Apollo Steel : Cats Eyes: Apollo Steel Mysteries, #9

By A.A. Mercer

A jewel heist leads Apollo Steel to another thief and a murder. as he finds clues to the murder he finds out who was behind the jewel hiest and another murder. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.A. Mercer
• Release date: Jan 13, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224037650

A.A. Mercer

A. A. Mercer has written mystery, horror and thriller books. he likes to spend his time meeting fans and signing autographs in Tucson Arizona, 

Book preview

To Heather

1.

Victor Norris tugged on his white shirt for the third time and walked across the lobby to a display of watches and diamond rings, he couldn’t help but glance in the direction of the camera in the corner above the counter. He had hoped this was going to work, the idea of stealing from his place of work bothered him. But the money he was going to get was triple what he earned here.

He could see his short dark hair and shaven face in the reflection of the display cases. He looked good and hoped he could get this done before it got too late.

Sweat beaded behind his neck as he backed up into a customer who was admiring the display.

Oh, sorry. He said as he stepped forward, he felt a hand on his shoulder and he turned around to see the man he bumped into.

Hey, the taller man said as he led Victor to the door. I was looking all over for you, long time no see, huh, let’s go to lunch. He squeezed Victors arm so tight he could feel his bicep twitch.

That hurts. Victor hissed through clenched teeth.

The tall man led the younger to the door smiling at a few curious onlookers who stood nearby. Once outside the taller man nearly threw him to the sidewalk.

I didn’t know you were here Chris. Victor said as he tugged on his shirt.

Of course, you didn’t, he nearly hissed at him.

If you were really casing the place, you would have seen me walk in, now did you see the blood eyes?

It must be in the vault.

Where’s the vault? Chris asked as he walked to his car.

In the back, I can get us in later, closing time is around six.

Chris sat in his car and gave Victor a glare. I’ll be here tonight at eight if you don’t have the back door unlocked, I’ll hunt you down. Chris pulled out a small handgun and waved it at Victor. I’ll be here. And you will too.

Victor nodded; he didn’t like this plan but they were going to get paid more than the cats’ eyes were worth so he could deal with a small threat.

He watched his partner leave and almost hoped he would get into a car accident before eight. He didn’t trust him, and the money could be split two ways easier than three. He went back inside and watched the customers come and go. It seemed liked the day began dragging he sat at his desk and watched the monitors. He noticed a familiar car driving around. Chris was out there. He watched the clock on the wall and smiled.

630 p.m.

Carl Beemer stared at the ruby through the microscope and his narrow face tensed.

This isn’t right. Frustration and confusion were evident in his tone, he took another gem from the drawer next to him and examined it. it was a fake too.

He leaned back and grabbed his phone and called his partner.

Carl had stayed in the office to check on a few things, he had been going through the receipts and accounts. 

William, something isn’t right about this jewelry.

Don’t worry. William answered. I’ll take care of it. William had hoped his partner and manager of the place hadn’t noticed the jewelry was fake. It wasn’t in the beginning. But lately as William had used some of it to finance his poker habit, he lost thousands of dollars in games. He had hoped no one would notice. Too late.

William drove up to the jewelry store and saw his partners car in the lot. He had known Carl was working late and always made sure the store was making money.  William knew it wasn’t making enough and they would have to close the doors eventually. He had a plan to fake a robbery but it was just a plan.

William went in and locked the doors behind him. He nodded to the nightwatchman who was at his desk in front. William briefly wondered if he could get away with faking a robbery, or arson. As he past some of the displays he knew more than half were fakes. He had been selling most through other means, replacing the gems with fakes, and pocketing the money.

Carl looked up and saw William. His face said it all.

These are fakes. He said as he pointed to the jewel under the microscope. This isn’t the first. He pointed to a small pile in a tray nearby.

Yes. I know.

What’s going on? Carl looked at his partner with suspicion. What are you doing? Where are the real gems?

Carl, let’s take a walk and talk about the future.

William led Carl from the building and outside. Why are we out here? Carl looked around and saw someone coming up the sidewalk; William had the idea of luring Carl into the alley but there were too many people out here.

He led Carl back inside an older lady was walking her dog just as they were heading back they stepped aside and went back into the building.

I’m afraid the place is losing money and I don’t really know what to do. So, I basically borrowed from the bank and the rest I decided to trade some merchandise for some low-cut stuff. We need to keep our doors open. He didn’t tell him about his gambling. He couldn’t.

You mean glass. those so-called jewels are just cosmetic paste. Where are the real ones?

I’ve got them.

Where.?

Inside.

They went back inside. Carl began fuming. His partner was a thief. And the place was going under.

In the office. William said he watched as Carl was close enough to the end of the room and picked up a paperweight. So, are the real things in the safe?

Yeah, they’re safe.

The paperweight was made from some kind of metal and rock his sweaty fingers wrapped around it he needed Carl to understand, Carl was yelling, something about the police and maybe F.B.I. no. he couldn’t let him do that.

The rustling of papers made Carl turn and saw William swinging the paperweight at him, he didn’t move in time. His head hit the desk with a thud and hit the floor. He had known Carl for nearly thirty years, made him manager of this place. Now this place was going to close and he was going to get out of town.

William saw the blood and knew this had gone too far. He tossed the paperweight in a corner and heard the sound of the paperweight hitting something and landing somewhere on the carpeted floor. He had to leave. He knew of a place where he could hide out.

As he left the office he turned off the light, closed and locked the door.