Gentlemen Prefer Nerds (3 page)

Maddie pored over the photographs. Yesterday she wouldn’t have questioned whether Dr. Hauzenegger was the real deal. Now, thanks to Fabian— Her cheeks heated. Her thoughts became jumbled and angry.
Concentrate on Hauzenegger.

The photo of the professor was taken from a distance. He appeared to be around forty with receding blond hair, wire-rim glasses and a close-cropped beard.

“I gave him your cell number so he could contact you,” Willa said. “I hope that’s all right.”

“That’s fine.” Maddie took one more look to imprint the image of Hauzenegger on her brain, then closed the textbook and handed it back. “I can’t wait to meet him.”

“Rolf’s talk is Friday morning.” Willa replaced the text on her shelf. “Can you get away from work?”

“Oh, no, I can’t. The Rose’s launch is Friday morning.” Maddie pulled a folded square of glossy white cardboard from her backpack and handed it to Willa. “It’ll be a media scrum. You probably wouldn’t enjoy it but I brought you an invitation just in case.”

“Couldn’t come anyway. I’m introducing Rolf.” Willa’s thick eyebrows beetled together. “He’ll be disappointed. He’s very keen on getting a look at your fancy pink.”

“No problem,” Maddie said. “We’ve got a couple of days. He can see it anytime. You could come with him if you like.”

Willa waved that off. “I’m flat-out, writing my paper for the conference.”

Maddie rose, gathering up her backpack. “I’ll let you get on with your work.”

Willa walked her to the door. “It’s too bad you’re not coming to Boston. Your research on the Rose would be the smash hit of the symposium.”

“Maybe next year.”

“Next year it’s in Bolivia. Mountains!” Willa rubbed her hands together gleefully. “Remember Zurich?”

Ah, yes. Scrambling over rock faces with thousand-foot sheer drops. Heights made her queasy. As a young child she’d been fearless, but ever since witnessing her mother’s drowning…not so much.

“On second thought, I’ll stick to my lab and microscope.” Maddie hugged her professor. “If I don’t see you before you leave for Boston, have a great time overseas.”

She slung her bag over her shoulder and left the lab, heading for the stairs. Willa’s easy laughter had put the whole Chameleon thing into perspective. It was all a stupid joke, intended to frighten her.

But the troubled feeling that dogged her refused to go away. As she stepped onto the street, she found herself looking right and left, scanning the clusters of students for…what exactly? She didn’t know. All she knew was that she felt…uneasy.

“It’s wonderful to meet you, Dr. Hauzenegger.” Maddie jumped up from her seat at the outdoor café table to shake the professor’s hand.

His cropped beard, receding hairline and glasses matched his photos in Willa’s textbook. Maybe she was carrying this whole cloak-and-dagger thing too far, but with a twenty-million-dollar diamond at stake, Maddie owed it to Grace to suss out anyone who came within a bee’s dick of the Rose. Just to be on the safe side, she’d arranged their rendezvous away from the shop.

“It is my pleasure, Ms. Maloney,” Rolf Hauzenegger said in a clipped Afrikaans accent. In person he appeared to be a little younger than she’d thought, maybe in his late thirties. His boyish smile was unexpected and appealing.

“Call me Maddie.” Today she’d worn her pleated skirt with op art zigzag pattern topped by a cream-and-tangerine horizontally striped cardigan. With her scarf and outsized purple glasses, she felt almost Parisian.

“You must call me Rolf.” He waited until Maddie resumed her seat before pulling up a chair opposite. He set his briefcase on the cobblestones beneath the wrought iron table. “What a charming café. But I don’t understand why I couldn’t come to your aunt’s jewelry shop.”

“This place makes the best coffee. Latte?” Maddie signaled the waiter and ordered, then resumed her scrutiny of Dr. Hauzenegger. His creased, ill-fitting suit and shirt with the spot on the collar might possibly be too absent-minded-professor to be real, but she’d encountered his type at the university many times—so caught up in his research that he paid scant attention to his appearance.

