It Takes a Thief--A Heist Romance

by Sloane Steele

  “You must be Ms. Green?”

  Mia despised the silly name Jared used, but at least no one suspected her real name. She extended a hand. “Yes, may I come in?”

  London took her hand and then stepped back. Mia took in the space. The walls must’ve been well insulated because the noise that was clear in the hallway was only a dull roar in here. Canvases were stacked in one corner and shelves held a variety of paints.

  “You were pretty cryptic on the phone when we spoke. What exactly would you like to commission?”

  “A replica of a Gavin Mathis painting.”

  London snorted.

  “Is that a problem?”

  “I’m not sure I would even call it art.”

  “I take it you’re not a fan?”

  “Hardly. He’s one of many privileged white men whose art is deemed extraordinary even though it exhibits little thought or imagination.” As she spoke she waved a paintbrush in the air to punctuate her points.

  Mia didn’t have the patience for another pompous artist. They all thought they were better than everything and everyone. “We might not be a good fit.”

  “Wait.” London threw her hands up. “I can do the replica. I don’t have to like the artist to copy his work. Which painting?”

  “Space Endeavor.”

  London scrolled on her phone and made another face. Then she turned the screen to Mia. “This one?”

  Mia nodded.

  “How soon would you need it?”

  Mia smiled. “How quickly could you have it done?”

  “That would depend on how exact it needs to be. If you’re looking for something to hang in your living room for people to look at, I could have it done in a couple of days.” She stepped closer. “But if you want something a little closer to the original, say, good enough that it would be hard to tell the difference, I’ll need at least a week. Assuming the price is right.”

  From all accounts that she’d heard, Mia thought London was going to be mousy, but she didn’t appear to be a pushover. And she was smart. “You have your week. Make it perfect and there will be a bonus in it for you.”

  London’s eyes lit up. “Let’s talk numbers.”

  Mia handed her a slip of paper and the burner phone Jared had given her. “I’ll be in touch on that phone only.”

  “Okay,” London said, drawing out the word laden with suspicion. She eyed the paper with the dollar amount. “Canvas stretched on wood to match. If you want a decorative frame, you supply it.”

  “No extra frame needed.” She had no idea how to match what the Scotts had. Nikki would just have to swap them out. “I’ve also heard you’re a bit of an expert in documents.”

  London’s gaze darted around the room, almost as if she thought someone might be watching. “Where did you hear that?”

  “Not important. What is important is whether you can create papers to show provenance.”

  London stepped closer. “You want me to forge documents?”

  Her voice was low but not full of surprise, so Mia knew she was in the right place. “Call it what you will.”

  “I call it making sure a painting that I’ve created has proper ownership papers.”

  “Yes, that.”

  “When you arranged this meeting there was no mention of papers.”

  “I wasn’t sure if I’d want them. I wanted to meet you first and decide.” She glanced around the room again. “I decided I like you.”

  “Okay,” London repeated.

  Mia set five hundred dollars on the table. “That should be enough to get you started. Send me an account number for a wire transfer for the rest of the deposit. The remainder will be paid on delivery.”

  “Okay.”

  Mia was beginning to wonder if the artist knew any other way to communicate agreement. No questions. No discussions. She only hoped they had a clear understanding.

  “I’ll be in touch,” she said. “I’ll let myself out.”

  Once back on the street, she called Jared.

  “Hello?”

  “I have our artist. Your information panned out. How is everything there?”

  “Good, I think. It seems as though Nikki and Data are becoming friends. They got drunk together last night.”

  “I told you letting them know each other would be a problem. What if they complete the work and don’t give us what we want?” Damn. She hated being on a phone and having to be careful of her word choice.

  “I think you’re looking at this all wrong. If they bond, we can have a team. We won’t have to assemble new players next time. They’ll be comfortable and things will move faster.”

  Mia wasn’t so sure. Team members were like family. There was nothing to stop them from turning on each other. Friendship removed the practicality and business from the relationship.

  To Mia, that spelled trouble.

  Chapter Eight

  “What exactly is your plan for overriding the security system?” Jared asked.

  Data sighed, clearly irritated that he’d interrupted her again. “It’s a multi-step process. First, I need to access the system remotely and infect it with malware. Then I keep going until it’s overloaded and forces a reboot. When it reboots, Nikki goes in.”

  The plan didn’t sound any different than it had when she’d mentioned it before. “How does she get out?”

  “I trip the alarm.”

  “What?” he and Nikki both asked simultaneously.

  Data smirked. “Trust me. I’ll already have sent the Scotts information letting them know that we’re upgrading the network system and if some features don’t work correctly, their system will reboot. Ask for their patience as we work hard to improve the safety and security of their home.”

  “What if they call the security company?”

  “Or the cops?” Nikki added.

  “I plan to trip it earlier in the day when the good Scotts are home. They’ll look around and see nothing wrong. I’ll call from the security company, ask for their password, and they’ll give it to me. They’ll think nothing of it happening again later that night. And I’ll have the bonus of knowing the password if I need it to get Nikki out. All will be back to normal by the following day.”

