Chapter 6
Jensen
Maple called right as I parked outside the flat.
“Any updates?” she asked, her tone cheerful.
“This town is dripping with Christmas decorations, and they have a very odd fascination with squirrels.”
“Well, it is December. Decorations are appropriate. Not sure what to say about a squirrel fascination.”
“I went to an antique store. There’s only one, in this town at least, and their prized family heirlooms included a squirrel necklace and giant Bigfoot statue.”
Maple laughed. “That’s unique.”
“I was hoping to find out if we have a collector in the area. One with the resources to pull off a heist. So far, all I have are squirrels.”
“And Bigfoot.”
“And a mummy.”
“Excuse me?” she asked. “Did you say a mummy? In the antique store?”
“His name is Bernard.”
She laughed again. I wasn’t nearly as amused.
“There’s something odd about this town,” I said. “People stare at me like they’ve never seen a well-dressed man before.”
“You love it when people stare at you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Only when I want them to. I wasn’t trying to attract attention.”
“You’re in the real world, Jensen. No wonder it’s throwing you for a bit of a loop. You’re accustomed to dealing with wealthy aristocrats and business tycoons. Even the thieves who steal from them travel in certain circles.”
I thought back to my last job. Delphine Moreau had led me to a high-end hotel in New York City, and we’d both been perfectly at home there.
That was typical. I’d infiltrated luxury hotels, celebrity parties, private resorts, and exclusive events. I knew how to blend in among the rich and powerful—attract notice when it suited me and fly under the radar when it didn’t.
But after only half a day in the small mountain town, I was at a bit of a loss.
“Do you want my advice?” Maple asked.
“Only if it’s good.”
“You need a local. Someone who knows the town well and can give you insight.”
I was about to remind her that I worked alone—on the ground, at least—when the door to the main house opened, and Natalie emerged.
My lips turned up in a grin. “Natalie.”
“Who’s Natalie? You make me nervous when you use that tone.”
“She’s my local.”
“Don’t go causing trouble.”
My smile widened. “I would never.”
“You would always.” She sighed. “Be careful, Jensen. I have an odd feeling about this job.”
On any other occasion, the concern in Maple’s voice would have caught my attention. Trusting her instincts, I would have pressed her on what was bothering her. But Natalie was about to get in her car, and I wanted to catch her before she left.
“I’ll check in later,” I said, ending the call.
My eyes locked on Natalie as I exited my vehicle. She was hunkered down in a thick winter coat, and her long hair spilled out from a knit hat as she paused to take a phone call.
“I really don’t know,” she said, and I didn’t miss the impatience in her voice. This wasn’t a call she wanted to continue. “That isn’t my business.”
She caught sight of me walking toward her, and I paused, waiting for her to finish her call.
“No, I’m not asking him that,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “Yes, I have, but only in a professional capacity. I have to go, okay? I’ll see you around.”
With a sharp exhale, she jabbed her finger onto her phone screen to end the call. It took her a few tries before she managed it.
I couldn’t help but smile. She was so feisty. I liked it.
“Hi, Mr. Lakes,” she said. “Do you need something?”
“It’s Jensen, darling,” I said. “Is everything all right?”
“Yes, fine. It’s just Tilikum being Tilikum.” She hesitated. “You kind of set the gossip line on fire.”
“How did I manage that?”
“Somebody saw you in town this morning and told someone else—I’m not really sure how it started—and then word got around that you’re staying here. I’ve had three neighbors just happen,” she said, using air quotes, “to stop by with Christmas cookies.”
My brow furrowed. “They brought dessert? What does that have to do with me?”
“It’s an excuse to come over. Mostly so they could get a look at you or ask me what I know about you—or both. And Mrs. Dallas just called, insisting I tell her everything I know. But at least she was straightforward about it.”
“Isn’t there tourism in this town? You must have visitors.”
“We do. But this time of year, it’s mostly people into winter sports or families coming for sleigh rides and Christmas Village. Not men traveling alone who look like… you. You don’t look like a typical tourist.”
Perhaps Maple’s idea was a good one, and not simply as an excuse to get to know Natalie. I did work alone, but there was something to be said for getting help from a local who understood the town's ins and outs.
Something I certainly didn’t. Not so far, at least.
“I can’t help how I look,” I said, “but I’m not keen on this sort of attention.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not saying a word to anyone. Not that I have anything to tell.”
“I appreciate your discretion.”
Her expression turned suspicious. “You’re not here doing something illegal, are you? I guess you wouldn’t tell me if you were.”
