Page 42 of Her Dark Lies
“Who the fuck was able to put cameras in our house? My God, Karmen. Do you know what this means? How compromised we might be?”
I read between the lines. They erased the tapes so no one could see what I’ve done. That I, not Malcolm, killed the intruder. I feel a bit faint. Someone has been watching me. Watching us. They have violated my sanctum, my home, physically and emotionally. And what I’ve done is on camera somewhere.
What Karmen’s done to hide my sins, it’s risky. So risky. I suppose we’re about to see just how much power the Comptons have.
“Jack, we should just tell the truth,” I say. “I don’t remember what happened, not exactly, but there’s no way anyone would prosecute me. It was self-defense. If there are cameras out of the family’s control, lying to the police will get us all in trouble. I think we should come clean, right now, before this gets out of hand. Self-defense is one thing. Perjury is something very different.”
They both glance my way. I have the sudden urge to run from the room. I’ve never seen Jack this mad. He’s almost scary. My fiancé has always been in turns funny, sweet, solicitous, passionate, and kind. But roaring with fury? Not a look I’m excited about.
Karmen raises a brow. “Is that what you were about to tell them, Claire? The ‘truth?’ After everything that’s been done to protect you, you want to expose everyone as liars?”
Jack is by my side in an instant. “Hey. Go easy.”
“It’s okay, Jack. No, Karmen, I’m not stupid. I would hardly volunteer information that might hurt Jack, or the family. I would take full responsibility.”
Karmen spits out a laugh, and even Jack sighs.
“You don’t understand,” he says. “What happens to you happens to us all. Malcolm is licensed to carry, he’s responsible for our safety. His job is to protect us at all costs. That he wrestled the gun away from the intruder and shot him...it’s the logical story. The police aren’t going to push the narrative any further. Trust me. They don’t want this hassle, either. A break-in occurred. Clearly the guy was up to no good. He had a murder kit in his car, for God’s sake. We’ve done the world a favor. I’m sure when they figure out who he is, he will have had a long, bloody history with law enforcement. Stay the course with me, darling.”
“Jack is right,” Karmen says. “The family can easily weather the storm of our security doing their job.”
“We will figure out who’s behind this well before the police, Claire. Won’t we, Karmen?”
The threat is implicit. Fix this, or else.
“Of course. My people are already on it.” Karmen assesses me. “Whatwereyou going to tell them?”
“That something odd did happen, though I doubt that it’s related.”
“What is it, Claire?” Jack asks. He’s gotten himself back under control, sounds calm and assured again, but I can tell he’s at his wits end. How many times has he told me to be open and honest with him? But this...this I’ve kept secret for a reason. A good reason. I’ve screwed up, opened my big mouth, so now I have to ruin the surprise.
“A few weeks ago, a woman came to see me.”
24
A Stranger in Our Midst
The muscle in Jack’s square jaw is ticking. “A woman? Who?”
“It was supposed to be a surprise,” I say, hoping to see something other than anger in Jack’s eyes. “I’ve sold another painting. At least, I think I have. A client’s representative came to the studio a few weeks ago. She was interested inJolina.”
This does get Jack’s attention; he lights up.
“Who is Jolina?” Karmen asks.
“Not who. What.Jolinais the name of a painting I’ve been working on. It’s a massive undertaking, a twenty-by-forty-foot canvas. A magazine asked me what I was working on and I mentioned a megalith, and apparently the woman’s client read the piece and wanted a preview.
“It was strange because she walked in off the street. Normally, a buyer’s agent would make arrangements, an appointment, but she was very casual about it all. She wouldn’t tell me her client’s name, but that’s not unusual. The agent’s name is Ami Eister. But I’m not going to letJolinago somewhere random. And no one knows about her. I’m not explaining this well. Jack?”
He covers my hand with his. He’s relaxed now that he realizes I’m not offering up the family to the wolves.
“You know Claire is poised to break out massively on the art scene, so we’ve been very careful about who gets to see her work. It’s part of growing her as an artist, as a brand, but also to keep her focused. We don’t need her distracted by the business side of things.”
“Yes, I do know,” Karmen says. “It’s very exciting. Was there something the woman said that made you feel uncomfortable, Claire?”
“She was very intense, asked me a number of questions about my work, and my inspirations. Normal stuff. But she knew the painting was calledJolina. That’s what was so weird. When she came in, she introduced herself, gave me a card, and said her client was interested in a preview. I’ve never, ever said the painting’s name to anyone but Jack. I have no idea how she would know. Except...”
“The cameras in the house,” Jack and Karmen say at the same time.
