Page 4

There’s only one thing that could turn into a potential problem for my crew.
“What’re your thoughts on the detective who’s been sniffing around?” I ask.
Deck shifts in his seat and frowns. “Vaughn?” he asks, voice dry. “He’s definitely going to be a pain in our ass.”
“Right now, all he has is unfounded suspicions. No evidence that we’re involved in any of the crimes he’s investigating.”
We are involved, of course. In every single one.
“Not yet, anyway. But I get the feeling he’s going to be a persistent prick.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “I get that feeling, too.”
“Just means we have to be extra careful.”
Nodding, I stretch my long legs out. “Did you see the way he was looking at Addie?”
“He gave her a few looks,” Deck says carefully. “Like he couldn’t decide if he wanted to arrest her or fuck her.”
“Not good.”
“No. Either way, I have a feeling he’d be up for cuffing her.”
“Fucking great.” I rub two fingers against my temple. “Good thing she’s smart enough not to fall for his bullshit.”
“Let’s hope so.”
Luckily, the duct tape and bubble gum holds, and the plane lands safely at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá. I stand and reach up to grab our duffel bags from the luggage compartment above. The capital city is surprisingly cool and averages around fifty degrees most of the year, so I slip my jacket on.
Since it’s late, we grab our fancy rental car and go straight to the hotel. Deck and I have a couple of rooms booked near the airport. It’s going to be a quick in and out, though. No time to mingle or explore.
After checking in under fake names, we dump our stuff off in our rooms and head down to the restaurant. We’re both starving, and while I order a monster dish ofbandeja paisa, Deck finds a burger and fries at the bottom of the menu. He isn’t very daring when it comes to trying new food, but we both agree on a couple of Club Colombia beers which really hit the spot.
Deck eyes my huge plate of food warily after picking the lettuce off his burger. “What the hell is in that?” he asks.
“Beans, pork, rice, avocado.” I shrug and take another big bite. “Eggs, I think? I don’t know, but it’s damn tasty.”
“Is there anything you won’t eat?”
“Nope. I’ll try anything once.”
He shakes his head and reaches for a fry. For several long moments, we eat in companionable silence while I instinctually scan the room. Looking for an easy mark or a target comes naturally to me, and I don’t even think about it.
A good thief has certain innate qualities. In my book, those include agility, stealth, dexterity and adaptability. Being able tothink fast on your feet and possess keen observation skills are also essential. And I’m always observing.
Like now, for instance.
The woman sitting by herself three tables away is wearing a rock on her left ring finger the size of Texas. It’s practically screaming, “Steal me!” A businessman at the bar has his briefcase propped against the legs of his barstool. Probably contains his laptop, which I could swipe in half a second. Before he’s even through finishing that sip of tequila he’s drinking, I’d be out the door and on the elevator. Less than a minute later, I’d be in his email, finding his reservation confirmation and headed to the room he’s occupying. After picking the lock, I could steal whatever I wanted.
Most people are oblivious to the glaring fact they’re unconsciously making themselves a target to people like me. When an opportunity presents itself, I rarely bite anymore. Not when it comes to small potatoes. But way back before I met Angel, I seized every single one.
Alma “Angel” Mills, a.k.a. Addie’s mom, was the best thief I’ve ever known. She took me under her wing when I was only eighteen and taught me all the best things I know. Addie and I were only twenty-three when Angel died. Of course, Addie was devastated. Her mother was her idol, and since Addie had become like a sister to me, we stayed close friends, even when we briefly went our separate ways.
When she decided to form this ring of thieves a few years ago, she brought me on board, and we’ve become quite the little family.
A very successful family.
“Are you done scoping out the room yet?” Deck asks, breaking into my thoughts.