“The small child did ask if I’m a bad guy.”
She laughed. “That would be my niece, Annabel. Sorry about that. Kids don’t have filters.”
“No need to apologize. She was actually quite delightful.”
“Yeah, she’s a great kid.”
“I see that you’re about to leave, but before you go, could I have a bit of your time? Perhaps indoors where it’s warm?”
Her suspicion was back. “Why?”
“You’re right, I’m not a typical tourist. I’m here on business, and I could use your help.”
“Why me?”
Because I find you intriguing, and I’d love an excuse to get closer to you.
“I need the perspective of a local. Preferably one who won’t feed into the… what did you call it? The gossip line?”
“Yeah, town gossip is basically a sport here.” She hesitated, looking me up and down. “All right. I guess if you have questions, I can try to answer them.”
The corners of my mouth lifted. “Wonderful. I wouldn’t dream of asking you to invite me into your space, so would you come up to the flat?”
She glanced at her phone—probably checking the time. “All right.”
I led the way up the stairs and opened the door, stepping aside so she could go in.
“Can I take your coat?” I asked.
“Thanks.” She unzipped, and I stepped in to take it as she slid her arms out.
I had to resist the urge to bring it to my nose and inhale her scent. A coat tree was by the door, so I hung it for her, then took off mine and did the same.
“Coffee?” I asked. “Or tea?”
“No thanks.”
I gestured to the couch, and she took a seat, still wearing her hat. My instincts told me not to crowd her, so I sat in the adjacent armchair.
“So what do you want to know?” she asked, folding her hands in her lap.
Trust her.
The voice in my head was a gentle whisper. Somehow, the lack of force made me inclined to listen.
“I’m here to catch a thief,” I said. “It’s what I do.”
“What did they steal?”
“A necklace. But not any necklace. A priceless family heirloom known as the Emerald Crown. It was stolen from an estate outside London, and my associates tracked the thief here.”
“Are you with the police?”
“No, I work for a private organization.”
“A private organization that catches thieves?”
“In a sense. My job involves recovery of stolen items.”
“What kind of items?”
I leaned back and crossed my ankle over my knee. “We’re hired to track down stolen art, antiquities, priceless heirlooms, that sort of thing.”
“So you’re telling me you’re a thief hunter, and you came to Tilikum to track down a stolen necklace?”
“The Emerald Crown, yes.”
She nodded slowly, but her skepticism was clear as she started to get up. “And I’m supposed to believe that?”
“Wait.” I put up a hand. “Let me call Maple. She’ll verify my story.”
She lowered herself back onto the couch. “Who’s Maple?”
“My handler.” I got out my phone and called, putting her on speaker.
“Yes, Jensen?” Maple answered.
“Maple, I’m here with my new friend, Natalie.” I met her eyes. “She’s understandably skeptical about my reasons for being in town. Would you explain to her what it is we do?”
“Well, this is a new one,” Maple said. “Hello, Natalie. Lovely to meet you.”
“Hi?” she said, sounding confused. “Nice to meet you, too.”
“I assume Jensen filled you in on the fact that he’s tracking a stolen necklace?”
“He did say that.”
“Brilliant. Yes, we traced the thief to your town, which is where Jensen comes in. He’s there to recover the stolen item.”
“Why would a thief who’s good enough to steal a priceless heirloom come here?” she asked. “What’s in Tilikum?”
“We don’t know. But we’re confident in Jensen’s ability to recover the item.” Maple paused. “I almost hate to say this where he can hear me, because it will inflate his already enormous ego, but he’s the best at what he does.”
Natalie gazed at me. “I guess you’re either both in on some kind of elaborate prank, but I can’t really think of why, or this is real.”
“It’s quite real,” Maple said. “But your questions are understandable. We keep what we do out of the public eye as much as possible.”
“Thank you, Maple,” I said.
“Of course,” she said. “Keep me apprised as the situation develops.”
“I will.” I ended the call and set my phone on the armrest. “Does that help?”
“I think so?” Natalie’s voice was still tentative, but she settled back against the couch cushions. “I have a feeling I’m going to regret this later, but now I’m curious.”
“For you, darling, I’m an open book. I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”
“Is Jensen Lakes your real name?”
“It is.”
“Why didn’t you use an alias?”
“I often do. But in this case, it didn’t seem necessary.”
She nodded slowly. “Well, if you want to stay on the down-low in this town, you need to use the gossip line, not be in the gossip line.”
