Chapter 6: Engraved

"That's a lovely earring, Melanie," I said.

I said it loudly, with two cameras on me and a deputy at my elbow.

Melanie's hand dropped from her ear. "Thank you."

"My mother gave me a pair just like it, the day I passed the bar."

"I lost the left one on Friday night."

"They're a common design," Melanie said. She smiled at the nearest lens. "I bought these myself, at the mall."

"Then there's no problem," Frances said.

She had her pad open. "Mr. McGowan, would you ask the deputy to look inside the leaf?"

Melanie stopped smiling.

"There's an engraving on the back of every leaf in that pair," I said. "My mother's initials. E.R."

No one moved on the gravel.

"Miss Mullins," Duncan said. "I'd like to see that earring."

"It's mine."

"Then it will be returned to you by the end of the week."

He didn't raise his voice. He held out his hand, palm up, and kept it there.

Marshall stepped in front of her.

"Duncan, don't be ridiculous. Melanie found it on the garage floor at the gala, and meant to give it back."

"She's been so worried about Laurel."

"Then Miss Mullins will have no trouble explaining it under oath," Duncan said.

Melanie unhooked the earring herself. Her fingers were quick and her nails were red.

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