Page 94 of Smoke Screen
The guy stopped, folded his arms, and leaned against the car. Just a group of friends shooting the shit.
Phin positioned himself between Neck Tattoo and Maddy and left his back to the street. Totally fucking vulnerable.
Not good. This entire meet was turning into a class A screwup and Phin’s skin itched.
He shifted, giving himself at least a partial view of the street and anyone who might be sneaking up on him.
“Let’s make this fast,” he told Neck Tattoo. “What have you got?”
“He must have a lot,” Maddy said. “Considering he was one of them that stole the collections.”
Jesus. Now he had to deal with her mouthing off. He shot her a look, but all it got him was an icy stare. Maddy choosing today to become defiant.
Excellent.
“Bothcollections,” Neck Tattoo said, Phin now noticing his accent.
Cajun maybe. Definitely not North Carolina.
“I know where they are,” NT said, “but I can’t get to them alone.”
“Why?” Phin asked.
“They’re stored in my boss’s warehouse. Security is a problem.”
“How do you know they’re there?”
He shrugged. “I put 'em there.”
“You got in once. Why can’t you get in again?”
“They were expecting us that night. Security is tight. Two armed guards plus cameras. The guard opened the gates for us and then unlocked the bay doors so we could drive in.”
“Who’s us?”
Neck Tattoo shrugged. “Nice try.”
“Let me get this straight. You want the reward, but can’t produce the jewels. Why do you deserve a reward?”
“Because a former president wants his stuff back. Dude, I can walk away. No problem there.”
“Then why are you here?”
The idiot smiled. “This score sets me up for life.”
Beside him, Maddy flinched, and Phin shot her a look. She kept her gaze on Neck Tattoo and her fingers drumming at her sides. Probably to keep them busy so she didn’t sock the guy.
“Where is this warehouse?”
Neck Tattoo slipped his phone out of his pocket, tapped the screen a few times and held it up. On screen was a photo of what looked like a commercial warehouse surrounded by an iron fence.
Wouldn’t be the first time they’d cut through iron. But if security was that good, they’d have to find the cameras’ blind spots. Good luck doing all that in such a short time.
“Okay,” Phin said. “What about inside?”
“Climate controlled. The jewels are inside a safe.”
This just kept getting better and better. “You got the combination?”
