7
FIONA
“Who else could it possibly be?”I demanded, glancing along the corridor to make sure no one could overhear us. “The painting was replaced with a forgery. The similarities were enough for the police to think it was me. It must be him.”
Bergen was a devious toad. He’d manipulated me, stolen from me, and let me down in every conceivable way. He had to be responsible for my current problems. He’d used me as a patsy once, so it made sense he’d do it again.
“Let’s just look at this as if we’re impartial observers,” Zeke said, holding up his hands in a calming gesture. As if that really calmed anyone. “You can’t be one hundred percent certain he stole those paintings from the Black Swan Gallery four years ago. Sure, the fact he disappeared out of your life that day looks guilty, but you don’t have irrefutable proof.”
I folded my arms over my chest defensively but I couldn’t contradict him.
“On the slight chance he didn’t do it, then someone else could be behind both crimes,” he said. “We should look for other connections between them.”
“You mean like someone who worked at both places?”
“Yes, or someone else who had access. An artist, contractor, even the janitor.”
I nodded briskly and stalked down the corridor toward the stairs. Logically, I could see that his idea had merit, but I couldn’t help feeling like he was just another person who didn’t believe me. Emotion thickened the back of my throat and I was glad Zeke had stopped trying to talk to me for a few seconds because if I had to speak, he’d no doubt hear how upset I was, and I didn’t like being vulnerable with him. Honestly, I wasn’t sure that Zeke was the kind of person anyone ever wanted to be vulnerable with.
Once I’d managed to get my breathing under control, I slowed until we were walking together.
“I hear you,” I said. “I’m willing to look into other possibilities, but I still think Bergen did it and whether or not you agree, I’m not going to stop trying to chase him down.”
To my surprise, he smiled. “I didn’t expect anything else. I just don’t want you to have blinders on when it comes to him.”
“I’ll try not to.” I started down the stairs, taking them quickly and enjoying the faint burn in my legs. I was grateful he hadn’t completely dismissed my concerns about Bergen, although I did feel a bit called out by the fact he obviously thought I was obsessed with Bergen’s guilt. Yes, I had a one-track mind, but if Zeke had been through what I had—the hours of interrogation, the way nobody I knew trusted me anymore, and having to dig myself out of a financial hole I hadn’t caused—he’d feel the same way.
“Why don’t we start with Andrew?” he suggested as we reached the ground floor.
“Actually…” I bit my lip, silently weighing our options. “I have another idea.”
“What’s that?”
“Yesterday, while I was waiting for you and Patience to finish doing whatever you were doing, I noticed a painting by an acquaintance of mine on the gallery wall. He also sold artwork through the Black Swan Gallery, so if you’re looking for connections, he might be a good place to start.”
I didn’t think for a second that Denny had anything to do with the thefts, but he was a gossip, so he might have useful information. He was also a friendly face—one of only few of my old colleagues who had stood by me—and I could really do with one of his hugs right about now.
Zeke shrugged. “If you think it’s worthwhile. Do you know where we can find this acquaintance of yours?”
“I do.” I gave him the address and climbed into his car. I could still hardly believe he drove a hatchback. I’d been sure he was a sports car guy.
He drove us to Denny’s home in a trendy upscale neighborhood. He was only able to afford the house because he shared it with several other artists. They claimed being so near to the park helped fill their creative wells. I’d never had the same affinity for nature, but they all did beautiful work, so there was no arguing with their process.
“It’s this one.” I pointed to the building and Zeke parked on the roadside opposite. I got out of the car and waited for him to join me. Together, we crossed the road and climbed three stairs to the door. I knocked and stepped back.
A moment later, the door flew open and Denny beamed out at me.
“Fiona!” He wrapped his arms around me and hugged me tight. I buried my face in his shoulder, soaking up the human contact. I got far too little of it. “It’s so good to see you, darling. What brings you here?”
ZEKE
My eyes narrowedat the familiar way the man in the hipster glasses held onto Fiona. I hadn’t been prepared for his reaction to her, and I didn’t like being caught off guard. She hadn’t mentioned being friends with this guy—just acquaintances—and it made me wonder what else she might not have mentioned. My gaze lingered on his hand where it rested on her mid-back. At least it hadn’t sank any lower. If he’d touched her too intimately, I might have had to remove his hand from her body, and I doubt either of them would like my methods.
I took the opportunity to assess him while he was preoccupied with my beautiful partner. He was a little taller than Fiona, but shorter than me. Slender but athletic, with tidy facial hair and vivid blue eyes. He was good-looking, if you liked the cute nerd type. Based on the fact Fiona had dated Bergen, I had assumed she preferred her men tattooed and rugged, but maybe she didn’t have a type at all. It wasn’t as if I had a physical type. I liked all women—the more fiery, the better.
“We have something to talk to you about,” Fiona said in answer to the guy’s question. She looked around. “In private.”
“Oh, sure.” He sounded intrigued. “Come in. Can I get you a coffee? I remember how much you love your skinny caramel lattes.”
