The Locksmith by Linda Calvey (reading in the dark .TXT) 📕

only deals with the super-rich. His clients are some of the richest men – and women – on the planet. He gets them the paintings they want, no matter how.’

Ruby looked over at Charlie. ‘So, how can I ’elp?’ she said.

‘I hope I can rely on your discretion. There is a certain painting a wealthy private collector is interested in,’ the dealer said, simply.

‘And you want my brother to get it for ya,’ Ruby finished, smiling over at Marcus.

‘Exactly,’ he replied.

‘Whatever you do, make your terms specific because Ruby ’ere don’t mess about. She’ll take whatever you offer and not a penny less,’ Charlie smiled, winking at Ruby.

Ruby didn’t disagree. She was pleased her reputation as a tough talker carried before her. She wanted them to know that if she didn’t approve, then it was a no to the job, and nothing or no one could talk her round.

‘If the money’s right and the job’s sound then I’m happy,’ Ruby smiled. ‘Would you like a coffee, or somethin’ stronger?’

Both men shook their heads. Charlie checked his flash watch. ‘Can’t stay long, Ruby, I’ve got things to do. So, what d’ya think?’

The sun streamed into the bright room at that exact moment, making the white lilies in a large vase on the table seem to shimmer.

Ruby took this as a good sign. She nodded and sat down, waiting to hear what the plan was, and, more importantly, what the money was.

‘Let’s get down to business, shall we?’ Ruby said, looking down at her manicured nails, the perfect matching shade of coral.

‘I’ll cut to the chase. We’re all busy people,’ Marcus said. ‘Twenty K flat fee for the job, assuming nothing goes wrong and you get the painting in question. It’s a straightforward break-in. Very nice place in Kensington. The owner just bought a Matisse but he’s going to be away in France for the next few months. There’s no family, and no staff to complicate matters.’

‘And you’ve got a buyer lined up who can make it worth your while . . . ?’ Ruby finished his sentence.

‘Yes. All your brother has to do is disable the alarms. We’ve got others who will go in and do the actual robbery. The picture needs specialist care. Then, of course, he’ll have to set the alarms again and get away without being caught. It’s a standard system, nothing to trouble your brother too much, I don’t think.’ Marcus glanced at Charlie. ‘Can you do it?’

Ruby looked at Charlie, who gave her a slight nod of his head. She looked back at Marcus. ‘Twenty grand to disable the alarms. Yes, Marcus, I think we can do that,’ Ruby agreed, shaking both their hands to seal the bond.

‘I’ll send word, Ruby. Meanwhile, enjoy ya new home. You’ve got it lookin’ nice. My Maureen would approve of the lilies,’ Charlie said. The two men left as quickly as they’d arrived.

Ruby watched them go from the lounge window, the sleek cars gliding away down the tree-lined street. Bobby appeared with George in his arms. George held out his chubby little arms to his big sister, and her expression changed instantly to a beaming smile.

‘Come ’ere, my darlin’. Come to your big sister Ruby.’

‘So, who was that?’ Bobby asked as they walked out into the garden. It was a warm summer day. They settled down on the grass under an apple tree, George happily playing with his toy cars on the grass.

‘Just an art dealer friend of Charlie’s. He’s got a job for ya. It’s a no-brainer, Bobby. It’s no pressure, and we’ll make good money,’ Ruby said eventually, shading her eyes from the bright sun.

Bobby couldn’t hide his expression from her. ‘I know this is all great, and we’ve gone up in the world but was it the right thing to do, Rube?’

It was a question she knew how to answer. Firmly, decisively, Ruby said, ‘Yes it was, Bobby. It was the right thing to do, for us and most of all, for little George. He’ll go to the best school, ’ave more toys than Hamleys, and he’ll ’ave the best life we can give him.’

They both watched as their baby brother collapsed into giggles clutching a stray dandelion, his sweet face looking over at them.

‘It’s all for him,’ Ruby said, love shining out of her emerald green eyes.

CHAPTER 21

‘To us,’ said Marcus holding up his champagne flute, one that Ruby had purchased from Harrods with the spoils of the painting heist. She’d also paid out a large sum to landscape the garden, and she, Charlie, Bobby and Marcus were sitting in the summer sunshine, admiring the lush planting on her newly built decking.

Everything had gone to plan, the painting had been stolen and sent abroad to Marcus’s contact, and over the months since, Bobby had done several more jobs for Charlie’s dodgy dealer. He’d cracked open a jewellery store in the West End and helped with several other robberies. The money had been good, and it was clear Charlie trusted the brother-and-sister team.

Charlie had called another meeting, telling Ruby that this one was a big job. This one could change their lives for ever.

‘To Ruby,’ said Charlie, winking over at his protégée. It had become clear that this was a winning partnership.

‘To all of us, and to my Bobby,’ smiled Ruby behind her expensive Lagerfeld shades. She was dressed simply in a chic linen shift, gold sandals and a smattering of jewellery; subtle diamonds in her ears in contrast to an armful of bangles.

Looking round the garden, seeing how far they’d come in such a short time, made Ruby’s head spin, though she concentrated hard on appearing serene. ‘So, shall we talk, gentlemen?’ she said, giving each of them her dazzling smile in turn.

They all looked at the art dealer, who lifted up his Ray-Bans and placed them on top of his chestnut hair, revealing his tanned face. ‘I’m delighted with how everything has gone so far, and my clients are also very pleased. I think we