Lucia looked at her for a beat. “Huh.”
“Or screw it, we could become like ethical hackers, but for museum security. All above board.”
Lucia chuckled. “That reminds me of a few movies we’ve watched.”
Skye grinned. “Yeah. Break into museums with their permission, then tell them how to fix it. Add workshops,lectures. We could use the same skills—just not to outsmart the system, but to strengthen it.” She paused. “It would also get rid of the danger of landing in jail.”
Lucia raised an eyebrow. “And the pitch would be… ‘Former art thieves turned consultants’?”
“I didn’t say I had the branding worked out! Francesca knows everyone. She could spin this, if she wanted to.”
“Ifis the operative word here.”
“Yeah. So can you please ask her?”
Lucia laughed. “What?”
“You’re her favorite, and you nearly died. She’ll listen to you.”
“I’m not her favorite, and I didn’tnearlydie.”
“Sure. Tell that to someone who didn’t watch Francesca lose her shit when she saw you hanging there, limp and bleeding, strapped into that wrecked car.”
Lucia ducked her head. She hated how much worry she had caused.
“Hey.” Skye touched her arm. “I didn’t mean to make you feel bad.”
“It’s all right. I can talk to her, but don’t get your hopes up. I don’t know her plans. Maybe she just wants to retire quietly.”
Skye snorted. “Please. She’s only fifty-five. Why on earth would she retire?”
“She doesn’t need the job or the money. Why wouldn’t she enjoy a life of leisure?”
“Because she’d be bored to tears. That woman needs a purpose, something to fight for, or against.”
Skye had a point. Lucia truly couldn’t imagine Francesca without a mission. Now, with theMadonnaback in her possession, she likely felt rudderless.
~ ~ ~
“I’m so happy to see you,” Francesca said after opening the door, pulling Lucia in for a quick hug.
“Likewise.” Lucia followed her into the living room, where Francesca had already prepared the spread on the coffee table: a small tea carafe, a covered serving dish, cups, dessert plates, and utensils.
“I was up early and felt like baking, so…” Francesca lifted the glass cloche, revealing a dish of freshly made tiramisu.
Lucia’s mouth watered at the sight. She was lucky indeed.
“Thank you. I love your tiramisu.”
Francesca smiled. “I know.”
Lucia sat down, pouring herself a cup of tea. “How are things going?”
“Maddeningly slow.” Francesca added the dessert to her plate, put one on Lucia’s, and sat back down. “I expected some resistance but… Let’s just say certain segments are currently infighting over who gets to take over.”
“Huh. I mean, not really a surprise. I’d have expected you to step down before tearing it all down.”
“Letting go of the reins is proving…challenging.”
