Thief of Always

by Kim Baldwin

  She watched self-doubt flicker in Kris’s eyes. Their shine reflected how much alcohol she’d consumed. “I wasn’t aware you had a car,” she said with wobbly dignity.

  “I rented a car in Haarlem.”

  “How convenient.” Her words were slurred. “Thanks for the offer, but I don’t need a lift. In fact, the last thing I need right now is someone else trying to tell me what to do. I’m perfectly capable of getting home by myself.” She settled onto the nearest bench with a determined expression.

  Allegro was close to losing her patience. Kris was acting like a petulant child, and had it not been for the fact that she was tipsy and agitated, Allegro would have said that to her. But now was definitely not the time. “Look, I made you miss the tram. The least I can do is wait with you for the next one.”

  “Do what you wish.”

  As she settled onto the bench beside Kris, Allegro glanced down the rail line. There was no sign of the stalker yet, but he’d be on them any moment. She had to get Kris away from here. “I really wish you’d reconsider and let me give you a lift. The trams don’t run very often at this time of night, do they?”

  Kris glanced at her watch and frowned. “Oh, perfect. It’s nearly one. That was probably the last tram.”

  Allegro spotted the man in the beige trench coat a few blocks away, heading toward them at a jog. “In that case, just let me drive you back to Haarlem.”

  “I told you I’m perfectly capable of finding my own way home,” Kris snapped as she got unsteadily to her feet. “I can walk to my car.”

  “Kris, I know you’ve been drinking tonight. I don’t think you should get behind the wheel.”

  Kris glared at her, fury glinting in her eyes. “Fine. I won’t drive, then. But I’m not going with you. I’ll stay at my uncle’s.”

  “I hope you have a key. He’s got to be asleep.”

  “Hans won’t mind,” Kris asserted angrily. “He’s very understanding.”

  “Then at least let me drive you there,” she offered.

  “There’s no need. It’s not that far. I can walk.”

  “He lives in the area?” Allegro feigned surprise. “Even better, then. I’ll just walk with you.”

  “I don’t need a tourist to escort me.” Kris sounded offended.

  Allegro laughed softly. “I wouldn’t be escorting you. I’d only be tagging along. You know, sucking up the nocturnal atmosphere.”

  “Suit yourself.” Kris shrugged her off and started walking a bit unsteadily toward Hofman’s office.

  The stalker had caught up and was watching them surreptitiously from the shadows of a building not far away. Tucking her arm into Kris’s, Allegro marched her along the Keizersgracht, the canal to their right, at a brisk pace. She had to make sure that Kris was safe indoors before she confronted the man. She needed to find out what he was up to and attack was always the best defense.

  They were crossing a small bridge when Kris stopped, almost out of breath. “Slow down. I know you Americans take pride in doing Europe at breakneck speed, but this is ridiculous.”

  “Oh, hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize.”

  Kris leaned against the railing of the bridge, and Allegro did the same beside her, suddenly mindful of the awesome view in every direction. The bridges were outlined with strings of small white lights, and the amber street lamps and lighted windows of the homes lining the canal were mirrored in the placid waters. Under different circumstances, this would have been the kind of moment to lose herself in, standing here with a beautiful, somewhat intoxicated woman, but all she could think of was the man closing in on them. She needed to get Kris somewhere safe.

  Kris looked around, seemingly appreciative of their surroundings, and there was an expression on her face Allegro had never seen before. She appeared neither sad nor worried; the look of dread and uncertainty that seemed to be permanently etched on her brow was gone. For once she didn’t seem haunted, or even melancholic, but content. Allegro wanted so much at that moment to tell her how breathtaking she looked.

  “You don’t seem the sightseeing tourist type to me,” Kris finally said. “Why is that?”

  Allegro turned to face her while surreptitiously watching the stalker get nearer and nearer. “I’d ask you what kind of tourist type I do seem to you, but I shiver at the thought of you replying. Anyway, you don’t have to be any particular type to appreciate this.” She could see that Kris was trying to suppress a smile.

