by Burton, Mary
“Everything all right?”
“All good. He’s just a kicker. Hey, I might have to leave early tonight.”
“The baby?”
“I’m not sure. Could just be indigestion. But if I have to leave, I wanted you to know the head waitress tonight is great. She’ll end up running this place one day.”
“Sure. We’ll be fine. You just take care of the baby.”
“The name of the head waitress is Jessie Hudson.”
Jessie Hudson. Adrianna almost laughed. Small, small world. “Thanks. Leave if you need to, okay?”
“Will do. I hope you raise lots of money tonight for the pediatric wing.”
Adrianna allowed herself a bright smile. “I hope I do, too.”
As guests began to arrive, Adrianna greeted each at the door. If she’d learned anything from Margaret Barrington, it was how to make a party work. From the cradle she’d learned how to make charitable events a success.
Kendall and her husband Jacob arrived. Kendall looked stunning in a white off-the-shoulder cocktail dress and Jacob looked handsome in a dark suit. She beamed. He looked bored.
Adrianna kissed Kendall on the cheek. “I’m so glad you came.”
Kendall slid her arm into Jacob’s. “Wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
Adrianna glanced to Jacob. “Thank you for coming.”
“It’s a good cause.”
Kendall squeezed his forearm. “Events aren’t his thing.”
Adrianna smiled at Warwick. “In all honesty, these kind of things were never to my taste. But I understand their purpose.”
Jacob raised a brow. “To make me miserable.”
Adrianna laughed. “You and every other man in the room. Keep telling yourself it’s a good cause. It’s a good cause.”
“Thanks.”
The moment of laughter died in her when she looked across the room and saw Brett Newington. “Look what the cat dragged in.”
Jacob and Kendall turned. He frowned, his expression dark and menacing.
The trio watched as Janet Guthrie crossed the room toward Brett. She kissed him on the cheek.
“Look who’ve become such good friends,” Adrianna said.
“There’s one of the sources of that news report.” Kendall arched a brow. “Jacob, would you mind getting us something to drink? And maybe ask Mr. Newington to move along.”
Jacob smiled, the first spark of pleasure in his eyes. “I would be glad to.”
Kendall winked at him. For just a split second his eyes softened before the wall rose up again. He moved across the room, like a panther on the hunt. In seconds he was beside Newington, leaning toward the man and saying something that no one could hear. Newington paled and within seconds departed.
Adrianna laughed. “Jacob has a way.”
Pride glistened in Kendall’s eyes. “I don’t think we’ll be seeing Brett again tonight.” Her gaze settled on Adrianna. “So it’s going well?”
“So far so good.” Having Kendall here felt good.
“So what aren’t you telling me?” Kendall said.
“Nothing.”
“Please. I can spot a cover-up with my eyes closed and one hand tied behind my back. Spill.” Hope sparked in Kendall’s eyes. “It’s what sisters do.”
“I know. And I appreciate the offer. But tonight I don’t want to get into it.” Adrianna did feel a connection to Kendall. “I almost feel like we’re sisters.”
Kendall frowned. “We are sisters, Adrianna. We may not have the history but we’re working on that part.”
Adrianna wanted a sister. Wanted someone with whom she could laugh or cry. Someone to talk about the baby that had vanished. “After this. Let’s do something. Something fun.”
Kendall nodded, seeing the opening but wise enough not to push. “I’d like that.”
The band picked up its tempo and soon couples paired off and were on the dance floor. She felt a swell of satisfaction as she watched the movers and shakers of Richmond filling the space.
By the time Gage left Margaret Barrington’s house, he didn’t have time to drive home, shower, or change. So he headed to the auction as he was. As he parked across the street from the hotel, his phone rang. It was a text message from Mark Benton, Rhonda’s neighbor. It read: Found Rhonda’s painting.
Gage studied the image Benton had photographed and sent him. It was a landscape. Trees, rolling hills, the river in the distance. What struck him most about the painting was that it looked old, as if it had been done a century ago. Not something he’d expect a vibrant young woman to paint.
He closed the phone and moved inside. He’d attended enough of these swanky affairs when he’d joined the Falcons. He knew how to negotiate them, but didn’t care for them. His ex, Susan, had loved them and had clung to his arm and grinned as if she’d landed the prized bull. She was all glitz, no substance, and he’d been too young to know better.
He stared into the room of tuxes, evening gowns, and glittering jewelry. I am one fish out of water.
Gage was half-tempted to retreat and wait in the lobby for Adrianna when he spotted her. Stunning was too lame a word to describe her. A black dress accentuated her creamy white skin and a pearl choker her slim neck. High heels made her taller than most and almost brought her up to his eye level. She wasn’t wearing her wedding bands.
She was talking to a tall, distinguished guy. Tux, manicured hair, buffed nails. Her type. No. Not her type. She was more than these people.
As if sensing his gaze, Adrianna looked toward him. Her smile faltered a fraction and he thought she’d turn away. But she excused herself and soon worked her way through the crowds toward him.
