The Cocky Thief (Stolen Hearts #1)(25)
Hart’s expression didn’t change, but he didn’t deny it. “You did good, Miles. Go get some sleep. You deserve it.”
“Those girls have no idea what they’re up against. If Sterling finds them before we do, he’s going to have the necklace right back.”
“Don’t be naive. I’ve heard of Isobel Murray before. Not by that name, but she’s caught the attention of the cops before. She knew exactly who she was getting in bed with and what she was ripping off. At this point, we have to assume they have as good of an exit plan as they can have. If Sterling catches up with them, we’ll deal with it then.”
No! He wasn’t going to let this once-in-a-lifetime score just disappear forever. “You’re a cop! Call your buddies in blue or something and get help!”
Hart fished his wallet out of his back pocket and flipped it open, showing an empty space where a badge used to be. “Not anymore.”
That was new. But Austin figured it made sense. Hart couldn’t really be on the force and teaming up with guys like him. Knowing that didn’t make Austin feel better, though. “You’re not a cop? You’ve got no backup and you’ve decided to take on Jonathan Sterling all on your own? You should be grateful those women got that necklace before us because you don’t stand a chance once you’re on his radar.”
“I know what I’m up against,” he said simply.
“Oh, do you? Do you know what guys like Sterling do to people who steal from them? What do you think is going to happen if they catch Jennifer Murray? Even if they get the necklace back, he’s going to want vengeance.”
Hart tilted his head. “Are you more worried about your girlfriend or the necklace?”
“I—” Fuck, this night had not gone how he wanted. “Fine. You get your precious beauty rest and give me your computer. I’ll sort this mess out on my own.”
Hart handed over his laptop and power cord. Austin reached for it, but Hart held on. “I know exactly what Sterling is capable of, Miles. I probably know better than anyone. So the next time you want to accuse me of not knowing the stakes, shove it up your ass.”
Hart let go of the computer and Austin decided to let him have the final word. If Hart really wasn’t afraid of Sterling, that meant something very telling. It was hard to be afraid when you had nothing to lose.
Austin went to his door via the connecting doorway. Hart had booked two rooms when he arrived late yesterday and had made sure both rooms looked lived in. If Sterling’s men were especially thorough, they’d be looking for people who just checked in tonight.
Austin plugged in the computer and got online. Facebook was the best way to keep in contact with extended family and extended criminals. He didn’t have too many contacts in the San Francisco area, but he knew one or two people. After a flurry of emails, messages, and calls, he confirmed that no one knew about any Isobel, Jennifer, or Melody Murray. But one name kept coming up when he asked about the best escape routes: the local master of the fake identity, Ajax.
After sending two messages with no response, Austin tried the phone, but no one picked up. From what his contacts said, Ajax worked out of a pawn shop downtown, but it didn’t open until eight in the morning. Austin leaned back in his chair and ran his hand over his face. Ajax was the only lead he had and he was limited with what he could do with no car and a laptop.
The only thing left to do at least for the next couple of hours was get some rest. Hart didn’t seem concerned at all about getting the necklace back, but Austin wasn’t ready to let his score slip away. Hell, maybe if he got it back, Hart would let him keep all the cash he got for it.
Who was he kidding? This wasn’t just about the necklace, no matter how many millions it was worth. Was he mad at her? Hell yes. She’d made off with his score. Sure, she’d done all the legwork, but that wasn’t his problem. It wasn’t as if she could claim the Dragon Heart hers to steal. When he was hired to do a job, he was used to getting it done. Now that he had the USB drive he was hired to get from Seal Cove Inn, he could mark it in the win file, but this still felt like two losses in a row. For a guy who never lost, that was a lot to handle.
And as mad as he was that Jennifer had got the drop on him, he’d heard rumors of what happened the last time Sterling was ripped off. The son of a bitch had gotten farther than most. He’d been holed up in a small hut in Tibet, waiting for the heat to blow over, and Sterling’s men had found him. Once the remains were found, his body would’ve never been identified, but one sole finger could still be printed. The face and rest of the body had been mutilated so that it didn’t even look human.
All of this had been done while the poor sap was alive. It was so bad that everyone Austin had heard tell the story was certain that lone fingerprint was left on purpose. Sterling wanted people to know what would happen to those who crossed him. Austin might be mad at Jennifer, but to think of her ending up in his clutches... Yeah, he didn’t want to even consider that possibility.
Austin kicked off his shoes and lay down on the bed, keeping all his clothes on. He slept worse while fully dressed and he wanted to be alert through the night. Even though he hadn’t gotten away with anything, he didn’t have any illusions. By this point, Sterling, and Stranger by default, would be looking for him too.
By the time morning rolled around, Austin had collected a total of maybe two hours of sleep. He didn’t think he’d be able to squeak out any more, so he pounded on Hart’s connecting door. He thought it would take a few minutes to wake up the scheming cop, but after only two bangs, Hart pulled open the door. Nothing like waking up to that angry scowl.