Since Halcyon had experience with pawnshops, they decided she would take the lead and Marina would follow along, hoping to feel a twinge or tickle or whatever the heck was supposed to happen if she was close to the ring. The whole thing was still unbelievable and bordered on slightly ridiculous, but she supposed it didn’t hurt to go look. And she did take their money. That singed spot on her carpet was enough to push her out of her comfort zone. Pissing off the boss didn’t appear to be a good option.

Halcyon pushed open the door and motioned to a glass counter in the back that held jewelry. A guy who looked like an extra on Sons of Anarchy stood behind the counter and gave Halcyon the up-and-down as they approached.

“Haven’t seen you in a while,” he said. “You ditch another man who left power tools behind?”

“I’ve moved on to musicians,” Halcyon said. “Maybe next time I’ll have a guitar.”

“If you ever want to move on to bikers, I’ve got an opening on the back of my Hog,” he said.

“I am a bitch,” Halcyon said. “I don’t ride bitch.”

He chuckled. “What can I help you ladies with?”

“We’re looking for a present for an elderly cousin of ours,” Halcyon said, giving him the cover story they’d cooked up. “She loves old jewelry and had a piece years ago that she lost during the Civil War or whatever. We can’t pay her a visit without her harping for hours about that ring so we thought maybe we could find her something to replace it.”

He nodded. “I got an old uncle like that except his gripe was about a fishing reel he probably got from Moses. I have to tell you, though, I’ve taken him seventeen different reels over the years, and not a one has stopped his complaining. But if you want to give it a shot, I’ve got a couple older pieces you can look at.”

They followed him to the end of the counter, where he pulled out a tray of rings and set it in front of them. “Anything here look like what she lost?” he asked.

Marina studied the rings. Two had a red stone. She wasn’t an expert, so she didn’t know if they were rubies or garnet, but only one had a silver band, so she picked that one up and studied it.

“What do you think?” Halcyon asked.

Marina shook her head. “I don’t think it will work. The band is too narrow and the stone too small. It’s pretty, though,” she said, and put it back on the tray.

He gave them a nod and slid it back into the display.

“I don’t suppose you know anyone in Last Chance who has some old jewelry,” Halcyon said. “You know, the heirloom type? If people have something just sitting around, they might be willing to sell.”

“Most of the older pieces that run through here were kids and grandkids selling off things after a parent or grandparent died,” he said. “But I imagine Dottie Prejean has some good pieces. Her mother-in-law used to wear more rings than Liberace and I think she inherited some of them.”