The Closer by Rhonda Nelson Page B

we’ll ever know. But I do know this. Keller Thompson doesn’t do anything without thorough cause and consideration. He would have evaluated every potential outcome and scenario before making the first move. And money isn’t the motivator here—he inherited a sizable fortune when his father died. He’s brilliant, he’s charming, he’s a natural leader.” He chuckled. “Hell, even his targets like him.”
    â€œDo you? Still?”
    â€œI do,” Payne said without the slightest hesitation.
    â€œEven though he’s a thief?”
    â€œYes,” he said. “Shocking, isn’t it? I don’t approve of what he does, but after you’ve spent six years in a dorm room with someone, you either love them or hate them. Keller and a select few others made that hellhole bearable for me. That kindness isn’t easily dismissed.”
    Griff knew exactly what he was talking about because it was the same with war. There’d been several times he’d gone into situations with soldiers not of his choosing and had come away with a different perspective. There was something about simply surviving that forged a bond, whether you actually wanted it or not.
    â€œThere’s something else, too,” Payne said. “Did you notice that this is the first so-called job he’s taken on in more than a year?”
    He had noticed that. He’d chalked it up to either disinterest or financial security, but considering Payne’s comment about Keller’s inheritance, that was a moot point. He said as much. “What’s your take on it?”
    â€œI think he’s come out of retirement,” Payne said. “The best I’ve been able to tell, he’s been spending the bulk of his time at his place on Little Kennesaw Mountain.”
    â€œRight on our front doorstep,” Griff said, an odd feeling swirling in his gut. “Is he from Georgia?”
    â€œNo, he’s from North Carolina, but he sold the family estate right after his father died. He lost his mother when he was seven. Car wreck. That’s when his father had reluctantly taken him in. And then promptly moved him out,” he added grimly.
    Yes, it was sad and he couldn’t help but feel a bit of regret for Keller’s circumstances, but this history lesson didn’t have a damn thing to do with their case. “Why would he come out of retirement?” Griff asked.
    â€œYour guess is as good as mine,” Payne told him. “But if he’s done it to steal the Clandestine bra, I can assure you there’s a good reason.”
    Griff’s irritation spiked. “Not good enough,” he said, unable to keep the low growl from his voice. “Can you get Charlie to research the registered guests in the hotel, particularly those on the fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth floors? I’d like her to flag every man from twenty-five to forty and forward me their room numbers.” He’d already committed Keller’s face to memory from the pictures Payne had forwarded. If he was in the hotel, he felt certain that he’d recognize him.
    â€œI’ll do it.”
    â€œI’m also going to need a master key,” he said.
    â€œBeau Morton is head of security for the hotel and he’s aware of our circumstances. I’m sure he’d be able to help you with that.”
    â€œI’ll look him up, thanks.”
    Payne hesitated again. “Listen, Griff, not that we doubt your capabilities, but we’ve been talking strategy here on our end and we’re all of the opinion that the bra is most vulnerable when it’s on the model, from the instant it goes on her body, onto the catwalk, then back offstage.”
    Yes, he’d mentioned that before and Griff was in total agreement, because it was the only time the damn thing would ever be off his wrist.
    There was another pregnant pause. “Because of this, we think it would be best if