Jillian gasped. “There was a lantern! And it’s a dead ringer for the first Revere lantern.”
“But where is it now?” Bones asked. “Stolen? Donated to another museum? It could be anywhere.”
“I’ve got a feeling it’s not too far away.” Dane enjoyed their twin confused expressions.
“Don’t hold out on us,” Jillian snapped.
“Remember, the lantern was made by Paul Revere. Who do we know who is descended from Revere and proud of it?”
Bones whistled.
“You don’t think…” Jillian whispered.
“I think Maddock’s right. I doubt she could’ve resisted making it part of her personal collection. Heck, I might have done the same thing. If I were in her shoes. She probably sees it as a family heirloom.”
“But steal from the museum? She could be arrested.”
“What if she didn’t exactly steal it?” Dane asked.
Bones smiled broadly, putting his straight, white teeth on display. “I like your thinking, Maddock. Let’s find out.” He immediately took charge. “We’ll spread out like we’re all checking out different parts of the museum. Jillian, tell Revere you’ve got some questions about one of the displays. Make it the farthest from her office. You only need to keep her distracted for a couple of minutes, if that.”
“Are you sure about this?” Dane asked.
“Relax. I’ve been walking the straight and narrow for a long time. It’s about time I returned my roots, or at least paid them a visit.” He gave them a roguish smile and wandered away.
Dane and Jillian exchanged exasperated looks before splitting up. He selected a room near the front office where he could keep an eye on things. He watched as Jillian lured Revere out of her office and back among the displays. Moments later, Bones, his leather jacket draped over his arm, slipped into the office. Dane kept a silent count in his head. The wait felt like an eternity, and he was surprised that he had only reached a count of thirty when Bones reemerged from the office, gave Dane a thumbs up, and slipped out the front door.
Dane couldn’t believe their luck. Heart racing with anticipation and a measure of relief, he found Jillian and Revere, apologized for interrupting them, and told them it was time to head back to New York. To her credit, Jillian understood the ruse immediately. No harm in a little misdirection should Revere notice the lantern missing. They returned to the car as quickly as they could without drawing suspicion. Bones waited in the passenger seat, his jacket draped over something lying on the floor board.
“Took you long enough. Let’s get the hell out of here.”
Jillian’s car had only a rear license plate, so Dane made a point of backing all the way out of the parking lot before turning around and gunning the engine. He doubted Revere had bothered to watch them leave, but this was his first grand theft, and he didn’t want to leave anything to chance.
When they were well out of sight of the Museum, Bones reached underneath his jacket and drew out a lantern. “Maddock was right. It was sitting on top of the bookshelf by her desk. Check it out!” He flipped the lantern over, revealing a rectangular stamp with the name Revere.
“That doesn’t look like the mark on the butter knife,” Dane observed, glancing at the lamp before returning his eyes to the road.
“Revere used more than one mark.” Jillian took the lantern from Bones. “This is one he used for larger items.”
“I can’t believe we found it,” Dane said. “Next question: what happens when she notices it’s missing? Won’t the cops be on our tail in a matter of minutes?”
“Not unless she takes it down for a close inspection. I snagged one of the display lanterns and switched them out. She’s so short, and the bookcase is so tall, that I doubt she’ll notice the difference at a glance. I’m sure she’ll figure it out sooner or later. Hopefully, it’ll be some time down the road when we are all forgotten.”
“Nice one.” Dane frowned. Here he was, praising a man for the skill with which he engaged in criminal activity. Heck, paying Bones any sort of compliment felt strange.
“Thanks, bro.” Bones took the lantern back from Jillian and turned it over in his big hands. “The base of this thing is weird. It’s got a cross running through it.” He held it up for them both to see.
“Some of Revere’s artistry, I imagine,” Jillian said.
“You know, after we’ve solved the mystery, no reason we can’t return them anonymously.”
“Them?” Dane spared Bones a quizzical glance.
“We need the other lantern. As long as I’m in a thieving mood, I guess we should figure out how to get our hands on it.”
“Actually, I’ve been thinking about that.” Jillian spoke slowly, as if choosing her words with care. “An ex-boyfriend of mine used to work for the transit system. We had a special place to meet while he was on break.”
“What say you show it to me later?” Bones leered at her.
“I don’t know.” She flashed a coy smile. “I still haven’t decided which of you is cuter.”
Dane felt the back of his neck grow hot and he hoped they didn’t see his face redden. It wasn’t that he felt shy around women. He was just… reserved. He noticed Bones gazing at him, and fixed his eyes firmly on the road. It wouldn’t do for the two of them to get into it over Jillian just when they were starting to get along.
“I can answer that for you.” Bones said. “Maddock is cuter; I’m hotter. Think of us as a buffet.”
“All you can eat.” Dane didn’t know where that comment had come from, but Bones chortled.
“Maddock! You made a joke! A good one, too.”
“Who says I was joking?” Dane managed to keep a straight face, which only made Bones laugh all the harder.
Jillian’s exasperated sigh cut through the frivolity. “If you two clowns will get serious. I’ll tell you my idea.”
Dane listened as she outlined her plan. He couldn’t believe that, for the second time that day, he was planning a burglary. He’d hoped to rub off on Bones in a positive way, but the tables had been turned. Surprisingly, he was enjoying himself. When Jillian finished, he thought it over for a minute.
“All right. Let’s give it a shot.”
CHAPTER 9
Their footsteps echoed through the Blue Line tunnel beneath Bowdoin Station. Dane looked down at the narrow walkway, scarcely wide enough for them to pass, and wondered why he’d agreed to this crazy idea. Should a car come along at an inopportune time, he doubted any of them could flatten against the wall tightly enough to avoid being roadkill.
The latest car had left the station only seconds before, and Jillian had assured them it was only a short way to the turnoff. Their mini Maglites sliced through the darkness, illuminating the damp tunnel and gleaming rail line.
They came to a battered door marked Danger. Do Not Enter.
“It’s perfectly safe,” Jillian whispered. “This leads to a mechanical room that’s no longer in use. My ex put this sign here to discourage unwanted visitors.” She grimaced. “Come to think of it, I wouldn’t be surprised if the loser is living under here. Hope he hasn’t changed the locks.” She fished a key out of her pocket, unlocked the door, and tugged on it, but it did not budge.
“Let me get that.” Bones gently removed her hands from the doorknob, took hold of it himself, and yanked it open. The door drew back with a loud, scraping sound that reverberated through the empty tunnel.
She led them down the dank passageway and into a room thirty feet square. Exposed wires dangled from the ceiling, and various conduits and electrical boxes lined the far wall.