Black car. Four oclock position. Approaching from the rear. Local plates. She slowed her pace and watched it pass by. Two men. Unknown to her. She paused beneath the shade of a tree as she reached the parklike area of the museum grounds. Unzipping her fanny pack, she pulled out a bottle of water and took a long, quenching drink, using the opportunity to verify her impressions of the vehicle.
Shed seen it parked at the school. The men inside just happened to be leaving at the same time and taking the same route as she? When the teak-skinned driver pulled into the museum parking lot, she was certain theyd been following her.
Amateurs.
Tori replaced the bottle and tucked the wisps of her straight copper hair back into her inch-long ponytail. She jogged in place until the driver and passenger climbed out. Both men wore suits and ties and gloves. Driving gloves she could excuse without alarm. But gloves on the passenger? In another couple of weeks itd be summer, for crying out loud. Hed better be doctoring a rash inside those things.
She waited a few seconds longer, until Rash-man glanced her way and the two men nodded to each other. Time to go. She cut out across the museums thick, green lawn. The detour around the building would add an extra half mile to her run, but she had a feeling she was going to get a thorough workout no matter what route she took.
She grinned as the two men gave chase.
Tori didnt take chances when it came to her own personal safety, but she wasnt afraid to confront danger when it ran into her pathor, in this case, ran after her. She doubted they wanted to rob her. Shed allowed them to see the contents of her fanny pack. And a rape in broad daylight wasnt unheard of, but these guys had had a better chance of nabbing her at the school.
She had a feeling this pursuit was related to work. Or family. At least the danger she faced on the job served a useful purpose. The family connection could be a little trickier. But whether these two Lethal Weapon wanna-bes were the good guys or the bad guys remained to be seen. Wearing them out in a footrace would give her the advantage, either way.
When she neared the copse of trees and low wall surrounding the modern statue of a giant shuttlecock, she seized her opportunity. Tori jumped once, up onto the wall. Then she jumped to the ground on the other side, crouched low behind the statue and stilled her breathing. The would-be Riggs and Murtaugh came scrambling over the wall, the dark-skinned one puffing from the exertion. The shorter one with the blue eyes reached inside his jacket. Lady?
Fat chance.
Without waiting to see what kind of weapon hed pull out, Tori sprang to her feet and charged. With her hands fisted, her leg braced, she kicked out and knocked the weapon from his hand.
Son of a He grabbed his wrist and shook his hand as if his fingers had gone numb.
Lady, wait! The driver wanted his turn. Miss Westin, were She spun and kicked, forcing him back into the wall. He plopped down on his rump and threw his hands up in the air in surrender. We just wanted
How do you know my name? she demanded. She was guessing family business nowof the worst kind. Only she couldnt imagine any of her grandfathers enemies hiring two bad-boy wanna-bes like these guys to come after her. And if they were with the Bureau, they needed to revisit basic training. When he started to get up, she thrust her palm toward his face and he scrambled back to his seat to avoid the blow. Why are you following me?
Victoria Westin, right? he confirmed. FBI undercover task force? Youre Frank Westins granddaughter?
She kept him pinned with the proximity of her fist. Who are you?
Feeling had apparently returned to the shorter mans hand. He was adjusting his gloves now. We dont have to deal with this kind of crap, Brady. Lets take care of this ourselves.
Backer!
Take care of this? Ignoring his partners warning, he advanced on Tori from behind. She shot her elbow back into his solar plexus. Stay away from me, she warned.
Hey, lady. The shorter man stooped over, holding his gut. His words were barely a whisper as he struggled to find his breath. We know you know martial arts, already. Give it a rest. I swear, we just want to talk.
Talk? She moved aside, keeping both men in her sights. You chased me.
You ran.
I was out jogging
This should help. The dark-skinned one named Brady interrupted the debate and unbuttoned his suit jacket, showing her the interior lining.
Stay away from that gun. She recognized the Sig-Sauer, government issue, strapped to his belt.
Its okay. With a silent warning for his partner, Backer, to stay put, he used his thumb and forefinger to pull a slim leather wallet from his inside pocket. He closed his jacket and flipped the wallet open to reveal a badge and ID. Were with the Customs Department. Im Agent Bill Brady. My hotheaded partner here is Agent Bill Backer.
Let me see your badge. She silently nodded to Backer, who picked up his wallet from the ground and displayed it. That was the item hed been pulling from his pocket. She wasnt sure whether to feel embarrassed, amused or irritated by this unusual introduction. But the badges looked legit. The photo IDs matched. Customs agents. Tori lowered her hands to her sides and took a deep breath. Youre both Bills?
If this was a decent con, theyd have changed their names.
Confusing, I know. Brady laughed and pocketed his badge.
Backer sat beside him on the wall, rubbing his sore stomach. Jeez, lady, youre tougher than you look.
I told you shed be right for the job. Agent Brady took on an almost fatherly tone. Your credentials are impeccable, Agent Westin. Sos your spin kick.
Thanks. Now she was a little confused. Why didnt you introduce yourselves right away?
Backer grimaced. Did you give us a chance?
Tori crossed her arms and canted her hip to the side. These guys were harmless. You should have used the telephone or stopped by my office. Following a woman whos on her own in the big city is hardly a reassuring way to approach her.
Sorry, Brady apologized. We wanted to keep this out of normal channels, for secrecys sake.
Intriguing comment.
You have a degree in art history, right? he asked.
More intriguing. One of my degrees is, yes.
And youre Frank Westins granddaughter? Backer seemed more impressed with that relationship than she was.
Not like shed claim the man. But she supposed wealth and power and shady connections got ones name mentioned in certain circles. Weve already established that. What do you want?
Have you heard of The Divine Horseman?
Damn intriguing. She loved a good mystery. And, as far as she was concerned, The Divine Horseman was one of the biggest.
Tori could have run through the extensive mental catalog of Middle and Eastern European art shed memorized from years of interest and study. But this was one rare, beautiful piece she knew by heart. The legend surrounding the sculpture had fueled adolescent fantasies about men and heroes that reality couldnt match. Jewel-encrusted statuette of a knight on horseback. European. Dates back to the Crusades. Stolen from a museum in New Orleans a year ago. Hasnt surfaced at any public auction or private sale since. The diamonds, rubies and gold alone are valued at over a million dollars. The history of the Horseman makes it priceless.