“What?” she exclaimed. “Who?” It clicked slowly. Fletcher running out the storeroom. Fletcher barreling into her, sending her, the pedestal and the horse’s head crashing to the floor. A commotion, a distraction, to aid in his escape. Sassy’s gaze flew to Soledad, who was shaking her head listlessly.
“No,” she said, going an alarming shade of white. “No. No, no, no… Fletcher… He wouldn’t do something like that…”
“I’m sorry, Miss,” the detective said, moderating his tone to soften the blow. “We have the exchange on surveillance video, thanks in large part to Mr. Malone, who helped install hidden cameras throughout the place.”
Sassy revolved toward Nick. His mouth fumbled open on an explanation. It quickly fled, apparently, because his lips seamed shut and a guilty expression took hold as he confronted her questioning stare.
“This is true?” Sassy asked in an undertone. “You rigged the gallery with hidden cameras?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed. “I gave the security firm permission to install them.” He hesitated before adding, “And I oversaw the installation. I coordinated with the firm and Detective Finbar here to set up the sting on Ryder.”
Soledad let out an involuntary sob. Sassy reached for her, bracing her arm around her waist, because she looked seconds away from crumbling. “How could you possibly know he was setting up a cocaine drop?”
“I wasn’t sure what he was doing,” Nick enumerated. “But I did suspect it was him who tried to break into the gallery.”
“How?” Sassy demanded to know.
“The bracelet,” he said. “You said it went missing from your office the day after your first security alert. The one you checked out alone. I told you it reappeared that night at the Bootleg at our table. There was no sign of forced entry at the gallery. I checked when we investigated the second security alert, which led me to believe that the thief had a key.” He seemed hardly able to bring himself to look Soledad in the face, but he made himself do so. “I’m sorry, Sole. He probably lifted the key from your purse.”
“Did he ever spend the night at your residence?” Detective Finbar asked.
Tears ran in rivulets down Soledad’s face. They dripped off her chin. Her eyes were huge, almost glassy as she nodded.
“He could have taken the keys while you were sleeping,” Finbar went on, “and made a copy so he could case the gallery as much as he needed to before the drop. Tonight’s fundraiser gave him the perfect opportunity to do so. While the auction was taking place here on the gallery floor, Ryder made entry into the storeroom, disengaging the locked security door along the back alley. That was how Kenton made entry. He would’ve exited through the back if we hadn’t had officers on standby. Once Ryder saw them take down his partner, he made a run for it through the gallery and escaped onto the street.”
“He wasn’t caught?” Nick asked incredulously.
“We’re conducting a search. We’ll bring him in,” Finbar said in all confidence. He cleared his throat. “Ms. Yazzie, would you mind coming to the station? We’d like to ask you some questions about your connection to Fletcher Ryder.”
“Must she?” Sherry asked, bracketing Soledad between her and Sassy in a protective hold. “She’s clearly distressed. I think it’s best she have a lie down.”
“You shouldn’t go home, Soledad,” Nick said. When everyone turned to frown at him, he added quickly, “If Ryder’s running, he could likely drop in on her place instead of his own. If he wants to get out of Dark Canyon, he’ll need supplies. We don’t know what he’s capable of.”
“Fletcher would never hurt me,” Soledad said brokenly. She looked to Sassy. “He wouldn’t.”
Sassy struggled to nod, rubbing her shoulder. Soledad was clearly in denial. “I know. But you can stay with me. You shouldn’t be alone right now.”
Soledad blinked at her, unable to stem the flow of tears. Her breath hitched. “I didn’t know, Sassy. I swear. I can’t believe he would do any of these things. If it’s true, though, and he did… I promise I knew nothing of it. I would never hurt you or the gallery—”
Sassy ended the tumble of watery words by pulling Soledad into a hug. “I know,” she murmured. “It’s okay. Everything’s going to be okay.”
Soledad’s sobs escalated until she was a shuddering mess in Sassy’s arms.
“Here, dear,” Bly said, turning Soledad to her. She dried her face on a handkerchief. “Let’s get you to the car. You can come home with me until Sassy’s done here. Okay?”
Soledad nodded, letting herself be led out between Sassy’s mother and father. Richie paused, leaning into Sassy to whisper, “Do you need me here? I’ll stay if you do.”
Sassy shook her head, knotting her arms across her chest. She dug her fingertips into the muscles of her upper arms. “I’ve got it.”
“You’re sure?” When she nodded affirmation, he pressed his brow to hers. “Call us if you needanything.”
“Thanks, Dad,” she muttered and watched her parents and Soledad go. The police had escorted everyone out. A few lingered, like Chay, Jacob, several officers—and Nick.
Nick.Her jaw tightened. She winced when the movement tweaked her bruised cheek. He’d done this…all of this without her knowledge.
They were supposed to be starting over, making a fresh go at their friendship.
Had it all just been an attempt to set up the sting on Fletcher? She thought of the meal he’d brought her, the apologies he’d made, the promises…
