Chapter 5 — The Gleaming String of Pearls
Robert curled his fingers inward.
He hooked his index finger around a slender, rounded loop hidden deep within the dust.
The smooth texture was unmistakable.
It was the cool, polished surface of genuine glass or shell beads.
He tightened his grip carefully.
He began to draw his hand back out from behind the heavy wooden barrier.
The sound of small, repetitive clicks echoed softly as the item shifted against the rough plaster.
Robert pulled his arm clear of the narrow gap.
In his open palm rested a gleaming string of classic pearls.
The luminous beads caught the bright afternoon sunlight streaming through the bedroom window.
The entire strand emerged completely intact into the open air.
The delicate silver clasp remained locked and undamaged at the ends of the cord.
Robert lowered his hand into the center of the room.
The pearls shimmered with a soft, milky luster against his calloused skin.
Beatrice stared down at the necklace resting in her son’s hand.
Her expression shifted instantly from rigid anger to utter disbelief.
She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
Chloe sat frozen in the desk chair.
She stared at the gleaming pearls in absolute shock as fresh, heavy tears streamed down her face.