Codename: Shadow

Chapter 4

[Well, now that we’ve got that awkward bathroom problem out of the way—yeah, do yourself a favor and don’t ask—I can get back to the story.]

“Do you have it?” Mrs. Mueller asked me as she entered the foyer.

The Romalda wasn’t heavy, it wasn’t expensive, it wasn’t any different than any piece of art, but she wanted it.  People steal art for only a few reasons, starting at childhood memories and ending with the profit they could make on the black market.

Swinging the canvas case off my back, I told her, “I do. Show me the money.”

Mrs. Mueller motioned to one of the men in black suits standing at the door. He stepped forward and opened the briefcase revealing the payment for my services. “Show me the painting.” She instructed me.

I popped open the lid of the case and carefully removed the old canvas, delicately opening it for her to see. “Honestly, Mrs. Mueller, we’ve gone through this a thousand times, if I say I have it, I’m going to have it. It’s you I have to be worried about.”

The briefcase was set in the middle of the floor between Lisa Mueller and me. I stepped forward, first dropping the canvas case about five feet away horizontal to the money, then scooped up the briefcase.

My feet were carrying me to the door, away from Mrs. Mueller, but her voice stopped me. “Shadow, you know I hate to keep asking you to do jobs for me, it seems dangerous to do too many return jobs, but word on the street is that you’re the best. And I need the best collecting this series for me.”

I rolled my eyes at the woman. Yes, I never liked doing more than two or three jobs for people, but I could really use the money. “I wouldn’t say I’m the best.” I told her calmly.

“And you’re humble too—“ she started, but I cut her off.

“Flattery will get you nowhere with me, Mrs. Mueller. Just tell me how many more you need.” I snapped, hoping there wouldn’t be many more.

She smiled at me. “Just two.”

I thought about it for a moment. This woman paid very well, each painting bringing in enough to keep Macey and I supplied for five years. Though, Macey doesn’t know it, we’ve got quite a bit of money in our pockets. I can’t tell her, she’d tell Johnny and he’d ask where I got it from. Trust me, the last thing I need is Johnny knowing I’m a thief.

But would it be worth the risk? If I was caught, then Macey would be left alone… Could I do that to my little sister?

“It’s only two more.” Jake told me reassuringly. “We got this.”

Sighing, I responded, “Okay, we’ll take it. I’m going to need the files on them though.”

Mrs. Mueller laughed, nodding towards the case in my hands. “I thought you’d say that. They’re in there with the money. Contact me when you have the first one and we’ll talk cash.”

Then I got out of there.

I swung my leg off the motorcycle and said good-bye to Jake. We’d be working on it tomorrow, today, I’m all Macey’s.  Jake and I had divided the money in half(as per another one of our agreements) and I’d put my share into a small backpack.

“Take care, chica,” he told me with a short wave, then sped off.

Inside smelled amazingly good. It took me a moment to realize that it was because Macey and Johnny had baked cookies. Those two will never cease to amaze me.

“I’m home!” I shouted to no one in particular and trudged up to my room, shoving the briefcase under my bed until I had time to properly deal with it.