“That’s my point. How about a little levity in your life? You don’t need to always be so doom-and-gloom.” She sighs.
“I’m not. I just try not to lollygag when I call in.”
“Always so professional.” Juliette hums. “What do you have for me?”
“Actual hands on the prize.” I may be in a spot that I’ve vetted, but I won’t give any information away carelessly.
“Are you shitting me?”
“Nope. Picked it up tonight and delivering it tomorrow.”
“Can you tell what it is?”
“Textbook-like in size. Doesn’t rattle or have any distinguishable sound,” I recount what I discovered.
“Hmm … That doesn’t exactly help narrow it down. You’re supposed to drop it off tomorrow?”
“Yes. But this is the opening we need. I’ve never even looked at anything on this side of the business, so this is progress,” I tell her.
“I agree. I’ll inform Bossman and let him know we’re on standby if things escalate quickly. What’s your plan from here?” she asks.
“Wait it out. Be dependable and see how much rope he gives me. As soon as I get the freedom needed, I’ll call. The hope is that I get eyes on what we’re looking for or intelligence on the bigger … package … coming in. If I’m let into the fold more, I’ll have more to bring you. I’ve already photographed the package from today. I’ll send it to the secure email,” I rattle off.
“Good. If Kellen needs anything else, I’ll send it to your Dropbox.”
“Sounds good. Don’t work too hard, J.”
“Ha ha. You know I’m the one who holds this place together.”
“I’ll just have to ask Stone about that one.” I smirk, knowing I’ll set her off.
“Don’t you fucking dare,” she hisses.
Stone and Juliette have a very interesting relationship. I think everyone knows they’re into each other, except the two of them. It’s great material to work with, though.
“You’re too easy to mess with. Talk to you later.” I hang up without fanfare but with a smile on my face.
Fuck,I miss my friends.
Over the course of the last night and this morning, I attempted to open the package without it being obvious that it was tampered with. I couldn’t do it. Oscar has some specialized wrapping technique that I couldn’t figure out how to replicate, so undoing it wasn’t a smart idea. Now, I’m driving to his apartment downtown to drop it off.
I’m unsure what I’ll find when I get there. Will I be brought into the operation more? Will this be the end of it all? With Oscar, you truly never know. It’s why it’s taken so fucking long to infiltrate his business to this level. He’s cautious to an extreme.
The high-rise towers above the city. I quickly find the visitors parking before heading into the lobby, with the artifact tucked into a briefcase.
“Roth. Chris Roth. Mr. Cano is expecting me,” I tell the security guard behind the front desk.
“He’s expecting you. My colleague will take you to him.” He gestures to another man off to the side.
I nod, not wanting to speak more than needed, before following at a clipped pace.
The elevator ride is quiet and long. Once we are at the top floor, I’m ushered out and left alone in the sprawling entry way.I’ve been here twice, and both times I wasn’t allowed past the entryway.
“Mr. Roth, right this way.” An older gentleman comes out of nowhere, startling me.
My eyes dart around as I follow him. On the walls is artwork, I’m sure originals of all the big names. Some, I know for a fact have been stolen. On a table off to the side of the hallway, I come across a wooden sculpture.The Shigir Idol.Holy shit. I can’t stop my eyes from widening. The world’s oldest wooden sculpture is just sitting in my boss’s house.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Oscar’s voice blindsides me.
