A Bianca Mancini Mystery: Diamonds

Lady Susan Clutterbuck harbors a clandestine secret. Residing in a modest apartment in the heart of London, England, she once reveled in a life of opulence and grandeur. However, tragedy struck when her husband passed away, leaving her bereft of her esteemed social standing, wealth, and magnificent mansion. Driven by an insatiable desire to reclaim her lavish lifestyle, Clutterbuck turned to a life of crime as a jewel thief. With her sights set on an audacious diamond heist, she meticulously devised a plan to execute her scheme.

Meanwhile, Bianca Mancini found herself abroad an airplane bound for London, seeking solace and relaxation after a harrowing encounter with the deranged murderer, Dr. Fabio. During the flight, Bianca immersed herself in the pages of London’s esteemed newspaper, The Guardian, stumbling upon a captivating article detailing the mysterious and unsolved jewel heists plaguing the city.

Upon landing at Heathrow Airport, Bianca swiftly made her way to her hotel, checked in, and dropped off her luggage before embarking on an exploration of the vibrant city of London.

Unbeknownst to Bianca, Lady Clutterbuck emerged from a nail salon, sporting long, coffin-style acrylic fake nails. With determination in her stride, she ventured towards De Beer Jewellers Harrods, nestled within the renowned Harrods Limited Department store. Once inside, she located the sales counter for Loose Diamonds.

Approaching the diamond sales clerk, Clutterbuck greeted him with a seemingly innocent request, “Hello, I would like to purchase some loose diamonds.”

The diamond expert obligingly placed the dazzling gems on the countertop for Clutterbuck’s inspection, his watchful eyes never leaving her.

Examining each diamond meticulously through a jeweler’s loupe, Clutterbuck cleverly executed her plan. As she handled one of the smaller diamonds, it surreptitiously became affixed to her long fake fingernail, whole a replica diamond took its place. The switch occurred right before the unsuspecting eyes of the diamond sales clerk, who remained oblivious to the deceit.

With four stolen diamonds securely hidden beneath her artificial nails, Clutterbuck seized the opportune moment to make her exit. To further mask her true intentions, she feigned dissatisfaction, declaring, “These diamonds appear rather lackluster. I shall not be making a purchase. Thank you for your time.”

Clutterbuck swiftly departed the department store, her heart racing with the thrill of her successful heist.

Meanwhile, Bianca Mancini stepped foot into the grandeur of Harrods department store, her senses overwhelmed by the opulence that surrounded her. Gazing in awe at the magnificent displays, she failed to notice the bustling crowd before her.

Simultaneously, Clutterbuck’s eyes darted around, scanning for any signs of Harrod’s security guards for surveillance cameras as she hastened towards the exit.

In a twist of fate, Bianca and Clutterbuck collided head-on, their heads colliding with a resounding thud. Dazed and disoriented, Clutterbuck stumbled backward, instinctively reaching out to steady herself against a glass display counter.

In the chaos of the collision, the stolen diamonds, previously glued beneath Clutterbuck’s fake nails, became dislodged, scattering across the glass counter. The vigilant sales clerk immediately noticed the scattered gems and swiftly pressed the alarm button, summoning Harrods’ security team.

Within moments, Lady Susan Clutterbuck found herself surrounded by a swarm of police officers. She was promptly arrested and later charged with grand larceny.

Bianca, unaware of the true nature of the collision, felt a sense of satisfaction wash over her. Unbeknownst to her, she had inadvertently foiled the enigmatic jewel thief who had mystified London’s Metropolitan Police and INTERPOL’s special crime unit.

Bianca Mancini became the talk of the town, hailed as the hero who had single-handedly apprehended the city’s notorious jewel thief. Her courageous act graced the pages of every newspaper in London, solidifying her reputation as a formidable force against crime.

As her time in London drew to a close, Bianca made a life-altering decision. Inspired by her unexpected encounter with crime, she resolved to leave her teaching career at the university and establish her own private detective agency. She named it the Mancini Investigative Agency (MIA), and she set up shop in the prestigious Georgetown area of Washington, D.C.

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Back in Washington, Bianca proudly opened the doors to The Mancini Investigative Agency (MIA). Little did she know that fate had more in store for her. A mysterious man, Rupert Birtwistle, walked into her agency seeking her services. Recently divorced and retired British government employee, Birtwistle had read about Bianca’s heroic exploits in The Guardian London newspaper.

Introducing himself as Rupert Birtwistle, he beseeched Bianca’s assistance in locating a missing art heirloom worth millions of dollars, stolen from his own home. Intrigued by the case, Bianca eagerly accepted the challenge, ready to embark on a new chapter of her life as a private detective.

And so, the stage was set for the Mancini Investigative Agency to delve into the depths of mystery and intrigue, as Bianca Mancini began to unravel the secrets that lay hidden within the shadows.

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(Copyright Dana Esposito. All rights reserved.)