Cat Burglar in Training (9 page)

I glanced about the room, trying to work out what else he might have taken. Jewelry from the bedrooms, maybe. The paintings. I walked around a leather couch and paused by a round pedestal table. The top was empty apart from a business card. I bent closer and picked it up with my gloved hand. My brows rose, and a grin tugged my lips. How interesting. The business card was black with a silver cat embossed on the front. I turned it over but the back was blank. My grin widened. At least the card confirmed our suspicions. We had a competitor, and one with an ego.

Had I missed anything? No, our competitor hadn’t left a thing. Another glance at my watch alerted me to the passing time. I’d search the room next door then leave.

Easing the door open, I listened for foreign sounds. Nothing. I slipped inside and pulled out my torch. The thin beam played over a laden bookcase and a large oak desk. An office. Once I’d ascertained the office was empty, I switched on a desk lamp. Where to start? I rifled through several desk drawers.
Bingo!
Our pop star was a collector. Medals filled each of the drawers on the right-hand side. The neat labels inside verified their age. I lifted out several of the medals awarded during older campaigns and used some of the velvet lining to wrap them.

The urge to whistle a jaunty tune sprang from nowhere, and I barely restrained myself. This would ease a little of the Fawkner financial burden and bring a smile to those in charge of the children’s charity I’d chosen to benefit from my escapades.

“What took you so long?” Father demanded.

“We can discuss this later. At home,” Ben said. “We’ve spent long enough in this vicinity. The hairs on the back of my neck are a-pricklin’.”

“Let’s go,” I agreed. I, too, experienced a sensation of approaching danger. I didn’t intend to dally to discover the source.

As one, we moved stealthily across the lawns and melted into the shadowy darkness of the trees. Once there, some of the tension in my shoulders receded. We made good time to the car. At the edge of the trees, we paused by mutual consent to check that nothing out of the ordinary lurked for us. I whipped off my ski mask and peeled out of my jacket, throwing them on the back seat of my Mini.

“What happened?” Father asked once we were driving down the road.

“How much do medals fetch on the black market? First World War and earlier.”

Father’s head whipped around so quickly it was a wonder he didn’t suffer whiplash. “Medals? Did you find some?”

I allowed smugness to slither across my face. Probably wasted with the dim light inside my car, but I savored the act of surprising my father. “Yeah, I did. Do you have a contact to shift them? They’re inside my jacket if you want to see them.”

“Better not,” Father said, finally. “Just in case we get pulled over by the cops. Best keep them hidden until we arrive home.”

I concentrated on driving at the speed limit and avoided the main roads. I let Father and Ben off at the front door and drove the Mini around the back to park in the garage.

When I walked into the kitchen, Father and Ben were already seated around the table. I pulled out a chair and slid onto it.

“Tea?” Hannah asked.

“Please.” I unwrapped the four medals and handed them to Father and Ben. The metal crosses and coin shapes depicting the monarch of the day looked tarnished but the writing was still visible. I waited until they’d studied the medals and asked, “Worth selling?”

“Good work, Eve,” Father said.

High praise indeed. “There was something else,” I said.

Father and Ben looked up from perusing the medals, Hannah from her mug of tea.

“This.” I handed over the calling card with flourish. “The burglar left it.”

“A business card.” Father flipped it over to study the back. “No note on it anywhere.”

“They’ll be annoyed when the cops don’t mention their calling card,” Hannah said.

“Yeah.” I looked at Father, waiting for his reaction.

He set the card on the table in front of him and scratched the bald patch on his head. “The competition is going to make life difficult. Everyone will tighten up on security. We’d better increase your training, Evie.”

“Oh, goody,” I said. “Just the way I want to spend my spare time.”

The night of the Harlequin Ball I climbed out of the cab and joined Seth. I’ll admit I wasn’t in the best frame of mind to attend a ball, since I’d rather continue with my investigation into the mystery child. But, no. I didn’t have time to myself. Father and Ben had me in intense training during the day when I wasn’t working for Ruth. Each night we went to check out prospects Hannah found on the net or Father or Ben heard about via word of mouth. In short, I bore bruises on top of bruises and ached all over from the constant fitness training and the physical toll of checking out jobs.

