I Know Lucy (A Fugitive #1)(23)

“Please, I insist. It’ll make me feel better.”

Her smile was sweet, raising her pink cheeks. She bit her lower lip and looked at the wallet with a sigh.

“Come on, how much?”

“It was two hundred and eighty dollars, but you really don’t have to give me anything.”

Pulling out a third hundred dollar bill, he shoved them at her. “Here, please. It’s the least I can do.”

“Wow.” The girl looked shocked. “Thank you, that… I mean, that’s so generous. Are—are you sure?”

“Yes.” The man smiled, placing the bills into the open box, on top of the broken statuette.

“I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone as generous as you before.” She touched his forearm, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you, sir.”

“It’s really a pleasure.” His smile was almost adoring as he looked into her brown eyes…and then his phone began to ring. “Excuse me.”

She stepped back with a grin. “Just watch your step.” She winked, making him chuckle as he answered the phone. His strut told those around him that he’d just played Good Samaritan and felt the richer for it. My eyes travelled from him to the girl, who was looking at the money with a little grin of triumph.

As she turned back to cross the street I caught her eye. She flinched for a second before replacing her surprise with a sweet smile and sliding her shades back on.

Hmm. I frowned. Maybe my imagination wasn’t on overdrive.

I wouldn’t want to bet all my money on it, but I would have happily put a fiver down that she’d just pulled a fast one on that rich guy.

“Zachary? You listening, honey?” Mom shook my arm, bringing me back to the table. “Where have you been?” She grinned at me. “Your burger’s getting cold.”

I chuckled sheepishly. “Sorry, just lost watching the world go by.”

Dad shook his head. “You are so like your Uncle Alex it’s frightening.”

That compliment just made me beam. Uncle Alex was a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, got the job before he even graduated from college. He was twenty-six, and one of the most driven men I knew, always hungry for a good story. He was the ultimate truth exposer and never backed down, even if it meant confronting some pretty big issues. He’d outed a few powerful people in the San Fran area and made some swift enemies, but he’d also fought for justice…and won.

I wanted to be just like him.

Glancing over my shoulder, I noticed the girl had disappeared on the other side of the street. I picked up a french fry and popped it in my mouth wondering if I had been right. If it was a con, it sucked that she just ripped that guy off by three hundred bucks, although he looked as though he could take it. A slow smile spread across my face. Man, if that had been a con, she was a really good artist. It had been a piece of magic to watch.





Chapter 12





LUCY


November 2010





“How about the one with the grey bag?” Marlin kept his eyes on Lucy, indicating with the tiniest flick of his head who he was talking about.

Lucy stole a glance over his shoulder and wrinkled her nose. “I’m not mugging an old lady. What if I accidentally hurt her? Besides, she doesn’t look rich enough anyway.”

“Cyan, she’s dripping in diamonds and pearls. She’s doesn’t even look that old. You just don’t want to do it.”

“Of course I don’t want to do it. I pick pockets, not mug people.”

“You’re not mugging her.” Marlin looked to the sky with a huff. “It’s a simple con.”

“One we’ve never tried before.”

Grabbing her shoulder, Marlin gave it a gentle squeeze. “I know we can pull it off. When you managed to talk your way out of shoplifting the other day, I knew you had the talent. Come on, let’s not waste it.”

Lucy tutted and leaned back against the brick building, folding her arms tightly over her chest. She wanted to shake her head and refuse, but knew she couldn’t. If she hadn’t been caught stealing that food they’d still have something to munch on, but they were out of money.

“We shouldn’t have splashed out last week. We should have rationed our money better.”

“A two-course dinner at Chilies is hardly splashing out,” Marlin mumbled. “Geez, Cyan, we shared the frickin’ meal!”

Lucy swallowed and looked down, remembering how delicious those nachos had been…and the chocolate brownie for dessert…it was the best thing she’d ever tasted.

“We need money. It’s getting colder, picking pockets isn’t going to cut it anymore. We need to up our game. I want one night’s sleep in a bed not made from concrete or dirt. Please, Cy.” Marlin squeezed her shoulder again.

Lucy looked out of the alley to spy the street again.

“Why don’t we go for that black guy instead. He looks like he’s doing okay for himself.”

Marlin flicked a glance past her shoulder.

“Do you honestly think we can persuade him? The lady’s a safer bet.”

Lucy swore under her breath, resisting the urge to stamp her foot.

“Okay, fine.” She snatched the beanie and put it over her head, rolling it down so it covered her face. Marlin had cut eye holes out for her the night before. It felt scratchy and horrible against her skin. She tucked her scraggy hair down the back of her jacket and sniffed.