  They stood there in silence, listening to a handful of geese noisily cutting through the calm water beneath them. When he reached them, the man paused a few yards away, smoking a cigarette, to all appearances as captivated by the view as they were. Allegro was mulling over how she was going to make the guy aware that he’d been spotted, and maybe scare him away as a result, when Kris took matters into her own hands.

  Glancing over Allegro’s shoulder, she said in a low voice, “I know this sounds strange, but I think that guy’s been following me. He was staring at me in the cafe, and now, here he is.”

  Allegro was surprised that Kris had noticed her stalker, especially since she’d been drinking and was obviously caught up in her own problems. Perhaps she hadn’t given the countess enough credit. “You’re a very attractive woman,” she said nonchalantly. “I can’t say I blame him for checking you out.”

  Kris seemed momentarily pleased by the compliment, but her smile was short-lived. “Well, I blame him. I don’t care for creeps who follow me around, and that’s what I’m going to tell him.”

  Allegro knew Kris’s bluster was the wine talking, but she couldn’t let her do something foolish. The guy had been content to merely tail them so far, but if confronted, all bets were off. What if he produced a gun? She would have to act, and she couldn’t risk blowing her cover. “Let it go, Kris. He’s not important.”

  “No. I’m sick and tired of attracting the world’s users. It’s time I made that clear. Besides this guy looks like he’s after more than just a good time and I intend to find out what that is.”

  She started toward the man, but Allegro grabbed her by the arm. “Wait, just wait.”

  “Wait for what?” Kris jerked free and glared at her. “I’m always fucking waiting, always having to do the right thing, be the right person, say the right thing, put up with any bullshit loser that comes my way so I don’t have to be alone.” She was so angry she was almost shouting. “Well, you know what? I don’t care anymore. I don’t care if I have to be alone for always. It stops here.”

  The man was staring openly now, and so was another couple passing by. Allegro was desperate to stop her, so when Kris started toward the man, she grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her up against the railing. They looked at each other. Kris’s face was flushed and her eyes were glinting fire.

  Allegro did the only thing she could think to do. She kissed her.

  Obviously startled, Kris resisted at first and tried to pull away, but Allegro persisted, trapping Kris against the rail with her body. When she pushed her tongue into the warmth of Kris’s mouth, Kris melted against her and returned the kiss in kind. For a long moment, Allegro allowed herself to enjoy the fierce and hungry joining, surrendering to the wave of arousal building within her. At the same time, she remained alert to the man, listening for every sound.

  When they finally parted, Kris gaped at her in confusion. She was breathing hard. “Why did you do that?”

  “You looked like you wanted me to.”

  “I did not,” Kris stuttered. “I was barely tolerating your presence, if you must know.”

  “Then why are you still holding on to me?”

  “You’re so full of yourself.”

  “So they tell me.” Allegro smiled.

  Kris pushed her away roughly and glanced around as though to regain her bearings. She peered over Allegro’s shoulder at the man still watching them. “Fuck him,” she said tiredly.

  “Look, Kris, let me drive you home, okay?”

  “No. I can’t
deal with being there tonight.” She ran a hand through her hair. “Too much thinking about the past. If you want to walk me, fine. Let’s go. I just want to sleep.”

  They walked in silence to Hofman’s office, fifteen minutes away. Despite having been spotted, the stalker was undeterred. No longer bothering to conceal himself, he trailed after them, keeping about ten yards behind. He was either an amateur PI or a hired goon too stupid or desperate to care that he’d been seen. If he fell into the last category, that made him unpredictable and very dangerous. It was time to find out who he was, and soon, she’d create that opportunity.

  It was nearly two a.m. when they reached the attorney’s building, but there was a light on in his upstairs apartment.

  “Oh good, he’s awake. Well, you’ve seen me here. You can go now,” Kris said as she mounted the steps to ring the bell.

