She extended her hand, revealing a necklace resting in her palma delicate chain adorned with a deep pigeon-blood ruby, gleaming ominously under the light.

Roses tear-streaked face transformed in an instant. Hope flared up so brilliantly it was as if someone had struck a match in her chest. She nearly leapt to her feet. "Mom! Look! The necklaceit really was her! She stole it!"

Her earlier wretched sobs vanished like a passing storm. Now, driven by a surge of ...