Page 26 of Caper Crush
“Did the police insinuate that you had?” I ask.
“They asked me what I was carrying out, and I showed them the framed photos Edmund gave me,” she says. “And then they asked me a few other questions.” Cleo leaves me to pad over to Takashi.
“Have they interviewed you yet?” Edmund asks me.
“Yes,” I say. “Have the police interviewed you?”
“Yes,” Edmund says. “But I wasn’t even at the party that long. I just came toward the end after I volunteered at the senior center. And I had to leave at one point to take a phone call.”
I shouldn’t dislike Edmund so much. He volunteers at a senior center. Of course, he also points out that he volunteers at a senior center.
“I forgot you volunteered at that senior center,” Annabelle says.
“Get fleeced by card sharks is more like it.” Edmund adjusts his cuff links. Cuff links even on a Saturday. “Now they want to play poker every time I show up.”
“I didn’t know you played poker.” Annabelle looks bemused at Edmund, and he looks back at her with such affection. When we first met him, he followed her around like a duckling that had imprinted on her. I thought he was a pain, but she thought he was cute.
“Not well,” Edmund says. “That’s why they want to play me.”
“I can lend you some poker books,” Takashi says. “Poker is pretty key for game theory and AI.”
“It’s okay,” Edmund says. “They get so much joy every time I lose. We’re only playing for nickels.” He glances at William. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Edmund. I’m family friends with Annabelle and Miranda.” He stands and reaches out his hand.
“William. I’m Takashi’s nephew.”
“Were you at the party?” Edmund asks.
“No,” William says.
“Aw, lucky you, not to be a suspect.” Edmund turns to me. “No offense intended, but your painting isn’t exactly theMona Lisa.”
“So you always say.” It’s like a running joke between us. Edmund always says I should stick to portraits; it’s theMona Lisathat attracts all the crowds to the Louvre, so portraits are revered. One of my early portrait paintings hangs on the wall between the two large windows. It’s Uncle Tony and Takashi facing each other. I captured their warmth, even if the flaws in execution make me cringe now.
“It’s good enough to be in the Vertex Art Exhibit,” William says.
I glance at William. Usually, it’s Uncle Tony who stands up for me in any extended family gatherings.
“I don’t see how anyone could have stolen the paintings during the party. Your apartment was packed.” Edmund’s small shrug is followed by his usual dismissive headshake. “It’s not like they could have lifted them off the wall.” He picks at some invisible lint on his jacket sleeve. “Why do they think the paintings were stolen during the party?”
“Did the police say that?” William asks.
“They implied that. It makes more sense to me that some burglar came in undetected than that it happened during the party.” Edmund crosses his arms.
“I’m sure the police are looking at that option as well,” William says.
“Do you think you’ll still be able to participate in the Vertex show?” Edmund asks.
“I don’t know. It’s the transitional painting. It’s kind of the linchpin between the two others, and without it …” I can’t say the rest of the sentence. I rub my hand along the soft velvet of Uncle Tony’s purple couch.
“Maybe someone recognized it from the subway ads. I mean, based on that, they’d think it was valuable,” Edmund said. “Did you see the security footage? Did it show anyone else leaving with a large bag?”
“I don’t know.” I don’t want to admit we’ve seen the footage. “The catering company obviously left with carts.”
“Oh no, it can’t be Kimberly. I’ve used her several times, and she’s so sweet,” Annabelle says. “And so into her cooking.”
“Yes, I used her for my last party, the one showing off my latest acquisition, based on Annabelle’s recommendation. The staff was very professional. They cleaned up nicely and were very careful to always use coasters and to ensure that the artwork was safe,” Edmund says. “What about that guy with the shaggy beard who had the Mets baseball cap on backward? No offense, but he looked suspicious to me.”
“That’s Ryan,” Takashi says. “He used to work for Homeland Security. He’s now consulting. He’s not going to steal any paintings.”
