“You try,” he said, his voice low and menacing, “And just see what happens.”

Okay, that was a threat. And she probably didn’t really need any more of those, considering that knife he had seemed to be growing bigger and scarier the longer she stood there. It glinted in the sunlight coming through the window, taunting her. “Just give me the necklace. I’ll leave, and it’ll all be over. Okay?”

“You broke in here,” he said. “The police will be on my side. Besides, I don’t even know what necklace you’re talking about.”

How could he not? “The Madame Royale. I know it’s here, somewhere.”

He scoffed, “You’re barking up the wrong tree, woman.”

“You have to have it. The police know I didn’t have it—they searched me. But you . . .”

His face twisted, and for a split second, the second that he tightened his grip on the knife and lunged over the bed for her, she regretted egging him on. She cringed and backed around the bed, toward the window, holding her hands up in defense.

But suddenly, a man in a gray blazer jumped onto the windowsill and pounced, putting his body between Diana and the thief. He started shouting, “Arrestez!” and a number of other commands Diana couldn’t make out, holding his gun at the ready.

Diana’s body sagged in relief. She let out a gasp of exhilaration, “Clouseau!”

He looked back at her for a moment, confused, then ripped his handcuffs from his belt. As he expertly whirled Leo around and cuffed him, he looked over at her, “What did you call me?”

“Oh. Nothing, lieutenant,” she said, looking around for some way to change the subject. “I know this man stole the necklace. It’s here somewhere. I’m sure of it.”

Bayans looked around. “And what are you doing here?”

“Well, I—” She stammered. “Funny story. The man who helped me on the balcony was wearing a distinctive mask. Chevrolet gave me his information. Leo Linville. It has to be him. He was the only one who had the opportunity to steal the necklace. I’m sure of it.” But now, as she gazed around his empty room, she wasn’t so sure. And she was definitely trespassing. “How did you know to come here? Did Chevrolet tell you where I went?”

“No. We’ve been following you since it happened, Madame. We suspected from the beginning that you were a mark. A foreign woman, all alone in a strange country . . . it made you an easy target. We suspected someone was working with the murder victim to steal the necklace, and things went awry. We think someone killed the victim and made off with the necklace.”

“Hey! That’s nonsense! I’m no murderer!” the man shouted, his face contorted and red with rage.

“Well, why don’t you and I go on downtown for questioning. Meanwhile, my men are going to search this place from top to bottom,” he said, leading him out.

Diana followed him, head down. Well, of course she was just a mark. Of course the romance with Luc was just a silly ruse. She should’ve known. At her age, it was probably not best to believe that fairy tales and happily-ever-afters could come true.