Page 63 of The Dollmaker

“No. What’s all this about?”

Sharp watched him very carefully. “Diane’s body was found in a park a couple of days ago.”

His eyes widened, and he leaned in a fraction. “That makes no sense. I just saw her.”

“Six weeks ago, right?” Vargas asked.

“Yeah.”

“Where was that?”

“Here. Like I said, she came by to try and get the paintings I’d done of her.” He shook his head. “Are you sure you found Diane? None of this makes sense.”

“We’re sure.” The guy had paled. He looked upset, but skilled liars always played their part well. “Did you sell or give her any of the paintings?”

Madison ran a trembling hand through his hair. He drew in a breath. “No. Several were going to be the centerpiece of my show next week.”

“May we see the paintings?”

“Why?”

“Curious,” Sharp said.

Madison shook his head as he fisted his right hand. He appeared to be struggling to hold on to control. “I don’t understand how seeing my paintings will help you find out who killed Diane.”

“We never said it was murder,” Sharp said. “But I’m looking to piece together her life.”

“Fine. Sure. If you think it’ll help.” Madison guided them into another exhibit room. Centered on the back wall was a three-by-three-foot painting of Diane. She was nude and draped over a red velvet couch, the long fingers of her right hand clutching a strand of pearls.

Sharp walked up to the portrait. The attention to detail was stunning, and he found himself drawn in by her dark eyes and the slight smile on her lips that suggested she knew a secret. Madison was a hell of an artist.

“How did she die?” Madison asked.

“We don’t know yet,” Vargas replied.

“How could you not know?” Madison’s tone held a new sharpness. “Don’t you have people to figure that out?”

Sharp turned from the painting. “I’m the guy that figures stuff like that out. Do you have a basement in this building?”

“Sure. Why?”

“May I see it?”

Madison folded his arms. “Why do you want to see it?”

“Curious.”

Madison hesitated before saying, “These questions are making me feel like a suspect.”

Vargas shrugged and managed an innocuous smile. “Everyone is a suspect during the initial stages of an investigation.”

“Should I have a lawyer?” Madison asked.

“This is simply fact-finding, Mr.Madison,” Sharp said. “I just want to see the basement.”

Madison drew in a breath. “I guess I don’t have a choice.”

“You always have a choice,” Vargas said.

---