The Diamond Thief Read Online Free PDF Page B

of Gustave’s interminable lessons…
    Never waste an opportunity.
    She knew where the Ocean of Light was, right now. Not on an alarmed plinth, under a guarded glass shield, in an impenetrable tower. It was there, in that policeman’s pocket, not six feet from where she stood.
    She stood up, quick as a flash. “Sir?” she said, directing her words at Thaddeus Rec. “Would you be so kind?” She indicated the doctor, who was struggling to lift Lord Abernathy.
    Rec hesitated for a split second, staring at her before his frown turned into a flush of embarrassment. “Oh, of course. Forgive me…” He stepped forward, brushing past Rémy as he stooped to help Lord Abernathy to his feet.
    Rémy wasn’t as skilled a pickpocket as Claudette, but she knew the basics. The first rule was to make sure that the target’s attention was elsewhere. The second was not to hesitate. The third was to be quick as lightning.
    Rémy leaned in as the policeman passed her, close enough that she could feel the warmth of his body beneath his long, heavy coat. His skin smelled of soap, the clean, sharp scent filling her lungs along with something else – something deeper, something beautiful, like the earth after rain.
    Rémy’s fingers slipped into Thaddeus’ inner pocket, her fingers brushing against the smooth, faceted surface of the stone. A split second more and the Ocean was hers. She crouched beside Lord Abernathy’s helpers, slipping the diamond beneath her ruffled skirts and into one of Claudette’s handy pockets before they had even begun to lift the old man.
    “Careful,” she said, pretending to fuss. “Are you sure you are quite well enough, Lord Abernathy?”
    “I am quite, quite well,” murmured the old man, as he found himself on his feet. “Now, if you will just lend me your arm, my dear.” He waved the young policeman aside, reaching a feeble hand for Rémy.
    “Wait…”
    It was Rec’s voice. He was standing just behind her but Rémy pretended not to have heard.
    “Don’t I – don’t I know you from somewhere, miss?”
    It was no good. She couldn’t ignore him entirely. Rémy turned her head to see Thaddeus looking at her intently. Those eyes, she thought. It’s as if he can see right through me… As if he knows…
    “I am sorry – do you mean me?” She asked calmly, though her throat was dry with fear.
    He looked at her a moment more and then frowned, shaking his head. “Sorry, no. I must be mistaken. Forgive me.”
    Rémy bowed her head, accepting his apology the way a lady would. Lord Abernathy squeezed her arm and they left as swiftly as the old man could muster. It was nowhere near fast enough for Rémy’s liking.
    * * *
    Thaddeus watched as Lord Abernathy and his pretty helper left the Long Hall. The girl – Rémy – he could not shake the feeling that he had seen her face before. He’d thought it was the face of the girl he had tried to save, though she had not needed saving – the devious “Little Bird” of Le Cirque de la Lune.
    It would be hard to forget her, he had thought at the time, despite the fact that her face had been mostly hidden by elaborate greasepaint. Even so, her eyes had been so bright, like this girl’s, and shone from beneath such rich black hair. But what would a circus nymph be doing here, now, on the arm of a British lord? Clearly this elegant young woman could not be part of that shabby outfit. No, he must have been mistaken – confused by their similar accents, perhaps. After all, he’d only seen the girl on the wire from a distance, and then in a flurry of embarrassment as he’d picked himself up from the floor. The idea of her was just lingering in his thoughts, that was all, though he wasn’t sure why.
    Even so, Thaddeus touched his hand against his outer pocket, instinctively feeling for the diamond that Chief Inspector Glove had handed him. He felt its weight there, and the knowledge of it being there pressed against his chest as heavily as the stone