Page 153 of Stuart Woods' Smolder

“That’s not Petry,” Stone said.

“Not his lawyer, either,” Dino said.

Billy increased the magnification. “Those are the two who delivered the original yesterday.”

“I thought they worked for Simon,” Stone said.

The scrawnier of the two reached the gallery’s door first and pounded on it.

Billy switched back to the interior view in time to see Simon briefly close his eyes before walking to the exit.

Dino grunted. “I can’t tell if he’s happy they’re there or wishes they hadn’t come.”

As soon as the door opened, the scrawny one stepped inside. “Hello, asshole.”

Simon did not respond.

The guy jutted his chin at the box. “That it?”

“Yes. Just take it and get out of here.”

“You’re acting like you want to get rid of us. That ain’t very nice.”

“I don’t need to be nice.”

The guy laughed. “You don’t even know how to be nice. Maybe if you did, your brother and I wouldn’t have left you.”

“Sticks,” the man who presumably was Simon’s brother said. “Let’s get it and go.”

Sticks held Simon’s gaze for a few more seconds, then chuckled. “Sure. No sense staying someplace we ain’t wanted.”

Simon’s glare turned ice cold as it fell on his brother, but neither said a word.

Sticks circled the box, rapping on the wood several times. “Nice and dry. This will work perfect.”

The microphone barely picked up the brother as he whispered, “We should make sure they’re inside.”

Sticks shot a look at Simon. “Good point. Maybe big bro is pulling a fast one.”

“Go ahead,” Simon said. “Check.”

“We need a crowbar or hammer,” the brother said.

Simon didn’t move.

Sticks pointed at Simon. “Hey, jerkwad! You heard him.”

Simon frowned, then jutted his chin at the worktable. “Toolbox is over there.”

The brother retrieved a hammer and opened one end of the box.

Sticks looked inside, then pulled one of the canvases out a few inches, scoffed at it, and pushed it back in. “The things people call art. Garbage, if you ask me.”

He motioned for his partner to put the cover back on.

A few feet away, Simon visibly relaxed, though the other two didn’t seem to notice.

“Give me that,” Sticks said.

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