Page 73 of The Diamond Thief

“Will do.” I squint at the map on one of the screens in front of me. “I’m headed to Manhattan. I think Jacob is in trouble.”

“Why are you worried about that man?”

“He got me out of a jam.”

“My baby doesn’t need anybody to get her out of a jam,” Dad says. “Tell me the real story.”

“I don’t know. He’s just so…” I trail off. I don’t know what he is. But I don’t want him to die.

“I thought he was a pig you wanted to bring down along with that entire operation. What did you call it? The Great Misogyny.”

“I think he’s different now, Daddy.”

“Ahhhh. I see. Well, all right then. What my baby wants, my baby gets. Give me a few minutes, and we will determine his location. You want a rendezvous so we can get you a phone?”

I look outside the windows. We have reached the highway and fly by the other cars. “That’s a good idea. I should hit Manhattan in maybe an hour.”

“All right. Should I call you back at this number?”

“Yeah. Oh, and when you bring a phone, I need my brown Golden Goose boots and everything inside them.”

“Got it. Are you going this alone?”

“Let’s find out where he is,” I say. “Then I’ll make my decision.”

“You be careful.”

A few minutes later, when the name and address of where Jacob has been taken flashes on the screen, I can’t help but crack a little smile.

Funny how life comes back full circle.

“Hello, Janet?” I say.

“Yes, Jade.”

“Can you find a beauty supply store somewhere between here and Manhattan?”

The map appears on-screen, with several dots showing locations.

I click on one about a half hour away.

Jacob’s life isn’t in danger where he is. Just maybe his pride.

I’m definitely going to have to make an unscheduled stop before I meet up with him.