Titanic

{Chapter Thirty-Two}

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As they walked, Jack and Rose held hands and took a couple of deep breaths.

"Just keep hold of my hand," she told him.

He entwined his fingers with hers, giving a light squeeze for reassurance.

They crossed the foyer, entering the corridor. Lovejoy was waiting for them in the hallway as they approached the room.

"We've been looking for you, Miss."

He followed, and unseen, moved close behind Jack, smoothly slipping the diamond necklace into the pocket of his overcoat.

Cal and Ruth were in the sitting room, along with the Master-At-Arms and two stewards. There was silence as Rose and Jack entered, but the repulsiveness on everyone's faces was present at the sight of their clasped hands. Rose took notice and just held his hand even tighter. Ruth closed her robe at her throat when she saw Jack.

Rose spoke. "Something serious has happened."

Cal smirked at her and responded, "Yes it has." He looked to Lovejoy who nodded at him, signaling that the job had been done. "Indeed," Cal said more to himself than anyone. "Two things dear to me have disappeared this evening. Now that one is back..." He looked from Rose to Jack. "...I have a pretty good idea where to find the other. Search him."

The Master-at-Arms stepped up to Jack. "Coat off, mate."

Lovejoy pulled at Jack's coat and Jack shook his head in dismay, shrugging out of it. The Master-at-Arms patted him down.

"This is horseshit," Jack said in consternation.

Rose turned to Cal. "Cal, you can't be serious! We're in the middle of an emergency, and you--"

Steward Barnes pulled the Heart of the Ocean from the pocket of Jack's coat. "Is this it?"

Rose was stunned. Needless to say, so was Jack.

"That's it." Cal took the necklace.

The Master-at-Arms looked at the diamond. "Right, then. Now, don't make a fuss." He started to handcuff Jack.

"Don't you believe it, Rose. Don't."

Rose looked up, uncertain. "He couldn't have."

"Of course he could," Cal rebutted. "Easy enough for a professional. He memorized the combination when you opened the safe."

Rose remembered standing at the safe, looking in the mirror and meeting Jack's eyes as he stood behind her, watching.

"But, I was with him the whole time. This is absurd!"

Cal spoke just to her, low and cold. "Perhaps he did it while you were putting your clothes back on, dear.

"Oh, real slick Cal. Rose, they put it in my pocket." Jack was still protesting his innocence.

"Shut up!" Cal snapped.

Lovejoy held Jack's coat. "This isn't even your pocket, son." He read the tag. "Property of A.L. Ryerson." He showed the coat to the Master-at-Arms. There was a label inside the collar with the owner's name.

"That was reported stolen, today."

"No, I just borrowed it. I was gonna return it."

Cal just laughed. "An honest thief! We have an honest thief here!"

"Rose--" Jack yelled to her.

But, she felt utterly betrayed, hurt, and confused. She shrunk away from him. He started shouting to her as the Master-at-Arms dragged him out into the hall. She couldn't look him in the eye.

"Rose, don't listen to them...I didn't do this! You know I didn't! You know me!"

She was devastated. Her mother laid a comforting hand on her shoulder as the tears welled up.

"Why do women believe men?"

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Sorry that I haven't updated for a while, but I'm back now!  Also, who else wants to throw Cal over the ship?  Raise your hands.