Page 41 of Hawkeye

“We can do that,” Stryker confirmed.

After she agreed to send over photos of her husband’s collection and arranged for us to come over to set up the trap, Stryker ended the call.

Cipher turned our attention back to the screen. “Found something else. Tippon previously worked at a neighboring property. They’re going to be familiar with the property.”

“Then let’s hope it makes them sloppy,” Calder muttered.

Mrs. Webber’s email came through, and I opened the attachments on the second screen. The Colt was stored in a black powder presentation case with cutouts to securely hold the revolver. She added a note that he kept it closed on the shelf, which would be helpful because I could source a replacement box but not the gun itself. It was flanked by two framed photographs and a folded flag. There were other items, but they would grab the revolver first, since it was the most valuable.

“If we work fast enough, I can replace the items on that shelf with duplicates that should hold up long enough for you to catch them in the act.”

All three men nodded, completely on board with my plan without me needing to defend why it would work.

Calder handed me a notebook and pen. “Write down what you need to make it convincing.”

“Use whatever Black Castle resources you need to make it believable,” Stryker offered.

I jotted down a lengthy list including everything from a wood box approximately the same size as the display case to prints of the photographs with frames I’d tarnish myself. “This should do it. Now at least Mrs. Webber won’t need to worry about her husband’s collection being at risk.”

By the next afternoon, the shelf matched the doorway photograph. The replacement box sat closed between the tarnished frames and the folded flag. The real Colt was already in a locked case on its way to Black Castle.

Mrs. Webber stopped in the study doorway. “It looks exactly how Michael left it.”

“Only if you don’t look too close.” I turned toward her with a soft smile. “But they don’t know your husband’s collection the same way you do.”

“That Colt belonged to my many, many greats grandfather-in-law.” Her lips trembled as she blinked tears back. “My husband told me the story behind it on our first date. We thought about selling it once when Susan was little and needed surgery, but we found another way to come up with the money because that revolver meant so much to Michael.”

I crossed the room to squeeze her hand. “I’m sorry you got caught up in all of this. I’m sure it feels like a violation even when nothing has been taken yet.”

“Maybe it would have if we didn’t have all of you working so hard to make sure they don’t lay a finger on anything important.” She looked past me at the men still moving through the yard. “My husband would have felt at home with them. I’m just glad Jason had so much to do for the memorial today. Otherwise, he would have planted himself in that chair and refused to leave.”

I offered her a soft smile. “Then it’s good he had his hands full.”

She touched my arm and went upstairs to change.

Calder came in from the side door and looked at the shelf. “You did that in a day.”

“With lots of help from your team.”

“We just gave you the materials. You’re the one who created a decoy that’s going to fool the burglary crew.” He checked the window latch, then turned back to me. “If everything is how you want it, you should head to the clubhouse. Jacqueline and Bex are already there. Tamsin won’t be too far behind.”

“Yeah, I was planning to leave soon.” I went up on my toes to give him a quick kiss. “But I didn’t want to go without saying bye first.”

His keen gaze searched my face. “Everything’s going to be okay, baby doll. Black Castle covers the whole property. We’ve got this, and Mr. Webber’s collection is safe in the vault at our headquarters.”

“I know. You’re on overwatch?” My brows drew together at the unfamiliar term. “I heard someone call it that.”

“Yes, I’m going to take the hidden vantage point so I can see the road before they reach the drive without them knowing I’m there.” He tipped his chin toward the shelf. “Then we wait because acting too early warns the target. When they’re inside and committed, that’s when we strike. A longer fight is what happens when you rush.”

I looked at the closed box. “Sounds similar to a delicate restoration. Force the repair, and you might lose what you were trying to save.”

“Knew you’d understand.”

He captured my mouth in a deep kiss, and then I left with a prospect to wait at the clubhouse while Calder and his brothers took care of Tippon’s crew.

18

HAWKEYE