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I played along, looking away as he came closer Then, as expected, he tripped when he caainst my side One hand went to my shoulder, ostensibly to steady himself, but in reality to distract me from his other hand, which was now in my purse I kept my eye on the correct hand and watched him remove my wallet Now more steady, he pushed away froy for his cluht," I assured hiht it up behind his back He twisted away fro my wallet "Smooth move, Hale," I whispered in his ear

He froze for a beat when I spoke his naet free But I held hiht while I retrieved my wallet and dropped it back in my purse I also took the opportunity to relieve him of his wallet and atch, just for old tio, and he stuure out where he’d gone wrong Was I an undercover cop or just a savvy target who’d gotten the best of hihed "Don’t you reme for hiure it out

At the sound of my voice, his e snize you God, how you’ve changed!" He laughed and gave reat to see you Come on in, let’s talk"

The pizza shop was nearly deserted, even though it was dinner time Other than Hale, there was just an older couple up front We went to our booth, and he gavein the power seat I dropped into it with a flourish

He slid in next to s you home?"

"I just carifting"

"Oh, yeah?" He grinned "Then how coave it back to hiave hi smile "You still have the touch, Dee You were the best pickpocket of us all, and such a good artist that everyone caed Hell," he chuckled "You could copy an old masterpiece, down to the brushstrokes Too bad you’re out of the game"