The Pursuit by Janet Evanovich

fact that a man had just died.
    Dragan motioned for them to sit on one of the two couches on either side of a table where a pitcher of chilled lemonade and several glasses had been set out on a silver platter.
    “I assume you didn’t just come here to settle a dispute,” Dragan said. “You would like to collect your share of the Antwerp heist, which I’m glad to give you. But what if I could offer you that and so much more?”
    “I’m listening,” Nick said, taking a seat on a couch facing the sea.
    Kate sat beside Nick, and Litija poured lemonade into the glasses. Kate noticed Litija’s hand was still trembling. Obviously the lemony sea breeze wasn’t doing much for her.
    “You can let your money ride, so to speak, and add it to your share of the biggest robbery we’ve ever attempted,” Dragan said, sitting on the couch facing them and the lemon groves beyond. “Perhaps the biggest ever attempted by anyone.”
    “That’s quite a boast,” Nick said, taking a sip of lemonade. “But you’ll have to be more specific.”
    Dragan glanced at Kate, then back at Nick. “I’d like to be, but first I have to know that I can trust you, that I have your complete loyalty.”
    “Shouldn’t I be the one concerned about that after what happened to me in Hawaii and Belgium?”
    “That’s what I mean,” Dragan said. “I need to know if that lingering resentment is something I should be worried about before I bring you into the big caper.”
    “And before I get involved with you again,” Nick said, “I need to know that I won’t be double-crossed.”
    “I have a solution that should reassure both of us,” Dragan said. “I have a diamond heist planned for tomorrow afternoon in Paris. It’s a modest job that has been in the works for months. Zarko was going to be the lead man. But now that he’s unexpectedly dropped out, I find myself a man short. I’d like you to take his place. If the job goes well, then I’ll bring you into the big caper.”
    “And if I’m not interested in either one?” Nick asked.
    “I’ll give you your share of the Antwerp heist now, and you’ll go on your merry way,” Dragan said.
    Nick took another sip of lemonade while he pretended to contemplate his options. But Kate knew there was nothing to think about. He had to say yes if they were going to infiltrate Dragan’s organization and find out what had happened to the smallpox vial.
    “You wouldn’t be offering me ‘the big caper’ unless you desperately needed my unique expertise to pull it off. So I’ll do this job tomorrow on two conditions,” Nick said. “First, I get Zarko’s share of the Paris heist on top of what you already owe me, regardless of whether I decide to stick around afterward.”
    “Agreed,” Dragan said.
    “Second, Kate comes along, too,” Nick said. “I need someone in the crew I can trust to watch my back.”
    Dragan studied Kate. “How do I know she’s up to the task?”
    “I broke Nick out of police custody,” Kate said. “I planned it and executed it within forty-eight hours of his arrest. I think that speaks for itself about my capabilities and experience.”
    “I only work with the best,” Nick said to Dragan. “In fact, as far as I’m concerned, this job tomorrow is
your
audition. I expect to see precision and professionalism at every level, or I’m out.”
    “There he goes,” Litija said. “Turning it around on you again, Dragan. I’ve never met anyone so slick.”
    “Neither have I,” Dragan said. “Nick is one of a kind, and he continues to prove it, which is as irritating as it is impressive.” He shifted his gaze to Kate. “You’re in, but your share will come out of Nick’s pocket.”
    “I don’t care whose pocket it comes from as long as it ends up in mine,” Kate said.
    “Then it’s settled. You’ll both be staying here tonight and traveling with us to Paris by private plane tomorrow morning,” Dragan said. “I’ve already taken the liberty of