“The ladder you’llneverneed unless you’re chopped off at the knees?”
Konrad chuckled. “Hey, it goes with the old-world look of the place.”
A waitress strolled over to take their lunch orders. They both ordered rare steaks, bloody, with cold centers and no side dishes. She wrinkled her nose, but jotted it down and left them to continue their conversation.
“How tall is she?”
“About five six or seven.”
“You’re about a head taller. She’d need the ladder just to look you in the eye.” Nick grinned, wickedly. “Or you could find more interesting uses for it. It’s probably been gathering dust, just like you have.”
“Is that a crack about my social life?”
“No, it’s a comment on your lack of one. But you should wait to ask her out until one of you finds another line of work.”
“Yeah, yeah. So what job do you have for me this time? A boutique? A jewelry store? What?”
“Nope, this heist is unusual. It’s a restaurant downtown. They have a free-standing freezer plus one of those dessert display cases.”
“Crap, those weigh a ton.”
“I’m sure you can lift them. No mere mortal could, that’s for sure.”
Konrad sighed. “Fine. You’re sure they have no cameras? No alarms? Remember last time? That was close. If I hadn’t shifted and growled, scaring the damn dogs out of their minds…”
“No dogs, either. No security whatsoever. Not even a dead bolt. I’ll bet you could get in with a credit card.”
“Well, since I don’t have any, I’ll have to borrow one of yours.”
“Yeah, right. Like I’m going to hand over my credit card to my deadbeat brother.”
Thanks a lot, rude-o. “Be nice. And exactly what am I supposed to do with these things once I get them outside?”
“Leave ’em on the sidewalk. Make it look like you were scared off. Oh, but bring me home some steaks and a Boston cream pie. You know how much I love those.”
Konrad shook his head. “Man, I’m glad I don’t have to carry the equipment far.”
“Yeah, we just want the owners inconvenienced enough to want an alarm system, and then I’ll conveniently drop in.”
“Sounds good. When do I do it?”
“Tonight.”
“Tonight? Are you sure? It’s almost that time of the month. What if I get caught and locked up?”
“You won’t.”
Easy for you to say.
Nick tucked his napkin into his collar to protect his uniform. “You’re always careful.”
“Yeah. I wouldn’t want to miss a run through the Arboretum. We’re on for tomorrow at midnight, as usual?”
“Absolutely. Are you planning to go to Newton after that?”
“You know I have to keep an eye on the pack.”
“No, you really don’t. They kicked you out and replaced you with another alpha. How can you possibly feel any responsibility toward them?”
