cops and the big guy looking for us, and we don’t have a fence who could handle that much.”
“I know about a fence in Tijuana,” she said.
“Nita, this isn’t a caper movie. We’re not going to end up in Mexico with fifty million dollars in big-time jewelry. You’re thinking about that Steve McQueen thing, aren’t you? What was it?”
“The Getaway,” she said. “I think we could pull it off.”
“What’s really scary about this conversation is that you actually have the balls to try it.”
“That’s right, and you don’t.”
“That’s why I have a deal with the cops,” he said. “Because I’m cautious and careful, and I go for the sure thing instead of the long odds.”
They were back at the shop now, and he let them in the front door. She started to speak, but he held a finger to his lips, and she shut up.
He knew he hadn’t heard the last of this, though.
56
Crane Hart poured the coffee and called out to Don, “Breakfast is ready!”
He came into the kitchen, tucking his shirt in and with wet hair. He said nothing, which was unusual for him.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“I don’t know,” Dugan replied. “Something, though.”
“Oh, come on, Don, what’s set you off? I mean, I know you think you have this sixth sense, but . . .”
“My ‘sixth sense,’ as you call it, has worked pretty well for us, hasn’t it?”
“Come on, what set you off?”
“I don’t like it that you’re being sent to Atlanta right before the job, that’s what. I want you to talk to Freeman and get out of it.”
“I’m way ahead of you,” she said. “I tried that yesterday, and he gave me perfectly good reasons for sending me to Atlanta.”
“What reasons?”
“He said that my job as a planner is over, and now operations will take charge, and they won’t want me in the way. I asked him repeatedly to let me be there, and he wouldn’t.”
“The job is set for Thursday. Why would he send you to Atlanta on Tuesday?”
“Because that’s when they need me in Atlanta, I guess.”
“You guess? Why do you believe that?”
“Why would Mike lie to me? I’ve got him in the palm of my hand, believe me.”
“You mean, you’ve got his dick in the palm of your hand.”
“Same thing.” She smiled.
“Call in sick on Tuesday,” Dugan said.
“For what purpose? You don’t need me here to do the job, do you?”
“If something goes wrong, we may have to run.”
“I can run from Atlanta, can’t I?”
“I guess.”
“Don, I’m getting the distinct feeling that you don’t trust me, that you think I’m somehow in cahoots with Mike to blow up this thing.”
“It crossed my mind,” he said.
She grabbed the plate of scrambled eggs and bacon from in front of him, took it to the sink, and washed it down the garbage disposal. “Have breakfast somewhere else,” she said.
“Oh, come on, you know I’d trust you with my life.”
“Then start doing it, or just pack up and get out.”
He stood up and drew her to him.
“What’s that I feel down there?” she asked, pushing her belly into his crotch.
“You know what it is,” he said.
“Let’s go take a look at it,” she replied, taking him by the hand and leading him toward the bedroom.
—
Jacob Sutton was at his desk when he got a call from his booth, downstairs at the diamond center. “Yes?”
“There’s a gentleman named Mario Carnavale down here who says he wants to see you.”
“The cop from the jewelry squad?”
“That’s the one.”
“Tell him I’ll be right down.”
Sutton slipped into his jacket and straightened his tie. This was not unusual; a lot of cops came to him to buy. He walked down the stairs and across the open floor, nodding to friends at other booths. Carnavale was standing next to his counter, looking at things on display. “Mario, how are you?” he asked, shaking the man’s hand warmly.
“Hiya, Jake,” the cop replied. “I came to see you last week, but they said you were out of town.”
“Yes, my wife and I went to Israel for a week. We have a condo on the beach at Haifa.”
“And you got some sun, too.”
“A little. Now, what can I do for you today?”
“I’m going to ask my girl to marry me, and I want a ring for her. I’m going to need the best possible price. I haven’t got all that much saved up.”
“I’ll tell you what, Mario, you tell me what you want to spend, and I’ll get you the best possible ring for that price.”
“I