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“Fletch. Such a yummy piece of man meat, isn’t he? But there’s no way he’d stand for you stealing or even working for me. He had to go. He is kind of a pain in the ass.”
“Really? He was always so gentle and loving when we did anal. I had kind of gotten into it.”
Fletch chuckled in her ear. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
“Why does it not surprise me that a gutter rat like you would enjoy something so vile?”
“He always said you were kind of a cold fish in bed. I guess that’s why it surprised him when he found you in bed with your assistant. That was kind of sloppy planning.”
Evangeline looked bored and lit a cigarette. Claire stepped forward, snatching it out of her mouth, breaking it in half and crushing the burning end on the stable floor.
“Not in the barn, Evangeline.”
“Well, listen to who’s become little Miss Goody Two Shoes.”
“Not hardly. I’d just hate to see this beautiful barn go up in flames or the few remaining horses you have get hurt. So, what’s in it for me? I’m assuming you know my grandfather had some pretty damning evidence against your father and grandfather.”
“Mutually destructive evidence,” said Evangeline. “Neither of us comes out with our family honor intact. We’re better off as a team. We always were. Gemma was of my class, but she really isn’t all that good at getting things done. I actually kind of admire what you’ve done.”
“Well, I can’t say the same for you, but my granda’s reputation means a lot to me. I don’t want to see his name dragged through the mud. I’ll tell you what—you give me the inside information on where a list of pieces I want are located, and I’ll steal whatever you want as long as it isn’t some kind of blood antiquity.”
“What kind of cut do you want?”
“You’ll have to pay the fence. I’ll take and do what I want with the pieces I take for myself, but you can have the proceeds from the other pieces.”
“Wow,” said Evangeline, clearly astonished. “You really are some kind of modern Robin Hood.”
“Somebody has to be, don’t you think? If we leave it to the robber barons like you and yours, people like me and mine would starve, and then what would you lot do?”
“Find some other sad sacks to do our bidding.”
“You know, Evangeline, over the years I convinced myself you couldn’t be nearly as bad as I thought you were, but damn if you aren’t even worse.”
“There have always been haves and have nots. I’m one of the former and you’re one of the latter. It’s just the way the universe works.”
“So, your grandfather steals from the Nazis and their victims. Your father becomes some kind of glorified broker for the remaining Nazis and puts together deals to move those heirlooms stolen from those they murdered, and now you want to run for parliament?”
“That’s a bit of a crude way to put it, but I suppose it’s about right.”
“That’s it, babe. With what your grandfather had, the Robbins are about to get their comeuppance. We’re coming in. Just drop to your knees.”
She could hear scuffling from up in the hayloft. Evangeline whirled around, looking up as the doors to the stables burst open and men in Kevlar vests and protective gear—some of Fletch’s men and some from a special task force out of London—rushed in and surrounded them.
Claire sank slowly to her knees, raising her arms over her head and smiling serenely at Evangeline, who began shrieking about threatening bodily harm and ending careers like a strumpet caught in a vice raid.
“Get away from me,” screeched Evangeline as she struggled against the burly men, who didn’t seem to care who she or her family were.
Claire felt cold metal enclose her wrists as she heard the click of them being locked together. The task force helped her up. Fletch had made a deal that she would be arrested and interviewed but set free as soon as her statements and accusations could be corroborated by the evidence. Knowing what they had in the safety deposit box and what she’d recorded in her meeting with Evangeline, including Mia being kidnapped and held against her will, Fletch had assured her this would be a veritable walk in the park.
The arresting officer helped her up and she found Fletch in the group and met his eyes. He’d tried to prepare her for this, but everything inside her wanted to be fighting like Evangeline. She hadn’t been emotionally prepared for what it would feel like to be handcuffed and cautioned. It was a bit unnerving.
Across the expanse of the stable, with the sun backlighting him, he smiled at her. She was determined not to cry but had to press her lips tightly together to keep from doing so. She raised her chin ever so slightly to acknowledge his presence. He mouthed the words ‘good girl’ as they led her out to the police vehicle. The officer placed his hand on the top of her head and ducked her into the car.
Claire took a deep breath, trying to relax.
“That’s my girl,” soothed Fletch through the ear bud. “It’s almost over. I’ve got a solicitor waiting at the station and I’ll be with her. You aren’t alone. We still have video and audio, and they haven’t found the earbud. Carter is with Mia. We’re reconvening at the Savoy. They’ll be waiting for us when we get there. Relax baby; we got this.”
She gave an almost imperceptible nod as the police vehicle pulled away from the stables. Claire leaned back into the seat, the sound of Evangeline’s shrieking still ringing in her ears. The cops didn’t seem to care; neither did Claire.
