Page 37 of Heist

Chapter Ten

Patrick stood in the museum curator’s office listening to plans for the next several days.

“The diamonds are currently on their way to our intake facility where Mr. Sterling and Mr. Reyes will be on hand as part of the authenticity verification process along with one of our appraisers. On Tuesday afternoon, you’ll be on here with your sister to see the diamonds into the museum and do a quick press conference. You’ll give a short statement, but it’s up to you if you want to take questions. At the unveiling on Wednesday, we’ll ask that you take at least three press questions. We can vet the questions before they’re asked if you like. I know this is a sensitive time for your family.”

Patrick gave the stuffy man a polite smile. “Thank you for walking me through the details. Have you considered my request to borrow the pumpkin diamond?”

The man winced. “I’m terribly sorry, but we just can’t do it at this time. Once the diamonds are in our possession, it would be unwise to let any of them into your family’s hands again. No offense to you of course. It just wouldn’t look good.”

Patrick wanted to argue but knew it would do no good. “Perhaps after some time has passed, you’ll reconsider,” he said with a stiff smile. “May I see where the diamonds will be displayed? I just want a feel for my surroundings on the big day.”

The curator smiled. “Of course. The display cases were just installed this morning.”

Patrick dutifully followed him to a spot in the center of the museum. It had already been roped off and Patrick half listened as the man rattled off the security measures that would be in place to keep the diamonds safe.

In Patrick’s opinion, a museum like this was the best place for the diamonds. Better than being hoarded away in one of his father’s safes. There was a lot of history behind the collection, some of it grim, but important. The stories of the gems deserved to be told.

When the curator finished his spiel, Patrick asked a few more questions about how the unveiling would work. There were tickets being sold and a small luncheon for high profile patrons of the museum would be held after the unveiling.

Patrick thanked the man for his help and exited the museum out the back because press had caught wind of his presence there and were camped out in front. His driver was waiting near the loading cock so he was able to hop in before the paparazzi hiding behind the trashcan could catch a good picture of him.

• • •

“You didn’t have to come pick me up, you know,” Holly said as she climbed into the back of the town car with Patrick.

“I know, but I thought we could chat on the way to your hotel.”

It was Tuesday morning, and Austin was busy with work. He’d met with Grant the previous evening before going back to Austin’s apartment. He wanted to play, but she needed to work from home, so he’d done work of his own until they both passed out. Tonight, he had every intention of taking her to bed for a long time.

“Earth to Patrick,” Holly said.

“Sorry. Got lost in my thoughts. Where was I.” He launched into a recitation of the details about the diamond delivery and unveiling.

“Sounds easy enough,” Holly said.

“It does. I’m not sure why we need to be here though.”

“It’s important that we don’t hide just because our father is going to jail. If we hide, it looks like we’re ashamed. We need to project a picture that says we’re OK with him paying the price for his crimes, but we’re still a family going through a hard time.”

Patrick snorted and Holly chuckled, patting his arm. “I know, you probably haven’t lost a night’s sleep over him getting locked up, but I have.”

Patrick winced. It was true that there was no love lost between him and his father, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have mixed emotions about seeing him go to jail.

“Can we not talk about this right now?” Holly asked. “I want to hear all about you and Austin.”

Patrick smirked. “You saw pretty much everything on Saturday. What more could you possibly want to know?”

Holly wrinkled her nose. “Just when I was getting that picture out of my head. Do you like her? Are you dating or is this just a contract with a Solitaire house sub?”

“You’re starting to sound nosy like Dakota. Yes, I like her. I don’t know if we’re dating exactly but it feels like it’s more than a contract, but I don’t know that either. I guess we’ll find out in eight weeks when her training period is over.”

Holly squealed. “I’m glad you like her. She would make a great sister-in-law.”

Patrick rolled his eyes. “Don’t get ahead of yourself there, sis. If she’s able to break free from work, she’ll join us for a drink and maybe dinner with Grant. I’m staying with her while I’m here if that answers any of your questions.”

Holly clapped her hands as they pulled up to her hotel and Patrick shooed her out of the car. “I have some work to take care of. I’ll pick you up in time for the museum thing.”

Holly gave him a salute, and Patrick signaled the driver to pull away as she disappeared into the lobby.

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