She was stopped several times along the way. Each time she was gracious, patient, and ready to cajole more money out of some rich patron. One elderly man she spoke to was one of the most powerful attorneys in the city. He had a reputation as a ball buster. And in Adrianna’s hands he appeared to be Jell-O.
Damn, but the woman had the power of a witch.
Every man in the room knew it.
And no man cared.
Gage found himself impatient for her to reach him and started to resent the people who stood in her way. He started to weave into the room, meeting her halfway.
“Welcome, Detective. I didn’t think you were going to make it.”
He wished he had a drink, or something to hold. “Nice gig.”
Adrianna’s smile was warm and her eyes danced. “Thanks.”
He prided himself on reading people. Even his ex was an open book. Susan wanted it all and made no apologies. But with Adrianna, he didn’t have any idea what she wanted. “So you’ve managed to put together a dry party. And by the looks of the people you have here, that’s no small feat.”
“You should have been here an hour ago. The auction had a few heated moments.”
“That so?”
“Janet went toe to toe with a local matron over a painting. Quite exciting. Janet won and paid twice what she’d intended.”
“I wish I’d been here.” Her smell was soft and elegant. “Getting people to open their wallets while they’re sober is no small accomplishment.”
“The trick is a gentle twisting of the arm. Not too drastic so that they try to escape.”
A couple, who were nicely but simply dressed approached. “Ms. Barrington?”
Adrianna smiled. “Dr. Norton.”
“This is my wife, Maureen.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m so glad you could come. Dr. Norton and Maureen, I’d like you to meet Gage Hudson. Dr. Norton is the principal of Goodman High School, where I spoke last week.”
Gage watched Maureen slip her arm possessively into the crook of her husband’s arm. And the good Dr. Norton tried not too hard to gush over Adrianna. “What did she speak about?”
“Drunk driving. I’ve got to tell you, Ms. Barrington, your talk made a real impression on those kids.”
She smiled. “I’m glad.”
When they left, another woman across the room raised her hand and called out to Adrianna. She smiled and raised her glass of ginger ale. “Excuse me. Mrs. Welbourne spent a lot of money here tonight.”
“Don’t let me stop you.” As she walked away his gaze traveled the length of her body. Perfect. Like her.
“Careful, Detective, your horns are showing.”
Janet Guthrie’s crude remark had him turning. She wore a red silk suit, lots of diamonds, and so much make-up it made her look like a caricature. “Ms. Guthrie.”
Janet nodded her head toward Adrianna without looking in her direction. “Watch how she twists that sour old maid around her little finger. I’ll bet she has a check for fifty thousand dollars in her hand by tomorrow.”
Adrianna leaned in close to the older woman. He didn’t see guile, but kindness in Adrianna’s eyes.
As if reading his thoughts, Janet said. “And she looks so genuine, don’t you think? I think Craig was always in love with her. Even in his worst moments of debauchery, he worried that Adrianna would find out.”
Gage remembered what Margaret had told him earlier. Craig would never have cheated on Adrianna. “And she never did?”
“So Adrianna says, but seeing her tonight I’m not so sure. She is quite the manipulator.”
Margaret and Janet painted different pictures of Adrianna. “She seems to be the real deal to me.”
Janet laughed. “No one is the real deal. We all have our masks on.”
“I hear you had an interesting bidding war tonight.”
“The piece I wanted was the most valuable in the collection. It stands to reason I’d have competition.”
“All for a good cause.”
She lifted a brow. “Of course.”
“I hear you’ve been talking to the press.” The bluff dangled in the air like a worm from a fishing pole.
She arched a brow. “What makes you think it was me?”
“I wasn’t sure until now.”
She shrugged. “It wasn’t me.”
“Why’d you visit Craig the day he died?”
Surprise widened her eyes. “To tell him I’d bought the gallery. That it was all mine now.”
“Nothing like kicking a guy when he’s down.”
“It’s the best time.” Someone called out Janet’s name and she moved away from him.
Gage watched her vanish into the crowd. “What the hell are you up to?”
Gage strode toward the wall of paintings that had just been sold. They were nice enough. Most were landscapes. Old. Nothing he’d ever bother to buy.
As he stared at one landscape, he was reminded of Benton’s text. He flipped open his phone and started to walk down the row again comparing the phone image to what he saw. He was on the last painting when he had a match.
The version on the phone wasn’t as good as the one in front of him. Still, he could see that she was doing her best to copy the painting down to each brush stroke and the artist’s signature.
“New love for art, Hudson?” Warwick’s voice held no hint of humor.
Gage turned to find Warwick and Kendall standing there. “Have a look at this.” He showed them the phone picture. “This was one of the last paintings Rhonda created.”
Warwick compared the two. Kendall studied them as well.
It was Kendall that spoke first. “I’d say Rhonda was perfecting her techniques.”
“Her techniques?” Gage said.
“Forgery.” She nodded her head toward the SOLD sign. “Look who bought it.”
“Janet Guthrie,” Gage said.
Craig stood outside the hotel, staring up at the glittering lights. His thoughts were on Adrianna. Blond hair. A fighter’s spirit. He’d been thinking about her so much. And his body burned with anticipation.
