Author Anon

“Did you like that story, Lucas?” asks Dan.

Lucas nods, solemnly.

“We want you to know that whatever happens, you can always come to us for help. Do you understand?”

Again, very solemnly, Lucas nods.

“Okay. We’re taking you over to the Copperfields today. You’ll stay with them for a while and play with your sister. You’ve been there before and you liked it. Didn’t you?”

His only response is another nod.

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“Good morning, Paul,” says Chloe, sidling up to him. “I’m ready to start whenever you are.”

“Great! It should be a relatively quick session. Only a few costume changes.”

“How about lunch afterwards?”

Paul hesitates. “Chloe, I don’t want there to be any misunderstandings.”

“No misunderstandings. I know Valentine’s was a, shall I say, special night. But I’m not expecting anything from it. Not that I wouldn’t welcome it. You just say the word.”

“I’m just not sure yet. But there’s no harm in lunch.”

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“Did you have a good night?” asks Belle.

“I’ve slept in much worse places,” says Nicholas. “But this is ridiculous, trying to keep up a charade for your sister’s sake.”

“Well, if you wanted to, you could have gone home and have her at your doorsteps right now.”

“There’s nothing to stop her from coming here this morning,” he points out.

“True,” says Belle. “But I might refuse her admittance.”

“I wonder what’s happened to Gavin,” says Nicholas, checking his phone. “He never called.”

“Either he is in with Carl or he is in trouble. Either way, it would be dangerous to call him. If he’s in cahoots with Carl, he may lead us into a trap. If he’s in trouble, our call could put him in further danger.”

“So what should we do?”

“First, let’s check out Les Carr’s.”

“What are we going to learn from them? They wouldn’t talk to you, much less tell you anything useful.”

“No. I’ll send Claire and Emily into the shop and see if Carl is still there. Meanwhile, we can try Gavin at his place.” A sudden thought occurs to her. “Wait. If Ashley’s following you, we can’t get her suspicious. You go home and I’ll go over to Gavin’s.”

“What if she follows you?”

“I’ll head elsewhere. But I doubt she’d follow me. I’ve already told her off. We should exchange phones. If Gavin calls you, it would be tricky trying to fob Ashley off. But if I call you, she’d understand.”

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Meanwhile, Gavin reaches New York and finds himself following Carl back to his previous hideout. Finding his phone dead, he decides to wait until morning to call Nicholas. In the meantime, he makes a circuit around the building, trying to find all entrances and exits. Through a closed but lighted window, he watches as Carl and Buster discuss their next step.

“It’s all in there,” says Carl.

“Shikes should be here tomorrow,” says Buster. “After he examines the jewels, he will hand over the money. As long as you’re careful about how you spend the money, it could set you up for life.”

“Are you saying this will be the last time?” asks Carl.

“That depends on the merchandise. Are you sure you don’t want to open it up now so we can take a look?”

“It can only be opened once,” says Carl. “So I think it should be reserved for Shikes. What is he going to do with them, anyway?”

“That’s not our concern,” says Buster. “We agreed to produce the jewels. You will get your cut–”

“What if I want more?” asks Carl. “After all, I’m the one taking all the risks.”

“I wouldn’t get too greedy, if I were you. Take your cut and enjoy it. If the boss is happy with your work, he’ll ask you again.”

“I steal the jewels and you guys get the money? That doesn’t sound too fair. What happens to the money?”

“Need I remind you that curiosity killed the cat? You’re asking too many questions.”

“I’m only trying to protect my own ass.”

“You’d do a whole helluva lot better if you were more ignorant. Now, get to sleep and don’t worry about what doesn’t concern you.”

As Buster leaves the room, Gavin quietly walks away from the window. He sees a group of homeless men trying to find shelter amongst all the garbage. Without any other alternatives, he sighs deeply and walks towards them. The men acknowledge his presence with a nod, as each finds a cardboard box to crawl into. One of them hands him a box and he accepts it gratefully. Wishing heartily for a blanket, he crawls into the box and curls up as tight as he can.

Before the light of day, he wakes to find that it is snowing again. Walking a few blocks he enters an all-night diner, where he orders a full breakfast. Afterwards, he returns to Carl’s hideout to watch for signs of movement. As morning arrives, the occupants of the hideout come out and leave in Buster’s car. Unable to follow them, Gavin decides to make his phone call.

“Hello?” Belle answers.

Gavin takes the phone away and looks at it, puzzled. Then he returns it to his ear. “Belle? What the–. Never mind. Let me talk to Nicholas.”

“Gavin? I’m sorry, I can’t do that right now. But where are you?”

“I’m in New York. I need to talk to Nicholas because he’ll know where I am.”

“Just tell me and we’ll come get you.”

“I don’t want you to get mixed up in this, Belle.”

“I’m already involved. So, are you going to tell me?”

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Filed under: All That Glitters