‘But what if it does? Have you forgotten, we’ve already got another scandal hanging over our heads?’ He checked no one was listening before whispering, ‘The Cursed Man.’
But nobody was paying any attention. The café was bustling with patrons, laughing and chatting over good food and the ambient surroundings.
Sophie dabbed at her mouth with a napkin. ‘And have you forgotten that today is about stopping that scandal from happening?’ She wiped her hands. ‘Not to mention helping you win back Lexi.’
The idea of winning Lexi back seemed even more impossible than getting her painting back. ‘I never had her in the first place.’
‘Well, now’s your chance. Eat up.’
‘I’m not hungry.’
She sighed. ‘You’re being defeatist.’
‘It’s easy for you to say. You’re not the one who was caught lying. For weeks, I’ve been begging her to trust me. Telling her I’m a decent bloke. Trying to prove myself. But I’m a fraud. Why should she trust me? I’ve pretended to be someone I’m not.’
Sophie didn’t immediately respond. She took a sip of water. ‘But with good reason.’
‘Is there ever a good reason to lie? Lying is all I’ve done for the past eleven years. Look where it’s got me.’
Sophie pushed her plate away. ‘You lied to protect your family.’
‘You’ve changed your tune. You didn’t feel that way a few days ago.’
‘Because now I know the reason.’
‘And you think that makes it okay? I don’t think so. Not anymore.’ He rubbed the back of his neck. He had a headache to rival the ache in his chest.
She frowned. ‘So you wish you’d come clean? All those years ago.’
‘Honestly? I don’t know.’ He slumped back in his chair. ‘All I know is, I’m nearly thirty years old and I’ve spent my entire adult life running from the truth. Existing in a perpetual state of panic. Scared of anyone finding out. Hiding from those I love.’
It was a while before she spoke.
‘I guess that must be hard,’ she said, sounding sad and very unlike Sophie.
‘You have no idea. Maybe it would’ve been better if I’d spoken up at the time and forced our parents to face the music. Because let’s face it, they weren’t happy either, were they? You and Louisa certainly weren’t.’
The waiter came over and cleared their plates. He dug out his wallet to pay, but Sophie stopped him.
‘I’ll get this.’ She turned to the waiter and dazzled him with a smile. ‘L’addition, s’il vous plaît.’
The waiter bowed his head. ‘Bien sûr, madame.’
Olly sighed. Another man struck by his sister’s charms.
Sophie settled the bill and slipped on her grey jacket. She was dressed in business attire, aiming for an air of authority. ‘We’d better get going,’ she said, picking up her briefcase. ‘The auction is about to start.’
Resigned to his fate, he joined her by the door. ‘Christ, I hope we pull this off.’
‘So do I.’ She hooked her arm through his. ‘And just so you know, I do understand why you lied. Sometimes it’s necessary to protect those we love.’
‘I doubt you’ve ever lied,’ he said. His sister was scarily honest. Brutal, at times.
‘Actually, I have.’ She turned to him. ‘I’ve been lying even longer than you have.’
He frowned. ‘What about?’
She waited for a pause in the traffic.
‘I’m gay,’ she said, crossing the street and leaving him standing on the pavement with his mouth hanging open.
Chapter Twenty-One
A few minutes earlier …
Lexi followed Tasha through the ornate olive green door into Sotheby’s auction house. It was an impressive building. Smaller than the London setting but spectacular in its own right. The grand foyer was a vast space with a high ceiling. A huge chandelier cast the room in bright, soft lighting. In the centre, a series of partitions sectioned off the room. Paintings were displayed on the makeshift walls, each one lit and secured with heavy brass chains.
Lexi walked around the displays with the other patrons, admiring the work. She’d normally relish an opportunity like this, if it weren’t for the shake in her hands and the knot in her stomach. If she was in any doubt before today about her ability to cheat people, she was now certain a life of deceit wasn’t for her. When this was over she was going to lead a very uneventful and boring life. No lying. No illegal scams. And definitely no hooking up with blue-eyed thieves.
