Christmas Male(18)

“Natalie’s a bit worried about the two of you working together. Fiona doesn’t have any family—except for us.”

D.C. met Chance’s eyes. “None?”

“Her parents died when she was four. She was adopted, but it didn’t work out. The only detail she’d ever shared with Natalie was that she was returned to the adoption agency at Christmastime.”

D.C. felt a tightening around his heart. “That had to have been tough.”

“Yeah. After that, she was in the foster care system until she went into the police academy in Atlanta. She met Natalie at a conference and shortly after that, she asked for a transfer and joined the high-profile crime division up here.” Chance paused to take a swallow of his beer. “I told my wife the two of you will mix about as well as oil and water.”

D.C. smiled and selected a stuffed mushroom. “An interesting analogy.” With enough shaking, oil and water mixed fine—temporarily. “But you’re right. I often have more of an out-of-the-box approach to my work than the lieutenant does.”

Chance raised both hands, palms out. “I’m not criticizing your style.”

D.C. grinned at him. “That would be like the pot calling the kettle black.”

“True.”

“I think we can work it out.” His smile faded. “How good is she?”

“Fiona’s the best cop Natalie has.”

“Then that’s why I need to work with her. You and I both know that hacking into the security system of the National Gallery is either the work of a real pro or a very gifted amateur. Or both. And it’s a pretty safe bet that someone inside the gallery has to be involved.”

“Agreed. I’d like nothing more than to help you out on this one. Natalie feels the same way. But we may be otherwise engaged at almost any time…”

D.C. studied Fiona’s boss. When they’d been working together in Iraq, Chance had had plenty of time to talk about his wife’s interesting background. Natalie Gibbs-Mitchell was the daughter of a master thief. And she would have been no slouch herself if she hadn’t chosen a career in law enforcement. As it was, Chance claimed he’d never run into anyone who could get into a safe as fast as she could.

Then he shifted his attention to Fiona. “I think the lieutenant and I will make a good team. She’s methodical.”

“And you’re more intuitive and impulsive.”

D.C. grinned. “If it makes you feel any better, Fiona has already told me that I’m too bossy. I agreed to work on it.”

Chance studied him for a moment. “You might very well make a good team. Natalie says Fiona has the tenacity of a bulldog. Reminds me a bit of you.”

As if Chance’s smile was a signal, Natalie and Fiona chose that moment to rise from their table and move toward them. D.C. lifted the plate of food and offered. Natalie selected a shrimp. Fiona shook her head.

“We thought it might be time to share theories,” Natalie said.

D.C. selected a stuffed mushroom. “It’s just a working hypothesis, but I don’t believe Amanda Hemmings or her assailant masterminded this heist. What I saw in the sculpture garden came across as the work of amateurs. I scared that guy off without firing a shot.”

Fiona asked Chance, “How much is the diamond insured for?”

“Five hundred million. Mr. Shalnokov upped the policy by one million just before he agreed to the exhibition.”

“Is that what it’s worth?” D.C. asked.

Chance shrugged. “Two years ago, he tested the waters at Christie’s, but withdrew the necklace when it didn’t immediately sell. This exhibition at the National Gallery has garnered a lot of publicity. Perhaps it will encourage some offers more in line with his goal.”

“D.C. and I have already discussed the possibility that money might be his objective,” Fiona began.

“And if he’s the mastermind behind the theft,” D.C. continued.

“Shalnokov gets to collect the insurance and put the Rubinov back into his private collection,” Fiona finished.

“The two of you sound as if you’ve been working together for years,” Chance remarked.

“The display case can only be opened with his voice,” D.C. pointed out.

At Chance’s surprised look he said, “I visited the museum earlier today with my mom and sister, and I got to talking with one of the guards, Bobby Grant. He obviously felt he could talk to me because he has a son stationed in Iraq.”

Chance winced. “So much for the secrecy of the security system. Shalnokov insisted on a voice-activated lock since he wouldn’t personally be there to deliver or pick up the diamond. He made a digital recording so that his longtime personal assistant, Dr. Regina Meyers, had to be there to put the diamond in and take it out of the case.”