  “I’ll just hang around to make sure you get in okay.”

  “I don’t know whether to be infuriated with you or pleased.”

  “Sleep on it. Pleased will win out, I’m sure.”

  Kris rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. Before she could reply, Hofman opened the door, dressed in his pajamas and robe. Surprise and concern crossed his face when he saw the two of them standing there. “Kris, are you all right?”

  “I’m fine, uncle. I saw your light on, and the truth is I really don’t feel like being back at the mansion tonight.”

  “I offered to drive her back,” Allegro added, “but she insisted on spending the night here.”

  Kris shot her a withering look before returning her attention to Hans. “Forgive me for disturbing you so late.”

  “Don’t mention it, child. I was awake anyway. Please come in.” He stepped to one side to admit them, and the two women stepped into the foyer. Allegro glanced back before Hans shut the door, and glimpsed the stalker, waiting outside beneath a tree.

  “My years are turning me into a night owl,” Hans continued, “When I can’t sleep, I always have a case I can work on.”

  “Well, I can definitely sleep.” Kris yawned and headed unsteadily toward the stairs leading up to Hans’s apartment. “Good night.”

  “You know where the guest room is,” Hofman said.

  “See you tomorrow,” Allegro called after her, but Kris didn’t respond.

  “You have to excuse her. She’s had a lot to deal with lately.” Hofman watched his niece disappear from view, then turned toward Allegro. “Nice of you to see her here safely.”

  “Nothing to excuse,” she said. “Mr. Hofman…”

  “Please, call me Hans.”

  She smiled. “Hans, would you mind if I used your toilet before I head back?” It was an excuse to stay a bit longer. She didn’t trust the stalker. He obviously intended to stick around, and she wondered how far the obtrusive idiot was willing to go.

  “Please. Go right ahead.” He gestured forward. “It’s at the end of the hall to the right.”

  When she emerged a few minutes later, Hans was nowhere in sight, but the light was on in his office. She stood in the doorway. “It must be a serious case if you’re still at it this time of the night.”

  “It gets harder to keep up at my age, but I so enjoy my profession.” He reached for a mug on his desk, but paused when it was halfway to his lips. “I just made some coffee. Would you like some?”

  “Sure, thanks.”

  He rose to pour her a cup from a pot he had brewing on a side table. “How are the renovations going?”

  “We’re making good progress, I think.” Allegro was happy for the small talk because it gave her the opportunity to stick around and make sure the stalker didn’t do anything stupid. She carried her cup to the window and discreetly kept an eye on him. He’d moved to a nearby bench.

  Hofman seemed pleased with the company and in no hurry to turn in, so they chatted on about the mansion and about how she and Kris had run into each other and made their way here. An hour later, she saw the stalker get up off the bench and start away, down the street.

  She yawned as though suddenly tired, and checked her watch. “Wow, is it really three a.m. already? I’d better get back. Lots to do tomorrow. Today, actually,” she corrected herself, getting to her feet. “Thanks for the coffee and conversation.”

  “My pleasure.” Hofman followed her to the door. “You are welcome to sleep over, Angie. I’m sure Kris wouldn’t mind sharing the guest room with you.”

  Yeah, right. I don’t think so. “No need. There’s no traffic at this time of the night, so it won’t take long to get back, and Jeroen will expect me first thing in the morning. Good night, Hans.”

  “Drive safe, Angie.”

  The man who’d been stalking Kris was halfway down the block, headed away, when Allegro hit the street. As she hurried after him, he pulled a cell phone from his pocket and made a call.

  She approached him but his voice was so low she couldn’t make out what he was saying. She waited for him to finish and put the phone away. “Excuse me, sir.”

  He turned around. His face registered surprised recognition. “Yes?”

  “I was wondering if you could tell me how to get to the Leidseplein.” She slurred her words; she didn’t appear outright drunk, but definitely tipsy. “You see, my vacation love affair decided that a kiss was all I get tonight and didn’t even bother to drop me off at my hotel.” She could see the contempt in his eyes.

