The Sacred Vault_ A Novel - Andy McDermott [10]
He laughed, unable to hold in his delight any longer. They had done it! He really was the greatest thief in history. One more job, and the team would receive the rest of their hundred million dollar payment - with half of it going to its leader and mastermind. And the final robbery, in San Francisco, would be a piece of cake in comparison to what they had just achieved.
The tarp roof was secure, the rear doors closed. Still smiling, Fernandez climbed into the cab and signalled the driver to head off into the darkness.
1
New York City:
Three Weeks Later
‘. . . So I’d like everyone to join me in a toast - a belated toast - to the marriage of two great friends of mine . . . Eddie Chase and Nina Wilde.’
Nina leaned round her husband to speak to the grey-haired man beside him as applause filled the room. ‘That was a nice speech, Mac.’
‘Yeah,’ rumbled Eddie, less impressed. ‘You only mentioned a few embarrassing moments from my time in the Regiment.’
Jim ‘Mac’ McCrimmon grinned. ‘What are best men for? Besides,’ the bearded Scot went on, ‘I’d never tell any of the really embarrassing SAS stories in mixed company. Certainly not in front of your grandmother!’
Nina stood. ‘Okay,’ she said, running a hand self-consciously through her red hair as everyone looked at her, ‘I know it’s not traditional for the, ah, “new” bride’ - she made air-quotes, raising laughter - ‘to speak at this point, but our lives have been anything but traditional since we met.’ More laughs. ‘So I wanted to thank you all for coming - it’s great that so many of you could make it for our first wedding anniversary, and we’ve had some lovely cards and messages from those who couldn’t be here. And most of all, I’d like to thank the man who made it all possible - my strangely charming, sometimes crazy-making, but always amazing husband.’ She kissed the Yorkshireman to more applause. ‘Anything to add, Eddie?’
‘You pretty much covered it. Except for . . . bottoms up!’ He raised his glass. ‘Enjoy the party!’
The DJ took the cue and put on a song - which, as per Eddie’s instructions, was a version of ‘Por Una Cabeza’. He stood, holding out a hand. ‘Fancy a dance?’
She smiled. ‘Y’ know, I might have practised this one a few times . . .’
‘Good job too - you were bloody rubbish at it in Monaco!’ He led her to the dance floor, the couple exchanging congratulations and jokes with friends along the way before taking their positions for a tango.
‘Ready to dance, Mr Chase?’ said Nina.
‘If you are, Mrs Chase,’ Eddie replied. Nina arched an eyebrow.
‘All right, Dr Wilde,’ he said with a playful sigh of defeat. ‘Just thought I’d try to have one vaguely traditional thing in our marriage.’
‘You’re so old-fashioned,’ she said, teasing. ‘And a one, and a two, and . . . dance!’
‘I’m actually impressed,’ said Elizabeth Chase to her younger brother. The DJ had switched to pop after Nina and Eddie’s display, the dance floor now drawing the younger and/or more inebriated guests while the host and hostess split up to circulate. ‘I had no idea you were so graceful. Shouldn’t you be wearing spangly trousers and dancing with celebrities?’
Her grandmother tutted at her. ‘Well, I thought it was very nice, Edward.’
‘Thanks, Nan,’ said Eddie. ‘And I’m glad you’re here to see it. And you, Holly,’ he smiled at his niece, ‘and even you, Lizzie . . . I mean Elizabeth.’
Elizabeth gave him a look somewhere between acknowledgement of the shared sibling joke and actual annoyance. Holly’s expression, meanwhile, was of genuine pleasure. ‘It’s so awesome to be here, Uncle Eddie! I get to see you and Nina - do I call her Aunt Nina now? It sounds