Ross would get every ounce of that story out of his lover later.
“Do it,” Jarek encouraged.“I think that’s the best route, to have a professional step in.None of us have the right skills to retrieve things without setting off more trouble.”
That, at least, was the truth.Ross wasn’t sure how to feel about calling in a thief, though.That was a very large, morally ambiguous ground to walk across.Was it still stealing if you were stealing it back?
Glenn called and put it on speaker.Everyone gathered in a circle around his hand to hear better.
It rang twice before a smooth voice with a Russian accent greeted happily, “Glenn, comrade, it’s been long time.How are you?”
“I’m quite well, in fact.We created a new territory in Salem since I saw you last.”
The man let out a bark of laughter.“Then we’re neighbors!”
“Are we really?How are you, Eidolon?”
“I’m grand, my friend.Did you call to catch up?”
“Well, no, but I would like to.I have a small job I could use your help on.”
“This does not sound like challenge.”
“No, it’s probably a walk in the park for you.There’s a new museum opening up and they have a few things that belong to some of us.Problematic things.We’d like them fetched back out before the museum opens.”
“Hmm, this small museum?”
“A two-story with basic security equipment.”
“Bah, no challenge at all.”
Glenn grinned as if he knew precisely how to handle this.“I have two bottles of excellent Beluga Vodka waiting for you.”
Eidolon’s voice automatically perked up, like a hound catching scent of something tasty.“Now you speak my language.Fine, I’ll come up tonight.Oooh, actually, this might be perfect.It will give my solnishko practice.”
“Your…what?”
“My family has young hacker-in-training.She can cut her teeth on this.Da, da, this is good.I bring bedsheet.Text me address, I’ll be there by nightfall.”
“Thanks, Eidolon.See you soon.”Glenn hung up and stared at the phone thoughtfully.“Family, eh?He didn’t have that the last time I spoke with him.Sounds like things have improved for him quite a bit.Well, everyone, Eidolon is coming.”
The sound you hear right now was not thunder.It was the sound of Ross slapping himself upside the head.
Dunham asked in concern, “What be the problem, lad?”
“You just keep your XY chromosomes quiet.This situation is ridiculous and I can’t believe I’m going along with it.”Ross sucked in a deep breath, taking a precious two seconds to think, as apparently the absurdity was just going to keep rolling today.If he kept his feet, he might be able to stay on top of it all and not get sucked under like roadkill.
Why yes, that was wishful thinking on his part.Do not burst his bubble.Ross liked being in his bubble.It was pretty there.
He released the breath slowly and started tapping out a list on his fingers.“Alright, I’ll need a list of everything that needs to be stolen.You two, I want your phone numbers and names.You’ll text me a list of what you want pulled out.You also have a better idea of what items belong to Glenn, so text that to me as well.We’ll hand the thief a complete list once he’s here so we’ll be sure nothing is missing.”
Emo Vampire got right in his face with a sneer.“And who are you, human, to give us orders?”
Ross squared off with him, switching into complete Customer Service Mode.“Sir, are you suggesting that you don’t want to get your belongings back?”
Emo Vampire faltered for a second.“Of course not, I’m asking—”
“Don’t you agree that something could be easily overlooked if the thief doesn’t know precisely what you want stolen?”
“Well, yes, of course, but that’s—”
