“Howdy, partner,” she greeted.
“Well, don’t you just sound like a contented little sex kitten. Are you in a position to give me the scandalous details of youraventure amoureuse?”
She glanced at William’s closed eyes and soft smile. “Of course not, you nosey man!”
“Too bad. I do so need a rise today.”
“Ha ha. I know you didn’t call me for gossip in the middle of the night, so what’s up?”
“My sweet, I’m sorry to bother you, but I have unsettling news.”
“Oh?”
“I hate to rain on your long overdue sexual liberation, but I’m just heartsick. I received a mucho disturbing call from the tempera maestro Gleason’s office this afternoon.”
“Wyn Gleason’s assistant telephoned on a Saturday afternoon?” She sat up, then jiggled William’s shoulder.
“We just hung up. I don’t know if there is anything you can do or say from Paris or even when you get back, but ...”
Putting the phone on speaker, she braced herself. “Go ahead.”
“Gleason canceled the reception and exhibition.”
“Oh no! Did he choose another date?”
“No. Gleason canceled indefinitely, citing misrepresentation by La Tempera.”
William sat up.
“What?” she asked, heart crashing to her stomach. “Why would he do that after contactingus? We clearly represented our mission, standards, and values. He had every opportunity toask questions, and I even gave him carte blanche for the entire exhibit. What the hell? He signed the contract.”
“His assistant confided—you know, I have a way of getting the little people to talk—two separate art collectors heard La Tempera would be hosting the exhibit and had the gall to contact Gleason with fierce objection, stating that you did not do due diligence in authenticating the provenance of your acquisitions. Such caca! One went on to explain that you were involved in a civil suit for breach of contract as well as sexual harassment and money laundering through art sales.”
“Oh. My. God. None of that is true! Who would do such a thing?” She rested her forehead in her hand, tears pooling.
“I assured the young woman of your character and integrity, but she explained that, given Gleason’s reputation, he cannot associate with anyone remotely tarnished, even by unsubstantiated rumors.¡Pura mierda!I tell you, sheer, unmitigated bullshit!”
“Did she give the names of the accusers? Were they clients of yours?” William interrupted, running his hand down her back.
“Oh! Bonjour, Monsieur Handsome! She did not say.”
“Well, he’s on the hook for a lot of money for breach of contract,” William stated, throwing back the sheet. Storming to his phone on the dresser, he left the bedroom.
“Guy, I must contact him to dispute the allegations,” she said.
“Listen to me very carefully. Think, my dear, how did the slimeball take your breakup? Thatthingis just low enough to pull a stunt like this. Trust me, I know. Look at the hell I went through with Alberto-The-Snake. A scorned man who has had his well-planned treasure ripped from his grasp is worse than a woman with a vendetta and a meat cleaver. His wrath is mucho, muchodiabolical.”
“You think this was George’s doing?”
“El hijo del diablo?... or ... maybe ... the jealous, toxic agent of chaos residing in Queens? See! Just like a telenovela.”
She sighed. “Fuck.”
“Oh dear! You never swear like a naughty sailor.”
“It calls for it. Jane’s been blowing up my phone since I arrived in Paris, but I couldn’t bring myself to answer her texts or play back her messages.”
“I can’t imagine why.”
