Read Diamonds Aren't Forever for Free Online Page B

buckskin jacket, climbed out of his vehicle.
    "You been to a wedding?” Hawkman asked.
    Charley guffawed. “Not quite. How ya been?"
    "Fine. When you didn't return my call, thought I'd drop by and see what project you had going that kept you so busy."
    Charley waved toward the back entry. “Come on in. If you left a message on that stupid telephone machine you might as well forget it."
    Hawkman chuckled as the entered the kitchen area. “I'll show you how to listen to your messages.” Stopping in his tracks, he surveyed the room. “Man, they definitely did some work on this place. I haven't seen it since Jamey lived here.” He reached up and ran his hand over the cabinets. “These really look great."
    Charley took off his hat and hung it on a rack next to the door. “Thanks. I don't know what it looked like before, but it's a comfortable little place. I'm happy with it."
    "Good."
    "Yep, and it's gonna be mine soon."
    Hawkman glanced at him in surprise. “Oh, really?"
    Charley grinned. “Just had lunch with a gal representing the owner and she even paid for my meal. We haggled over a price for the property about thirty minutes. Once we agreed, I gave her a check for the down payment. She's going to start it through escrow. The rest of the transactions will be handled by mail. The owner will contact me."
    Frowning, Hawkman strolled over to the small breakfast bar and sat down on one of the stools. “So you met with a real estate agent?"
    "Don't rightly know her title."
    "Didn't she give you a business card or something identifying herself?"
    "Nope.” He fumbled in his pocket and handed Hawkman a piece of paper.” She wrote her name down and said I could ask Jamey whats-her-name about her any time."
    Hawkman studied the signature, then glanced up at Charley. “She called herself Shirley Ann Noland?"
    Charley nodded and sat on a stool opposite Hawkman. “Very lovely young woman. I figured her on the up and up.” He shrugged. “Sure seemed to know her business. Said she'd get the paperwork started at the American Title company and they'd send me the papers in the next week or so."
    "Who'd you make the check to?"
    Taking the carbon copy from his pocket, he squinted at the writing. “Jamey Louise Schyler.” He rubbed his chin and grimaced. “I've got to memorize that girl's name. I don't know why I find it so hard to remember."
    "Glad to hear you wrote it to Jamey. Makes me figure this gal is legit. Lots of people get caught up in scams and lose their money. Tell me, what did this Shirley Ann Noland look like?"
    "She seemed tall, but she sported those really high heels young women wear nowadays.” He shook his head. “Damn, I don't know how they walk in ‘em. Looks like they'd fall on their faces."
    Hawkman grinned. “What color hair did she have?"
    "Brown, from what I could see. She had on one of those women's flat topped cowboy hats. Pretty thing, all decorated. Her eyes shone out from under the brim so green they didn't look real."
    The description matched the girl who had filed the deed.
    "Had you just left her when you got home?"
    "No, I ran by the bank and a couple of stores afterwards.” He slapped his hand on the counter. “Dang, I left the perishables in the truck.” Jumping up, he headed for the door. “I ain't used to this bachelor life yet."
    Hawkman followed him out to his vehicle. “Need some help?"
    "Nope, I can manage. Thanks anyway."
    Hawkman waved. “Think I'll take off.” In deep thought, he drove away.
* * * *
    Shirley Ann Noland said her good-bye to Charley after lunch and drove to the title company. She entered the building and introduced herself as Jamey Louise Schyler. Turning over Charley's check, she instructed the clerk to start escrow. But before leaving, she made sure the company had her e-mail address. She hurried to the motel and packed her bags. Deciding it best not to check out, she headed for the airport.
    Jamey returned the rental car, and nervously entered the