I turned the photograph of the watch toward him.

“What did you give your mother for her birthday?”

His expression changed so quickly that it answered me before he spoke.

“Amelia, I was going to explain.”

“Then explain now.”

He claimed Bridgett had admired the watch while arranging a shipping issue.

He said he’d lent it to her for a fundraising dinner and intended to collect it afterward.

When I asked why he had told Helen the watch was unavailable, he said he didn’t want her expecting it while the dealer checked a fault.