  “I don’t know where this place is. Now leave me alone.” From his strong accent, it was clear he was German.

  Allegro took a half-step toward him, stumbled, and dropped her gloves. She reached for his arm to steady herself as she bent to retrieve them. “I’m not drunk,” she mumbled, as her hand closed over the first one. “Clumsy, not drunk.” She sniggered and reached for the second glove, losing her balance. “Damn.” The hand that had been on his arm slipped down his coat as she fought to regain her feet.

  “Mein Gott.” The German shook her off, his irritation evident.

  Allegro stuck her hands in her pockets, wavered slightly on her feet and gave him a grin. “Well, thanks anyway, mister.”

  “Good-bye.” he snapped and strode off.

  He was a few feet away when she spoke again, this time with a hint of threat in her tone. “Auf Wiedersehen. No doubt we’ll meet again.”

  The German cast a sharp backward glance at her before hurrying off. She waited until he disappeared around the corner then followed him at a distance. As she kept pace, she pulled out the cell phone she’d lifted from his coat pocket and checked it for clues. The man had received two calls that day. Caller ID showed both as coming from a “Manfred.” She didn’t risk a callback until she knew more about the man she was trailing. The owner identification details had not been added in the usual places but the cell’s address book gave her another way to learn his identity.

  “Guten Abend.” she replied when a woman answered sleepily. “My name is Helga, and I found this mobile phone here on the street in Munich. I assume that it belongs to either your son or daughter since I dialed ‘Parents.’”

  “Munich? What’s he doing there?” came the reply. Allegro could hear a male voice in the background, probably the woman’s husband asking who was on the phone. “My son would lose his head if it wasn’t attached to his body.”

  Allegro laughed. “My mother says the same of me,” she continued in fluent German. “Would you like me to drop it off at the nearest police station? The one on the Ettstrasse is the closest to where I am. He can pick it up there.” As she spoke, she watched the stalker climb into a car and speed away.

  “How sweet and honest of you. That would be wonderful.”

  “Who should I say it belongs to? They will probably ask for ID when he picks it up.”

  “Yes, of course,” the woman said. “My son’s name is Gunter Schmidt.”

  “And his address. If I don’t get time to go there, I can post it.”

  Allegro disconnected as soon as she’d keyed the details into her own cell p
hone. With a flick of her wrist, she tossed Schmidt’s cell into the nearest canal.

  Chapter Ten

  Allegro sat in her rental car, staring at the exterior of Hans Hofman’s building across the canal, debating whether to return to the mansion in Haarlem. All the lights were off, now. Hans had gone to bed. Protected from the wind, she wasn’t uncomfortably cold. It would be no real hardship to remain there overnight keeping vigil over Kris, but her priority was the diamond. She had a good window of opportunity at the moment. The mansion was empty, and she had a clue now about where to find the entrance to the vault. Jeroen usually didn’t arrive until eight a.m. to begin work, so she had a good three hours or so to find and retrieve the diamond. She would then be free to leave, her task complete. If she wasn’t successful, she’d try again tonight. Meantime, she needed to maintain her cover and make sure no one else discovered the stone before she could secure it.

  But try as she might, she couldn’t ignore the growing urgency she felt to protect Kris from harm. There was something very personal about this need to keep her safe. She simply couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to her. She was certain the German would probably return to continue his surveillance, but Kris knew he was watching her. She would most likely emerge in broad daylight, when lots of people were about, and if she noticed him, she would be on her guard. Her car was parked only a few yards from Hofman’s door. She should reach it without incident and be safe enough on her drive back to the estate.

  Allegro wished she knew why Gunter Schmidt was interested in Kris. She’d called the name into the EOO and was waiting for a response. It was late afternoon in Colorado, and they’d had enough time to process her high-priority request. She adjusted the scrambler on her phone and called again. Montgomery Pierce answered.