Last night I’d managed to procure a fine diamond necklace, and I wondered if I’d hear about the theft tonight.

Seth and I drifted into the private ballroom in the outskirts of London. He touched my left arm and guided me around a group of guests who’d stopped to chat. A woman stepped back straight into my path. Seth jerked me to a stop to avoid a crash. Pain rippled down my arm. I gritted my teeth but a small protest emerged.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Seth tugged me over to a piece of clear wall space, grave concern on his tanned face. “You all right? You look pale.”

“I tripped over one of Amber’s many dolls,” I said, with barely a blink at the lie. “Do you have plans for tonight?” I could hardly tell him I’d fallen early this morning while breaking and entering. My father had already scolded me for incompetence.

“I thought I might duck out early.”

“Okay.” Suited me. Tonight I needed to find a target. Actually, several targets would be better since another batch of bills had arrived today. So tonight, I was the party girl. The ditzy blonde who flirted, laughed a lot and danced with as many men as possible.
Joy.
Right at this moment, I’d prefer to soak in a scented bath filled to the brim with bubbles.

I glanced at the attendees ambling past us. A matching sapphire-and-diamond tiara and necklace grabbed my attention. My gaze shot to the woman’s face. She looked like one of the Gibsons. I turned away, even as I marked the jewels a distinct possibility. “I don’t know many people here tonight.”

Seth shrugged, unperturbed. “Let’s go and find a drink.”

He cleared the way, and I hobbled after him. In the short time I’d stood still, my muscles had grown stiff. The aches and pains were becoming worse as the day progressed. I’d have to take one of the painkillers Hannah pressed on me. I hated drugs of any kind, but tonight I’d need to compromise or likely keel over with pain.

We made our way down the crowded passage and into the ballroom. Crystal chandeliers cast light over the occupants, and the one right in the center of the ballroom ceiling sparkled like hundreds of stars. Red velvet curtains shielded the windows while greenery and white roses filled the enormous vases that the decorators had placed in corners and along the wall. The sweet scent of the flowers filled the air. At the far end of the room, a string orchestra played soothing music. At least they looked like they’d stick to the slow stuff. My poor, abused body wouldn’t handle anything faster than a slow waltz.

“No bar,” Seth said, turning to study our surroundings.

“There’re probably waiters circulating with food and drink.” I peered at the various exits from the huge ballroom. “I wonder where the ladies’ room is located.”

Seth grinned. “Can’t help you. Why don’t I wait over there?” He pointed to a grouping of empty chairs. “I’ll round up drinks and food while you go exploring.”

Never a truer word spoken because exploring was exactly what I intended. “See you soon.”

I moved off, attempting to keep my gait smooth and easy without abrupt stops. My gown tonight was a white sheath with a slit to ease walking, but even so, small steps were all I could take. In hindsight, probably not the best gown to wear if I needed to move quickly to avoid detection during my exploration of the mansion. Since money was tight, my gowns were constantly recycled and remade to look different. If I ended up hiking up the dress to my hips, then so be it. My underwear was the practical cotton type.

I drifted through the crowd as the orchestra started playing more modern tunes, keeping an eye out for jewels and Kahu Williams.

“You keep away from that cop,” Father had ordered in a terse whisper when Seth picked me up. “You stick to a dependable man like Seth who won’t give you any grief.”

Little did he know, but I wasn’t about to inform Father otherwise. He was old-fashioned that way.

“Eve.” Like a genie summoned, Kahu appeared in front of me. His husky voice sent awareness swirling through my aching body.

“Kahu.” His woodsy scent with a hint of citrus surrounded me, making me a trifle lightheaded. Definitely slow-witted. “I…um…I’m looking for the…um…loo.”

A slow grin curled across his lips, echoing in his eyes. “You’ve come to the right person. Didn’t your mother tell you to ask a policeman for directions if you were lost?”

“You know where it is?” I didn’t like the breathless quality in my voice, but at least I’d managed to string several words together without stuttering.