Thoughts of Olly threatened to derail her. She shook away the image of kissing him and reminded herself she was better off without him. Chances are, she’d never see him again anyway. Which depressed her a lot more than it should.
A bell rang in the foyer, causing a ripple of excitement among those gathered. The auction was about to get under way.
Tasha appeared by her side. ‘I’ve spoken to the deputy director, Nadia Anderson, and I’ve arranged a private viewing of the painting ahead of the sale. A couple of other people have also requested a viewing, so that’s good.’
‘How so?’
‘Because it means our request isn’t unusual. It shouldn’t invite suspicion. Plus, it’ll be easier to cause a distraction with more people in the room.’ Tasha glanced around the masses of people making their way into the auction room. ‘Have you seen Scumbag yet?’
‘No, thank goodness. I’m not sure my nerves could cope with seeing Marcus.’
‘It’s better he doesn’t know we’re here.’ Tasha led her across the room. ‘He’ll know we’re up to something. Stop shaking.’
‘I can’t help it.’
‘Try harder.’ Tasha stopped by a side door. ‘Now remember, once we’re in the room you need to open the carry case like I showed you. When you’re given the painting, remove the frame and clip it to the front section of the case. Tell them you need total darkness to use the black light wand. When the lights go out, turn the case around. The copy is clipped to the reverse.’
Her sister made it sound so easy. ‘Surely someone will notice me doing it?’
‘Not if I create enough of a disturbance to allow you time to rotate the case.’
‘What are you going to do?’
‘I’m not sure yet. Fall over. Faint. Pretend to see a spider, or something. It depends on the layout of the room and who’s in there. When the lights are back on and the switch has been made, finish the examination so it doesn’t look suspicious.’
Lexi wasn’t convinced. ‘This isn’t going to work.’
‘Sure it will.’ Tasha opened the door. ‘Trust me.’
Lexi tried to do as her sister asked, but it was hard when her heart was thumping so hard she could feel it in her teeth.
She walked into the room, which wasn’t big. There were no windows. The room was lit by artificial lighting. And then she spotted the Woman at the Window displayed on a small stand in the middle of the table. Her chest tightened. Her beautiful painting. She almost wanted to run over and hug the demure Italian. She didn’t, of course. That really would look suspicious.
A security guard stood by the door. He asked to see her ID proving she was a legitimate dealer. Her hand shook as she removed her Association of Women Art Dealers membership card. A second female staff member was standing across the room talking to a middle-aged couple.
Lexi walked into the room, clutching hold of the carry case.
Tasha leant closer. ‘Only two staff members, that’s good.’
Lexi nodded, on autopilot.
‘And the frame has already been removed. Even better,’ Tasha added.
Again, Lexi nodded. If the auction house knew it was the original painting they’d probably have better security in place. She wanted to turn and run, but it was too late.
Tasha was moving around the room, adding a sway to her walk. It was enough to invite an interested look from the security guard. His eyes dipped to her backside, distracting him from his duties.
&nbs
p; Tasha had spotted this and her sway switched to a full-blown sashay.
There was another potential buyer in the room. An Asian man. Lexi waited for him to complete his analysis of the painting before approaching the table. She glanced over her shoulder. The couple were still occupying the female staff member. The security guard was still watching Tasha.
It was now or never.
She lifted the carry case onto the table and opened it. She picked up the Woman at the Window and glanced over at the security guard, waiting until he’d nodded his approval that it was okay for her to move the painting before sliding it into the carry case and securing it firmly.
She picked up her jeweller’s loupe and made a show of examining the painting. This was something she’d done many times. It was perfectly reasonable as an art dealer to assess a piece of work. But far from feeling confident in her abilities, she felt as tense as a guy rope lashed to a tent in a gale-force wind. She half expected sirens to go off.
She lowered the loupe and picked up her black light wand. She wanted to look at Tasha, hoping it would calm her nerves, but she knew it would look suspicious. Instead, she took a breath and cleared her throat. ‘Any chance we could turn off the lights, please?’
