Ida Belle frowned. “I hadn’t thought about that.”
“So basically,” Gertie said, “you’re going to pitch the idea before they move on it themselves. Otherwise, we’ll be just as left out as we would be if Carter did it.”
“Exactly,” I said. “I don’t like it, but it’s a better than being sitting ducks. I was lucky with those Feds last night. They weren’t expecting anyone to be outside and they certainly weren’t expecting someone with my capabilities. But people like the Seal brothers spend every waking moment looking over their shoulder and anticipating a possible attack.”
Ida Belle nodded. “You’re right. I hated pacing the house last night, checking the windows every twenty minutes and feeling like a caged animal. I need this to be over with.”
My phone signaled an incoming text and I checked it.
Meet us at the storage unit at 10 a.m.
“Ten o’clock,” I said. “We have less than two hours to figure out how to convince two mobsters to do things our way.”
“We’re going to need another pot of coffee,” Gertie said.
Chapter Eighteen
I pulled up to the storage unit and punched in the code for the security gate. We’d talked about our pitch over and over again until we’d worn out every possible angle—asking politely, insisting gently, pleading just a little, and even crying. I’d finally decided that the truth was the easiest way to go. It might not get us what we wanted, but I was fairly sure none of the other options would, either.
The door to the storage unit was already open, and Mannie was standing outside. I pulled up in front of it and saw Big sitting inside on the bench and four other chairs surrounding him. We greeted Mannie and headed inside. Little rose from one of the chairs and waved his hand at them.
“Please, take a seat,” Little said. “It’s not the most comfortable of furniture, but we have other business being handled at our offices today and couldn’t meet there.”
We all said our hellos to Big, who nodded, and we took a seat. Mannie stood off to the side, as usual. I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen him sit except when driving.
“You’ve been busy,” Big said. “It’s unfortunate that Mr. LeDoux turned out to be a dead end, quite literally. Have you discovered anything else about the key?”
“Nothing that is a big help, I’m afraid,” I said. “We talked to an antiques dealer and he thinks it opens a crypt, but we have no idea which one and there’s not exactly a shortage of them around these parts.”
Big nodded. “A crypt. Interesting. But yes, I see where that’s a problem, especially with Mr. LeDoux no longer able to answer questions. I’ve heard Hot Rod’s condition has improved. That was a bit of good news.”
Ida Belle nodded. “We were really happy to hear that.”
“Well,” Big said, “I’m sure you didn’t come here to chat, so what can we help you with?”
“I want to set a trap,” I said. “We’re tired of looking over our shoulders and patrolling the house at night, waiting for the car thieves to come looking. I want to bring the SUV back to Sinful and take them down.”
“Nice,” Mannie said.
I explained my plan, as well as I’d fleshed it out so far.
Big glanced at Mannie, then looked back at me. “While I appreciate your desire for a speedy resolution, I’m not certain your plan is the best option. At least, not in the way you’ve presented it.”
“Why not?” I asked.
“Well,” Big said, “while I have no doubt at all about your ability to secure the thieves should they take the bait, I’m afraid the events at your home last night have provided information that you’re under surveillance.”
I threw my hands in the air. “How do you know that? Do you have hidden cameras on my lawn?”
“No,” Big said. “We haven’t surveilled you ourselves since we bugged your house that one time, and all of that equipment has been removed. Now that we know each other better, I wouldn’t do such a thing without inquiring first, but I will admit there are times I would enjoy the footage.”
“We have some friends in high places,” Little said. “We were aware that the ATF was in Sinful, but had no information as to why. After they flubbed their mission last night, word of it made rounds. But our friends have not heard that the investigation has been canceled. Until such time, we have to assume that the ATF could still be watching.”
I sighed, unable to control my disappointment. But Big and Little were right. I could hardly go apprehending car thieves in Ida Belle’s driveway with a federal agency watching us. That might look a little suspicious, not to mention I needed to question the thieves myself, and Feds rushing in to aid the helpless female would mess up everything. The thieves would go straight to jail and I’d never get a chance to question them.
“If I may,” Little said. “I think I might have a solution.”
“I’m listening,” I said.
Little nodded. “I’m sure we can all agree that attempting to draw the thieves to the storage unit would also be folly, which I’m sure is why you want to take the SUV back to Sinful. Because of this situation, I understand you’re all staying at Ms. Morrow’s home at night, correct?”
“Yes,” I said, “but you’re right, if the ATF is still hanging around, my plan won’t work. They’d come out of the bushes and honk everything up.”
Little nodded. “It could definitely get a little crowded, especially as I’m sure your deputy friend is also lurking about. What I’m going to suggest is that we give the thieves exactly what they want but in a different way than you suggested.”
I frowned. “But they want to find the SUV in Ida Belle’s garage…oh, I get it. Since everyone’s watching my house they won’t be watching Ida Belle’s.”
Little nodded. “Classic misdirection. While all interested parties are watching your house, Big and I can arrange to have the SUV placed back in the garage.”
“The staging part makes sense,” I said, “but I want to be the one doing the takedown. I can’t do that if I’m playing David Copperfield with the Feds and local law enforcement.”
“I know you want to be involved,” Little said, “and I’m not saying you can’t be. Just that you can’t be at Ida Belle’s.”
“You’re suggesting you take down the thieves?” I asked. “And then what, call us up and we stroll over? How is that any better?”
“I’m suggesting that we acquire the thieves and transport them to a place where they could be questioned without the worry of federal agents or local law enforcement getting in the way,” Little said. “I have every confidence in your ability to get out of your home without being seen.”
“We could get out of the house, sure,” I said. “But we can’t exactly drive my Jeep out of the garage and I’m not interested in jogging to the storage unit or your warehouse, or wherever else you have in mind.”