How to Get Away with Stealing by Kseniia Chernova

‘I can’t believe you
actually hired a private detective to find a pair of earrings!’
‘Those are not just ‘a pair of earrings’, Michael! Those are pearls that I got from my grandma!’
‘Anyway, you should have searched for them by yourself. Now the whole town will know about this incident and they will think you suspect everyone of stealing.’
‘I have been looking for them all day. And then I remembered that John had recently helped Chloe find her diamond necklace.’
‘Olivia, I don’t think private detectives live to assist any lady in finding her jewellery,’ Michael chuckled and kissed his wife’s temple.
The doorbell rang and a grimace appeared on Michael’s face. Olivia has already gotten a message that her husband was not so fond of her ‘private detective’ idea. He was right when he said this situation will affect their relationships with others. After all, Bridgewood is a small town where everyone knows everything about everyone. Olivia sighed and walked to the front door. She heard the door of Michael’s study close and reached for the door handle to welcome the guest inside. Determined to get her grandmother’s earrings back, she put a smile on her face and greeted the private detective John Varshavski.
‘Olivia, you look gorgeous today,’ the man walked through the doorway and removed his coat.
‘Thank you for coming so fast, John. You really are a saviour,’ Olivia took the coat and gestured to the sitting room.
‘So, what brings me here? You said something about an earring on the phone,’ while sitting on the couch detective took his notebook out and was now prepared to write down any details of the crime.
‘It’s actually a pair of earrings. Pearl earrings. I got them from my grandmother fifteen years ago. They hold my memories of her, so I am desperate to have them back.’
‘And you think someone stole them from you?’
‘Yes, yes! I always put them in the same place and believe me I have searched every inch of the house this morning.’
‘When was the last time you saw the earrings?’
‘The day before yesterday. I wore them to the party we had on Friday. I don’t remember taking them off for the night but when I woke up on Saturday they were gone.’
‘Do you suspect anyone in particular?’
‘I have thought about it,’ Olivia looked pensive, ‘That’s the hard part since everyone was invited to the party. I mean, even you and your wife were there. But I do remember Alice Webber paying a complement to my look and Chloe Morgel has always been jealous of everything I have.’
‘Have you told anyone about the missing jewellery?’
‘Only my husband knows, since I had to tell him about your visit. He was not satisfied with my decision. Oh God!’ Olivia put a hand to her mouth, ‘You don’t think Michael did that? He never liked my grandma of course, but why would he do that to me?’
‘Olivia, I don’t think your husband had a motive. But this case is rather complicated,’ detective stroked his chin, ‘I have to talk to the witnesses who might have seen something at the party.’
‘But that’s the whole town!’
John shifted on the couch and froze for a moment.
‘Wait a minute. There’s something in here,’ he put his hand between two pillows. Two pearl earrings were laying on his palm when he reached out to Olivia.
‘You are a magician, John Varshavski! How did you do that? I swear I looked there just few hours ago!’ the woman took the earrings as the happy tears filled her eyes, ‘Thank you, thank you.’
‘You’re welcome, Olivia. That is my job,’ detective went to get his coat.
‘Wait!’ said Olivia while writing something on a piece of paper, ‘Here’s the check. I hired you and you did your job, so here is your reward,’ ignoring John’s attempts to refuse getting the money, Olivia put the check in his hand.
‘Thank you,’ John smiled and walked out the door.
He got in the car that was waiting for him on the driveway and waved the check in front of the driver’s nose.
‘That clueless Olivia gave you that much money!’ the driver laughed.
‘Told you, it’s a good business. I mean, how else can the private detective make a living in a town where nothing happens?’ John grinned, ‘What do we have next, accomplice?’
‘Next is Alice Webber’s watch,’ said the man while opening a glove compartment in the car.
‘Good, now we have to wait for her call!’