“Marvelous!” Julian Marcus was all atwitter. “Now let’s get on with your shot. It’s been two weeks.”

“If you don’t mind, Dr. Marcus, I prefer not to have it today. I’ve been feeling quite good with just the supplements.” Charlotte was getting more confident in her fabrications. “Annie’s housekeeper was a nurse for an elderly gentleman for several years. If you want to give me the vial, I can ask her to administer the shot in a few days.”

Marcus made an odd face and thought for a moment. That could cause problems if the nurse-turned-housekeeper mucked it up. On the other hand, he would still charge Charlotte the five thousand dollars. “It’s a little, let’s just say, out of the ordinary.” He pretended to ponder the request before saying, “But with the resources the countess has, I am certain she wouldn’t have someone working under her roof who did not have impeccable credentials.” Decision made. “It is a supplement. Therefore, I would not be asking someone to administer drugs. If the nurse has no problem with it, then neither do I.” He knew he was lying, of course, but that was standard operating procedure in their racket. He couldn’t remember the last time he had told a patient the truth.

“Thank you, Doctor. Of course, I’ll ask Annie, I mean the countess, for her approval.” Charlotte was relishing her new role as supersleuth.

“By all means.” Marcus had taken on a whole new attitude. He was convinced his luck had changed. He pressed a button on his phone. “Gloria, would you package up Mrs. Hansen’s vial and syringe? She will be taking them with her.”

“Righto,” came the reply.

Gloria returned to the doctor’s office with a black bag containing the mysterious liquid-filled vial. Charlotte was beside herself with excitement, anticipating how proud Myra and Annie would be of her little coup.

Marcus escorted Charlotte to the small atrium area, where she waited for Myra and Annie to finish up their tests. He practically skipped back to his office and sent a text to Jerry. Coffee. Six sugars. Five o’clock. He knew he was doubling his normal order, but he was feeling quite upbeat. A quarter of an ounce of cocaine should get him through the week and possibly the weekend. As soon as the women were finished with their tests, he would go to the jewelry exchange and pick up both the real diamond bracelet and the fake one. He knew he had to be careful not to mix them up. He could get killed if he mistakenly gave Franny the fake one.

An hour later, the women went to the atrium area to meet up with Charlotte, who was having trouble hiding her glee.

Marcus joined the group. “We should have the results by late tomorrow. Do you want to arrange to come in the day after?”