I Know Lucy (A Fugitive #1)(30)

A niggle was growing inside her. She couldn’t place what it was, but as she turned away from the blond man, she felt a wave of unease sweep through her. Maybe they should pull out of the con?

But she had no good reason to. She shot Shorty a subtle glance. His dark eyes bore into her, telling her to get on with it.

Her lips were shaking as she smiled at him. “With you in a moment, sir.”

“No rush.” His smile was gentile in contrast to the look he’d just whipped her with.

She cleared her throat and approached Marlin. “Here you go, sir.”

“Thank you.” He took the leather pouch from her and flipped it open. She saw him flinch ever so slightly and had to press her lips together not to laugh. The bill was pretty exorbitant.

“Right.” He opened his jacket, reaching for his wallet in the inside pocket. His expression fell. He looked up at her, his grey eyes large and horrified. He quickly patted down the rest of him and then sputtered. “I—I’m so sorry. I don’t have my wallet. I mean, I thought I did. It was… surely not.” He groaned and slapped his forehead. “It must be sitting on my desk in the office. I can’t believe I’ve done this.”

Lucy looked to the side, going for awkward. “I’m sorry sir, but I can’t let you leave without paying.”

“I know. I know. I’m so embarrassed.” He winced. “My office is two blocks from here. Please, if I could just run back and grab it. It’ll take me ten minutes.”

“I don’t know.” Lucy bit her lip. “I’d get in so much trouble. I can’t afford to get fired.”

“I completely understand. Um…” Marlin pressed his lips together. “Well, here, take this.” He unclipped his watch and handed it to her.

She hesitated. “Um…”

“As insurance. It’s a hand me down from my grandfather. I doubt it’s worth much, but it’s definitely worth more than the meal.” Marlin stood, taking her hand and forcing her to grab it. “I will be back for this.” His grin was adorable as he buttoned his jacket and swiftly left the room.

Lucy gazed down at the gold watch in her hand, aware that a few eyes were on her. She shoved it into her apron pocket and started to head back to the bar.

“Excuse me,” Shorty called her back.

“Oh, I’m sorry, sir.” She walked over to him, looking flustered. “What can I get you this evening?”

“Yes, we’ll get to that in a minute. I just…well, I couldn’t help overhearing your little conversation and I spotted the watch. May I take a closer look?”

She dubiously pulled it from her pocket, glancing over her shoulder as she handed it to Shorty. The mark’s ears were on fire, she could tell. She adjusted her position, so she could spy him a little better and at the same moment noticed that the blond vodka man was also gazing at her. She tried to smile confidently at him, but that foreboding feeling washed over her and she ended up reverting her eyes to Shorty.

“You know, I don’t think that boy realizes just how precious this watch is.”

“I’m sorry?” Lucy tipped her head.

“What’s your name, darling?” Shorty’s posh British accent was in full bloom.

“S-Sarah.”

“And let me guess, you’re in high school?”

She nodded.

“Saving for something special? That’s why you can’t lose your job, am I right?”

She acquiesced with a sigh. “I’m trying to buy my first car.”

“A worthy cause, my dear.” He leaned in close, going for conspiratorial, but speaking loud enough for the mark’s table to hear. “If I were you, I’d flag the job and leave now.”

“What do you mean?”

He held the watch up to the light. “This is no cheap hand me down. I’d bet my life this little beauty is worth a pretty penny.”

“Like how pretty?” Lucy bit her lip.

“My dear, I’d say you were sitting on several thousand dollars here.”

“No way.” She gripped the tray in her hand.

He spun it over, studying the engravings on the back. “This is an antique. I can tell by the engravings. Trust me, I used to work in the industry. I was a valuer for an auction house for several years. I can tell this is a limited edition watch, made in Switzerland. This is no mere hand me down, I can assure you.”

“Do you think the guy who owns it knows?” Lucy flicked her thumb at vacant table 18.

“I think the boy who owns it is a rich, clueless prat who probably places no value at all in his possessions.” He gently placed the watch back in her hand. “You hang on to this, my dear. Go to the Winchester Auction House in the morning. You know it?” She shook her head. Pulling a business card and pen from his back pocket, he flipped it over and wrote down an address. “Tell them Fletcher sent you. Have it valued and placed in the next auction. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.” He grinned at her.

She took the card hesitantly. “But what if he comes back?”

“Might be a good time to head home sick.” The man winked. “I guess it depends on how badly you want that car.” As he slid the pen back in his jacket pocket, his phone rang. “Excuse me.” He answered it with an elegant flair and then stood from the table and left, muttering something about having to take the call.