Page 70 of Stuart Woods' Smolder

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As expected, the motel in which Benji had chosen to hold up was a dingy place. Simon was loath to set foot in it, but he supposed it was better than meeting someplace like the Hotel Bel-Air, where his brother would stand out like the proverbial sore thumb.

“Stay here until I call you,” Simon told Phillip and Dalton.

“What are we doing here?” Dalton asked.

“Weare not doing anything.Iam.”

Simon exited the car and slammed the door shut.

He found Benji’s room at the far end of the first floor, and his knock was quickly answered by Benji’s partner Devin.

“Hey, Simon.”

Simon pushed past him without responding. The fire guy with the stupid nickname was on a bed, eyes on his phone. There was no sign of Benji.

“Where’s my brother?”

From the back of the room came the sound of a flushing toilet and then a door opening.

“I’m here,” Benji said. He walked into the room, still zipping up his pants.

Simon glared and said, “The painting?”

“In the trunk of our car.”

“Youleftit in yourcar?”

“I didn’t think you’d want anyone to see us bring it inside.”

Benji had a point, not that Simon was going to acknowledge it. “Show me.”

“Sure.” Benji headed for the door, and Simon followed.

The car was backed into the spot directly outside of Benji’s room. After his brother opened the trunk, Simon leaned in, peeled back a portion of the plastic covering the package, and gazed excitedly at the canvas.

“Absolutely lovely.”

“Yeah, it’s nice, isn’t it?” Benji said.

A retort leaped onto Simon’s tongue, but he bit it back and said, “Bring it to the gallery at midnight. Phillip will meet you at the back entrance.”

“Cool.”

After Benji closed the trunk, Simon handed him a piece of paper. “Your next job. It’s in a town just north of San Francisco.”

“Okay. What’s the piece?”

“I’ll send you the information along with the security specs and blueprints of the location. It’s a quick turnaround.”

“How quick?”

“The sooner the better. Be on the first flight out tomorrow. If you see an opportunity tomorrow night, take it.”

“Tomorrow night? That’s kinda fast. We won’t have enough time to…”

Simon’s glare cut Benji off.

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