Chapter 6
Marcus adjusted the lapels of his charcoal blazer, forcing a breezy, confident grin onto his face. "Ah, the host and hostess. I was wondering where you two disappeared to. The party's a triumph, Julian, truly." Julian stopped three feet away, his hands resting easily in his pockets. He didn't return the smile. "The necklace is missing, Marcus," Julian said, his voice carrying clearly over the crackle of the hearth. Marcus blinked, his brow furrowing in a display of practiced innocence. "The diamond one? Good lord. Did someone break in?" "No break-in," Julian replied, holding Marcus's gaze. "The security system logged someone entering the master suite at nine-fifteen. Someone carrying a leather folio. Someone who knows the house layout quite well." Marcus's smile didn't vanish, but it tightened at the corners. He glanced briefly at Elena, who stood with her arms crossed, staring at the floor. "You're looking at me like I'm a suspect," Marcus said, letting out a short, dry laugh. "That's absurd. I was down here all evening." Julian tilted his head, his expression unchanging. "We have the tape, Marcus. The camera in the service hall doesn't lie, and neither does the timestamp. Empty your pockets."
