Have a Nice Night (22 page)

'You have not lost your diamonds,' Wilbur said, quietly and firmly.

They stared at each other, then Maria said unsteadily, 'Then where are they?'

'Where else? In the safe.'

'Am I crazy or are you? How can they be in the safe?'

'Maria, you were wearing the replicas. I promised your father that if you insisted on wearing the diamonds out of security, I was to give you the replicas to wear.'

'Replicas! I don't know what you are talking about!'

'When your father gave you the diamonds, he took me aside and gave me replicas which he had had made in Hong Kong. There, he told me, experts can convert glass into deceptive looking diamonds. The collar, the earrings and the bracelets those thugs stole are made of glass.'

'God! I can't believe it!'

Wilbur went to the hidden safe, opened it and took out the leather case. He opened it and handed it to Maria who stared down at her beautiful diamonds, flashing in the sunlight.

'Oh, darling!' She put down the case, then rushed to Wilbur and hugged him. 'Thank you! Forgive me for being such a bitch! I know I am. Please help me not to be.'

Wilbur kissed her.

'Go and lie down. I have to get the police up here.'

'Lie down? I want champagne and caviar sandwiches! We must celebrate!'

Maria whirled around. 'Look at the sun! Look at the sky!'

Wilbur gave a resigned shrug. He went over to the telephone to call the police. He smiled as he watched Maria walk out onto the terrace, where the ultimate horror of two mutilated men was there to greet her.

THE END