Page 24 of The Deception: Hercules Valentine and I
“Sorry, I never caught your name,” I say.
Her mouth falls open. “You never caught my name?”
“No. What’s your name?”
Her hand passes over her red cheeks. “Clemson, but you can call me Clem like everyone else. Clem.”
“Clem, I’m going to need you to get me that painting. I’ll bid ten thousand more than the highest bid until it’s mine, got it?”
“Um…” She looks confused.
“There’s five thousand in it for you.”
After a beat, she nods. “But I can’t take your money, Mr. Valentine. At least, not that way.” She starts tapping her screen. “I’ll receive a commission if my bidder wins.” She looks up, grinning. “And it’s going to be a lot more than five thousand dollars.”
I chuckle. It’s good to know it was the money, not me, that had her out of sorts.
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