  “You really think Scott is dumb enough to fall for a fake email?”

  “Most people do. Especially when I don’t ask them to click on anything. It won’t raise red flags as a phishing scam. It’ll work.”

  “How will you gain access?” Jared thought it all seemed too simple. They’d hired an expert hacker, provided top-of-the-line equipment, and it sounded like she planned to do what a random teenager could do from his bedroom.

  “I’m going to tap into the other devices in the house. That way the security system isn’t breached until I want it to be.”

  “If you have access, why not just disable the alarm?”

  “I don’t have enough time to wade through the code I found to try to find the root access. If I could go back to the house as an alarm tech, I could have everything I need in under five minutes.”

  “Too risky.”

  “But better for me,” Nikki called from the couch.

  Jared spun to look at her. “How do you normally get in and out of a place? You work alone.”

  “I hire someone to give me a code. I normally spend months casing a job and figuring out the best way in and out. A few weeks is a rush job.”

  He knew they should’ve started sooner. Lesson learned. Given the timeline and the number of people they planned to hit, they would have to start the next job immediately. Maybe even before this one happened. Could they take the chance that everything would be successful and their team would be intact?

  “How much time would you need, knowing that you’re not planning alone?”

  “What difference does it make? You said
we have to go with this in two weeks.”

  “I’m thinking of future endeavors.” He knew he’d said too much, but Mia tended to be shortsighted when it came to how things worked on a team. Of course, she’d never wanted a team.

  “You have more jobs planned?” Data asked.

  “Possibly.”

  “That means he and the ice queen already have a schedule plotted out,” Nikki said.

  “Answer the question,” he prompted.

  “If it’s another one like this, I could do it inside a month, assuming I have Data over there getting through the electronics. I personally like to scope out the place though. I don’t like going in blind.”

  He pointed to the prints and photos on the table. “You’re not blind.”

  She waved a hand dismissively. “That’s better than nothing, but trust me, I’m blind. I can’t plan for what I might encounter.”

  “Then why do it?” Data asked.

  “It’ll be fun.” Nikki smiled and then turned back to the TV show she was watching.

  “She’s crazy,” Data mumbled and concentrated on the keyboard and screen in front of her.

  “She likes the thrill. It’s why she does what she does.”

  Data lifted her face. “Have you known her long?”

  “Just by reputation.”

  “Then how do you know why she does it?”

  “I’m good at reading people.”

  “Hmph.”

  “I’ll admit, you’re a tougher read. You keep your guard up more than Nikki. I think she doesn’t give a fuck. But you, why do you do it?”

  “It’s a job.”

  “Have you ever thought about going legit?”

  “I’ve done hacktivism and some white hat stuff. But black pays better.” She swept her arm out to the area surrounding them.

  He didn’t consider anything here excessive. If she did, it gave him a little more insight into who she was. Her going rate had always been competitive. Maybe she didn’t get enough work. It would explain her need to work at the coffee shop.

  “I guess I can’t argue that.”

  “Why do you do it?” she shot back.

  “Karma.”

  She spun her chair to fully face him. “You think you can make up for screwing up in a past life by stealing in this one? I don’t think you understand how this works.”

  “It’s complicated. But I’m righting some wrongs in this life.”

  “Forward-thinking man.” She tapped her forehead. “I get it. Securing your place in luxury in the next life.”

  “Not really. But that’s a story for another day.” And he wasn’t likely to share it. Mia would kill him. “Back to your plan. How do you propose to access their devices?”

  “I’ll have to get close enough to tap their wireless network. Then I can see what my options are.”

  “Why didn’t you do that while you were there? It’s too risky to go back.”

  “I didn’t know I needed to get it while I was there. And the friendly household maid was watching me.”

  “Field trip!” Nikki yelled from the couch.

  The woman was a little scary. She didn’t look like she was paying any attention to them, but then she chimed in as if part of the conversation the whole time.

  “No more field trips.”

  “I can’t hack from here. I need to be closer,” Data said.

  “How close?”

  “Neighbor’s house? On the street? Not totally sure till I get there.” She pushed away from the desk. “I also think I should go with Nikki the night of the heist. If there are any problems, being closer would be better.”

  “And?”

  She lifted a shoulder. “I’m thinking since you need a car anyway, you could make it a van. Like the FBI uses in movies. We can outfit it with my equipment and I can make sure Nikki gets in and out safely. Then it becomes our getaway vehicle.”

  A bright glint sparkled in her eyes as she spoke. He loved watching her enjoy herself.

  “You’re having fun with this, aren’t you?”

  “I don’t get out much. Not like this. My work is usually done from my room. I don’t have to go anywhere or see anyone.”

  “This isn’t a movie. This is very much reality,” he reminded her.

  “Doesn’t mean I can’t have fun.”

