by Alex Ames
All in all, I had been lucky with the Metro Imperial job. I must have been to Swan Collins’ safe just minutes before Rip. As my collector’s shopping list had specified only the Metro Imperial, I had suppressed the temptation to pick up the rest of the safe, too. Girl Scout’s honor. One of the principles was: don’t carry! So, I had just closed the safe, put the Metro Imperial into its prepared setting, and then added it to all the glistening crystal pieces of the chandelier to be retrieved a few days later.
With the diamond’s facets concealed in my jeans pocket, I came back down into the entry hall and shook hands with screen legend Swan Collins for the last time.
“Thanks for your help with Nicole. And again, sorry for the Metro Imperial loss,” I said.
“Aw, shucks. Over it already. Rip Delaware, or whatever his name is, probably already sold it off to a collector who loves them and treats them really nice. May he rot in hell later!”
“It’s good that you can take the loss like a sport. Goodbye, Swan.” I was careful not to give her a cheek kiss but only a formal handshake.
“Goodbye, Calendar. Good luck with everything.”
She let me out and closed the door of her mansion. I walked over to my car, forcing myself not to run. After I had sat down, I had to pat my jeans pocket once more, just to make sure that we had made it. We had!
I had successfully smuggled out the Metro Imperial in the front pocket of my jeans from Swan Collins’ home under the eyes of the police.
Eat that, Rip Delaware!
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Aftershow
I drove down Beverly Drive and stopped at the corner of Sunset. A dark SUV stopped beside me and lowered its passenger window. A young man, who I had never seen before—and probably would never see again—simply held out his hand. I retrieved the Metro Imperial from my jeans pocket and gave it a last look. We hadn’t spent that much time together, but the way up to here had been long and winding indeed. Then I simply held out my hand, and the blonde guy took it from me.
Mission accomplished, even if a little more complicated than anticipated.
“Delivered as ordered,” I said and waved bye-bye.
The blonde guy tipped two fingers to his head in a professional salute. The windows moved up and the SUV on.
I hit the button of the car CD player, and Oasis blew out “Wonderwall” into the afternoon sky.
Epilogue
From the LA Times, May 25
15M Dollars from Mystery Donor
Surprise Windfall Saves Middle East Schooling Project
An internationally funded schooling project in Palestine, covering “teach the teachers” plus additional family education programs in neighboring regions, was on the verge of cancellation after the US government froze funds formerly dedicated to the project after the latest Gaza bank attacks on Israeli settlers. “The financial gap would have brought the program to a standstill,” says Mrs. Peters, wife of renowned LA lawyer Terrence Peters.
The LA-based “Children Unreserved Foundation” is one of the most prestigious and renowned charity institutions on the West Coast, caring for the well-being of children worldwide. Chaired by LA socialite Margaret Peters, donations passed the 80 million dollars mark last year.
Rescue came in the surprising form of an anonymous donation of 15 million dollars, even for the successful “Children Unreserved Foundation” an extraordinary one-time amount. “Usually it is a well-known person or a corporation who jumps in and receives good press and the thanks of thousands of families all over the world, but a donator who wishes to remain unrecognized is a rare moment of humility and humbleness,” Mrs. Peters expressed her heartfelt thanks to the unknown benefactor.
Acknowledgements
Thank you…
…for taking the time to read this book. Personally, I have the policy to stop reading a book if I am not hooked after the first fifty pages. You made it this far, so I assume that I passed this test.
If you enjoyed Calendar’s adventures, please shout it from the rooftops or recommend the book to family and friends—and maybe give me a “Like” on my author Facebook page.
Check out my other books, available on all major e-platforms.
And buy my next book!
Email: [email protected]
Blog: http://alex-ames-writing.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/alexameswriting
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/alexameswriting
About Alex Ames:
Alex Ames always dreamed but never dared to become a famous jewelry thief or computer hacker or super spy. After some consideration, the only morally feasible option was to become a writer.
He is the author of the Brilliant – Calendar Moonstone cat burglar adventures and the Troubleshooter corporate thrillers.
Other Books by Alex Ames:
A Brilliant Plan
Book 1 in the “Brilliant – Calendar Moonstone” series
Just a regular job … get in, crack the safe, fetch the diamonds. That’s what hobby cat burglar and acclaimed jewelry maker Calendar Moonstone has aimed for. Instead, she finds a dead body, meets a handsome detective, has a nosey insurance investigator on her tracks, and manages a complicated boyfriend situation—all while trying to solve a century-old jewelry mystery!
Troubleshooter
Book 1 in the Troubleshooter series
All he wanted was a regular job…. As a pencil pusher and finance controller in Strom Industries’ Mergers and Acquisition department, Paul Trouble may not hold the most exciting job in the world, but for the former elite soldier and CIA spy, still mentally recovering from the injury that forced him out of the spy-game, this is his shot at a normal life in a normal job with normal problems.
One hundred million dollars goes missing…. And his boss asks Paul to investigate the mystery of the missing money. The plan is simple: ask a few questions, make people nervous, and see what happens.
It turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse…. What first looks like an inside job soon turns into murder and mayhem where pencil and stapler are exchanged for knives and bullets, giving a literal meaning to the term “troubleshooter.”
Trouble at Christmas
A Troubleshooter Novella
Home for Christmas, former elite-soldier-turned-accountant Paul Trouble is prepared for a good time spent reconnecting with friends and family at his father’s ranch in Welcome, Montana. But very soon, Paul discovers that things are not what they seem and that a peaceful holy night is clearly not in the stars. A neighborhood feud is endangering the family, so Paul unwraps his trusted set of Marine Special Forces skills and sets out to investigate.
All books are available on Amazon in print and Kindle eBook format. Additional formats (ePub) are available on all major eTailer platforms including iTunes and Barnes and Noble.
