When I got closer, I slowed my pace. One stretch of my arm and I’d be able to reach the backpack. I matched Dimples step for step so he wouldn’t realise anyone was right behind him and eyed the bag. It was beyond ridiculous that the Lia Saifire would be in there. Firstly, taking it on a stake-out would be stupid. Secondly, leaving it in an unlocked backpack in this neighbourhood was dumber than surfing on Ben Nevis. There was no way the jewel was in there. I should have turned back round immediately and got on with what I was supposed to be doing. My fingers were itchy, however. I just couldn’t help myself.
Pickpocketing is a hell of a lot easier than most people suppose. It just takes a delicate touch. Holding my breath, I reached forward and grabbed the edge of the zip, sliding it open two inches. Then I slipped my hand inside. My fingers brushed against something soft and velvet and I pulled it. Whatever it was, it was heavy. I pulled a bit harder, just as there was a sudden ring.
I froze, my hand still inside his backpack. He stopped, forcing me to stop as well, dug into his suit pocket and took out a shiny phone.
‘Yeah,’ he grunted.
I started tugging again, gently lifting the object towards the opening.
‘No sign of her. Byron’s going to be seriously pissed off.’
The velvet snagged on the edge of the zip. Shite, shite, shite. I was rusty. It had been a long time since I’d bothered with the sort of small ticket items you could get from this type of theft.
‘We should double back. She might go back home.’
Just as I thought I was going to have to use my teeth, I managed to free the fabric and pull away. In my hand was a small black velvet bag, tied with a gold string. Whatever was inside, it was going to be valuable. Even if it wasn’t the Lia Saifire, it was still satisfying. I carefully closed the zip again, something many pickpockets didn’t bother with. Taking the time – and the risk – to do it meant it would be longer before he noticed that anything was amiss.
I sidestepped left just as Dimples went right and headed back the long way. The moment I was sure there was enough distance between us, I pressed myself against the wall until he’d vanished completely. Then I opened the bag. The deep-faceted blue of the Lia Saifire blinked up at me.
Crapadoodledo. Go me.
Chapter Ten
The small bar on the edge of St. Andrews Square was smoky and reeked of stale beer. I cast my eyes around, quickly alighting on Lexie who was sitting in the far corner, nursing some strange green concoction. It was so lurid in colour that I was briefly reminded of Byron’s eyes. Ick. I didn’t want to give him a single thought. Not unless it involved stripping him of all his wealth (and maybe his clothes too).
I slid into the seat opposite. ‘Piss off,’ Lexie grunted, without looking up.
‘Hey,’ I said softly. ‘It’s me.’
Her head jerked up and her face filled with relief. ‘Integrity! Where the hell have you been? What’s been going on? Why haven’t you been in touch? Have you heard from Brochan or Speck? Do you know if I’m in danger? What about…’
‘Whoa, whoa, whoa.’ I raised my palms. ‘Chill, Lex. Everything’s good.’
She gazed at me like I was a total idiot. ‘Good? Good? How can everything be good?’
I winced. ‘Keep your voice down. You need to keep a low profile, remember?’
She subsided into a series of blue-tinged grumbles.
‘That’s better,’ I said, like a disapproving teacher. ‘How many of those have you had?’
She tapped her glass. ‘These? I dunno. Half a dozen maybe.’
I eyed the drink with distaste. ‘What’s in it?’
‘Crème de menthe, vodka and Amaretto. Want to try?’
Eurgh. ‘No thanks.’ I caught the attention of the bartender. ‘Jug of coffee, please. And make it strong.’
‘You’re no fun. I’m drowning my sorrows. You should join me.’
‘I have things to do. And so do you.’
‘Yeah? Like what?’
I took out the velvet bag and threw it on the table. It clunked heavily against the wood. Lexie looked at it and then at me. She took another sip of her green monster before curiosity got the better of her. She picked up the bag and peered inside it.
I waited. When her jaw dropped and her eyes went wide, I grinned.
‘How…?’ she breathed.
‘Long story. Taylor can fill you in on the details later.’
She shook her head with incredible vehemence. ‘No way. You can ply me with all the coffee you like and give me as many priceless jewels as you can find but I’m not venturing out there again. I’m not going to prison, Tegs.’
About this, at least, I was confident. ‘You’re not going to go to prison,’ I told her. ‘They’re no longer looking for you.’
‘Yeah?’ She did a good impression of one of those disbelieving women you get on daytime chat shows when they’re told their husbands have been cheating on them.
‘Yes,’ I replied firmly. ‘It was me they were after and they’ve got me.’
Lexie blinked. ‘Eh?’
‘Like I said, Taylor will fill you in. What you two need to do is to get hold of the buyer and get rid of that.’ I nodded towards the Lia Saifire. Recovering it had opened up a whole host of options. ‘With the money, hire the meanest, nastiest lawyer in town. Get Speck and Brochan released, even if it’s only on bail. Once that’s done, you need to talk to Charlie.’