The rich business man stepped into the back room at the blues club and tried to strike a deal. He had heard rumors about the real way Luke and Robert made their money, and it wasn't selling shots of tequila to college kids.

"This kind of job" Ned said "should be a piece of cake, really."

Famous last words, Luke thought as he shared a look with his partner.

Robert Scorpio was an ex-jewel thief. At least, that is what he told his former wife.

Anna was out of "the life" too. She left him and the business on the same day, nearly one year ago. Their daughter said the price of seeing their granddaughter would be going straight.

Anna gave in to Robin. Robert didn't.

They hadn't said a civil word to each other since Anna moved in with his brother, Malcolm, an ex-con .

Robert, when he was sober and in the mood to be honest with himself- which was not very often- knew damn well that he had lost Anna all on his own.

The day she left him was the start to the end of his days as a thief. But going straight hadn't been the key to making his life ideal. In fact, it was damn boring.

"Easy? Oh yeah?" Robert asked

"For a man of your considerable talents..." Ned started

"Talents? You been talking to the ladies down on Front Street?" Luke asked

Robert shot his partner a dirty look the then told Ned, "Mr. Quatermaine, I don't know what it is you think I do for a living. But Spencer and I, we sell booze and then spend the other half of the year sunning ourselves down in old Mexico."

Ned whispered, "It's cool. I won't rat you out."

Luke busted out laughing. Robert shook his head, as if to say Duh.

Robert told Ned, "I never assumed you might. My brother hates me right now. But he hates people who mess with me more." He paused and gave Ned a hard stare." And do you know what Mac Scorpio loves?"

"Blowing things up." Ned answered

Robert smiled, but his eyes were hard.

Luke said, "You have been doing some snooping, I see. Coming up with such colorful stories about me and my associates. Who planted these fantasies in your head?"

"Vivian De Russo." Ned said

"Oh," Luke said softly, thinking of the red head socialite from New York City.

She wasn't like his other flings, he had hinted their could be more with her. Later he blamed it on the fact he met her on the anniversary of his divorce with Laura. He had been feeling sorry for himself, got drunk, ended up first in her limo then in her high rise million dollar apartment in Trump Towers.

His heists stories, the ones he told Robert he never shared with any woman, got her hot. So he just kept talking till dawn, in between the steaming sessions in the sack.

Luke said softly, "You traitor, Vivi."

Robert rolled his eyes.

Ned said, "I dated Vivian years ago myself. And when I spoke to her recently she mentioned knowing Luke. She seemed to think you would do just about anything for the right amount of money. And if you are half as good as she says...

Robert said, "We don't need the 100 dollar butter up. Make it down and dirty. What do you want stolen and from who?"

"A painting," Ned said. "From Sonny Corinthos."

"Worth?" Luke asked

"150,000 dollars."

Robert laughed. "You came to the wrong place, Quatermaine. I got out of that kind of business long ago." Actually it had been only six months, but they were long lonely months. " And those small potatoes won't lure me back in."

"I need this done." Ned insisted

"Why?" Luke asked "Because Sonny is shacked up with your ex old lady. So you want to steal his artwork. That's not really much of a punishment, Nedly. "

Ned glared at him. "I'll have you know that Sonny values that painting more than anything else he owns. He bought it on his honeymoon with Lily. He took what I love most and now I want to do the same for him."

Robert said, "Listen, I don't take contracts anymore. Haven't in years. When was the last time, Luke?"

"Panama in '95."

"Oh, yes. Panama. Ugly scene that ended up being. No, Quatermaine, that is my first rule now. If I don't think of the heist, I don't do the heist."

"I will pay you 15 million dollars." Ned said

Robert whistled then looked at Luke, "I just thought of a heist..."

WHEN NED WAS GONE, Luke and Robert went over the details.

"How many you think we need?" Robert said "Me, you, and three more. Five should do it, right?"

"For that fortress Corinthos is barricaded up in. Nah. Gonna need more than five."

Seeing his cut shrinking, Robert groaned. "All right, we'll go six."

"Seven and we are going to need a dame."

Robert shook his head, "We said no more dames. Ever. Stick a wig on Smith."

Luke lit a cigar, and told his longtime partner, "Sonny likes pretty faces. And I know one he is a sucker for."

"You aren't thinking of...?" Robert shook his head. "She'll never do it. Do you even know where to find her?"

"Has finding a woman ever been a problem for me?" Luke asked

"You get the bait, then. I'll round up the guys."

"The whole crew?"

Mac had been one of their regular guys for years, loyal to a fault, good at what he did, never pinched after that first time twenty years ago. But Robert hadn't even spoken to him since the day Anna moved into to Mac's house down on the lake.

Whenever he thought of them in bed together... Robert saw red.

"Mac can be replaced," Robert said.

"Not easily."

"Let me worry about it."

Luke took a drag on the cigar, "I told you we should of never broken up the crew. Everything has gone to hell in the last six months."

"Well, Spencer, 15 million can make hell seem like a lot cooler place to be."