Page 138 of Gave Proof Through the Night

“What else would you do with your millions?”

“What millions? I’ve got twenty bucks in my checking account.”

“You’re telling me the art and the diamonds weren’t part of the Armitage Seven job?”

She squints at me. “The Armitage Seven?”

“It has a ring to it. There were seven of you, right?”

“I’m partial to the Precio Two.”

Something in my chest does a slow, stupid flip.

“You’re changing the subject.”

“Am I?”

“I read every article. Watched every news segment about the World War Two loot. Turning that in was the right thing to do.”

She shrugs, easy, like it’s nothing. “Wasn’t my call. My girls are morally pink.”

“Don’t tell me you didn’t keep some for yourself. A few diamonds. No one would be the wiser.”

“I didn’t want any of it. Plus, it’s hard to fence stuff like that.” She continues inside my house, looking around. “They did get a no-questions-asked finder’s fee, though.”

“A finder’s fee.”

“Yep. I raised my chickens right.”

“How much?” I’m too curious for my own good. Also, I’ve seen National Treasure. I was always a little peeved at the Nicolas Cage character when he didn’t even consult his partner before turning down a bigger sum.

“My lips are sealed.”

“Yeah?” I catch her by the waist. “Bring those lips over here, then.”

I kiss her until she’s laughing into it, until she finally tips her head back.

“Fine. Ten percent.”

I do the math out loud. “Ten percent of two hundred five million. Divided by six is…” I pause. “3.4 million each.”

“Give or take.” She lifts one shoulder.

“And you took none of it?”

“My girls tried to include me in the split but I threatened to skip Friendsgiving if they didn’t shut up about it. All I ever really wanted was my proof.” Something crosses her face. “Except now.”

“Except now what?” I feel my stomach drop an inch. “Another con?”

“Just one more.”

“Erica!”

“There’s this one heist I can’t stop thinking about.”

“You cannot be serious.”

“Oh, I’m serious. I’m calling it the Zesty Job.”