Page 84 of Captive Lies

“I’m at thegallery.”

“Oh, right. The Prestige, right? You mentioned you’ll be curating theartwork.”

“Yup.”

“Has itarrived?”

“Lastnight.”

“Are youexcited?”

“Jeez, I’m hanging upnow.”

Andy barked a laugh as I ended the call. I tried to hide my smile, but Tyler caught my expression in the mirror. “What?”

“Mr. Thorne doesn’t like you talking to him,” Tyler said as he pulled into the back alley leading to the rear of thegallery.

“He doesn’t like me talking to any man. I’m surprised he’s letting me work with JeffreyHawkins.”

“He thinks Spencer is spying forGus.”

“What are you saying? They’re playing bad cop, goodcop?”

Tyler’s non-answer was answerenough.

Andy was easy to talk to. He was like the younger brother I’d never had. A pang of sadness clutched my heart as I remembered Liam. He was like a protective uncle, surrogate father, and older brother rolled into one. I missed him somuch.

33

Blaire

Jeffrey Hawkins wasa man of about sixty. He had a head of gray hair that was balding at the crown. A man with a lanky build, he was slightly taller than me. He wore round spectacles that sat on the bridge of a fleshy nose. I took careful note of his appearance because there seemed to be a few men Grant would let near me, and I wondered if his choice of gallery had anything to do with hispossessiveness.

Jeff was as scholarly as he looked. He also introduced me to his gallery manager, Sofia Ricci. I couldn’t place her age, probably fifty, but she looked like the glamorous movie stars of the gilded age. Full breasts and full hips were sheathed in a tight jersey dress. I guess Jeff wanted to be left alone with the artwork, while Sofia dealt withcustomers.

“Do you want some coffee, dear?” Sofia asked. Full lips too. I couldn’t helpstaring.

“Uh …”

“No, Sofia,” Jeff said. “You know what I think about drinks and food around all thosepaintings.”

His manager shrugged her elegant shoulders and pivoted on her three-inch heels. She brushed a finger on Tyler’s suit. “How about you,handsome?”

“I’ll be with her,” Tyler nodded to me. “So,no.”

Just then, the gallery door jingled and a man in a disheveled suit walked in. His skin was the color of caramel, but for some reason he looked pale. Tyler tensed beside me. I saw Bobby, my other bodyguard, follow in behind thenewcomer.

Sofia clacked on the tiled floor as she moved to intercept Suit Guy even when his eyes were zeroed in onme.

“May I help you,sir?”

“I have a few questions for Ms. Callahan,” Suit Guy said and flashed an agency badge I didn’t catch. After passing Sofia, Tyler blockedhim.

He flashed his badge again. “Special Agent Wilkes. I’m from the Miami field office. I remember you.” He eyed Tyler. “You were with Mr. Thorne thatday.”

“Tyler?” I askedtentatively.

“You need to call Mr. Thorne’s PA and set up an appointment,” Tyler gritted out. “You can’t ambush Ms. Callahan likethis.”

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