Page 45 of Protecting Chaos

“I can show you the secret entrance,” she offered. “It’s how we get in after closing to continue working on our stuff.”

“Does Conrad know the secret way in?”

She nodded. “He’s the one who showed it to me.”

“Goddamn it.” If Conrad snuck in without the cops noticing, Stella might be in more trouble than I thought. Even though I’d given her my spare gun, I wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to use it on a person she cared about. Not one she thought might need saving.

I threw the SUV into reverse and called Morrison, asking him to check in with the cops standing guard.

He called back a few minutes later. “They aren’t answering. I’m about twenty minutes out, and we’re short-staffed. I don’t have any other cops in the area.”

“Conrad was headed there. I’ll be there in ten. Get there when you can,” I said and hung up.

I might be ten minutes away, but I was about to cut that time down. I glanced at Avery, “Put on your seatbelt and tell me everything you know about Conrad while I drive.”

22

Stella

Stella nudged the canvas hanging on the wall until it looked level. She walked back into the storage warehouse part of the gallery and looked through the pieces she’d wanted to include. There were several paintings with potential—artists who could use the extra exposure in order for their pieces to sell.

She moved to the other wall and pulled out a painting she’d done from one of her dreams a month prior. She stood in this same warehouse, wearing the same clothes she wore today. Unease crept down her spine as she pulled it free and rested it on a table to get a better view. There were two people standing in the background behind her. A faceless woman and a man were in the warehouse with her. She hadn’t thought much about the dream. It wasn’t the first time she’d dreamed of the warehouse or stuff going on around it. Only this time was different. Those people were different. She squinted her eyes, unable to make out the faces of those behind her. There was no clue. Nothing but the familiarity of what the guy was wearing. The black and red checkered uniform.

She put the remaining canvases on the table in the order she’d wanted to hang them on the wall.

“Just the person we need to see.” Conrad’s voice had Stella spinning in his direction.

Conrad had a gun pointed at Jenny’s head. Smudges of dirt were on her cheek, and blood oozed from the side of her neck down the white business suit.

“Conrad, she’s hurt. Jenny needs medical attention,” Stella said, taking a step in their direction.

“Stop right there, Stella. Jenny has something to show you and tell you,” Conrad said. His eyes flashed with anger as he shoved Jenny forward.

Stella glanced toward the gallery, and her brows hitched. Maybe if she could just scream, the cops in the other room would hear her.

“They aren’t coming,” Conrad said. Stella whipped her gaze back to his, and her heart raced. “While Jenny was unconscious in the trunk, I lucked out and one stepped outside for a cigarette break. I took care of him first, and then when the other one came to check on him, I was waiting. Now it’s just us, and we can talk in private. It’s better that way.”

“Conrad, you don’t have to do this. Put the gun away, and we can talk about whatever this is.”

“This is me protecting you, Stella. Damn it, aren’t you ever going to see that I’m the one that’s been watching out for you? No one else, only me.” Conrad cocked the trigger and pointed the gun at Jenny. “Now tell her what the hell you’ve been up to. Tell her the truth.”

“All right, all right,” Jenny said, swallowing hard. She unzipped the bag and dumped the money onto the floor.

“I don’t understand,” Stella said.

“Tell her what you’ve been doing with all that money. Tell her how we met.”

Stella’s heart dropped like lead into her stomach.

“Your brother sent me to town five months ago to pay people to buy your paintings.”

Stella shook her head, not believing it. “You’re lying. Why would he do that?”

“You were sick and not painting as much so your sales were down. Grant was trying to help you without you realizing he was doing it.”

“Wait. How did he know I was sick?”

“Your doctor was at one of the fundraisers and asked for a family history, trying to figure out what’s wrong with you. He’s known for a while now. He only wants the best for you, Stella. That’s why he sent Ashton to bring you home.”

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