Death and Diamonds by Franklin W. Dixon

Author:Franklin W. Dixon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aladdin

“Something’s happening for sure,” I said. “We’d better get back to the dressing rooms and make sure the girls are all right.”

“I’ll go,” Frank replied. “You stay here—if they bust into the theater, drop down and keep them occupied till I get back.”

“How will you know I need you?”

“Bang three times on the shaft—the sound will travel.”

“Good plan,” I said. “And you do the same if anything’s shaking on the other end.”

“Will do.” He took off, shimmying away into the darkness.

I got back to monitoring the main theater. Shakira was down there, covered with diamond jewelry from the tiara on her head to the ankle bracelets on her legs. In between were several bracelets, a pendant necklace, a brooch on each lapel, a pair of incredible earrings—plus a navel ring, a nose ring, and rings on most of her fingers. The diamonds alone must have weighed ten pounds!

Meanwhile, Carrera was lovingly describing each item while Shakira moved up and down the runway, showing the items off to all potential bidders and to the many people who’d come just to gawk.

Soon the bidding began. One by one, each item was bid on, bought, and cataloged by assistants.

It took a mere thirty minutes before every diamond on Shakira was claimed. With a big smile and a wave, she blew kisses to the crowd, then walked back down the runway and exited stage left.

“Don’t worry, folks, she’ll be back soon, covered in another set of even more fabulous gems!” Carrera said, smiling broadly. “In the meantime, here’s the world’s most beautiful woman—with the possible exception of Shakira, that is—Ms. Naomi Dowd!”

The crowd erupted, hooting and hollering and standing up to stare, while the spotlights searched the stage right entrance.

But nobody appeared.

“Ms. Naomi Dowd!” Carrera repeated, to more applause and shouts of approval.

Still nothing. The spotlights circled in vain. Naomi Dowd was nowhere in sight.

A uniformed security woman trotted onto the stage from the opposite side and went up to Carrera, whispering something in his ear.

His smile vanished. “What do you mean?” he asked her, forgetting that his microphone was still live. “Well, where is she? She can’t have disappeared into thin air!”

I hadn’t heard Frank banging three times—but I started in his direction immediately.

I didn’t need three knocks to know that there was trouble ahead.

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