Lies I Told(34)

Parker laughed. “Can’t say that I blame him. If I had twenty million in gold sitting around, I wouldn’t want the dog to know about it, let alone a bunch of experienced security guys.”

My dad nodded. “On the plus side, getting onto the grounds and into the house shouldn’t be too difficult, and if Warren has kept the location of the gold a secret from Allied and everyone else, once we find it, taking it shouldn’t be a problem.”

Parker stared down at the map. “Where are the cameras in the driveway?”

“Not sure,” my dad said. “Since we don’t have a long drive here, I wasn’t able to use my keeping-up-with-the-Joneses act to pinpoint the locations, although we have a few of them from Grace’s recon at the party. The rest should be easy enough to figure out, especially with Grace visiting Logan. Until then, we should assume they’re evenly spaced from the gate to the house.”

My mom turned to me. “Speaking of visiting Logan, how did it go last night, honey?”

I steadied my voice, calling up the explanation I’d been rehearsing all day in my mind. “Fine. I mean, we went straight to the kitchen, made popcorn, and watched a movie. I didn’t get a chance to see much, and I didn’t want to be too suspicious my first time there.”

She smiled. “I trust that you know how to handle Logan.”

Her words made me feel sick, but I just nodded, hoping the false calm on my face was believable.

“What about the keypad?” my dad asked. “Did Logan disarm the system after he let you in?”

“He did, but I couldn’t make out the code over his shoulder.”

A lie. I had been too preoccupied with the prospect of spending time with Logan to even try.

My dad nodded. “How did it go with Logan? Is he interested?”

“I’d say so,” I said, bracing myself to tell the one truth I had no choice but to tell. “He asked me to be exclusive.”

I caught Parker’s clenched jaw in the moment before my mom’s eyes lit up.

“You worked him fast,” she said.

There was admiration in her voice, and I couldn’t help wishing we were some other mother and daughter. One where her excitement over Logan’s asking me to be his girlfriend was about being happy for me, not gaining access to information that would help us steal from him.

“That’s excellent news.” My dad beamed. “Now you’ll have plenty of access to the house and grounds.”

I nodded, not trusting myself to say anything.

“How’s it coming with the night guard at Allied?” my dad asked Parker.

Parker shrugged. “I can only assume he’s pissed, which is just how we want it.”

I wondered what they were talking about, but if my dad wanted it to be common knowledge, he would have explained. Until then, it was none of my business.

“And Rachel Mercer?” my dad asked him. “Your mother said you saw her last night?”

“Yeah, we went to eat at Mike’s in town,” Parker said.

“And?” my dad prompted.

Parker shrugged. “She seems interested—interested enough to text me to hang out—but she’s cagey, too.”

“Cagey how?” my mom asked.

“Just . . . difficult to pin down. She asks more questions than most girls. Doesn’t want to talk about herself much.”

My mom laughed. “Not all women are self-centered, Parker.”

If she expected him to protest, she was disappointed. He just leveled his gaze at her without a word. Her eyes turned flinty in the awkward silence that followed.

“We don’t really need Rachel anyway,” my dad finally said. “Grace is in with Logan. That’s what we wanted. Just play it cool with Rachel and we should be fine.” He looked at each of us. “Anything else? Any concerns?”

No one said anything.

My dad stood. “Good. Keep doing what you’re doing.” He looked at me, his gaze steady. “We need that key code, Grace—and we need the location of the gold.”





Twenty-Six


“How are things really going with Logan?”

My mom’s voice was muffled from inside the dressing room. It was later that day, and I was helping her choose some new things to wear around Leslie Fairchild. My mom didn’t really need me—her taste was impeccable—but shopping was one of the ways we spent what she called “quality time” together. I didn’t mind. It made me feel normal, and I was always reminded that she was smart and fun to be with. I could have done worse.

“They’re fine, just like I said.” I used my fingertip to trace circles on the upholstered bench outside the dressing room. I didn’t want to talk about Logan. Not like this. Not right now.

“Come on, Gracie. It’s no fun without details.” She stepped out of the dressing room wearing a turquoise wrap blouse. “Yes/no?”

“There are no details,” I said. “We’ve only kissed.” I studied the blouse. “The color might be a little too South Beach.”

She nodded. “Agreed.” She headed back into the dressing room. “Is he a good kisser?”

I groaned. “Seriously, Mom?”

She laughed. “Don’t be a prude. I’m just curious.”