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“They spared no expense for this event.” She glanced around. “Hopefully we can find Sophia and Alex.”

A server appeared behind them and took their drink order. Even the drinks had themes tied to the various artists, like a mango-flavored cocktail inspired by artist Juan Ortega. His painting Mosaic Memories would command a pretty penny tonight.

Once the waiter departed, Kira whispered, “We still don’t know the exact location of the back room. I’m hoping to spot Sophia and just ask. They have to offer some kind of preview of the pieces. Who risks their reputation on an illegal art auction without seeing the merchandise first?”

It took a few minutes of searching, but Kira finally spotted Sophia and sent her a subtle wave.

Sophia crossed the room on six-inch heels, her stride effortless, weightless. The layered black dress whispered around her legs as she walked. Heads turned, eyes followed. And the confidence in her step said she was well aware of the effect she had. And she loved it.

“Brian and Katrina,” Sophia said. “I’m so glad you could make it to the auction. May we join you? Alex is somewhere around here, probably doing the math on how much we can spend on some of these rarer pieces.”

Kira waved a hand over the empty chairs. “Please.”

Bryce listened to Sophia and Kira chat about their outfit designers. They still had half an hour before the real auction started, and the background music of the three-piece ensemble was now drowned out by muffled voices as the room filled up.

But he heard Kira ask about seeing the items up for bid in the secret auction beforehand. She indicated that Bryce’s employer was a very motivated buyer, but she wanted a sneak peek first. Sophia whispered something in Kira’s ear, and she nodded. “We’re going to the ladies’ room,” Kira said and kissed Bryce on the cheek. He had no idea what that was code for. Did she mean for him to follow?

He stood as the two women headed to a door at the back of the room by the buffet tables.

On the one hand, Kira could take care of herself. But on the other hand, his gut said not to let her out of his sight, even for a second.

He traced the path the women took and stepped into a hallway that ran beside the main room. Kira vanished into the ladies’ room, followed by Sophia. Bryce looked at his watch and tapped his foot, just to indicate to everyone who might be walking by that he was impatiently waiting for his wife to come out.

When the ladies didn’t return, real impatience—along with some worry—rose with each tap of his foot. He should have insisted Sophia show him where the secret auction was to be held. Now that he thought about it, it might have been more believable coming from him, but Kira wanted to play the friendship card.

Another watch check showed five minutes had passed. To enter and possibly look like a creep? Or stay outside and risk Kira’s life?

Movement at the end of the hallway caught his eye. Two people stepped into the dimly lit hall from a room at the end. One was the gallery attendant who had taken the tickets. The other woman looked familiar, but he couldn’t place her. He adjusted his tie to snap a picture of both of their faces, then turned to study the mural painted on the hallway wall. They walked by, holding hands. He folded his arms and checked his watch once more.

Time’s up, Kira.

He’d go after her even if it meant embarrassing himself, assuming he were mistaken. He grabbed the brass handle to the women’s room door and ducked in. Then listened. Silence. Now the disquiet stirring in him swelled to epic proportions. He should hear something. The restroom had its own mini waiting room with a couch, chairs, and mirrors. He rounded the corner and noted three stalls on one wall and a row of elegant sinks lining the other.

But no Kira or Sophia.

Had Sophia abducted Kira? Was she in trouble? He kicked himself for letting her out of his sight. The room didn’t have any windows since it sat in the building’s interior. They couldn’t have gone far.

So . . . where did they go?

Lights flickered, signaling the auction would begin shortly and that patrons should find their seats.

An elderly woman with beehive hair and a dress that had to be an original from the 1950s pushed through the door and squeaked when she saw him standing there.

He held up his hands. “I’m so sorry, ma’am. I got lost and went in the wrong restroom. I’ve never been here before and wasn’t paying attention.”

Her shocked expression faded, and she laughed. “Of course. It happens.”

He left, wishing he could have finished searching the stalls. No doubt there was a hidden exit that led to a back room.

Maybe he needed to take his seat and wait at the table for Kira to return. A hand clamped over his shoulder, and he spun to see Theo Durham, the treasure hunter.

“Good to see you again, Brian.” The hand moved from Bryce’s shoulder to slap him on the back.

“Hey there. I was just waiting on my wife. I thought she went to the restroom, but I haven’t seen her come out yet.”

Theo sneered. “I’m sure she won’t want to miss the auction. Seems like there will be a fury of bidding on a little rabbit statue.”

So Theo knew about the secret auction? Interesting. The man leaned against the wall. He was dressed as if he were going to a rodeo versus a fancy ball. Theo looked Bryce up and down, as though he questioned Bryce’s right to show up in an art gallery. “You know, it’s not too late for us to work together on this thing.”