“And how does one do that?”
“Good question.” She paused, glancing away, and when she turned back toward me, her eyes brightened. “I know what we do.”
“What?”
“Keep them talking, but point them in the wrong direction. I assume you were hoping to lay low so the thief doesn’t know why you’re here?”
“Precisely.”
Her mouth lifted, and I found myself mirroring her smile.
“So we throw them off,” she said. “Spread a rumor that’s wild enough to catch on but completely untrue. Then if the thief does hear about the mysterious British man in town, he won’t suspect who you really are.”
“Brilliant. What’s my story?”
“How about… you’re the son of a wealthy businessman who arranged a marriage between you and his rival’s daughter, hoping to form a partnership worth billions. You’re in hiding to escape the wedding.”
“Rather sounds like something I would do if my father was inclined to such machinations. A bit outlandish, though, don’t you think?”
“Oh yeah. They’ll eat it up.”
“And you can plant this rumor?”
She nodded as she pulled her phone from her pocket. “Like a seed in the garden in spring. Hold on.”
I watched while she made a call and waited for the other person to answer. A buzz of excitement swept through me. I was enjoying our little collaboration.
“Hi, Mrs. Dallas, it’s Natalie. I just ran into my guest again.
Yes, him. I actually found out why he’s in town, and it’s not what everyone has been saying.
” She paused, grinning at me. “No, they have it all wrong. Get this. His father is some kind of wealthy businessman, and he arranged a marriage for him with his rival’s daughter. ”
The squeal on the other end caused Natalie to move the phone away from her ear.
“I know, right?” she continued. “He doesn’t want to marry her, so he’s hiding out here until everything blows over. Can you imagine?”
Our gazes met, and she paused while Mrs. Dallas talked. Natalie’s dark eyes sparkled with amusement, and the way her lips twitched upward did strange things to me. I felt the electricity sparking between us, to be sure, but there was more. Something that wasn’t purely sexual.
“You’re welcome,” she said. “But don’t spread it around, okay? I think he wants this to stay quiet.”
I chuckled softly at that. Probably the best way to get a rumor to spread.
“Anyway, I should go, but have a good afternoon.” She ended the call and set her phone down. “That should do it.”
“I’m impressed.”
“Thanks,” she said, and her smile infused a strange sense of warmth in my chest.
The phrase “trust her” ran through my mind again.
Where was that coming from? Did I want to trust her because I found her so alluring? Or were my instincts pushing this agenda?
I decided to go with my gut.
“It’s not just the rumors that could be a problem for me. Your town has a certain way of life that’s a bit outside my experience.”
“It’s quirky.” Her tone was matter-of-fact.
“Indeed. I always work alone, but in this case, I could use a partner.”
“Isn’t Maple your partner?”
“In a sense, but she does her work behind the scenes. I was thinking of you.”
Natalie’s eyebrows lifted. “You want me to be your partner? To help you recover a stolen necklace?”
“Yes.” I gave her a nod. “And I’ll give you a cut of my fee. It’s quite substantial.”
Her lips parted, and she gazed at me for a long moment. “What would I need to do?”
“Help me navigate a town that’s oddly fascinated with squirrels and has a statue of a pinup girl wearing a Santa Claus beard in the middle of town.”
She laughed. “That would be Lola. She gets bearded all the time.”
My brow furrowed.
Natalie waved her hand as if that didn’t matter. “Never mind. Weird town lore. And yes, the squirrels are a thing. Keep an eye on your wallet. They like to steal things.”
“See? You’re already providing me with vital intelligence.”
She took a deep breath. “Okay, Jensen Lakes. I’ll help you find the necklace. If I can. I have no idea what I’m doing.”
“That’s all right, darling.” I winked at her. “I’ll be by your side every step of the way.”
A subtle shift in her expression betrayed her skepticism. Or maybe it was distrust. And one thing ran through my mind.
Who hurt you?
Because it was clear that she’d been hurt before. And whoever he was, I wanted to do murderous things to him.
I stood and offered her my hand. She took it, and I helped her to her feet. As much as I wanted to kiss the backs of her knuckles again, I didn’t. Charm wasn’t going to reach her. I wasn’t sure what would, but turning up the charisma wouldn’t win me any points.
So I shifted my grip to shake her hand instead. Businesslike.
“I look forward to working with you, Natalie.”
“You too, Jensen.” She slipped her hand from mine. “Where do we start?”
“I’ll show you what we know so far.”
And just like that, I had a partner.