Diamond necklace at ten o’clock. Maureen Glasson. Hmm, matching bracelet and earrings.
Kahu leaned closer. My attention wandered back to him. His lips.

“If you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to kiss you.”

“Seth’s here,” I said. More as a warning to me than Kahu.

“Tell Seth you’re going out with me.”

Now that would really be thumbing my nose at Father. Although tempted, I wasn’t stupid. “Seth is my friend. I don’t want to hurt him.”

“But you’d hurt me?”

“I really need to find the loo.” I edged away from the suppressed emotion snapping in his eyes. I was unable to hide a wince as I turned away.

“Are you hurt?” Despite my rudeness, concern shaded his voice.

“A bit stiff. I fell over one of Amber’s dolls.” The lie fell easier the second time.

“This conversation isn’t finished.” He reached over to smooth a lock of hair off my face, tucking it behind my ear with such gentleness it brought a lump to my throat.

I wanted to cry. The wrong time. Wrong place.

Sometimes life sucked.

I walked away without replying and climbed the set of stairs. The exertion cost me. My hip throbbed something fierce. A woman walked briskly down a passage to my right. She seemed to know where she was going so I followed. My pace was much slower, and soon she disappeared around the corner.

This wasn’t the way to the cloakroom. Either the woman was familiar with the house, or she was plain nosy like me.

A group of family portraits on the wall snared my attention. The photo I’d found in the Monings’ bedroom was a studio shot, but for some reason didn’t bear a photographer stamp on the back. I scanned the different shots. Something about the one at the end tugged at my memory. The background? It was definitely the same color. The style was similar too.

Footsteps approached behind me. Did I hide or pretend I was lost? Soft voices aided my decision. I opened the door to the room just past the portraits and slipped inside. Luckily, it was empty. A guest bedroom and, judging by the disarray and the faint scent of lavender, it was currently in use by a friend or family member attending the ball. Conscious of the rising Fawkner debt, I made a rapid search.

I scooped up a pretty necklace and debated whether to pocket it. No. With Kahu around it wasn’t the wisest thing to do. I set the necklace back down on the dresser and stepped over to the door. After slipping it open to ensure the passage was clear again, I limped out, closing the door firmly behind me. When I was halfway along the passage, a figure appeared at the end. There was no time to run.

“Eve, what are you doing up here?” The mystery woman from earlier was my acquaintance Jemima.

I aimed for a bright smile. “I’m afraid I have the sense of direction of a homeless puppy. I was looking for the cloakroom.”

“It’s on the ground floor,” Jemima said.

I had no idea what she was thinking. The woman would make one hell of a poker player.

I expelled my breath in a loud huff. “Can you give me directions? I asked one of the waiters, but I couldn’t find it.”

“I’ll show you.” Although Jemima didn’t utter another word while we walked down the flight of sweeping stairs, it was clear from her body language she wasn’t pleased. Displeased with me or someone else? Her pale face still gave nothing away.

The music and chatter grew louder when we approached the ballroom.

“I’ve been flat out lately,” I said, deciding to go for the chatty, blonde-bimbo self. “What with looking after my daughter, working for Seth’s mother and keeping up things at Oakthorpe, I don’t have much time. How about you?”

“I keep busy.”

Doing what? It occurred to me I didn’t know much about her.

“Jemima.” A man caught her forearm and drew her to a halt. I didn’t know his name, but he looked familiar.

Jemima jerked from his touch. “Leave me alone.”

Curious, I caught a glimmer of anger before her expression blanked again.

“Through that door there.” She pointed to another exit on the far side of the crowded ballroom. “The first door on the right.”

She wanted to get rid of me. Actually, make that both of us, but the set frown on the man’s face told me she was in for a fight if she thought she could brush him off. What had Jemima been doing on the second floor? Who was this man? And why was she so eager for us to leave?

I smiled at Jemima and her mystery man. “Thanks. Will I see you later? We never have a chance to chat.”

She lifted one shoulder in a casual shrug. “Sure.”

