Page 16 of Maximus

Mal chuckled. “I, like Reaper, refuse to repeat those things, Con.”

Maximus chuckled. “Abrasha shipped a painting from China. It’s a horrible knockoff of a painting in a private collection. Con, find out if there’s an influx or outpour of money.”

Mal frowned. “You think he’s laundering money?”

“Maybe, but then … no. No, that painting was heavy. I mean, too heavy. I tried to get into the back of the frame, but I couldn’t without damaging the exterior, and Elena would know I was looking for something. And there are twelve more paintings with the same type of heavy frame.” The thirteenth frame was in the vault on the floor.

“Smuggling,” Malice said.

“Yeah, butwhat, and why smuggle anythingintoRussia?” Malice stopped and looked around to make sure they were alone. “You know what we believe he was doing and the operations to take out his launch capability?”

“I’m aware, but no radiation was coming from the frame, so I’m not concerned he’s importing uranium.” Maximus stared at his coworker.

“How do you know that? Con, stop. I just asked that.” Malice rolled his eyes.

“Easy.” Max lifted his suit jacket, pushed the middle post of his watch, and the dial flashed to a meter. “It detects any radiation.”

“Wow, that’s some super-spy shit, right there.” Malice reached up and pulled his earpiece out of his ear. “Dude, I get what you mean. Con in your ear can get a bit hectic. Okay, so if you don’t think it’s nuclear, what do you think he’s smuggling into the country?”

“I don’t know, but I know how to find out.”

“Open one of the frames. How secure is that building?”

Maximus shook his head. “I think Merlin could get in and out without being detected if he’s careful, but it will be difficult.”

“That sounds like a challenge he’d look forward to.” Malice chuckled and then sighed. “So, how do we get in?”

“The night of the second showing. We send Merlin in. He goes in, finds out what’s in those frames, and trips an alarm on the way out. We wait two minutes, and then we start the party.”

“That sounds doable. Split the response forces. And if Abrasha shows up for the first show?”

“Then Merlin will have to plan the break-in after we kill Abrasha.”

“And the woman?” Mal asked as they started to walk again.

“What about her?” Max growled.

“Not judging, dude. I fell in love with my wife on a mission. I know it happens. Just be sure she’s on our side. Having people question that premise sucks, by the way.”

“I can imagine. I’m … I’m not a ladies’ man. But this woman, there’s something …” He shook his head and shut up. That kiss had rattled his brain more than he thought. He never shared his feelings with anyone.

“Yeah, I totally get that. Her voice or a special look turns you into goo on the floor. I so get that.”

Max didn’t say anything for a while as they walked. Then he remembered the three cameras he put into Elena’s workspaces. “I’ve got eyes on her workspace, so I can tell if there’s any movement on the questionable frames. Elena isn’t complicit. That, I know for a fact. She despises the fake art and hates that it’s locked up with true masterpieces. She invited me back after the show to view the paintings in the collection. I’ll see what I can find out then, too.”

Malice was quiet for a moment. “How are you going to bring her out of this mission?”

Max stopped and stared at the sidewalk. “I’m not sure she’d go if I had an out. I don’t know if what we have is enough.”

Mal rubbed the back of his neck. “Don’t waste the opportunity. People like us don’t get much of a chance to find the one, you know?”

“Not really. No.” Maximus looked at his fellow Shadow. “If she could forgive me for lying to her, could she forgive me for killing?”

“Does she need to know about the killing? We can shield her. The lying, my man, that would be on you.” Mal slapped him on the back. “Think about it.” He put his earpiece back in and started laughing. “Con, would you please shut up?” Mal rolled his eyes again and walked away from him.

Maximus smiled and turned in the other direction, returning to his hotel. He hoped he wouldn’t return to the hotel tomorrow night, at least not until much later.

CHAPTER 8

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