The Untouchable

Diane saw the light from a lantern moving towards her. She had trespassed on the land. She had not expected to see anyone else here. It was a deserted part of the island. She made her way over to the cave, she had found the last time she was here. She slid a rock, so the cave, in the dusk, was less obvious.

Soon she heard two mens voices. They were here for a bag of opals, that they had previously hidden. Diane was hoping that the bag was not in the cave.

She had not heard anything about a robbery. They were talking about April. She was a maid. She had called them, and given them the gems, on Thursday. Diane wondered who April worked for.

The light got brighter. It was a jeep. A cheerful woman jumped out. The two men called her name. "April , who did you bring with you?" "I brought someone to buy the stones. I know there are twenty stones , but I told him we'd only be selling 17. " The two men did not want their gem. The buyer paid for the 19 stones. The transaction was quick.

Diane waited until the light faded, and then she made her way to her own jeep. The trek was easy because she was scared and angry. April would be caught , because April kept one gem.

Diane drove to the police station. The police listened and checked their calls. Nobody had reported a theft. The police thought the owners had stolen it. To get paid twice. Once by the buyer,and again from the insurance company. Diane pointed out that insurance fraud was a crime.

It was a small police force. They had eight investigators. The chief did not want to investigate his wealthy voters. There were not many citizens on the island who could afford opals and a maid. One police investigator spoke up. He agreed to look into it. He told Diane that he would be in touch.

He called her early the next week. He invited her to a party. He said to wear her best conservative dressy outfit. He would be wearing tweed- a sporty look. He would introduce her to the well to do citizens. They all knew he was single and could not keep a girlfriend. They would be amused to meet her. They would never quess she knew the voices of the thieves.

That Saturday he pick her up in an Audi. She was surprised when they got to the party. Even though they had only met once, he knew everything about her. The only thing he did not know was what she drank. She noticed most of the women where drinking wine. She had her date, Mike, get her a bourbon and diet. She watched and listened to the hired help. Most of them were spanish, April was not spanish. She was not working tonight.

Diane had gotten a interior design tour. She commented on the decorating. One section of the house was off limits. She was told, the lady of the house was preparing there.

Diane also searched the party for the voices of the two men. Diane was starting to make excused for the couple to leave, when she heard a stir. The madam was entering.

Diane turned and froze. Mike joked with her. " A one of a kind woman." Diane choked, "Yes". She had not heard the madam's voice, but Diane was pretty sure this was the woman. She controled the room like she had controlled the two men.

Why would they have thought she was a maid? Where had she met them? Diane was sure the two men where not here tonight. They were meant to think she was a maid. Diane asked Mike the madams name. "Mrs. Darren", Mike answered.

Mrs. Darren had noticed Diane's reaction, and approached her. Diane complemented her on her house and outfit. She had heard the lady of the house was pretty, but that was an understatement. Mrs. Darren smiled and laughed, but her senses had been alerted. She said " Your date is a policeman." Diane respond " Only the second time I met him. He suggested that I come here and meet some nice people. I was raped two years ago. I thought he would be a safe bet." The madam lost interest and turned to her admiring friends. Diane and Mike made their excuses- and departed.

Diane felt numb. As soon as she left the house her face dropped. She hugged her date, he rubbed her back. They both, at that moment, thought the madam was untouchable.