“Your father and I were hoping the whole family could go down for a couple weeks after the first of the year. We’d have some time together, then you could stay on for a few weeks after. How does that sound?”
Horrible. And he’d find an excuse to avoid the family gathering, if possible.
His sisters weren’t just annoying, but competition.
“It sounds perfect. You’re the best. I miss you so much, I could talk to you all day! But I need to get back to it, Mommy. I’m actually bringing a model in later.”
“I’m glad you’re busy, Jonathan. I know you’ve had some disappointments, and I worried how that would hurt your tender heart. Now I can celebrate your success. Meanwhile, you take care of my baby boy. I love him to pieces.”
“He loves you right back. Bye, Mommy.”
After setting the ’link aside, he rolled his eyes again. Well,thatwas done.
He checked the time, annoyed the afternoon was getting away from him. Then he looked at the next canvas and the boy. His spirits soared again.
“I can give you another hour or so, then you’ll have to wait. But don’t worry,” he added as he began to mix his paints. “You’ll be magnificent when I’m done.”
Peabody stepped into Eve’s office.
“Carter Morganstern’s here.”
“Finally.”
“He apologized. Crosstown traffic, caught behind a fender bender.”
“Whatever. Give me a second. Go ahead and take him to the lounge. I’ll be right there. What about the brush guy?”
“He’s on his way to his shop. He’ll check the records, but he does remember the order, and the—translator said—young man who picked them up. Paid cash. He’s going to see if there’s a name on the order or his copy of the receipt.”
“If we can’t get a name, get as good a description as you can. Two minutes.”
When Peabody left, Eve wound up what she was doing, sent it to Reineke and Jenkinson.
And checked the time.
Six hours if they were lucky, five if they weren’t.
She went out to the bullpen.
“Jenkinson. I sent you and Reineke the most probable from my vehicle search. I’ve got it down to a handful. Three companies, two individuals. Add them to yours while I talk to the gallery guy.”
“Will do.”
“Dallas?” Santiago pushed at the brim of his hat. “I’m getting the runaround on the hotels. They don’t want to give out guests’ names.”
“Same with the private shuttles,” Carmichael put in. “I’m pushing it, but I’m using up my charm.”
“Keep pushing.” She glanced at Trueheart.
In mid-conversation on his ’link, he held up a hand, wagged it left and right.
Then Baxter.
“No hits yet, but I’m eliminating.”
She left them to it and headed down to the lounge.
Carter Morganstern looked like a man who’d had it with the world. She could sympathize.
