Free I Opia by B Jeffries

money wants to deal with someone who doesn’t have, or at least have the appearance of, money. Thus the space iOpia occupied was gorgeous and reeked of success.
    In addition, Vince specially designed the conference room so that it was soundproof. He had installed a device that would scramble any message that someone may try to record or electronically send. The two were also very insistent on regularly scanning the room for bugs. One of the many downfalls of a double life is that one never knows when someone else is also leading a double life or may in fact be a member of law enforcement.
    They had kept Matthew on staff and moved him with them to the larger space. Blaine had met Delores shortly thereafter and she became the fourth member of the team. Other staff had since been added. However, only Blaine and Vince knew about the procurements that were not on the open market. Delores and the rest of the staff had no clue. Matthew, however, after the first heist had suspicions. After all, he had found the two paintings Blaine had asked him to find, only to learn later that the paintings were missing.
    He had asked Blaine, “Boss, ummm, did you see that 'The Nude in Blue' and 'Nude Reflections’ paintings were stolen?”
    She had looked Matthew in the eye and without flinching said, “Matthew I trust you explicitly. If I didn’t you wouldn’t still be with me. That said, I also care about you and would never put you in harm’s way. So please, never question me again about any research I ask you to do. You will be compensated nicely. In fact, there will be a nice bonus for you.”
    Matthew had sat there for a moment in silence, pondering. “Matthew, if you feel uncomfortable continuing with me, I understand. I would love for you to stay and help me grow this business. You decide.” And with that she walked toward the back office to start packing for the move.
    He called after her, “Boss?”
    Blaine stopped and turned, “Yes, Matthew?”
    “I am in. Whatever you need, let me know. You are the only person who has given me an opportunity. I really like working for you.”
    “Thank you Matthew. In return, I promise to take care of you and protect you. Understood?”
    “Yea, boss. I understand. Thank you.” And that was the last time Matthew ever questioned Blaine or questioned the nice bonuses that came his way.
    Though they were legally incorporated, Blaine and Vince had their own partnership agreement. No notaries, no attorneys, no witnesses involved. They had sat with a bottle of wine and created the partnership that would bind them.
    Our Partnership Agreement
     
    Partners will always split 50/50, regardless of who discovers the inventory, unless otherwise agreed upon.
     
    Never take an item for the sake of taking. There must be a buyer for every item.
     
    Never take items to keep. All inventory is procured to be sold. Keeping inventory increases the risk of discovery.
     
    Never steal from someone the Partnership stole for. Once the inventory is delivered to the client, it will not be taken by the Partners again. In other words, we will not procure an item from someone whom we procured for.
     
    Partners will only accept procurement jobs that can be accomplished with limited personnel, preferably the two partners only. The more people involved, the greater chance of discovery.
     
    Partners must always agree on the assignment.
     
    Partners will hide in the open and both agree to maintain respectable status.
     
    The partners agree that staff will be well compensated and protected.
     
    We will only call the number when we ourselves cannot figure out the situation.
     
    There were no signatures and nothing in the document to reflect the authors or the partners. It was a ‘pinkie swear’ between two lifelong friends. “The number” referred to in the agreement was one that Chow had provided Blaine. If she were trapped or in an emergency situation such as being caught, she could call the number. It would not