The female staff member looked over. ‘Is that necessary?’
Lexi nodded, or tried to. Her neck felt so stiff she could barely move it. ‘I need it for the next stage of my assessment.’
The woman didn’t look happy but excused herself from talking to the couple. ‘Be quick, please,’ she said, nodding at the security guard, who cut the lights.
Time was critical. Especially as it wasn’t completely dark. Her movements were still visible. The second she heard Tasha scream, she flipped the carry case. She had no idea what Tasha had done, but she heard a loud thud, followed by a crash.
‘Turn the lights on!’ yelled the female staff member.
When the lights came on, Lexi realised the replica painting was upside down. She tried not to panic.
Thankfully, all eyes were on Tasha, who was lying on the floor next to an upturned chair clutching her ankle.
‘I’m so sorry,’ her sister said, playing the damsel in distress. ‘How clumsy of me.’
Lexi glanced around the room. When she was certain no one was watching, she turned the painting the right way around.
The security guard helped Tasha up. ‘Do you need a medic?’
‘No, I’m fine, thank you. I’m not used to walking in heels,’ she said, holding on to his arm. ‘I’ll pop to the ladies and put a cold compress on it.’
The female staff member turned to Lexi. ‘Have you finished your examination?’
‘I have, yes. Thank you.’
‘Good.’
The woman came over and placed Olly’s copy back on the stand. Lexi held her breath, waiting to see if she’d noticed it was a different painting. She didn’t.
‘The auction is under way. We need to clear this room,’ the woman said, indicating the door.
Lexi almost couldn’t believe it. It had worked. She had the Woman at the Window back. Trying to contain her relief, she clipped the carry case shut and lifted it off the table.
She’d just reached the door, when the woman stopped her. ‘One moment, please.’ She lifted a walkie-talkie to her ear. ‘Yes, Nadia? Yep … Okay … understood.’ She finished her call. ‘Apologies, but there’s been a security incident. You’ll need to wait here a moment.’
Lexi and Tasha exchanged a look.
‘I hope we won’t miss the auction.’ Lexi’s voice wavered slightly.
The woman smiled. ‘I’m sure whatever it is, it won’t take long.’
Lexi hoped so, too. Because until they were far away from the auction house, there was still a chance their plan could implode.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Twenty minutes earlier …
‘You’re gay?’ Olly ran after his sister, who’d left him standing speechless on the pavement. ‘Seriously?’
Sophie kept walking, forcing him to speed up to keep up with her. ‘What, because I don’t dress like a man and have a short haircut, I couldn’t possibly be a lesbian? Is that it?’
‘Of course not. It’s just …’ He caught her arm. ‘I never knew.’
She stopped walking. ‘No one did.’
‘But, I don’t understand. Why haven’t you ever told anyone?’
She pinned him with a glare. ‘Why do you think, Olly? Mother nearly disowned Louisa when she thought she couldn’t reproduce. How do you think she’d have reacted if she’d discovered her eldest child was gay?’
She had a point. But still. ‘So all that partying with eligible men and rumours about who you were dating?’
She shrugged. ‘All engineered to keep up appearances. As long as Mother thought I was playing the field in search of the perfect blue-blood beau, she was happy.’
The look on his sister’s face was heartbreaking. It suddenly all made sense. The anger, the resentment. No wonder she’d barricaded herself away.
He took her hand. ‘But you weren’t happy, were you?’
She stared down at her feet. ‘Sometimes we do things to protect others. You of all people should know that.’
And he knew how crap it felt. ‘I’m so sorry, Sophie.’
‘What have you got to be sorry about? It’s not your problem.’ But her wounded expression didn’t match her aggressive tone. She was struggling to remain composed. ‘I only told you because I wanted you to know I understand what it’s like to keep a secret. It’s exhausting. And unfair. It hangs over you like a guillotine waiting to drop.’
She tried to move away, but he held on to her. ‘Sophie—’
‘There’s no time.’ She tugged her hand free and opened the green door leading into the auction house. ‘We have a painting to retrieve.’
