fletcher’s myself.”

“Your car,” Quin said with a grin.

Nia pointed her finger at him. “Exactly.”

Quin waited until she closed the door to catch up with Stephanie. They walked to her car in total silence. “So… “

The no-nonsense agent shrugged. “So what?” She unlocked her car door.

“Don’t give me that. Let’s have it, guilty or not guilty? What did Nia Sander’s eyes say?”

His partner huffed, her breath a white cloud in the frosty air. “She’s not a criminal.”

Quin smiled. “See, I told you.”

“Yep, you did.”

“I’m usually right.”

“Usually.”

“Pretty much
always
.”

Stephanie rolled her eyes. “Let’s not go
that
far,” she said with a chuckle. “Her eyes did tell me something else though.”

“Yeah, what’s that?”

“She’s attracted to you.”

Nia leaned against the door and cursed. What the hell was she doing flirting with a perfect stranger and a FBI agent no less?

Will you arrest me if I tell you I did?

Where had
that
come from?

First, the random hug and now shameless flirtation. Something about his dark good looks and reserved manner made her want to break through the red tape around him and evoke a reaction. And she had. She smiled, remembering the sexy smile that had transformed his handsome face. There was more where that came from beneath his cool persona, she was willing to bet on it.

A knock on the door broke her thoughts. She shivered as she let Quin in with old man winter right behind him. “How could you go out there without your coat?”

“It’s not that cold.” Quin blew into his hands.

“Like hell. Are you sure you don’t want more coffee?” Her eyes travelled across his broad shoulders. A navy sweater had never looked so good.