He closed his eyes and focused on the hotel. It was a grand place, a place where he belonged. The people inside were his people and he should be there. But he was wise enough to understand that he had to bide his time.
Ducking his head, he crossed the street and moved down the sidewalk to the parking garage under the hotel near the service entrance. Adrianna had parked here earlier.
He strode up to her car, glanced around to make sure no one saw him, and then quickly and efficiently pulled a knife from his pocket and knelt by the tire. He slid the knife between the tire and the rim and sliced the rubber. Immediately, air started to leak out.
When she came out later, she’d see that her car had been disabled. And he’d be here waiting for her.
Tess cradled the six-pack under her arm and moved with quick efficient steps toward Dr. Butler’s office. She didn’t break stride, fearing she’d lose her nerve. The way she kept showing up here, she was starting to feel like a stalker. “You are a mess, Kier.”
As expected she found him in his office, his head bent over papers. “Are we the only two geeks on the planet who like to hang around the dead on Friday night?”
Alex smiled though he didn’t glance up. “Tess, I know I don’t have a life, but I thought you would.”
She accepted that as invitation enough and moved into his office. “I lost it somewhere along the way.”
Slowly he pulled his glasses off and looked at her. He was a good-looking man. Not stunningly handsome, but that was okay. She’d never gone for the pretty-boy types. She liked character, laugh lines, and intelligent eyes. She pulled a beer out of the bag and offered it to him. He nodded and accepted it. “So what are you working on?”
“Reading my notes on the Borden autopsy.”
She twisted the top off her own beer. “Why?”
“It bothers me. I feel like I’m missing something.”
“Any thoughts as to what?”
“None. But it’s there. I know I’ve missed something.”
“I didn’t think you missed much.”
“Not enough sleep, I guess.”
Tess leaned forward. “How about tonight we let the work go. How about we do something radical.”
“Such as?”
“Have fun.”
“Fun?” A smile tweaked the edge of his lips. “I’ve heard of that.”
So the robot had a dry sense of humor. “It’s been around for a long time, and people of all walks of life pursue it.”
“Really? Might be worth some study.” He had long, lean hands, neatly trimmed nails, and no rings.
She tipped the neck of her beer bottle toward him. “That’s the thing. You can’t study it. It’s just something that you do.”
“What do you propose?”
“Breaking bread. Dinner. Conversation that’s not work related.”
“I’m game. When should we have this…what did you call it?”
She rose. “Fun. It’s called fun. And I suggest there is no time like the present. A bit of fun and you might find your mind clears and solutions present themselves.”
He stood and pulled his coat from the back of his chair. “I know a place. Great food.”
“My parents own a restaurant, so I’m quite particular.”
“You’ll like this place. I’ll drive.”
“Normally, I drive.”
“Why not kick back for an evening and let someone else do something for you?”
His tone more than his words convinced her. No demands. No expectation. Just a statement. “Okay, Alex Butler. You drive.”
Adrianna’s feet felt as if they’d explode in her four-inch heels. Thoughts of comfort had been secondary when she’d slipped on the stunning shoes earlier this evening. Now comfort was all she could think about.
A satisfied smile tipped her lips as she thought about the evening. It had been a fabulous success. She’d raised over a half a million dollars tonight and the proceeds would go directly to Mercy Hospital’s neonatal unit.
Somewhere along the evening, she’d lost sight of Gage. She�
�d meant to get back to him, had really wanted to, but she could never break free. So she’d shoved aside the disappointment and let herself be swept up by the night.
It was past eleven as she stood in the back of the ballroom, watching the waitstaff clear the dishes away, stack chairs, and vacuum the confetti off the floor.
She spotted Jessie and moved across the room. “Did Cary leave?”
“Contractions.”
“She all right?”
“Doing fine, according to her husband’s last report.”
Jessie looked tired. No doubt she’d been on the job fourteen or fifteen hours. “Thank you. I know you really helped make this event a success.”
Jessie nodded. “I was glad to help.”
“Do I need to sign anything?”
Jessie flipped through the pages of her clipboard and pulled out an invoice. “Yes.”
Adrianna accepted the sheet and glanced down the itemized list of the night. She’d been over this list with Cary at least a dozen times. It was just as she remembered it. No extra expenses or hidden costs. Lord knew she’d worked hard to make sure she’d accounted in advance for the costs.
“It looks just right.” She signed her name and added the extra swirl to the B. “Again, I couldn’t have done it without you.”
For just an instant, a heavy silence hung between them and she thought Jessie would say something. Instead, she smiled. “Think of us again for next year.”
Adrianna laughed. “Next year.” All she wanted to do was get through tomorrow.
She left the ballroom and moved across the lobby of the hotel toward the bank of elevators.
“Looks like your evening was a big hit.”
At the sound of Gage’s voice, she turned. He moved across the lobby. He’d lost the tie and unbuttoned the top couple of buttons of his shirt. He radiated a quiet strength.
“Your sister did a great job.”
“She runs a tight ship. I tried to keep my distance. She doesn’t appreciate the hovering.”
“I thought you’d have left by now.” She was careful to keep the excitement from her voice.
“Thought I’d stick around. Where’s Reese?”