“I’m thrilled to meet you,” she went on. “I’ve followed your research on pink diamonds for years. The work you did on lattice formation was especially interesting.” If he weren’t genuine, she would catch him out on the science.

“I have the results of the follow-up study with me, if you’re interested.” From his leather briefcase Dr. Hauzenegger extracted a reprinted article from the
European Journal of Mineralogy
titled “Lattice misalignments and nitrogen levels as a source of color in pink diamonds from Jagersfontein, South Africa.”

Maddie scanned the contents, tilting the stapled pages sideways to look at the spectrographs. “I’m very close to a breakthrough on the source of color in the Rose. As you know, there’s no nitrogen in Kimberley stones. The pink is zoned in defect planes called graining. My theory is that the intensity of hue is a function of the distance between the lamellae.” She set down his reprint and dug in her purse for a folder of graphs and tables of chemical analyses. “I’d love to know what you think.”

For the next ten minutes they discussed her results, and Rolf conversed with ease about the technical detail. By the time the waiter returned with a tray bearing two glasses of latte, Maddie was convinced Dr. Hauzenegger was exactly who he said he was.

Rolf regarded her with an admiring smile. “You could be the scientist who solves the mystery of color in fancy pink diamonds. Quite a feat for one so young.”

“I was incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to study the Rose. It’s the most beautiful gemstone I’ve ever seen.”

“And one of the most valuable.”

“It’s more than valuable.” Maddie leaned forward eagerly to expand on her favorite subject. “The Rose is unique, like nothing else reported in the literature. The cut is exquisite, and the color! The color is absolutely stunning—”

Hearing the feverish note in her voice, she cut herself off. She was more than a little obsessed when it came to the Rose. Some people might even think her odd.

To her relief, Rolf smiled conspiratorially, as if he was of like mind. “I, too, get carried away by rare stones.”

“Really?” Maddie lowered her voice and confided, “It’s as if I’m under a spell.”

“I know what you mean. When I’m in my laboratory late at night sometimes I take out a polished diamond just to enjoy the scintillating perfection of the crystal formation.” A shameful pink stained his cheeks, like a priest who’d partaken of too much communion wine. “My pleasure is not entirely scientific.”

“Mine, too.” Maddie had never admitted her lust for gems, not even to Grace. A thrill ran down her spine to think the legendary Dr. Rolf Hauzenegger shared her passion. She pressed cool fingertips to her overheated cheeks. “Oh my.”

Rolf coughed out a nervous laugh. The flush receded from his face as he straightened his tie. “But we are scientists,” he said, almost sternly. “Our focus lies in studying the mineralogy of the stones.”

“You’re so right.” Maddie sat up very straight. “We’re adding to the pool of scientific knowledge.”

“On the other hand, we can’t pretend we don’t live in the real world. Just out of curiosity, how much is your celebrated pink diamond valued at?”

“Ogilvie Diamonds put a reserve price on it of twenty million dollars.” Maddie got breathless just thinking about such a scary amount of money.

Rolf’s eyes blazed briefly but he acknowledged her statement with a dry nod. “If it’s as unique as the grading report suggests, I’m not surprised. A stone of that color and size is almost beyond price. Forgive me, but I’m surprised Ogilvie Diamonds is allowing it to be displayed in a jewelry store.”

“It was I who discovered the rough diamond the Rose is cut from,” Maddie told him. “I was noodling over a disused portion of the Kimberley mine, looking for lamproite ore to finish my PhD research, when I spotted a tiny gleam in the rock face lit by the setting sun. I got out my hammer and chisel and chipped the rough out of the living rock.”

“Amazing!” Rolf sat back. “You must be very proud of your find.”

“It’s even named after me,” Maddie said modestly. “Rose is my second name. Grace Jewelers will be displaying the diamond for a month. After that, if it hasn’t sold, it’ll go to auction in Amsterdam.” At the thought of having to say goodbye to the Rose, she sighed.

