The Final Cut (A Brit in the FBI 1)

95

While Nicholas pulled on a Kevlar vest, Mike circled him like a wolf about to attack.

“Nicholas, you can’t let her go in alone.”

He gestured for her to put on her vest as he used the other hand to pull the Velcro together tightly across his ribs, ignoring the pain in his back as he did.

“Of course not. I’m going in with her.”

“You lamebrain, that’s crazy. You know she’ll turn on you.”

“Actually, no, I don’t think she will.” He looked over at Kitsune, sitting quietly in the back of the Peugeot, armed men standing close. “Our Fox is in love. If she hates Mulvaney right now, and hates us for capturing her and putting her feet to the fire, she loves Grant Thornton enough to sacrifice herself to keep him from losing everything.”

Mike planted herself in front of him, hands on her hips. “How do you know she isn’t faking cooperation?”

Nicholas grinned as he pulled the last Velcro strap into place. “I’m thinking that’s why Mulvaney betrayed her. For him, it’s not about the money, or the prestige of the job. It’s about his heart. You remember the bitterness and anger we heard in his voice when we overheard him speaking to Lanighan? You saw the letter, and the way she reacted. This man was a father, a cherished mentor, a man she trusted beyond reason. He saved her, kept her safe. Trained her, but she did the one thing neither of them anticipated. She fell in love with a mark.

“And that’s the kind of betrayal a man like Mulvaney can’t handle, especially if he loves a woman who doesn’t love him back, at least not in the way he wants. I suspect he loved her as much as he hates her now.”

“But he’s old enough to be her father.”

He arched a brow. “Feelings don’t have years attached. You’re right, though—for her, Mulvaney was indeed a trusted, beloved father.”

She gave him a long look as she tugged on the vest. “Don’t give me any crap, I’m going in with you.”

She expected him to argue, but he didn’t. In fact, he actually looked relieved. He said simply, “Thanks. I could use your help.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “And I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have with me.”

“If you get us both killed, I’m going to be very angry with you.”

He shot her a grin, then called to the men: “Gather round. Here’s the plan.” He laid out the blueprints of the warehouse, gave assignments, showing the snipers their positions. “You’ll form your perimeter here, and when Mike gives the go-ahead, you’ll converge and take out the guards.” He finished with a smile. “As for us, Kitsune, Mike, and I go through the fence and split at the warehouse. Kitsune will go in the front, and take the guards with her. They won’t be expecting anyone else, so I’ll be able to sneak in behind them. Mike will go up the fire escape and cover the room from outside. Once we’re all in place, we go in, get the diamond, and get the hell out. Any questions?”

One of Menard’s men asked, “Shoot to kill?”

Nicholas nodded. “Try not to take out Lanighan or Mulvaney. We need them.”

Nicholas said to Menard, “In case it all goes awry, I trust you’ll be there to mop things up?”

“Give me the signal, my friend, and we’ll take them all out. Try not to get yourself blown up in the meantime.”

“I won’t. Mike, are you ready?”

“Ready. Are we giving Kitsune Kevlar?”

Kitsune had been taken out of the car and was standing a few feet away. She said, “No. They’ll know something’s up if I go in bulked up.

I’m supposed to be handing over the stone, and I’m supposed to think Mulvaney is a hostage. They’ll keep up the charade long enough to get the stone in their hands.”

Nicholas said, “Okay, time’s up. Where’s the diamond?”

She took a deep breath and grinned at him. “It’s in Lanighan’s briefcase. He carried it into the building when we were here before.”

Mike rounded on her. “Why should we believe this?”

“Because it’s the truth. I went to Lanighan’s house earlier this evening, looking for Mulvaney. Everything on this job has gone wrong, so I protected the diamond the best I knew how, which was fulfilling my end of the bargain in the hopes Lanighan would do the same. I put the Koh-i-Noor in the lining of his bag. He has no idea it’s there. I knew you were on my back, too. It was the only way I could think to keep the stone safe until the delivery.”

Her hand went down her shirt, and she withdrew a blue velvet bag. “It’s a good thing you’re a gentleman, Drummond. A more thorough search would have turned this up.” She dumped the stone into his hand. “They’re amazingly well done, for fakes. Peter Grisley should be proud of his work.”

Nicholas ran his fingers along the stone. “Good job stealing the replicas.”