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Claire sat back. “I’m impressed. That’s kind of brilliantly devious. And I did see some woman walking around in a uniform. Let’s get our stuff and go find her. Is the dining car fore or aft?”
“Fore.”
They grabbed their bags, left their cell phones, some other valuables, exited the compartment and headed toward the back of the train. In each common area they searched for someone preferably female they could ask for help.
“May I help you ladies? This is a restricted area,” said a lovely woman in aTrenitaliauniform.
“Yes, ma’am,” said Claire. “Do you by any chance know what an angel shot is?”
The woman nodded as her gaze swept beyond Mia and Claire to the corridor beyond them. “Are you in danger?”
“Much as I hate to admit it, my friend and I had a bit too much to drink earlier in the day and on a lark decided to go with these two guys. They’re really nice, but we don’t know them. We don’t want a fuss…”
“Not to worry,” the security agent said knowingly. “Where were you headed?”
“The Italian border with Monaco.”
“Not a problem. I’ll get you off at the next stop and we’ll make sure they don’t get off the train to follow you. Can you get back to…?”
“Naples,” answered Mia. “We have a flat there. We were here for a little vacation.”
“We should be arriving in just a few minutes. I’m going to put you back in our little holding area and make sure no one bothers you. Just before we depart, I’ll make sure you get off and they don’t. Do you know their names?”
“Ryland Fletcher and Carter Hall. Big, muscular, very handsome, and American.”
“I think I saw them earlier. Can’t say I blame you for going with them.” The train pulled to a stop and the security agent helped them to exit to the other side of the train. “Walk to the end of this middle platform and cross back to the other side. There’s an exit and a cab stand. They can take you wherever you need to go.” She scribbled something on the back of her card. “If you need more help, call this number. Good luck.”
“We’ll be fine,” said Mia. “We were probably overreacting. The Americans are on vacation; we’ll just head back to our place in Naples.”
“Arrivederci,” she said, tipping her hat.
“Goodbye and thank you, again.”
They made their way down the platform and crossed over the train tracks as the train they’d been on pulled away.
As they reached the revolving doors, she heard Fletch’s voice loud and clear over the noises of the train station. “Claire!” It was a voice filled with equal parts anger and anguish.
She cringed. There was no way to explain to Fletch—or anyone—what this was costing her. Getting Fletch back after she’d gotten the Clarion was not a given. He had to feel like she had either betrayed him or lied to his face. In her own mind, she knew she hadn’t, but whether she could make him understand was another matter altogether.
Trying to think through the ramifications of all this might cost her was something she couldn’t take time to consider. She loved Fletch. She knew that. But she also knew for her to walk away she needed to get the Clarion. She knew that not getting it had haunted her grandfather until his final breath. She’d made him a promise, and she meant to keep it. If it cost her Fletch—and the thought of that made her physically ill—then so be it. Her grandfather had taken her in and given her everything.
Taking a deep breath and trying to find her equilibrium, she turned to watch the train disappear around the curve at the end of the main platform. Could he see what it had cost her to walk away? Had she lost him forever?
“I’m sorry,” said Mia. “I shouldn’t have told you.”
“No, you were right to tell me. I need to pull this one last heist. I need to see that the Clarion Necklace gets back to its rightful owner. Then I’ll be done. I’ll have fulfilled my promise to Poppi. Fletch will just have to understand.”
Outside the revolving door, Mia put her hand on Claire’s arm. “And if he doesn’t? If he can’t forgive you?”
She offered Mia a sad smile and wondered if she’d ever have a joyful one again. If Fletch couldn’t forgive her—if he couldn’t understand, then she would never experience joy again. She wasn’t being melodramatic; she just knew it was true. Her past—the master jewel thief—was exhilarating and empowering. It had also become something of a millstone. Loving Fletch—what she had thought would be her future—brought sunlight, bliss, pleasure, and love. It didn’t seem to be an equal trade and Claire wasn’t at all sure she’d made the right choice. Nevertheless, the choice had been made and she would need to find a way to live with whatever consequences came with it.
“We could take a faster train or fly and be there when they arrive…”
Claire shook her head. “No, my choice is made and if I have sacrificed my future to honor my past, I will just have to learn to live with it. Besides, if this is to be the final heist, I suppose it would only be fitting to go out with a big flourish.” Mia looked at her expectantly and nodded solemnly when Claire said, “We’re going to take the Clarion.”
CHAPTER5
CLAIRE
