Anger smoldered at the notion. But all of this was speculation. He had no proof, just a hunch, based on three uncommon words. Yet his thoughts continued to spin at an almost reckless speed. If DeVries was committing fraud, he wondered if Lawrence Westlake knew about it.
Was he in on it?
Was Lauren?
Joe’s blood pumped hotter, faster. He tossed down his pencil, his thoughts falling into the dark trench that held memories of people close to him, their secrecy and deception. His father had betrayed the family by secretly letting them crash into financial ruin. Connor had betrayed the entire police force, it seemed. But that didn’t mean that the only woman he’d ever loved was lying to him, too.
It didn’t mean that Lauren was covering for her father because she was desperate for his approval.
In fact, all of his suspicion could amount to nothing at all. But would he still investigate?
Indubitably.
CHAPTER
29
SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 1926
Sunshine streamed into the Main Reading Room at the New York Public Library, gilding the dust motes that danced in the beams. It was far closer to the Caravellos’ home than the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which made it a better location for this meeting that Lauren was eager to get underway.
“I don’t understand why it’s necessary that I be here, too.” Dr. DeVries twisted his tie tack, ensuring it was absolutely straight. “Lawrence could have handled it on behalf of the society.”
“Having two board members here in person, instead of one, communicates that you take this mistake seriously.” Lauren kept her voice low so as not to disturb the dozen or so people reading. “This is your chance to make your member feel valued. To reestablish rapport that at this point is rather tenuous. What you want is to inspire loyalty in each of your members. Trust me, a good relationship with your patrons is worth more than gold.”
“You’ve experience in this area, do you?” the doctor asked.
“I do. Patrons can become dissatisfied for any number of reasons. But earning our way back into their good graces, whenever reasonably possible, is a priority. It’s easier to retain a member than to recruit a new one.”
“Well.” Dr. DeVries nodded toward the door. “Here we go, Lawrence. Time to put on a show.”
Lauren frowned at the doctor’s sentiment. Setting that aside, she waved to Joe and his parents, then walked closer to greet them. Joe had already shared with her that Sal had taken the news of the forgery hard yesterday, but that Joe and Greta had helped him see that he wasn’t to blame. Greta, Joe had said, had been confident things would be made right.
“I’m so glad you could meet us today,” she told the Caravellos, adding how sorry she was for the reason.
“You must not blame your father, you know,” Greta said in low tones. “You won’t hold this against him, will you? We all make mistakes, but life is too short to hold on to them.”
Lauren nodded, speechless that her concern was Lauren’s relationship with her father.
Then Sal, who Lauren had worried over most, gave her a smile so full of meaning that it untied the knots in her chest. “There is nothing more important than family.” In the crack in his voice, Lauren heard the rift he still suffered in his own.
“Thank you,” she breathed, awash in their grace.
Eyes rimmed in silver, Greta embraced Lauren, and then Sal kissed her cheeks.
“I’ll wait for my turn later.” Joe winked at Lauren, and she laughed along with his parents.
Grateful for that moment with the Caravellos, she ushered the family to where her father and Dr. DeVries waited.
“My dear Mr. and Mrs. Caravello,” Dad said, shaking their hands in greeting, “I cannot tell you how pained I was to learn of our error. How pained we both were.”
Dr. DeVries shook their hands as well. “Yes, quite. We value our members and want to make it up to you by offering to you your choice of a replacement artifact.”
“And these have both been guaranteed by Dr. Westlake?” Joe asked quietly.
“They have.” Dad bowed almost deferentially. “The artifacts and the provenance documents have both been verified.”
A bloom of pink crept above Dr. DeVries’s collar. Obviously, he didn’t appreciate the implication that they needed the confirmation. “An extra measure of diligence.”
