Page 121 of The Prize

I threw a salute. “I’m ready.”

After twenty minutes of Tobias’s detailed presentation I was eager to go.

We finished loading the white van Marshall had dropped off outside the house. It was apparently a rental and could hold all our equipment in the back and, should we be successful, the paintings we rescued too. With caffeine surging through our veins we stepped out into the chilly night and Tobias secured the front door.

By ten we were heading along Harlem River Drive, which was the longer route but meant we’d approach from Broadway and be less conspicuous. We parked just off Margaret Corbin Drive and Tobias prepared the equipment. I watched him turn on all fifteen drones.

He gave a cheery smile. “Once we find the paintings we hail the gang.” He nodded to the shiny drones. “Cutting the paintings out of their frames could harm them.”

He was right of course. Bringing just the canvases would be easier, but the precision needed to extract each one from its frame would take us too long with the kind of care needed to protect them from tearing.

If Tobias pulled this off it would be the heist of the century.

“Let’s hope no one tries to steal our drones.” I hated leaving them unsupervised.

“Actually—” Tobias pointed down the quiet dark road toward a cyclist heading our way.

“Coops?” Although it was good to see him, there came concern that if we were caught he’d be dragged into our drama. Still, he looked happy to see us.

We greeted him with a warm hug and I was amazed when Coops watched his boss prepare the gear. We pulled on our climbing equipment and attached our tools. After that adventure we’d shared around the city days ago I’d suspected Coops might have some knowledge of Wilder’s shenanigans. This was more than I realized—this was full disclosure.

“If we’re not out of there in an hour, make the call,” Tobias told him. “The police and FBI.”

“Got it.” Coops threw me a wary glance. “Last one, boss?”

“Last one,” Tobias agreed.

I watched them both interact, realizing this friendship went deep and this exchange proved that Coops had to have an inside knowledge on what Tobias had been up to over the years. I wondered if he knew he was Icon.

The night-vision goggles we put on were part of an elaborate headset and we nudged them up onto our foreheads for now, and waved Coops goodbye. Staying close, I followed Tobias across the street toward Cloisters, the property nestled in the center of woodland and conveniently camouflaging our trek to our entry point.

We made it to a Gothic chapel and I was taken aback by the intricate carving of the ancient stone. I wanted to seem as calm as Wilder, but my trembling hands gave me away.

Tobias whispered, “This part of the building was transported from Burgundy. It’s nice, huh? This is where we access the old chapel.”

“Okay, good, we can ask for forgiveness on the way in.”

“Is that meant to be funny?”

“I’m trying to lighten the mood.”

He frowned with amusement. “Cute.”

I gave a nod, ready for this to be over.

Tobias studied me. “At no time touch my butt. No pinching. No admiring. Just don’t go there. Got it?”

He made me smile and I dipped my head as he readjusted my headset.

“No shenanigans,” he added.

“What kind?”

“I’ll give you a demo to be clear.” He pulled me into a kiss and I felt my headset bend against his forehead. He broke away and grinned as he nudged aside his headset to return to his passionate kiss, his tongue sweeping in a way that was both reassuring and inspirational. This burst of affection meant everything. He was letting me know how proud he was.

I was about to break into a property with Icon himself to steal paintings.My paintings, I mused, so technically this wasn’t a heist but more of a process of retrieval.

Tobias pointed to his own headset as he fitted it around his ear. “If we get separated we can communicate with this. If there’s anyone else down there with us, the visor will detect their body heat and a blue light will appear in the corner of your eyepiece for a second. Hide until you get a signal from me that it’s safe. The night vision kicks in when needed.” He looked me up and down. “Suits you.”