  That statement alone was a swift reminder of how Nikki and Data spending too much time together could be a bad thing.

  “Yeah, you like to have fun, don’t you, Jay?” Nikki asked, her voice filled with innuendo.

  “My idea of fun has never revolved around hiding in a van or avoiding the authorities.”

  “Then you haven’t really lived, man.”

  “Don’t feel too bad. I haven’t either,” Data said.

  “Having both of you on site for the heist increases the risk for the entire operation to be blown. I don’t know that I’m comfortable with that.”

  “Good thing your comfort isn’t the top priority. Getting the painting and keeping Nikki safe is.” Data grabbed her bag. “Field trip tomorrow?”

  “You got it,” Nikki answered.

  “You’re leaving?” he asked.

  Data looked at him. “I’ve given you my entire day and then some. There’s nothing else for me to do tonight. I’ll be back in the morning with the equipment I need.”

  He’d thought they’d spend more time together. He didn’t want her to go. “Can I give you a ride?”

  She bit her lip, then said, “Probably not a good idea. Boundaries, you know?”

  Jared wanted to follow her out, see where she lived, know more about her, but he let her go. She was right. They had boundaries for a reason.

  Or so he reminded himself.

  * * *

  The following morning, Audrey was still questioning what was wrong with her. She’d almost accepted Jay’s offer to drive her home. She could argue that it would’ve saved her bus fare, but she’d just be lying to herself. She wanted to spend more time with him. But letting him see her real life would end whatever thing they had buzzing between them. He’d take one look at her roach-infested apartment building and be reminded how out of her league he was.

  Better for him not to have that shoved in his face. She was enjoying their flirtation and wasn’t ready to let it go.

  She’d tried waking her roommate before she left, but the girl wouldn’t move. She needed to make sure Misty wouldn’t flip when Audrey was a little late with rent. She’d never been late before, and at this point, she was barely there, so it felt more like she was using her room as storage for her clothes. She left a note and hoped it would be okay. If Misty booted her out, she had nowhere to go.

  The morning rush-hour crowd filled the bus, pushing and shoving, knocking into her backpack. When a seat finally opened, she slid into it and held her bag on her lap. She didn’t own much, but her equipment was high end. She was always torn over the risk: leave it in her room where it might not be safe because of Misty’s guests or carry it with her where it might not be safe on the street, but it was easier than sending Jay on another shopping trip. And if she had it with her, she wouldn’t have to worry about Misty selling it to cover her rent.

  As much as she wanted to spend more time with Jay, enjoying the buzz, she hoped he wouldn’t be at the apartment when she got there. She needed to keep her head clear and he made that hard. By the time she arrived, the sun beat down and no breeze blew to cool her off on her trek from the bus stop. Nikki buzzed her in and she wondered why they didn’t give her a key.

  Nikki was decked out in her running gear.

  “I thought we were heading out right away.”

  “We are. I figured I could go for a run around the Scotts’ neighborhood. Less suspicious than standing outside the house.”

  “I kind of need to be stand
ing outside the house. That’s how I’ll gain access.”

  “I’ll go for a run and then conveniently bump into you on the street. You know, Suburban Susie and her friend Barbie don’t get together nearly enough.” Nikki’s voice rose to a godawful pitch. “No one would think anything of two neighbors chatting on the street. The only thing that would make it better would be if you were walking your dog.”

  “I don’t have a dog.”

  “I bet Barbie would. One of those little yappie ones.”

  Audrey laughed. “While you have a point about standing on the street, I don’t think I can do anything to look like I belong in that neighborhood. I mean, I did just fine dressed as the cable company employee, but as a resident? I doubt anyone would buy it. With my luck, the cops would roll up on me inside five minutes.”

  “Walk like you belong there and no one will question it. Own it, Barbie.”

  “Why do I have to be Barbie? You’re the one with the model’s body and gorgeous face.”

  Nikki shook her head. “You’re cute.”

  “I wasn’t trying to be cute.”

  “No. You’re cute, cute. Like girl next door. Maybe you’re visiting your grandma.” As soon as she spoke the words, Nikki clamped her mouth.

  How much did I say when I was drunk the other night?

  “That I can do.” She glanced down at her usual jeans and T-shirt. “Do I look okay?”

  “Hmm. Give me a minute.” Nikki ducked into her bedroom and came back with a skimpy tank top.

  “I am not wearing that.”

  “Use your boobs as a distraction. It always works. Put it on.”

  She sighed and peeled off her shirt. Just as she had the tank halfway on, the front door swung open and Jay walked in, catching a full view of her. At least she was wearing her good bra today.

  He cleared his throat and turned his back. “Sorry. I didn’t realize the communal space was considered a dressing room.”

  Nikki let out an exaggerated gasp. “Oh, my stars. You saw her in her unmentionables. That’s it. You must ask for her hand in marriage now.”

  “What?” He turned quickly.

  Audrey had the tank in place, which definitely showed off her boobs.