“Are you sure the painting is in that room?” he had asked.
I leaned across the table and tried to see what he saw, but nothing jumped out at me. “That room is more fortified than any other spot in that house. The false wall addition implies he’s hiding something there. You said the system is . . . what was the word you used? Exquisite? Everything points to the painting being in that room.”
“But you said you think this is a game, right? You won’t be the only one there looking for it?”
I nodded and he pointed to a small corner of the house.
“You see this right here?”
I moved in close and squinted like that would help me see what he wanted me to see.
It didn’t.
“Give it to me like I’m dumb,” I finally said.
His finger tapped on the space labeled Laundry Room. “See all the wires running to this room?”
I nodded again.
“This is overkill for a room that houses at most a washer and dryer.”
It didn’t take me long to catch on. “So you think the trophy room is bait. Send everyone to a room protected with a ridiculous system they can’t get past. Once they trip it . . . which they will . . . guards get a silent alarm and go scoop them up. Meanwhile, that painting is hidden next to the deep freeze.”
Devon gave me a huge smile. “That’s exactly what I’m thinking.”
“And you’re still good to come in with me? Play a part?” I asked.
He nodded. “Already working on my disguise.” There was actually a hint of excitement in his words I would not have expected.
And he was right. By now, Devon has secured the painting and has left the Tate property. I’ll hang out as long as Sawyer wants, then ditch him once we leave here.
I dig out the small white paper swan that I’d tucked away in my back pocket this morning and set it in the water. It bobs and weaves its way across the pool.
I take another sip of my drink. It won’t be long before the fireworks start.
* * *
I’m expecting the call but jump anyway when the phone rings. The burner was waiting on my kitchen table the second I got home from the party.
“Yes.”
“The blue hair looks better than I thought it would,” Mr. Smith says in his mechanical voice.
“It’s going to be a bitch to remove.”
He laughs quietly. “The package will be picked up shortly and details on the next job will be delivered along with confirmation of your deposit, which includes the bonus.”
I open my laptop and log into my account, where I can already see that the money has been deposited. I start the process of moving it, just like always.
“I’ll be here.”
I think he’s about to hang up, then he adds, “I must say, I’m impressed you recovered it.”
“How many people did I beat?” I’m doing a little fishing of my own. I don’t think he’s going to answer so I push just a little. “Was I the underdog?” I want to know how many more rungs of this ladder I need to climb to make it to the top.
He lets out a soft chuckle. “You’ve always had an ego problem, Lucca.”
“I call it confidence, and it’s worked well for me so far,” I purr into the phone.
The silence stretches but I wait him out. If he wasn’t going to tell me, he would have hung up by now.
He finally says, “I’m only going to tell you this now since you were the victor and had the nerve to ask.”
When he doesn’t say any more for a full minute, I say, “You’ve worked me up and I’m right on the edge. Don’t be a tease now.”
That laugh again. “Let’s just say I needed to see who of mine would rise to the top under less than ideal circumstances. And who can recognize when the most obvious path is the wrong one. Congratulations.”
“Was there even a client? This didn’t feel like a real job.”
“The job is always real, but you may not always be aware of what the end goal is.”
Before I can say anything else, Mr. Smith says, “Answer the door. I’ll be in touch soon.”
The call ends and I move to the door. Peeking through the peephole I see my guy in his usual UPS outfit holding a small box.
“Right on time,” I say as I pull open the door. He hands me the small box, and I give him the painting wrapped in brown paper. “Want to come in for a drink? We can get drunk and spill all our secrets,” I say with a wink. “You know you want to, George.”
“You know I can’t do that no matter how much I want to.”