From there, it was a matter of elimination for me.
If PERL always went to their own shows and auctions, perhaps Bee could help me find a pattern in the photos and videos of the events. PERL had a social media account, and newspapers covered them heavily, as well as TV. I’d be able to run facial recognition and see if people began standing out.I expected many would, but that would narrow it down.
Though Bee hadn’t been involved in my plans until now, I understood her well. She’d want to be a part of this since it fit her skill set. She had a knack for hunting things down, and couldn’t pass up the chance to show off, plus she wouldn’t let me have fun without her.
I stood, re-buttoning my jacket and signaling my departure. “I’ll talk with the insurance company this afternoon,” I added.
My father nodded.
I left his office then, making my way back to my own. Controlling the insurance detective would be easy. I simply needed to send them chasing their own tails for a while until they tired themselves out.
I needed time with the PERL, and if I could get my hands on this second one, maybe there’d be more clues to gather from it.
My assistant met me at the door to my office, handing me my customary cinnamon roll and coffee. I entered and sat, releasing a steadying breath.
I wondered then what kind of coffee the woman enjoyed, or maybe she was a tea person; I couldn’t help it. For the love of baked goods, she was going to be impossible to forget.
CHAPTER 8
Sybil
The following morning was a significant improvement over the previous one. I woke in bed, sandwiched under the covers on either side by Bill and Mr. Beans. With the blankets pulled tight around me, I wasn’t ready to bring the day in just yet.
On cue, my phone began buzzing on my nightstand.
I groaned and rolled, coaxing the boys to relent their cozy positions before I could sneak an arm out. My palm landed hard on my phone, and I tilted the screen toward me. It was Cat, which wasn’t a surprise. She was my only contact.
I answered with a groggy, “Hello?”
“Darling! Today is going to be brilliant!”
I yanked the phone away from my ear. Her energy was not matching mine. To preserve my eardrums, I put her on speaker and lay back in bed with aharrumph.
“The announcement of your show this evening has pickedup a lot of buzz. People are speculating you stole your own painting!” She giggled. “Isn’t that adorable! I wish I’d thought of that.”
It’s the sort of thing she’d make me do, too. Challenge me to steal my art. I wasn’t going to comment.
“Eight?” I asked.
She knew what I meant. “Yes, Sybbie, eight tonight. Do you need me to bring you anything, or just send the car?”
“Just the car,” I grumbled.
Mr. Beans let out a surly meow as I forced him off the bed and onto the floor so I could move. I rolled over, head in the pillow. I needed to shower and clean myself up. An ‘everything shower’ as I’ve heard it called on social media. Shaving—lotsof shaving—exfoliating, polishing, everything I’d need to clean off six months of hibernation.
“Okay, honey. Were you happy with everything at the venue last night?” she added.
“Yeah.” My reply was muffled. “Everything looked good.”
“Great, okay, I still have a lot to do, so I’ll let you do your thing. I’ll see you later, okay?” She hung up the phone before I could say anything more.
She knew I wouldn’t be much of a conversationalist today. Talking took a back seat on days like this, and panic took the wheel. It was like walking through a room full of honey. I had to preserve as much energy as I could or I’d drown in it.
Last night, Bill and I went back to our deli. As predicted, they’d already finished the interior, leaving the windows covered, hoping to preserve the secret.
Daniel and his crew were amazing. Everything was matteblack, like a stain of shadow and night. Entering the room was exhilarating—a feeling of vertigo like falling into a vast, bottomless pit. It was a neat space this time.
I’d flicked on the light above where the new piece was to be hung, and placed theDoubtpainting. It felt like a scene from an old silent movie as my hands fell away from it. The lighting was perfect, deep, and dramatic—highlighting the grooves in my slash ofDoubt.
