Page 117 of Possession

“I believe that should be my line, Ms. Copeland. You’re stunning.”

I looked down at the garnet fire of the material as it swished around my calves in a deceptively modest style. Garnets winked at his wrists as he shot his cuffs out. “I hoped to leave people with this as their memory of us, not sneaking away to procure an iPad for nefarious reasons.”

I grinned up at him. “Are you sure you haven’t been watching Bond flicks?”

“Quite sure.” He set a simple clutch on the couch. “I found this.”

“You found a clutch that’s the same size as a tablet?”

He shrugged. “Have credit card, will find what you need in the city. It was made to hold an iPad.”

I frowned at the stiffness of the clutch. “What’s in there?”

“Open it.”

I slid out the padded envelope with a frown. Inside was a beveled piece of Carson glass. Alone it was stunning, but the intricate etching at the center stole my breath. I’d seen plenty of monograms in my life, but nothing like this.

“It’s like the glass we used for Jimmy Calagnino.”

Lightly, I traced the lines of Phil’s initials. “She doesn’t deserve this.”

“No, but I figure it manufactures a way for us to distract her with a gift. It will call to her sense of vanity.”

“It does. And you’re right.”

“I had my people make it.”

I held it up to the window and shook my head at the ghostly blue hue of the etching. “When this is over, we’re going to discuss the artistry angle that you’re missing in most of your jobs.”

“My company does just fine as it is, Ms. Copeland.”

“It can do better.” I slid the glass back into the envelope and slipped it into the clutch.

“As you endlessly remind me.”

He held up a black wool jacket. “Shall we go?”

I nodded. “Let’s get this done.”

The trip into the city was uneventful. Marblehead wasn’t exactly the mecca of parties for Christmas. Most people were traveling into Boston instead.

But the gallery’s parking lot and two of the adjoining lots were full to bursting with cars. Philomena had outdone herself as usual. White twinkle lights and holly circled the columns out front. Both of the windows had Christmas trees in them with discreet holiday-themed paintings in the setup.

Always something to sell.

I used to think she was a genius at marketing. Now, I had to wonder if she’d destroyed as many artists as she’d created. How many of my own pieces had been sold to gangsters to launder their money?

Did they just stay in boxes at the back of their closets?

Blake slid a hand around my hip and gathered me in close. “Bring the rage down to a manageable level. You’re going to start breathing fire before we even get through the vestibule.”

“Right. You’re right.” I threw my shoulders back. The fact that she’d duped me for so many years made my head pound and anger bubble in my gut.

No one at the party would know it though. I’d learned from my grandmother just how important outward appearances were.

All evening, I smiled and drank and made it a point to talk to nearly everyone at the party.

The closer I got to the queen of the hour, the more tense I became. Before I could interrupt Cat Bishop and steal Phil away to talk to her, Blake swirled me into the small crowd of dancers.

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