Rolf gingerly picked up the hot coffee glass with his fingertips. “You’ll miss your namesake.”

Maddie nodded, grateful for his understanding. In spite of his awful glasses and rumpled clothing, Rolf had a certain appeal. Nothing like Fabian’s dark and dangerous sexuality, thank goodness. Like her, Rolf was a nerd. Which meant he was safe. Trustworthy. “Can I ask you something?”

“I presume it’s to do with diamonds?”

“Have you heard of a jewel thief known as the Chameleon?”

If life was a spy novel and Rolf was the Chameleon, this would be the moment when he’d lose his grip and his glass would clatter onto the saucer, sloshing the contents and confirming his guilt. As it was, he merely frowned and repeated, “Chameleon?” in a puzzled tone.

Maddie nodded. “As in gecko-type creature that can change its appearance.”

Rolf took another moment to think, then shook his head. “I’ve never heard of that name.” Lowering his latte, he added, “Do you think someone is after the Rose?”

“I’ve received a warning from a stranger. I don’t know whether it’s legitimate or not.”

“Who gave you this warning?”

“That’s just it,” Maddie said. “I don’t know him.”

“That makes it difficult,” Rolf said. “Unless you have proof from a reliable source that someone’s trying to steal the diamond, the police can’t act. Except perhaps to increase surveillance.”

“They already drive past the shop regularly.”

“And is your security system a good one?”

“It’s the best on the market.”

“There’s not much more you can do. Throughout history iconic jewels have attracted madmen and thieves.” He winked and gave her his boyish grin. “Be careful—I might decide to abscond with the Rose back to Jo’burg for my next research project.”

Maddie laughed at his somewhat labored joke but she was glad she’d asked his opinion. He’d taken her concern seriously, considered it and dismissed it. “Would you like to see the Rose? Grace’s shop isn’t far.”

Rolf didn’t reply; his attention had been caught by something behind her. She glanced over her shoulder. There was nothing to see except the menswear shop across the alley. Someone had just entered and the door was closing behind him. “Rolf?”

He shook his head. “Sorry. What were you saying?”

“I asked if you’d like to see the Rose.”

“I’d like nothing better but I’m afraid I’m out of time.” Rolf cast an apologetic glance at his watch. “Apparently there’s a cocktail party this evening so I can meet some of the faculty at the Earth Sciences department.”

Funny that Willa hadn’t mentioned the party. Her supervisor was notoriously absent-minded but still… A niggle of suspicion returned. Maddie brushed it aside. Willa had just come back from a two-week field trip and was working nonstop to prepare a paper for the symposium in Boston. Anyway, Willa knew Maddie wasn’t one for cocktail parties.

“I ought to get going, too, or I’ll be late for…” Flushing, she trailed off. Late for an evening curled up with her book while Jinx slept on her lap. It suddenly seemed unbearably tame.

“Would you like to accompany me tonight?” Rolf said. “I understand you were Willa Kruger’s PhD student.”

The last fragment of Maddie’s suspicion dissolved. He would hardly invite her to mingle with fellow mineralogists, at least one of whom knew him personally, if he wasn’t the genuine article. However, since she’d told him she was going to be late, it stood to reason she already had plans. “Thanks but I…I have a date.”

“Naturally a lovely young woman such as you wouldn’t be free on short notice,” he said gallantly.

Heat filled her cheeks. “Come to the shop tomorrow. Anytime. I’ll be there.”

“Willa’s keeping me busy during the day on a field trip to the Grampians. Would it be possible to come in the evening—say around seven o’clock?”

“That’s fine.” Maddie took out a business card with the address of Grace Jewelers. “The shop will be closed so you’ll have to knock. At least we won’t be disturbed.”

They paid for their coffees and walked to the end of the lane, stopping at the busy cross street.

Rolf shook her hand in farewell and held it. “Perhaps we could have dinner together tomorrow night?”

