Always a Thief by Kay Hooper Read Free Book Online

Bannister collection is probably making him drool,” Morgan said.
    “Alex and Jared expect so. It's the only shot they've had at getting their hands on Nightshade, Morgan. In eight years, he hasn't put a foot wrong, and the odds are against him making a serious enough mistake in the future to let the police catch him. And even if he does, God knows how many people will have to die first. So . . . luring him to a trap designed just for him is worth all the risks we're taking.”
    “Even the risk that the true danger to the collection is Quinn?”
    “Even that.”
    “Okay, if we assume Quinn really is doing what he says he's doing, then what's his motive for putting his own life on the line? Is it like Jared said, just a way to stay out of prison himself?”
    “That's not my story, Morgan. You'll have to ask Alex about it.”
    “And of course he'll tell me the truth.”
    “You never know.”
    “Yeah. Well, maybe I'll ask him.”
    “In the meantime,” Max said, “aside from checking on Alex, I also called to warn you.”
    “Oh, Christ, what now?”
    “I got a call earlier from Keane Tyler. The body of a murdered woman was found a few miles from the museum. They haven't gotten an I.D. yet, but apparently there's some evidence she's connected to the museum.”
    “Connected how?”
    “We don't know. Whatever the evidence is, the police intend to keep it quiet.”
    “Even from you?”
    “Even from me.” Unemotionally, Max added, “Ken Dugan and I were called in to take a look at the body. Neither of us knows her.” Dugan was the head curator of the Museum of Historical Art.
    Morgan swallowed. “Maybe I should—”
    “Not yet. Keane and his people are talking to museum employees, but I've told him you won't be available until Monday or Tuesday.”
    “And he's okay with that?”
    “Let's say I called in a favor. He's okay with it. But he will want to speak to you when you get in. Maybe show you a photo of the woman.”
    “Max, does this have anything to do with the exhibit?”
    “I don't know.”
    “They still haven't found out who murdered that poor Ace employee a few weeks ago—”
    “We don't know there's a connection between the two murders. As far as the police have been able to determine, this woman is not and never has been an Ace employee.” Ace Security was the company ostensibly handling the installation of the new security system in the museum; Storm was posing as one of their security specialists.
    “But she's somehow connected to the museum?”
    “That's what Keane says. And because of the exhibit, the police are investigating the possibilities of a connection very thoroughly. In any case, until we know more, it's fairly useless to speculate.”
    “Yeah. Yeah, I guess so.”
    “I just wanted to let you know what was going on and warn you to expect the police activity when you go back to the museum.”
    “Should I tell Alex about this?”
    “You can, or Jared will when Alex is back on his feet. I'd wait a couple of days, though. There's nothing he could do about it now anyway. That's assuming there is a connection with the museum.”
    “I don't really believe in coincidence, Max.”
    “No. No, neither do I. Take care, Morgan.”
    “I will. You too.”
     
    In the next room, Quinn listened to two soft clicks and then the dial tone.
    “Shit,” he muttered half under his breath.
    He put the bedroom phone back on its base and stared down at his left hand as he flexed it slowly. His shoulder throbbed a protest, and he grimaced. But he didn't stop the slow, deliberate movements.
    He had to get back on his feet.
    Time was running out.
     
    She moved through the darkness as though it were a part of her, slipping between the shadows of the buildings with nothing more than a whisper of sound. Even with the heavier-than-usual pack she carried, she was able to be silent. A distant siren caused her to freeze momentarily, but it faded even farther away and she continued on.
    It was a familiar