Always a Thief - Kay Hooper [47]
“He thought we should know, and the theft won't be made public because that's the way the Carstairs family wants it. The necklace was in a safe at the family home, but the security system was top of the line, maybe better than what we have here around the exhibit—and the thief waltzed through without tripping a single alarm. There were even guard dogs patrolling outside, and they never let out a whimper.”
“Sound familiar?” Storm murmured.
“You don't think it was Quinn?” Morgan said.
“No,” Wolfe responded immediately. But he wasn't looking at her when he said it, and he was frowning.
In a dispassionate tone, Storm said, “We all know there are plenty of thieves in San Francisco. Especially right now. Just because this particular thief beat a dandy security system doesn't mean it was Quinn.”
“Of course not,” Morgan said, but she heard a hollow note in her own voice.
Wolfe did look at her then, still frowning. “Let's not jump to conclusions, any of us. That necklace has been a prime target for years, and the security system is months old—long enough for someone to have gotten their hands on the diagrams and found a weak spot.”
“That's true,” Storm agreed.
Morgan looked at them both, then said, “Yeah. Okay, well, let me know if Keane finds out anything. I have my cell phone with me, and I'll be back in a couple of hours.”
Wolfe started to say something, but Storm caught his eye and shook her head warningly. When they were alone a minute later, he said, “I was going to ask her to join us for lunch.”
“I know.” Storm smiled at him. “Excellent intentions, but bad timing.” She nodded toward the monitor in the room, and when Wolfe turned to stare at it he saw what she meant.
Quinn was standing in the lobby.
Morgan was so surprised when she saw him there that for a moment she forgot the disturbing news she'd just learned. “What're you doing here? It's barely noon.”
Eerily burglarlike in a dark sweater and black slacks, he smiled and shrugged. “I couldn't sleep, so I decided to come and find out if I could take you to lunch.”
Just once, I want to be able to say no to him. Just once.
“Sure,” she said.
A couple of minutes later Morgan found herself in his little sports car, and by then she'd remembered Wolfe's troubling news. She didn't want to admit to the twinge of doubt she'd felt, but she couldn't help turning in the seat to study Quinn's face as she spoke in a deliberately casual tone.
“Ever heard of the Carstairs necklace?”
Somewhat dryly, he replied, “The same way I've heard of the Hope diamond; who hasn't? Why?”
“It was stolen last night.”
He let out a low whistle, and the only emotion his face showed was mild interest. “I'd like to know who managed that.”
“It . . . wasn't you,” she said, trying not to make it a question even though it was.
Quinn turned his head to look at her briefly, then returned his gaze to the road. “No. It wasn't me.”
Morgan had the upsetting idea that she had hurt him. “I had to ask.”
“I know.”
“I'm sorry.”
He glanced at her again, this time with a crooked smile. “Why? We both know what I am. You'd have to be an idiot not to suspect me, Morgana—and you are far from an idiot.”
“I just wish . . .”
“What?”
“Well, I just wish Nightshade would make his move and get it over with. I don't think I can stand waiting for the next two months.”
“Somehow I doubt he'll wait so long. The Bannister collection will be impossible for him to resist, believe me. I'd be very surprised if he waits as much as two weeks before making an attempt.”
“Intuition? Or experience?”
“A bit of both, I suppose.” Quinn sent her another quick smile. “That is why I'm here, remember? To provide an expert's point of view. Set a thief to catch a thief?”
She sighed. “I wish you didn't sound so damned pleased about that.”
“Never mind,” he said with a chuckle. “You'll feel better after lunch.”
Morgan nodded and then looked around to see where they were going. “Tony's?”
“I thought so, unless you