“That would be lovely.” She backed away, slowly pulling her hand free. “See you then.”

Rolf sketched a wave then turned to cross the street on the green light. Maddie stepped to the curb, watching his blond head and brown suit till he was out of sight, hidden by the throng of pedestrians.

“He’s not who he says he is,” an acerbic English voice said at her shoulder.

Maddie whirled. The stranger, his broad shoulders filling his charcoal suit perfectly, watched her from behind a pair of Serengeti sunglasses. Her warm fuzzy feeling about Rolf vanished and her heart began to gallop. “Are you stalking me?”

Taking her elbow, he pulled her out of the way of a van traveling too close to the curb. “You need to be more careful. For an intelligent woman you seem to have no street smarts.”

She tugged her arm free. “Are you Fabian? Fabian who? How do you know where I live?”

He wasn’t wearing a tie today, and his strong tanned neck rose from an open-necked shirt of the finest cotton. He peered at her over the top of his dark glasses. “My name is Fabian Montgomery. Why on earth would I stalk you?”

Montgomery—why did that name ring a bell? She was distracted from speculation by irritation at the slight emphasis he’d put on the word
you.

“You come to my apartment building, somehow get through the locked front door and slip me cryptic notes,” Maddie said. “Then you spy on my meeting with Dr. Hauzenegger. If that’s not stalking, I don’t know what is.”

“The man you just had coffee with is not Dr. Hauzenegger. He’s the Chameleon and he’s planning to steal your pretty pink diamond.”

“That shy, courteous professor is no thief,” Maddie said. “It’s impossible to fake his depth of knowledge of mineralogy. He knows my PhD supervisor. And he gave me a reprint of his article in a scientific journal. And he’s going to a faculty cocktail party. There’s no doubt in my mind. He is Rolf Hauzenegger.”

“I never said his knowledge was fake. The rest could be manufactured. Thieves are also generally liars. Whatever you think you know, the fact remains, he’s a jewel thief.”

“Oh, you…” Frustrated, her hands clenched into fists. “Maybe you’re a thief.”

With that scathingly childish riposte Maddie strode off, hoping she could outdistance him by weaving in and out of the other pedestrians. He followed her closely with ease. Abruptly she swerved and crossed the street in front of an oncoming tram, darting across the tracks. The angry clanging of the tram bell followed her to the curb.

“Are you trying to get us both killed?” Fabian said when he caught up with her.

“No, just you.” She walked on, hoping she appeared unperturbed even though her heart was pumping fast. “You in your fancy-schmancy suit and your plummy accent.”

“Hmm, interesting turn your hostility takes. It’s almost a prejudice. You aren’t by any chance a reverse snob, are you?”

Of course she was a reverse snob. Her wealthy grandparents had disowned her mother for marrying beneath her even though Al was a good man, certain criminal tendencies notwithstanding. And thanks to Grace’s determined but disastrous attempts at matchmaking, Maddie’d had ample opportunity to study Fabian’s type. She’d formed a hypothesis, conducted experiments—aka dates—and come to an unassailable conclusion—rich men were dickheads.

“It’s not prejudice,” she informed him, walking quickly. “It’s scientific method.”

“Whatever are you talking about? Never mind, I don’t want to know.” He stuck close by her side through the crowds of homebound office workers. “I most certainly am not a thief. My job is to protect the Rose.”

“Your job? Who hired you to do that—William Franklin? Because he never said a word to Grace or me.”

“I’m working for a private individual. Who that is, I can’t reveal.”

Maddie threw up her hands. “If you won’t tell me anything, why should I believe the Rose is in danger?”

“Because it’s the truth,” Fabian insisted. “Do not meet that man again. Do not let him anywhere near the diamond.”

Maddie stopped suddenly. The flow of pedestrians eddied around her. “If he wanted to steal the Rose, why didn’t he come with me just now? The shop’s closed. With no one else there he could have overpowered me—heck, he could have murdered me—and taken the stone. Job done.”