But the balcony was now packed with people, all wanting to get in on the excitement of the murder. If she had lost the necklace, it was likely someone would’ve noticed it by now. And all she could do was hope that whoever discovered it was honest enough to turn it in to lost and found. Did they have lost and found? Or would they just turn it into a policeman since there were now plenty of those around?

She scanned around, and that was when she realized people were still looking at her curiously. A lot of them. A couple of them were policemen. Almost on cue, one of them went to Inspector Clouseau, whispered something, and pointed. He started to walk over to her.

Oh, please don’t, she thought, turning and starting to head off. The last thing she needed was to have to talk to him in the middle of her breakdown.

“Mademoiselle St. James?”

Her body tensed. She froze, plastered an I’m okay! Really, I am! smile on her face, and turned around. “Yes?”

“Is anything the matter?”

Of course. She wasn’t fooling anyone. She did look kind of insane. And maybe even a little guilty. Because how much did that man at the jewelry counter say the necklace was worth?

A million dollars.

A million freaking dollars.

She had a retirement account. A substantial one. One she thought would last her until her well into her golden years, not be drained during one night’s indiscretion. Would she be on the hook for it? Weren’t things like that insured?

Her breath hitched as that thought flitted through her mind. “Ye-es.” That was really smooth, Diana. She composed herself and tried again: “Why wouldn’t it be? I mean, other than finding that dead body. I’m a little rattled, of course. But I’ll be fine. Thanks.”

He nodded at her, still studying her suspiciously, so she turned and walked away. Well, that was awkward. Now I’m not just a suspect. I’m officially Suspect Number One.

She headed toward the doors to the palace, trying as hard as she could to be nonchalant while her heart was exploding in her chest. She could feel his eyes on her back, cutting into her shoulder blades. As she walked, her eyes darted around, taking in every possible inch of the balcony she could without drawing more suspicion her way.

No necklace.

The second she rounded the fountain, she looked over her shoulder. She was out of his view. Heaving a sigh of relief, she peeked in the bubbling water of the fountain. In a flower bed. Did a circle around a Greco-Roman sculpture, hoping to find the necklace tucked in some hidden nook there. She crouched low, which wasn’t easy in that dress, and looked under a bush, hoping someone had kicked it under there.

Nothing.

This is not good. Not good at all.

As she was standing from her crouch, someone extended a hand to help her up. She took it and came face to face with the Marie Antoinette busybody who’d gotten her tea. “Are you looking for something in particular?” she asked.