“One was a Monet, I think,” I continued. “Did he ever tell you about it?”
Gordon’s gaze went out the windows, but he didn’t focus on the view of the canal below or Montmartre in the distance.
“I remember your father gathering information about a missing Monet, but not the timing,” he finally said.
The tic by his eye said otherwise.
It took everything I had not to shake him, because along with the lie, I sensed profound sorrow. Why? What did Gordon know that I didn’t?
“Mom never talks about his accident,” I said quietly.
My voice went a little scratchy, and I joined Gordon in gazing off into the distance.
“But I’ve always wondered,” I added truthfully. “What can you tell me about it?”
Gordon looked at me sharply, but I kept my eyes on the windows.
“The police said it was brake failure,” he said, choosing his words carefully.
That was what the police reported. Did Gordon think otherwise? Did heknowotherwise?
“Did the car have a current inspection?”
Gordon shrugged. “I’m not sure. It was your grandmother’s. But, sweetheart…”
My shoulders tensed. If he chose this moment to hug me, I might vomit.
“…sometimes it doesn’t help to wonder.”
Ha. Didn’t help me or didn’t help him, especially if I suspected murder?
“I know, but it hurts not to know,” I said. No need to hide a lie that time.
Gordon nodded gravely. “I understand, but why not remember the good instead of the bad?”
In any other context, I might have agreed. But not when it came to hiding an ugly truth.
Roux cleared his throat. “Forty-five minutes left to catch the train.”
Factoring in the walk to the station, that meant we had to get moving soon.
Part of me longed to keep up the amateur sleuthing. But probing any deeper would arouse Gordon’s suspicions. I hadn’t voiced my concerns to Mina before, but I was ready to now. The moment I got home, I would talk to her.
Then I corrected myself. The moment I got home, I would shag Roux senseless.ThenI would talk to Mina.
Still, I was ready to push Gordon on one last topic.
“Oh!” I exclaimed, turning to Roux. “Didn’t Gordon promise a premium for finding the artwork before it was damaged or destroyed?”
Gordon’s eyes just about bugged out of his head.
“€10,000 each, right?” I went on.
Roux’s eyes told me not to push my luck.
“And really, the whole team made it possible,” I threw in. “Henrik, Marius, and Bene too.”
“You said it was an easy in-and-out operation,” Gordon growled at Roux.
