Page 33 of Undercover Star
"Ask."
"Why are we sitting here as if we have nothing better to do? You're a police officer. Can't you knock on each door and ask?"
"Ask what? Are you an art thief who wields a knife?"
"Yeah. Why not? It's direct, and he either laughs his head off or runs, and then we'll know."
"There is something very wrong with you, Rock Star."
Josh made it an endearment, not an insult, and his smile went wide when Matisse answered it with one of his own. "You know? People have been saying that for years."
He went back to his music, and Josh slid deeper into his seat and folded his arms behind his head, convinced that he could have done an awful lot worse than to accept Matisse's offer.
When nine o'clock rolled around, he reached for his phone. There was one call he should have made even before they left London. Now they were actually here, and it looked as if they were settled in for a while, he couldn't put it off any longer.
"Good morning, sir," he greeted when his call was answered. "Josh Ingram here."
"Josh, m'boy!" The voice at the other end boomed joyfully. Josh couldn't help but smile. Frazer McKinnoch had that effect on people. He'd taught both Paul and Josh when they'd trained for the art and antiques squad, and he'd been a mentor and friend to them ever since. "I've not heard from you in ages. What are you up to these days?"
"Invading your turf, sir," Josh told him soberly. "I'm in Helensburgh."
"Working?"
"Paul's case." He didn't have to say anything else. McKinnoch knew about the trap Josh had set for the collector. He'd even helped put the word about during the last year.
"What have you got?"
"They went after the second locket. I followed the thief on the traffic cams all the way to Helensburgh. Car was stolen."
"Did you report it?"
"Yes, sir. It's in the system. He left it in the car park by the harbour, then walked to a cul-de-sac. I don't think anything will come of me sitting here, but I have a weekend spare and... I thought I should let you know."
"Good man. We keep our ears to the ground here, too. I'll let the local force know. You call me the moment something happens."
Chapter Ten