The offhand manner puzzled me, but I let it slide. I had more important things to focus on at present. If I didn’t contact Father and Ben soon—

The subtle awareness of someone staring struck me. I turned away, doing a discreet surveillance of my surroundings.

Seeing no one to account for my uneasiness, I threaded through the chattering crowds, taking note of the different gemstones on the way. Emeralds. A definite possibility. An old-fashioned setting, but as long as the stones passed inspection, the piece held promise.

I aimed for a gap between two groups. Without warning, the opening closed. A male body collided with mine. I choked back a pained cry as my muscles tensed.

“Hello, what have we here?” a man slurred.

Drunken oaf. I grimaced at the wave of alcohol fumes and attempted to sidestep his wandering hands. He grabbed me, but I was ready for him and stomped on his foot. It hurt like hell, pain shooting along my thigh and hip. My captor cursed and released me so quickly I stumbled. A familiar scent hit me at the same time a pair of hands halted my fall.

Kahu Williams. Out of the frying pan into the fire. He gently propelled me through the crowd and through an open door leading to a walled garden.

“You okay?”

“I’m fine.” The nighttime air whispered across my bare shoulders. I shivered.

“Cold?” Kahu drew me close and his body heat seared through me. For an instant, I tensed.
No one is watching
. I relaxed and sank into his embrace just as my traitorous body desired. “Do you know,” Kahu said, his breath wafting over my ear. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were avoiding me.”

I made the mistake of glancing up at him. Oh, boy. Confidence blazed in his face. He knew the attraction wasn’t one-sided and he wanted me to know he knew. A roguish smile played across his lips. Soft lips. Masculine lips. I swallowed.
Breathe.
While my brain gave the order, my rebellious, traitorous body laughed.
Go with the flow, girl.

I swear my hands moved of their own accord. My brain sure as heck didn’t issue orders to ruffle his dark hair or whisper in his ear.

“My father warned me about men like you.” My fascinated gaze refused to shift from his mouth. I wanted to kiss him in the worst way. As I watched, the corners of his lips kicked up. My mobile vibrated inside the tiny purse I’d strung over my arm. Ignoring the summons, I studied the shape of his mouth.

“Did he tell you about the sex? How good it will be?”

I jerked, barely holding back a pained cry at the abrupt move. My brain sent urgent warning signals, but once again, they were ignored. Warmth flowered in places that had no business blooming. I leaned against Kahu, my breasts colliding with a hard muscular chest. I bit back a moan as lust counteracted my physical pain.

“We could leave,” he said in his antipodean drawl. His left hand smoothed across my bare shoulder while the right took a slight detour. One forefinger traced across the swell of my breast where skin met strapless gown. “What do you say?”

Duty battled mightily with desire and finally emerged the winner. “I can’t.” I didn’t bother to hide my regret. It was too late for false modesty.

Kahu bent his head until our foreheads brushed. “Somehow, I thought you’d say that.”

My held breath exited with a whoosh. I’d expected irritation at the very least, but instead ever-present humor lurked in his drawl.

“I’m sorry.”

“At least let me have a kiss?” His finger made a return journey across the swell of my breast. The instinct to turn a little so my breast nestled in his hand reared up to taunt me. I trembled, and he must have taken my body’s instinctive reaction for one of agreement.

Kahu stepped away but retained hold of my right hand. He led me into the dark shadows at the far end of the balcony. In the dim light, away from prying eyes, my bravado increased. Oh, yes. I wanted his kiss in the way I needed my next breath.

He cupped my face in his hands. My heart spluttered briefly before bursting into a mad gallop with no finish line in sight. I wondered if I might expire before my heart learned to pace itself.

“A real kiss,” he whispered against my lips.

Before I could take a breath, or answer or even think, his lips covered mine. No tentative kiss, this, but a full-blown statement of intent. His lips moved slowly, urging me to participate. With no real experience to fall back on, I went with what felt natural. My hands crept around his neck to clasp him to me. When his tongue swept across the seam of my lips, I opened my mouth. He tasted of mint, he smelled of the fresh outdoors.