There were so many things he wanted to say. So many questions. But she was right, now wasn’t the time. And knowing Sophie, she’d probably timed her confession deliberately so he couldn’t question her. Her barrier was back up.
He followed her into the auction house.
They were greeted by a man wearing a smart burgundy uniform. ‘Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Sotheby’s.’ He opened the double doors leading to the auction room. ‘If you’d like to make your way through, bidding will commence in five minutes.’
The reception area began to empty. People filed into the auction room, eager to spend their cash. Or maybe simply watch others spend theirs, who knew? Olly searched the faces, looking for Lexi, but he couldn’t see her.
His eyes scanned the rows of plush seating and phone tables set up at the side, each with a member of staff logging onto a computer in preparation for the sale. Still no sign of Lexi. Good. Hopefully that meant she was back in Windsor.
Standing on a small stage at the front was a man wearing a black suit and bow tie. He tested the microphone, tapping the end to check the connection.
Olly hadn’t realised Sophie wasn’t with him until he turned and saw her making her way through the throng of people.
‘I’ve checked the register,’ she said, keeping her voice low. ‘Looks like Nadia Anderson’s the person to talk to. She’s the deputy director.’
‘Lexi definitely isn’t in the auction room. Have you checked everywhere else?’
‘Yes, no sign of her. Looks like she got cold feet.’
‘I guess so.’
He’d be happier knowing for certain. But there was no way of checking and time was running out. It was now or never.
‘Okay, let’s do this.’ He signalled a young woman with a clipboard. ‘I’d like to speak to Nadia Anderson as a matter of urgency. I believe one of the paintings registered for today’s sale is stolen.’
The woman looked startled. ‘I’ll fetch Ms Anderson right away. Please wait here.’
While they waited, Olly watched as the first painting for sale was carried out and placed on the easel next to the stage.
The auctioneer approached t
he microphone and the chatter in the room quietened. Welcoming the bidders, sellers and guests to the sale, he briefly detailed appropriate etiquette for bidding before banging down his gavel. ‘Lot number one. Hieronymus Bosch. Estimated value nine thousand pounds.’ The screen next to him sprung into life, showing an image of the painting. ‘I’m starting the bidding at five thousand.’
A woman in a green scarf waved her hand.
The auctioneer pointed at her with his hammer. ‘Madam, can I see your paddle?’
The woman lifted what looked like a numbered table tennis bat.
‘Thank you. Any advance on five thousand?’
A few people joined in the bidding. The sale price went up in increments of five hundred pounds until only Scarf Woman was left with her paddle aloft.
‘Fair warning,’ the auctioneer said, lifting his hand. ‘I’m selling in the room at seven thousand.’ He banged down his hammer. ‘Sold. Paddle number one hundred and forty-five.’
Olly looked on in mild fascination. Despite his mother’s profession, he’d never been to one of these events before. The bidding was frenetic. Blink and you’d missed your chance.
‘Lot two,’ the auctioneer announced. ‘Rembrandt’s Christ Crucified between Two Thieves, The Three Crosses. Estimated value two hundred and fifty thousand. Who will start the bidding?’
Olly wondered if he’d heard correctly. And these were copies?
The young woman with the clipboard reappeared. ‘Would you care to follow me? Ms Anderson is waiting for you in her office.’
Olly and Sophie were led into the deputy director’s office.
A woman stood up to greet them. ‘Nadia Anderson,’ she said, her sharp gaze sizing them up, assessing how much trouble they were about to inflict. ‘This is my assistant, John Moreton.’ She nodded towards an older bespectacled man. ‘I understand you have information regarding one of the paintings on auction today?’
‘That’s right. The Woman at the Window.’ Olly stepped forwards. ‘It’s not a copy being auctioned off but the original work.’
The two Sotheby’s employees exchanged a look.
‘It was stolen from a gallery in Windsor,’ he added.
Secret Things and Highland Flings Page 23