Perfect for the Beach by Lori Foster

Author:Lori Foster [Foster, Lori]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Fiction
ISBN: 0758207735
Amazon: B004FN1R00
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2005-06-02T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Robin grabbed Studboy's arm just as he reached for the doorknob. And nearly dropped his arm in surprise—solid as a rock. It was like grabbing a two-by-four. The guy probably bench-pressed small automobiles to stay in shape. "You know, just because they tell you to open up, doesn't actually mean you have to open the door. Ever watch any movies?"

"I'm a slave to direct commands." But he took a moment and peeked through the peephole, at least. "Hmm. The manager's back, but the detective isn't with him. I don't recognize the gentleman who is."

She started to get a nasty suspicion. "Move over. Let me see." She peeked. As if he knew he was being watched, the taller man waggled his fingers at the door in a cheerful wave.

Dammit! It was that crook, that conniver, that blight on society, Uncle Rich.

Enraged, she jerked the door open. "Cheat!" she hollered as the manager cowered away from her. "This is a total cheat! Game over!"

"Fine, thanks, and how've you been?" Uncle Rich shot his cuffs—he was impeccably dressed, as usual—and smiled at her. "Besides, I'm here to concede. This round's yours."

"Oh." That was an entirely different story. "Ha! I mean, thanks for coming up."

"I don't understand," the manager said. "You're saying she has your property—"

"It's my property," Robin interrupted.

"—but it's no longer a problem?"

"Oh, it is, but for now, we're calling a truce. It's a long, dull story and I'm sure you have many duties to attend to." Rich shook the guy's hand and Robin saw the fifty-dollar bill disappear. Masterful! Every time she tried that, the bill either stuck to her sleeve or fluttered to the floor. "Thanks for your help."

With that, he stepped into John's room and shut the door in the manager's bewildered face.

"Nice robe," he said politely to Studboy.

"Nice scam," Studboy said back, just as politely.

When Rich poked her, Robin remembered herself. "Oh, right. Uncle Rich, this is St—uh, John Crusher. John, this is my uncle, Rich Caique."

"Robin and Rich. Hmm. Well, it's nice to meet you."

"How did you get past all the employees to crack the right safe deposit box?" Rich burst out. She nearly chortled as he continued. "And how'd you know which one was the right one? And how'd you avoid—" He eyed John in his robe. "Never mind, I figured that one out on my own."

"Uncle Rich, you know I can't divulge gory details. That'd be cheating."

"And I'm sure you two paragons of morality have a horror of cheating," John said dryly.

"You hush up. Uncle Rich, you know the rules: we get it however we can, whenever we can. Drawn out confessions aren't part of the game."

"Listen here, young lady, I taught you everything you know—"

"And my dad taught me the rest. And one of the things he drummed into me was that thieves are like magicians…"

"… you never tell them how you did it," Rich finished. "She's quoting my own brother at me! Niece, who do you think taught him?"

"I'm confused," John said. "But then, I've been that way since I checked in.

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