Framed [COMPLETED]

Chapter 6

I whip around and see Jake.

He knows my favorite ice cream! That isn't even on the menu for today but the woman scoops it into a waffle bowl and hands it to me.
"On me." He smiles and orders the same thing.
"What are you doing here?" I ask.

"I thought you'd like to talk. Besides ordering ice cream can be hard. Especially when you have a secret."

"Excuse me?" We walk outside and sit at a metal table in front of the shop.

"Come on. I know you have the jewels. I mean who honestly just turns over jewels worth a million dollars?"

"They're worth actually five hundred. But whatever floats your boat." I shrug.

"Nope. One. Million. Dollars. You obviously don't know jewelry."

"Yeah because I obviously don't care."

"So, what do you want to know? I'm an open book." He shoves a spoon full of ice cream in his mouth.

"Are you stalking me?"

"Eh, I guess you could say that." He winks.

"Creep."

"Thank you." I roll my eyes and stir the melting ice cream with my spoon. It seems so unappetizing after he popped up.

"My turn, where are the jewels?"

"The police station in an evidence bag, in a safe, with a combination."

"No. The real jewels."

"Who are you working for?" I quickly turn the questions back to him. I pluck off a piece of the bowl.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Yes. You do."

"You never answered my question."

"I can't answer yours because I don't have the jewelry. So answer mine. You said you're an open book."

"I lied." He blinks. He's lying right now.
Storm clouds roll over head.

"Here's my card. You can send the jewels to this address."

"In your dreams." I take his card and rip it in half. He puts his baseball cap on and walks off with his ice cream. I stand up and throw mine in the trash.

If he's stalking me, why can't I stalk him?
I take my bike and slowly ride behind him, staying a close distance. Isabelle's town is a historical district. My bike bumps over the uneven brick sidewalk. Making this the first time I've ever hated a historical district.
He crosses the street and looks behind him. He winks as we link eyes. Ugh!

I turn around and peddle towards Isabelle's. No point in following him anymore.

When I get up to my room I check my window that I was too lazy to close this morning. A card is taped to the lock:

It was nice meeting you. I would be great if I could have the jewels though. I'll be back.
-JV

What a creep! I don't even have the stupid jewels! I turn over the card. The same business card he gave me ten minutes ago. I'll have to check this place out after practice.

I check the time. I'm already late for practice. My phone rings, Alex.

"Where are you?" He asks.

"I lost track of time. Can we cancel practice? I need to show you something. I'll meet you guys at your house." He agrees and I rush down the stairs with the card.