One week later, Yvonne received the call to Bjorg's office. She was calmer and wanted to follow Vladyk's suggestion. So she decided to go on with her work without calling her boss's attention.
The governess entered the room at the moment the chief of police broke in a peal of belly laughter. Something Bjorg said, perhaps. The police officer stood by the fireplace and turned to the door when the latch clicked. Then the wood panel swayed and she entered the room.
The man's brown orbs examined her. His eyes were alert and full of so much contempt they made her balk. "So this is the famous French duchess."
Bjorg nodded, and she blinked but did not falter.
"How can I help you, Mister Knaast?"
The demons' priest gestured to a couch. "Have a seat, Yvonne."
She obeyed, but the unexpected presence of the other man brought a weird coldness to her heart.
"What is going on here," she wondered with dread.
A knock on the door took her from her musings.
"Come in," Bjorg ordered with a smirk.
Vladyk stepped into the room and two security guards flanked him. Yvonne realized it was worse than she could ever wonder when
the security chief gave the warlock Vladyk's backpack. "He was leaving with the pieces, Mister Knaast."
The Knaast priest upended the bag, making the expensive jewels fall on the coffee table.
Bjorg waved to the security men. "You can leave. Thank you."
The security guard looked uncomfortable. "Are you sure, Mister Knaast? This man is a giant."
Bjorg laughed. "So am I, Paul. Leave, please."
The burly men left, and Bjorg pointed at Yvonne. "Sit beside your fiancee, Vladyk."
Yvonne sent her lover a pleading look, and he bent his head in agreement, walked to the couch, and sat.
Bjorg looked at the chief of police. "Aren't they cute? The love birds?"
The man was pale and his round stomach made it hard to believe he was a police officer. His ferret eyes raked over Yvonne.
"She is a beauty, Mister Knaast. I understand why you are so generous. Other people would have them handcuffed and booked in a blink."
"I like their work. I am sure Vladyk has a good explanation."
The driver glared at Bjorg. "I was taking them to the bank. We would put them in a safe in your name before we traveled to Norway for our engagement."
The police officer threw his head back in laughter. "He is an actor. The London Theater is at waste here."
Yvonne grabbed Vladyk's hand in hers. She trembled.
Bjorg's lips bent in a crooked smile. His unwavering gaze inventoried the couple. "I see the signs of a guilty consciousness, don't you, chief Hoggs?"
"Oh, sure. The nervous look your little dove sends her accomplice is a confession."
"Shall we put them out of their misery?"
"As you wish, Mister Knaast."
Bjorg stood from the leather chair behind his mahogany desk and walked to the little bar. He poured himself some scotch and with the tumbler in his hand, opened a desk drawer. Then he produced a plastic bag with the copies made after the diamond pieces and the watch plus a pile of pictures. The priest threw them on the coffee table beside Vladyk's backpack.
The pictures scattered. On their glossy surfaces appeared the expensive pieces and Vladyk. The handsome Norwegian stood in the jewelry shop as he ordered the copies.
The Knaast priest sat on his favorite armchair and crossed his long legs. "My security told me you went to a shop for copies of the diamond choker, the ring, and the Rolex. I lent them for your use when I receive guests, Yvonne. But you two were going to substitute them for the fakes and run away."
Yvonne paled. "You gave me them as birthday gifts, Mister Knaast."
So the police officer's sharp laughter chilled the woman even more.
"The choker alone is worth eight hundred thousand pounds. Who would give a governess such a gift? The heck, who would give anyone but his blood such a gift?"
Bjorg nodded. "You guessed right, chief. They belonged to my deceased wife and are part of the family's collection. The diamonds come from my mines in Niger."
The paunchy police officer scrutinized Vladyk with his ferret eyes.
"Don't you have anything to say? You visited the shop for the copies. I guess you are the worker in the scheme."
Vladyk turned his large body in the chief's direction. The man stepped back. The cold fury in the Norwegian giant was a blow to his former condescending tone.
Yvonne pressed Vladyk's hand. He pressed back and blew air. "No, Chief. I am many things but not a thief. I am sure Mister Knaast has an offer to us."
Bjorg stiffened. The man's proud attitude was not in his plans. "What do you mean?"
Vladyk answered with scorn as he glared daggers at his boss. "The chief said you are generous, Mister Knaast. I assume you two have already decided the course of action."
Bjorg squinted at the man. "You are the quiet type. Intelligent, I see. Okay. Let's clear the decks. I could send you both to prison for attempted robbery. But I have another offer. I will keep the proofs and you keep on working as before. Same salary, same rights, same everything."
"What's the catch?"
The chief of police whistled. "He is arrogant."
"We are innocent, but I know when the tides are against me," Vladyk responded.
Bjorg smiled. "My daughter will get married and move to Brazil. The house will be empty as I wish to go back to our home country, Vladyk. You two will keep working for me in Norway. The scheme was a silly idea of yours, but I recognize the temptation was too much."
Yvonne stuttered. "What do you mean?"
"You are a young couple in love. You grew up with expensive things until your father lost his money, Yvonne. I can understand those pieces meant your financial freedom. I don't blame you. I am generous, so I assure you a wonderful job for the time I deem necessary and I will forget this silly attempt of crime."
Vladyk felt the coldest anger burn his insides. Bjorg trapped them with his lies. Everything pointed at the young couple. The chief of police was sure they were guilty.
A proud champion and a fighter, Vladyk was not a man to bow to blackmail. His first thought was to own the entire scheme and exempt Yvonne. But thinking better, this action meant her alone to face the evil Knaast. His cousin's frightening stories involving Bjorg resonated in his mind.
Love spoke louder than his rage or his pride. Vladyk had promised Yvonne he would protect her, and he delivered his promises.
The former Norwegian national champion of wrestling breathed deep. He was not strange to moments when everything seemed lost. He was strong-willed and knew how to wait for the change of tide to make a winning movement.
Vladyk could not see the Allegiant soldiers surrounding him and Yvonne. They were preventing the demonic escort in the library to interfere with his mind. His decision was his alone.
The couple was innocent, and the Father of All Lights sent them protection against the malignant warlock.
Vladyk nodded. "Okay. I will be glad to go back to Norway."
Yvonne turned dejected eyes to her love. He pressed her fingers, and she whispered. "I accept too, Mister Knaast."
Bjorg grinned. "It's all set. I told you they are nice young people, chief. It was a simple misstep but I am sure they will straight up their ways."
The chief looked grim. "My experience says otherwise, Mister Knaast. But it's your house and your goods. I can't force you to press charges."
He shook hands with Bjorg and left, leaving Yvonne and Vladyk with the evil Knaast priest.