Taking Death Read online

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  About The Author

  Taking Death

  By G. E. Mason

  Copyright © 2013 G. E. Mason

  Copyright © 2013 Cover Design by G. E. Mason

  This is a work of fiction. Any similarities to actual persons, places, things, alive or dead, are purely coincidental.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this Kindle book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any informational storage or retrieval system without the expressed written, dated and signed permission from the author. This Kindle book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited

  Chapter 1

  Donna leaned back in her office chair as her last client of the day left. The butter soft leather cradled her like a mother would a baby. She was an accountant for a small firm in New York City. He was a stockbroker who collected Faberge Eggs. Too bad. If she stole it, one of those would fund her next purchase if she wanted.

  The problem would be where to sell it. She didn't have many good connections on the black market. They could fence any electronics and even some items slightly rare, but a Faberge Egg would raise a few flags for any good fence.

  Except that she was pretty sure one of the eggs had been obtained by less than legal means.

  She tapped her chin. "If I knew which one for sure, I'd steal that one. He'd never make an insurance claim on it."

  Turning to her computer, she clicked on her favorite search engine. She typed in Faberge eggs, stolen and several pages of articles came up. Her client hadn't told her which one, but he did describe it. He seemed to be proud of his acquisition, though he hadn't let her include it on his worth statement. That led her to believe he'd stolen it. Or had it stolen.

  After searching for a few minutes, she had a few pictures that she printed out. She knew her client's address and that no one would be home tonight after six. He'd told her he was taking his wife out for their anniversary. She put the papers into a folder and set them aside on her desk.

  Her assistant, Kelly, poked her head in. A tall woman with red hair and freckles. "I'm going home? You staying long?"

  Donna shook her head. "No. I have about fifteen more minutes then I'm going to catch some dinner."

  In Donna's eyes, Kelly was one of the sweetest women she'd ever met. She had no idea why the girl remained single. She could cook like the devil and had a big heart. What more could a man want?

  "Drinks later?"

  The pair went out every few weeks. Just to be two women. Not to pick up guys. That's what Donna liked about Kelly. They'd been friend for years. She always knew that Kelly would never ditch her at a bar to go home with a guy. "Not a bad idea. How about eight?" Donna said.

  "Usual place?"

  "Riley's it is. See you then."

  Donna listened to the soft footfalls of Kelly then turned back to her work. "I might have time to get it all done tonight before I meet her."

  ***

  Donna slinked down the street past her client's house. She glanced back at it then at the rest of the block. With darkness falling, streetlights illuminated the neighborhood. No one walked down the street of row houses. Everyone must be home for dinner or not coming home. She'd grabbed a burger for her evening meal then made sure she washed any remnants of it off before donning her leather gloves.

  Dressed in black, she knew she probably blended into the night. If someone looked closely that person could see her, but if that same person looked out the window casually, she would not be spotted.

  Secure in the fact that no one would see her, she circled the block on foot, coming back to linger in front of her client's house. The porch light on the brownstone lit up only the porch. The path to it remained dark and unobstructed by a gate or shrubbery. No hiding places.

  To the left of the house, a lighted alley led to the back. Glancing down it, Donna saw no one. With quiet steps, she entered the empty alley. The house next to her target had no windows on this side on the first floor.

  No one would be able to see her now.

  The back of the house faced another house, but no lights were on there either. Both neighbors could probably see into this backyard, but not if she was flush with the house.

  From his file, she knew this client possessed an alarm system which made this job tougher than usual. Except that she had the code. Or at least the app on her phone that would figure it out.

  This job had been more work than usual, but the payoff would be bigger. She could replace her aging car with a newer one. Nothing too fancy so as not to set off anyone's alarm bells. But first she had to make sure she didn't set off any alarm bells at this house.

  She picked the lock with a set she'd bought years before. The picks fit into her small hands easily as if they'd been made for her. With ease the lock clicked open. She had thirty seconds, but knew the panel was right inside the door. Her fingers moved quickly to detach the panel and attach the wire to one plugged into her phone.

  She counted to twenty. The light flashed that the system was disarmed. Thank you modern technology.

  The alarm company could probably give the owner the records that said the system had been disarmed at this time and date, but most people didn't thing about that.

  "Besides, with his collection, he might not know the egg is missing for a while."

  She thought briefly that her entry had been too easy, but she shrugged off her suspicions. No one knew that she was a thief. No one suspected an accountant would be a petty criminal.

  The egg collection sat in a locked room so Donna was not home free yet. Walking through the house to the stairs she hoped the owner didn't have a secondary alarm system. Or a motion sensor.

  No bells clanged as she slipped up the steps. The room sat in the front of the house. The owner had converted a large closet into a safe room.

  Cracking her knuckles she looked at the lock on the door. This one didn't have an alarm system. She stood on tiptoes and felt around the top of the door frame to see if a key had been left there.

  Paydirt.

