Garage Sale Diamonds (Garage Sale Mystery) (46 page)

“Look, Jay, the situation isn’t ideal, but unless they tell us differently, I’m going to assume we’re safe to live normally. We’ll figure a way to make the diamonds pay off. Here’s your first brilliant solution.” She wiggled her fingers so the flashing stone in her new ring dazzled with light. “I know you’ll think of others. Thank you, Sweetheart, for this thrilling gift, a fabulous surprise you schemed up all by yourself.”

“Guilty as charged.” He smiled and slid his arms around her. He pulled her close, smelling her perfume. “White Diamonds?”

“When you gave me this perfume for Christmas last year we didn’t dream the name would fit this new page in our lives.”
             

He held her out at arms’ length. “You are the rose in my garden of life. I love you, Jen.”

“Still?” She looked up into his eyes. “Even after all these years and madcap adventures?”

“Still.” But as an afterthought, “Although you could make life easier for me in the future.”

And then a new thought struck her. “Guess what, Jay, I have an exciting idea.”

“Jen, I adore you, but I’m not brave enough now to face one of your exciting ideas. These days they strike terror in my heart.” He blanched. Did that mean he lived with his own terrorist?

She smiled. Today was Friday. Tomorrow the weekend garage sales began in earnest.

“Now what’s that Cheshire Cat look on your face?” he asked.

Her smile broadened. She put her arms around him and whispered. “He who loves the rose must accept the thorns…and even the knock on a door.”

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This is my chance to thank those who graciously gave their time and shared their knowledge to improve accuracy in this story. If errors exist in my novel, they are my mistakes alone.

Veronika Viktorovna Bardonner, a native of St. Petersburg, Russia, now an American citizen in Indiana, told me about her native land, language and proper names. At CHAIN BRIDGE BANK in McLean, President and CEO John J. Brough, Heather Schoeppe and Mubeen Baig walked/talked me through my bank scenes. Cyndee Cannon, wife (and co-employee) of Mike Cannon, manager of McLEAN HARDWARE, filled me in on the company’s history, mission and community service.  My sister and “cheer leader” Margo Gibbs read the first draft, edited typos and said it’s a “page-turner.” Carole Greene, my invaluable, ingenious editor and dear friend, masterfully coaxed my manuscript to show its best face. Chief Investigator Terry Hall, assigned to Fire & Hazardous Material Investigation in 1983 and with Fairfax County & Rescue for the last 42 years, gave me important insights for my fire scenes. Wink Harned, a hunter since age nine and a deer hunter for many years, proofed my hunting scene. Bob Maurer arranged an enlightening tour with staff insights about Tyson Corner Shopping Mall. Mutahara Mobashar, a Muslim friend and librarian at Central Rappahannock Regional Library in Virginia, guided me with Islamic names, insights and references. Rabbi James H. Perman of Naples, Florida, a professor of Jewish Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University, read and commented on the accuracy and legacy of my Genesis chapter. L. Tod Ross, a professional jeweler for thirty-five years, shared his engaging knowledge of diamonds and the jewelry business. Dr. Paulette Salmon, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, answered my veterinary drug questions. Nicola Tidey, RPL, E-911 Director for Orange County, Virginia, gave me input about operators’ responses to emergencies. Doctors Julie and Bill Wilson checked my medical scenes for believability and, authors themselves, made other helpful suggestions. Lt. David Winter, veteran of the fire service since 1999, member of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue since 2005 and practicing lead medic, supplied me with information about fire and rescue techniques.

REFERENCES

I borrowed ideas and direct quotes from American Ways: An Introduction to American Culture, 3rd Edition, Datesman, Crandall and Kearny, 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc.

In The Holy Quran, 2003, Goodword Books, West Market, New Delhi, translated by Abdullah Yusef Ali, I read the story of Ibrahim.

In The Torah: A Modern Commentary, 1981, Union of American Hebrew Congregations, New York, I read the story of Abraham.

The Clash of Fundamentalisms: Crusades, Jihads and Modernity by Tariq Ali, 2002, Verso (London, NYC)

Islam: A Short History by Karen Armstrong, 2000, Modern Library Edition (Random House)

A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam, 1997, Darussalam Publishers and Distributors, Houston, TX

Now They Call Me Infidel: Why I Renounced Jihad for America, Israel and the War on Terror by Nonie Darwish, 2006, Sentinel (Penguin Group)

Standing Alone in Mecca: An American Woman’s Struggle for the Soul of Islam by Asra Q. Noman, 2005, Harper (San Francisco)

Growing Up bin Laden: Osama’s Wife and Son Take Us Inside Their Secret World by Najwa bin Laden, Omar bin Laden and Jean Sasson, 2009, St. Martin’s Press, NYC

The Terrorist Next Door: How the Government is Deceiving You About the Islamist Threat by Erick Stakelbeck, 2011, Regnery Publishing Inc., Washington, D.C.

Religion of Peace? Islam’s War Against the World by Gregory M. Davis, 2006, World Ahead Publishing, Inc., Los Angeles, CA

The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements by

Eric Hoffer, 1951, Harper & Row Publishers

READING GROUP QUESTIONS

1.  Discuss whether we accept what we’re told rather than fact-finding on our own.

2.  Discuss the pros and cons of profiling in the current times.

3. How do you think we should balance trust and vigilance as individuals? As a nation?

4. Discuss trying to solve a kidnapping situation yourself verses turning it over to police.

5. Did this story make you uncomfortable? Why?

6. Which of the story’s characters do you find most believable? Explain.

7. Discuss what you think the future holds for Khadija and Ahmed.

•••

No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.  For information regarding permission, please write to:  [email protected]. Copyright © 2013 Suzi Weinert. All rights reserved.  Barringer Publishing, Naples, Florida. www.barringerpublishing.com. Cover, graphics, layout design by Lisa Camp. Editing by Carole Greene. ISBN: 978-0-9896338-5-7. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data. Garage Sale Diamonds / Suzi Weinert. Printed in U.S.A.