Page 6 of Third Crime's A Charm
“You want me to steal something?” Matteo verified slowly.
“Yes.”
“That’s it?” Matteo pinched the bridge of his nose, groaning. “You could have just asked me, Truman. You didn’t have to set me up and tell your goons to destroy my face.”
Truman let out an amused snort. “Your face will be fine in a few days. Two weeks, tops. I had to be sure I had the right person and that you were good enough. And this is all about leverage. I’m taking a significant risk just discussing this with you. I have to know who I’m dealing with and that you can be trusted.”
“Trusted?” Matteo rolled off the bed,awayfrom Truman, and paced toward the window. “I don’t trust you and I never will, thanks to this,” he said, swinging around and gesturing at his face. “But even if I did, I work alone.”
“You’ll make an exception for this and if you do pull it off, you’ll want to have a good lawyer in your corner,” Truman said and noted the way Matteo’s soft brown eyes darkened and his attention focused.
“What’s the job?”
“I’ll tell you soon enough. First, I need your assurance that you’re on board and we have a good cover in place.”
“Why do we need a cover andare you joking?I can’t change my name and pretend I’m anyone but Matteo von Hessen. Too many people know me here.”
“That’s why you’re the perfect man for me to make a fool of myself over,” Truman said with a playful wink. “No one would believe it if I walked into a party with something cheap or a nobody on my arm but you’re always going to be the man of the night. You’re pretty and posh and nobody cares that you’re a little bit of a slut because you have a title and you’re well connected.”
“Are they calling me a slut?” Matteo asked, pouting. “I like to fool around…but I rarely go all the way with someone I’ve just met. I’m not nearly as bad as Theo.”
“I feel special,” Truman said as he pressed a hand against his chest and Matteo’s face fell.
“I thought you were. Your big plan is already off to a rocky start if you wanted last night to look like the beginning of a whirlwind romance.”
Truman drew back, wary as he reassessed. They had both played their parts well. “How so? Plenty of people saw us together and we both appeared thoroughly enchanted. You stayed the night and you’re still here,” he said as he stroked his cheek, trying to imagine what he might have missed.
“Exactly!” Matteo clapped his hands together, laughing. “What do you think my cousin and my brothers are going to do when they hear that I have emerged fromyour townhousewith a busted-up face? They will find out and they will want answers,” he promised and shook his head. “Your sources are good but you’ll never hide this from Leopold and you’ll never outrun Elio.”
“Elio? He’s the youngest, the one at Cambridge?” Truman verified and snorted. “Why would I be afraid of an astrophysicist?”
A loud laugh burst from Matteo and he tossed a hand at Truman. “You’re right. What’s so scary about a lunatic with a staggering IQ who likes to blow things up and frequently gets arrested for breaking and entering?”
“Point taken… We should probably find someplace for you to lay low where we can plan the actual heist. I have the target and will get you all the background information you need, but you’ll have to decide the finer details.”
“Ah. I have to lay low as well?” Matteo shook his head. “It’s already been…three days since I’ve talked to one of my brothers. I usually leave my phone behind when I’m working, until I’ve handed off the haul. I don’t want a trail of digital breadcrumbs my brothers or the police can follow,” he explained and held up his hands. “Why should I lay low and why would I give my family that much cause to worry?”
Truman made a knowing sound. “You’re not sure it’s worth your time or the trouble?”
“Convince me I’m wrong. You laid an elaborate trap and you’ve studied both of your targets well. What’s the job?” Matteo asked more firmly. “Why are you so sure I’ll do it and why would I want a lawyer in my corner if I pull it off?”
“Neville, Carmine, turn off your earpieces and go for a short walk,” Truman ordered as he strolled around and joined Matteo by the window. He watched until he saw them come out and post on the sidewalk. He cleared his throat and stepped closer, resting a hand on Matteo’s shoulder. “Because I know who has Sisi’s star and I want you to steal it before he can use it as a ‘get out of jail free’ card.”
“Of course, you do!” Matteo scoffed, then frowned when Truman remained serious. “That’s…impossible. It’s been missing for more than twenty-five years. They say Gerald Blanchard took it and has it hidden somewhere, but it would have come out by now if he had it. He would have used it but he’s been to jail twice since it disappeared.”
“Unless Blanchard sold it,” Truman countered. “I wasn’t privy to the matter but one of my clientsmighthave bought it from Blanchard. Hemightbe planning to turn himself in on tax and laundering chargesifthey’ll shave off enough time in exchange for the star.”
Matteo whistled and nodded. “Oh, they will. Your government has a long history of making deals with criminals in exchange for priceless art and jewels. Is he mafia, this client of yours?”
“I’m really not at liberty to say,” Truman said, shaking his head but Matteo nodded.
“You are if you want me for this job. I don’t steal from the mafia because I’m smart enough to know thattheywill dosomething about it if they catch me, and they will catch me. Just about anything stolen ends up in their hands.”
He had a very good point but Truman wouldn’t let any harm come to Matteo. Any more harm. “You stole from me and I’m considered to be rather dangerous,” he observed, causing Matteo to splutter impatiently.
“That wasn’t personal! I thought you’d understand that it was business and be more civilized but you’re making a big deal out of it.”
Truman blinked at him, legitimately perplexed. “You tried to steal from me… Anyone would make a big deal out of it.”
