As I enumerated the jobs, MJ’s jaw began to drop.
At one point she cut me off with a slash of her hand. “That’s enough. Jesus, King.” There was a strained look around her eyes. “What the hell? And why? Why in the world would you get into something so risky? I don’t understand.”
“I don’t want to talk about that part.” I sounded like a bitchy teenager.
She pressed her lips together, clearly trying to decide whether to push the issue or not. I was relieved when she chose to move on. “So this guy Falcon has been trying to pin you for a string of art thefts for years with no success?”
I nodded. “Yeah, and—”
“Wow, you must be really good at it,” she said, cutting me off again. MJ definitely qualified as one of my bossier sisters.
I couldn’t help but puff up a little. “The best,” I said, flashing her a smile.
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not sure that’s something you should be bragging about. But… good job? I guess?”
Typical sister response. “Anyway,” I continued. “I’m done with it. So now I need to decide what I want to be when I grow up.”
MJ pressed the button to crack open her window letting in a flood of crisp fall air. Despite it being October, the sun was shining directly into the car, heating it up. “Before we talk about that, let’s sort out the legal dilemma. You said they had evidence against you?”
“No. They don’t. Not that I know of. I mean, I guess there could be something I’ve messed up and overlooked, but I really don’t think so. If they did, I’d probably already be in jail by now. So the biggest threat at this point would be them finding someone I’ve worked with on a heist and convincing them to testify against me.”
“Pfft,” MJ said, flapping her hand away from the steering wheel. “White, good-looking American boy like you? Unless you murdered someone, chances are you’d beat any testimony from a fellow criminal.”
“This agent really wants to put me away,” I admitted. “He’s been after me for years.”
She thought that over a moment. “Do you have any leverage?” she asked. “Like information they’d want?”
I grinned. “Tons. I have the location of every named work of art I’ve been involved with including a long list of locations where authorities can find famous stolen works that are still in the wrong hands. Pieces that have been missing for decades.”
Silence for a beat before MJ turned to me with wide eyes. “You know where famous stolen artwork is?”
Finally something I said seemed to impress her. “Yeah. A lot of it. I’ve either come across knowledge of it or seen it while on a job. And I have it all listed in a notebook. I guess I’ve always thought of it as a bargaining chip.”
It was something I’d started creating after I realized Elek had such a hold over me. If he ever decided to turn me into the authorities, I needed a way out. So I’d started the little book of art crime intel as a kind of insurance policy.
My sister’s forehead was creased in thought. “That’s good, King. Really smart. If anything happens to you, don’t give it to them right away. You know that, right? Wait for me or an attorney I arrange for you. We’ll be able to determine the best way to use it for your benefit. And for the love of god, if you’re arrested, don’t—”
“Say anything,” I finished. “I know. Believe me, I know that.”
Silence descended again. For a while I thought she was contemplating my eventual arrest and trial. Part of me wanted to reassure her that it would never happen, but another part of me wanted to let her figure out a plan just in case.
After all, the best thieves always had a back-up plan in the event of the worst-case scenario.
When she finally spoke again, it surprised me. “Have you thought about moving home?”
I blinked over at her. “To Hobie? Me?”
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t be such a snot. Yes, you. We miss you, jackass. You could teach art at Hobie High or, hell, open up a gallery on the square. There’s plenty of tourist business now that lake season is basically year-round. You could make a good living. Doc and Grandpa could help you with seed money. You know they’d love to do anything to keep you nearby.”
Before I could stop myself, I snorted at the thought of needing their money.
“Oh my god,” MJ screeched. “You’re rich as fuck, aren’t you?”
I felt my face heat. “Let’s just say, I brought your girlfriend a diamond nose stud as a thank-you gift for giving birth to my niece.”
MJ’s face softened for a split second before she glared at me. “Was it stolen?”
“No,” I said with a laugh. “It’s a legit purchase from a jeweler in London. I swear. I can even give you the receipt.”