Page 72 of The Diamond Thief

“Yes, although this will create a transmission that will compromise the stealth mode.”

“I’m not worried about that.”

“Okay. Regular line or secure?”

I think about this for a second. I’m not sure what my dad will think if he realizes I’m calling from a Vigilante car. Technically, they are law enforcement of sorts, and we are, generally speaking, in opposition to their goals. I don’t want him to think I’ve been kidnapped.

“Secure, I guess,” I say. “How will it appear to the person I call?”

“I can make it appear any way you like,” Janet says. “If you would like me to spoof any phone number or name, I can do so.”

“I need to call my father,” I say. “He needs to know that it is me.”

“Just let me know what information to transmit.”

“Call with the secure line, and make the call from Baby Leprechaun.”

“Very well. To what number?”

I give her my father’s personal line. He’s the only one who ever called me Baby Leprechaun. Even my mother could not stand the endearment. He will know the call is from me.

I’m sure when he sent me on this job, he anticipated that at some point I would be calling him to bail me out. I’ve lasted longer than probably anyone thought.

It isn’t that I need help for myself. I could take this car straight to my parents’ compound. But it’s Jacob I’m worried about. If Antony decides that Jacob has been involved with a mutiny within his ranks, his life is definitely in danger.

A ragged tone tells me that the call is being put through. I wait a few moments, and then my father’s voice comes on the line.

“Baby Leprechaun!” he says. “Don’t tell me. You killed too many of them, and now I’m going to have to send out a crew to deal with the bodies.”

“Daddy, come on. You know killing is not my thing.”

“I know. Mine neither. Did you get to go on that heist?”

Right. The Fife tiara. “Did you check on that for me?”

“I did. The Fife tiara really is out of rotation at Kensington Palace, but not because it has been stolen or is on tour. It’s being cleaned. I had someone infiltrate the palace staff. They saw it with their own eyes. Your lead on that mission lied to you.”

Dang it. I really wanted that tiara. But I’m not surprised. The moment Jacob showed up, I had known something was amiss.

“Well, I’m in what looks to be a retired Vigilante car, driving through the Pennsylvania countryside.”

“How did you get that? It’s a very rare and valuable item.” His voice betrays his excitement.

“Jacob had it.”

“Well, go through it. There could be amazing tech in there. Advanced weapons. They are really good.”

“I will. It’s driving me around.”

“I’ve always wanted to get my hands on one of those.”

“I think Janet has to approve you.”

“Janet?”

“That’s the name I gave the car.”

He laughs. “Well, get what you can. They might steal it back at any point.”