Read Online Once a Thief by Kay Hooper - Free Book Online Page B

Nyssa had the Greek chalice, and she had bragged publicly that she’d gotten it for ten thousand. Obviously, she had bartered the rest.
    To give the older woman credit, Morgan had to admit that Nyssa was at least honest about her tactics.
    Since she was reasonably sure Wolfe could hold his own with even a rabid collector who also happened to be a gorgeous blonde, Morgan was free to enjoy the party, which she did.
    At least until Wolfe got a call on his cell phone.
     
    “We should probably call Max,” Morgan said with a sigh as Wolfe’s rental car neared her apartment. “He should know how badly Jonathan screwed up.”
    “How badly
did
he screw up? Do you know? Because I’m not sure.”
    “Computers aren’t my specialty, but from what he told you, I’ve got the feeling we’re talking about a major problem—and a setback of several weeks, potentially. That’s assuming he can fix what he messed up without making things worse. Don’t you think we should call Max?”
    “No reason he has to know until he gets back here,” Wolfe pointed out. “There’s nothing he could do about it anyway. Nothing any of us can do, for that matter.”
    “Yeah, but we should tell him.”
    “Let me see how bad things are first. If there’s nothing he could do about it, there’s no reason to bother him with it until he comes home.”
    She eyed him as he pulled the car to a stop at the curb in front of her building. “Okay. Just out of curiosity—are you planning to meet Nyssa later?”
    Affably, he said, “Nosy, aren’t you?”
    “Yes. Are you going to answer the question?”
    He sighed. “No, I’m not meeting Nyssa later. As a matter of fact, I’m going back to the museum.”
    Morgan frowned. “Why?”
    “To try to figure out just how badly the computer nerd—excuse me, Jonathan—screwed up. And because your paranoia has infected me.” He sounded distinctly irritable about it. “Believe me, I’d much rather spend the night with somebody other than armed security guards, but such is my life at the moment.”
    “You’re going to stay there all night? And do what? Breathe down the guards’ necks?”
    “I just want to keep an eye on the place.” He started to put the car in park, but Morgan stopped him.
    “No, you don’t have to get out. This building is very safe and has great security. Listen, are you really worried or just humoring me?”
    “I could have spent the night with Nyssa. No offense, but humoring you would come in a distant second if those were my choices.”
    Not at all offended, Morgan said, “Yeah, that’s what I thought. You’re worried because the technician blew his job? It doesn’t affect current security.”
    “No, but it’s an anomaly. I don’t like anomalies. I don’t trust them. So I’m going to check every door and window in that building personally. And I’m going to make damned sure all the guards know I’m looking over their shoulders.”
    “I can—”
    “No, you can’t. You’ve spent more time in the museum lately than the exhibits have.”
    “Very funny.”
    “Look, Morgan, you’ve been putting in way too many hours lately. We both know Max won’t like it. Besides, there really isn’t anything you can do tonight. I promise I won’t strangle Jonathan. Hell, I won’t even yell at him.”
    “I’m sure he’s gone home by now,” she murmured.
    Wolfe had to laugh. “Yeah, he probably has. So it’ll be me and the guards tonight. You get some rest, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
    Morgan opened the car door. “You can’t watch them all the time.”
    “No, but I can keep a very close eye on them at least until the new security system is up and running.”
    “Well, I know it won’t do much for your social life, but I have to say it makes me feel better that you’ll be watching the place.”
    Moody now, Wolfe said, “Sometimes I hate my job.”
    Realizing that Nyssa Armstrong must have issued a pretty blunt invitation that Wolfe had refused very