  The door slid open when she unlocked it. This room had no windows so she could turn on the light. Before she stepped into it, she used the camera app on her phone to look for cameras without actually sticking her head into the room.

  She didn't see any. "I would have added another layer by putting up cameras."

  Shrugging, she decided it was her client's loss.

  The eggs were set in glass enclosed displays just like a jewelry store. Except none had locks on them. She located the one she wanted, slid it into a velvet pouch she'd brought then left the room.

  She locked the door before returning the key to its rightful place. As if she'd never been there.

  On the way out, she reattached the panel, resetting the code so on first glance the owner would not know anyone had been there.

  With the egg in her pocket, she walked back up the street to her car three blocks away.

  Hopefully the next weekend she could shop for a new car.

  ***

  The crowd at Riley's Pub never changed. Mostly cops which always brought a smile to Donna's face. She had secured the egg back at her house in a safe before meeting her friend and assistant.

  "You look like the cat that swallowed the canary," Kelly said.

  Did she look that guilty? "I'm just happy with the client I signed today. Well, not today, but he was assigned to me a month ago and we were finally able to meet."

  "Why? Not like you work on commission
?"

  "No, but I like a challenging client."

  Donna slid onto the chair next to Kelly at the bar. A jukebox played classic rock in the corner. This was a shot and beer bar. No fancy martinis. No drinks with odd names. Just good beer on tap.

  Donna ordered a Guinness. Kelly already had a lager in front of her.

  Kelly leaned closer. "Does he do illegal stuff?"

  Donna chuckled. "Nothing like that. Just some investments and collections that need to be considered when he pays his taxes. That's all. Nothing nefarious."

  Kelly looked down at the bar. "Oh, so you mean interesting for an accountant. Not for the rest of us."

  Donna feigned punching her. "What's going on in your life?"

  "Same old same old. Sadly. No guy, no future."

  Donna's mind wandered as Kelly whined a little. She wondered what she would steal next. But tomorrow she'd meet her fence.

  ***

  Donna strode into the pawn shop in a neighborhood she wouldn't normally frequent. The reason for doing business here was that the guy didn't ask too many questions.

  His front business was legitimate. He pawned jewelry and whatever other items the down-on-their-luck crowd could get rid of when in need of cash.

  A customer stood talking the clerk at the counter. Donna nodded at the man, and then slipped into a back room to wait for him. She had the egg in her purse, still in the velvet bag.

  She picked up the newspaper checking to see if the missing egg had made it into the news. She'd checked every day, but hadn't seen a story. Yet.

  A few minutes later, a clean-shaven man, Derek, entered the back room. "Hey, it's been awhile."

  Donna nodded from her spot at the table. "I wanted to lay low for a few weeks."

  "You're back now, baby."

  She laughed. He rubbed his shaved head.

  "I have a unique item this time."

  "You always have unique items," he said.

  He yanked out a chair, turned it backwards, then straddled it. The overhead light glinted off his head.

  She pulled out the egg from her purse. Sliding off the velvet bag, she placed it carefully on the table. He didn't touch it for a moment. His gaze ricocheted from the egg to her face then back to the egg. He let out a low whistle.

  "You really like to challenge me," he said.

  She grinned. "It was a challenge to me, too. This was stolen from someone else by the person I stole it from."

  "A little Robin Hood action." He finally reached out and touched it. "Wow."

  Picking it up, he turned it over in both his hands. An electric clock buzzed in the background.

  "She's a beaut," Derek said.

  "Do you think it is real?"

  Derek frowned. "I've got someone who can tell me. Even if it is fake, it'll probably get you a few hundred. You'll let me keep it to find out?"

  "Of course. You know I trust you."

  "So there is honor among thieves."

  ***

  Donna waited a night before burglarizing another place. This time she picked a penthouse in the Tribeca area. She'd met the couple at an art gallery. They'd bought a painting of an up and coming artist.

  That wasn't what Donna intended to steal. Instead, she wanted the diamond necklace the woman had worn that night. Hopefully the woman wasn't wearing it to whatever event she was at now.

  This building was older and had no doorman or security system other than you had to have a key to get to the penthouse via the elevator.

  She entered the lobby with her head down just in case she hadn't found any cameras when she'd checked the place out earlier.

  No one was in the lobby so no one could identify her. She figured this one would make the papers and the cops would investigate. But after she was long gone.

  Insurance would cover the theft and unless the necklace had sentimental value, the owners would not really miss it.

  The elevator doors opened. No one stepped out. Donna stepped into it, letting the doors close behind her. Pulling out her cell phone she scanned the electronic lock that was similar to a hotel door lock. Without much ado, her app unlocked the penthouse and up the elevator went.

  The door opened directly into the penthouse which had views across the Hudson. She paused to look at the lights from New Jersey. She hoped to live in a place like this someday.

  "That's quite a view."

