Xavier looked over his shoulder. “How do you want to track him?”
“I could probably grab his phone like we did with the Chinese.”
When kids were hungry and alone on the streets, they picked up nifty skills like pickpocketing.
In my opinion, I was the best in New York. I could stand and talk to someone about normal conversation as I took my time taking their keys, wallet, and phone. It was all about distraction.
“Don’t do this shit, Em,” Max said. “Please.”
“She won’t listen.” Xavier turned around. “But you know what? If your dumb behind can get that phone, bring it to me, and give me time to put a tracker in the battery, I’ll do it. But that’s it. Don’t come over here for anything else.”
Xavier always added that last line, but we knew it was bullshit. Xavier lost his daughters—my childhood friends. Not only did we remind him of them, we’d ended up being his children by chaotic default.
“How long would it take you to put the tracker in the battery?” I asked.
“Five minutes at the most.” Xavier shut the bus door, ending out visit without a goodbye.
Maxwell looked at me. “How the hell are you going to take his phone?”
I shrugged.
“What are you going to do when you get in the apartment?”
I shrugged again. “I’m pretty much going with what comes.”
Max sighed. “Well, if you want my advice, which you probably don’t, use your biggest weapon.”
“What’s that?”
“Sex appeal.” He winked at me. “Seduce the lion.”
My nerves frazzled a little at the thought. I didn’t have a problem with flirting with men to get what I want or to remain safe. It was just that usually I wasn’t attracted to the target which made it acting and nothing more.
With this Kazimir, I wasn’t sure if I could keep my hormones from reacting.
“Don’t overdo it. Just seize the opportunity for arousing him, when possible. Men are many things, but we aren’t that complicated when it comes to women.” Max walked off.
I followed. “So, what should I do with this one? I might not even be his type.”
Max laughed. “When a woman’s titties come out, she ends up being every man’s type.”
I paused in the alley.
He stopped and smiled at me. “You happen to have a nice rack.”
I rolled my eyes. “So, your advice is to show him my breasts. It’s that easy? He comes over and I’m like, ‘Hey, check out my titties!’”
“No way.” Max looked off in the direction of our building. “You know he has cameras in there, but he doesn’t know you know that. First, figure out where all the cameras are and then give him a strip tease. Take off a little, but don’t get naked. Keep it slow, making him want more. Show him no more than your bra and panties. Figure out where the camera is, turn around, take your bra off, put a shirt on, and then go to sleep. That should be enough.”
“Do this tonight?”
“No, too soon. Let him pick you up tomorrow. Flirt with him. Put that feminine charm on him. Then, later that night. . .go for it.”
“And then what?” I asked.
Maxwell gazed at our building. “We’ll see.”
“He might not be the one even looking at the cameras.”
“True, but do you have any other options because if you do, take them. And if you’re giving him that charm, he’ll look.” Max turned his attention to the full moon. “Have you heard from Kennedy?”
“No. Why?”
“I thought it was weird that she left.”
“I didn’t have time to think about it, being that I was dealing with a lion.”
“Maybe we should keep her out of this.”
“I agree. This is a dirty situation anyway. No need to pull others in.”
“Stay safe.” Max saluted and headed away. “I’ve got something to check on. I’ll see you later.”
“Stay safe.”
Max walked off in the other direction. Worry covered his face.
Find the cameras and seduce the lion? Easy. What could go wrong, but everything?
Chapter 6
Kazimir
The Russian Tea Room had satisfied my hunger.
The decor was wild with red and gold featured everywhere. Very ornate furnishings. There was even a giant glass bear filled with water that rotated in the center of the restaurant.
A couple whispered and sat at the table. Their hushed conversation reached us.
“This is why we should leave New York, Jason.” The woman shook her head and didn’t even touch her food. “Between the shootings and this new serial killer, I don’t know what to do.”
“It will be okay, honey.” He chewed his steak. “Drink some more of your wine.”
“I’m tired of you saying that to me.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s like you’re oblivious to what’s going on around us.”
“The police will find the Tinder Killer.”
“And if they don’t.”
“He’s not even killing women.”
“Sure, for now it’s black men, but—”
The man dropped his fork next to his plate and scowled. “Just drank your damn wine, Cherise.”
She did as he asked.
I laughed to myself and returned to my food.
Sasha remained quiet most of our meal, drinking in his surroundings and eavesdropping on other’s conversations.
When we finally finished dinner, my phone buzzed.
I answered on the third ring. “Yes?”
Luka was on the other line. Fear laced my number one’s voice.
This can’t be good.
Luka and I had done time together—broken bones and snapped necks together. I was not used to hearing him sound nervous.
“We have a problem,” Luka said.
“What is it?”
“We’ve lost the washer.”
I gripped the phone hard. “The new one?”
“Yes.”
Where are you, Emily?
I tried to keep the anger out of my voice. “How the fuck did you lose her?”
“She closed the gallery and shut off the lights. We thought she would come out afterwards. She never did. We’re in front of her house now.”
“And someone is still watching the gallery?”
“Yes. We even broke in. She was gone.”
“And you checked the cameras in her house?”
“Yes. No one’s gone in and out, but us.”
I groaned.
My little mysh, where are you? Already you’re a tricky little creature?
“I’m sorry, boss. We’ll have her before the end of the night.” Luka knew he’d fucked up. We had no time for slip-ups, especially from a woman so small.
Tricky and smart just like a mouse. Where did you go?
I calmed myself down. “I know you’ll find her, and when you do, bring her to me. I don’t care where I’m at or what time it is.”
You can be tricky with others, Emily, but not with me.
“Yes, sir.”
I shut off the phone.
He’ll find her. He won’t disappoint.