Chapter 6 - THE DIAMONDS THAT WEREN'T WHAT THEY SEEMED
The Duca diamonds were not simply jewelry.
They were a collection of twenty-three historic stones mounted in a necklace created for the Duca family in the early twentieth century.
The largest diamond was a pear-shaped stone surrounded by smaller brilliant-cut gems.
Family legend claimed an Italian countess had worn it to a royal wedding.
Blackwood legend claimed Adrian's great-grandfather acquired it as part of a legitimate investment.
But the records were incomplete.
And whenever Claire asked about the necklace's history, Beatrice changed the subject.
Now Rebecca Lawson had contacted an independent provenance researcher.
Her name was Dr. Miriam Voss.
She specialized in tracing the ownership of historic jewelry.
When Claire met her, Miriam placed a photograph of the necklace on the table.
"It's remarkable," she said.
Claire nodded.
"And valuable."
"Yes."
Miriam looked at her carefully.
"But value and ownership history are different questions."
Claire leaned forward.
"What did you find?"
Miriam opened a folder.
"The necklace appears in records belonging to the Duca family in Italy before the Second World War."
Claire nodded.
"That's what the Blackwoods say."
"Yes. But the later transfer documentation is incomplete."
She pointed to a photocopied ledger.
"There's a reference to a transaction in 1947. However, the invoice doesn't clearly establish how the intermediary acquired the necklace."
Claire frowned.
"Could it have been stolen?"
"That's one possibility. We can't conclude that without further research."
Claire studied the records.
Miriam continued.
"There's also a valuation issue."
"What kind?"
"The necklace has been insured for approximately fifty million dollars."
Claire nodded.
"But the documented appraisal history is inconsistent. A recent valuation relies on assumptions about provenance and authenticity that should be independently verified."
My stomach tightened.
"So someone may be exaggerating its value?"
"Possibly. Or the documentation may simply be incomplete."
Miriam turned another page.
"There's an additional complication."
Claire looked up.
"What?"
"The necklace was pledged as collateral in a private financing arrangement several years ago."
Claire stared.
"Without Adrian knowing?"
"We don't know what he knew. But the paperwork names a Blackwood-controlled investment entity."
She pointed to the signature block.
VINCENT BLACKWOOD — AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE.
Claire's blood ran cold.
Vincent.
The cousin who had encouraged Adrian to search her.
The man who looked uncomfortable while doing absolutely nothing to defend her.
Miriam continued.
"The financing arrangement appears connected to a major property acquisition."
"What acquisition?"
"A waterfront development called Harbor Crown."
Claire knew the name.
Harbor Crown was Vincent's most ambitious project.
A luxury hotel and residential complex planned along Chicago's riverfront.
The development had been delayed twice.
Costs had escalated.
Investors had become impatient.
Vincent insisted the project was financially healthy.
Adrian had repeatedly invested additional capital.
Claire stared at the documents.
Then whispered, "What happens if the collateral is missing?"
Miriam looked at her.
"That depends on the financing terms. But it could trigger serious financial and legal consequences."
Claire sat back.
For the first time, she saw a possible reason for the theft.
The missing necklace wasn't merely a family scandal.
It could be connected to a financing problem.
A problem Vincent needed to conceal.
And Claire had been made the convenient suspect.
She looked toward Rebecca.
"I want the records preserved."
Rebecca nodded.
"We'll pursue them through proper channels."
Claire touched the pale mark beneath her wedding ring.
For four years, she'd been told the diamonds symbolized family honor.
Now she wondered whether they had become a tool for fraud.
May you like
And whether Vincent had chosen her as the easiest person to sacrifice.
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