  Donna figured the safe was in an office. If the jewelry was even in a safe. This high up in a building the occupants usually felt as if their castle was impenetrable. Not so. Her presence proved that.

  Sitting in an unlocked box, was the necklace.

  "Guess they thought no one would steal it."

  She procured the item then stuck it in her pocket. Now to get out without being seen.

  Back down to the lobby, she held her breath as the doors to the elevator slid open. No one waited to go to their apartment. No one hung out in the lobby.

  She slipped out the front door onto the street, her heart racing.

  Striding down the block as if she owned the place, Donna saw a cop car. Had she tripped a silent alarm? On light feet, she hid between two buildings until the cop passed. She peaked out. The cop had stopped right in front of the building she'd just been in.

  Her heart beat double time.

  "Shit."

  Looking behind her, she saw that the alley opened onto the next street. She took it, hoping no one lurked there, but not expecting anyone. This was a high rent district.

  Safely onto the next block, Donna let loose a breath she'd been holding.

  She looked around, but no one seemed to take notice of her. Then the hair on the back of her neck went up. Someone was watching her.

  As she approached her car, someone leaned against it. Didn't look like a cop.

  She walked past the vehicle as if she didn't own it, not able to get a good look at the man in the dark.

  "Isn't this your car?"

  She froze. How would anyone in Tribeca know what she drove?

  She kept going, hoping the person hadn't notice her hesitation.

  "Ma'am."

  He spoke to her again. She didn't want to be wandering around the streets of Tribeca with a diamond necklace in her pocket all night.

  She spun to look at him. "What?"

  "Isn't this your car?"

  "How would you know what I drive?"

  He stepped into the light of the nearby streetlamp. Her breath left her. He was one of the most beautiful men she'd ever seen. Dark, wavy hair that wasn't too long, but just long enough. She couldn't tell his eyes, but she knew his gaze bore into her.

  "I saw you get out of it earlier."

  Damn. How could she have been this unaware?

  This guy didn't have a vibe, like a cop, but he could still be dangerous. Despite how gorgeous he was.

  Her heart fluttered in her chest while she figured out what to do.

  "You were watching me?"

  He smiled. "No, I just happened to be walking down the street. You didn't seem like you belonged here."

  She glanced down at her black attire, then back at him? "Not rich enough?"

  "Something like that," he said.

  "Why did you wait for me?"

  He glanced up at the dark sky. "There was something so beautiful about you."

  She stepped back. Way too charming.

  "No," he said. "I mean it. You move like a cat and I was intrigued. I had to meet you."

  "That's a great line, but I'm not falling for it."

  But her sweaty palms and racing heart said differently. She wanted to step closer to this man. To get a better look. Maybe even see him in daylight.

  Or rumpled from sleep.

  She shook off that thought. Why was this guy affecting her so much?

  "Would you like to go get a drink?"

  Her mouth engaged before her brain and she said, "Yes."

  Chapter 2

  Jon. That was his name Donna finally found out as they sat at a small caf
e table in a neighborhood bar. The establishment sat a block from where she'd parked her car and in the opposite direction from the penthouse she'd just robbed.

  Prints from the Impressionists hung on the walls. Some sculptures made out of every day materials sat on shelves. Everyone wore black. The place looked like it had been transplanted from 1960s Berkeley California.

  The diamond necklace still occupied her pocket.

  She'd never done this before.

  But something about Jon made her switch her plans for the night.

  He smiled as he sat down with their drinks. Hers, a Guinness, and his a glass of wine. Chard, the name of the bar, attracted a more upscale clientele than Riley's. Donna shifted in her seat, not completely comfortable with this crowd.

  Oh, she loved the finer things in life, but having grown up in a trailer park, she was always sure someone was going to call her out. Someone would peg that she hadn't had such a genteel upbringing. That she was a fraud. Not only for having made something of herself, but supplementing that income by nefarious purposes.

  Hanging with cops seemed so much easier.

  "A penny for your thoughts," Jon said.

  He reached over and touched her hand which sat on the table. He didn't linger, but in that contact he conveyed warmth and concern.

  She blinked. Was he too good to be true?

  "Where did you come from?"

  He laughed and the melody of it enveloped her such that she had to smile. Her heart sang as if it had finally found a song that matched its rhythm.

  She tamped down the feeling. She was sitting in a bar with a guy she just met after stealing a diamond necklace. Nothing about this situation wasn't surreal. Her mind couldn't fathom why she had agreed to this drink.

  Calculating just how much time she could take to finish her beer and be on her way, she took a gulp of the brew. Then she wouldn't see him again.

  She could secure the necklace and get it to the fence in a day or so.

  "Well, I was born in New Jersey, but I don't think that was what you meant." His eyes sparkled with amusement. "I realize this is odd, but sometimes you just see someone that you have to meet."

  She ran her finger down her glass. Since Guinness was served cellar temp, no condensation formed. "How long would you have waited?"