“No, but it’s only a matter of time. Not to mention, her tactics eat up a lot of time and resources we can’t afford to waste. Instead of bringing us money, theMadonnacould end up bleeding us dry.” Montgomery sighed.
“What do you suggest?”
“I have half a mind to return it just so I no longer have to deal with that woman.”
“But the ball, and—”
Montgomery waved her off. “Oh, don’t start preaching to the choir. I won’t. Out of sheer spite alone, but in some moments…”
“I get it. Ms.Varnelli can be challenging.”
Montgomery tilted her head. “I take it you don’t have any real influence with her?”
“No. I’ve only dealt with her in my capacity as curator. She’s a known quantity in the local art world.”
“Too bad. I’d hoped you had some connections and might be able to talk her out of it. Like a secret weapon.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint.”
“Yes, well. I’ll talk with Legal to see what options we have.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Montgomery settled behind her desk.
Before turning and heading back out, Penelope hesitated. “What would you do? If she somehow managed to void the contract before the ball? What would we put on display in place of theMadonna?”
“Dear Lord, Dr.Blackwell, don’t even voice such thoughts! Months of planning undone by one diva with a legal team. That’s a nightmare I refuse to consider.”
“I understand, but shouldn’t we be prepared for the worst-case scenario?”
Montgomery grunted. “How about this—why don’tyoudecide on the best alternative? Being prepared might allow us to ward off such a scenario.”
Penelope smiled. “Of course.” She left the office.
Perhaps convincing Montgomery would be harder than she thought. Harder still when she couldn’t ignore the truth: Valentina’s empire was a poison, Francesca’s Collective little better, and yet here she was, standing in between. Justice for her father on one side, Lucia on the other. And Penelope? She was starting to wonder if there even was a “right” side left to stand on.
She used to think this was all so easy and straightforward. Not that she tended to see the world in black and white—she’d outgrown that after her teenage years—but still, on paper, both Francesca’s Collective and Valentina’s Eris Group were the villains. Yet when affection and loyalty intruded, everything turned gray. Or maybe that was what she wanted to see to justify her own actions.
Wasn’t there a saying about how the path of vengeance only ever hurt the seeker?
After a few hours of losing herself in her work, an internal email chain between the Conservation team and the registrar, copied to her as well, caught her attention:
We logged an unusual humidity spike in the Conservation wing yesterday. Facilities say it was momentary, but I wanted you to be aware since theMadonnais in that environment.
The registrar had replied:
This needs to be noted in the loan file. Can you confirm Conservation will monitor daily? Dr.Blackwell, do you want to move theMadonnajust in case or observe the next twenty-four hours and decide then?
Penelope groaned. So much for the Meridian’s security system being embarrassing. This must have come from Jules’s test run Lucia had mentioned the other night.
Although this might work in their favor. She needed to update Lucia.
She tapped her pen against her desk, then pressed reply.
Huh. I suppose that clears up whose side you’re on.
Penelope pinched the bridge of her nose. What was she getting herself into? And how much farther could she wade out before there would be no way back?
