by DB Jones
Chapter 8
Madison made up her mind that it was time to meet this elusive Mr. Kincaid. Aspen had told her that he might be at the Art Center scoping out the layout for his upcoming exhibit, so she called the Center to find out if he was there.
Kim answered the phone. “Maitland Art Center, may I help you?”
“Yes, this is Agent Hart. I was wondering if Mr. Kincaid is in.”
“Who did you say you were?”
“Agent Hart.”
“He is. Is there anything that I can help you with today? He’s very busy right now getting ready for his exhibit.”
“No. Would you mind getting Mr. Kincaid for me?”
“I’ll have to put you on hold while I try and find him.” Kim sounded agitated.
There was silence on the phone for what seemed to be minutes. “What’s taking so long? The place isn't that big. Surely Kim knows where he was.” Suddenly, there was a very masculine voice on the other end. “This is Tyler Kincaid. How can I help you?”
“Mr. Kincaid, this is Agent Hart with the FBI. I’m assisting the Maitland Police Department with a case. I was wondering if you had some time today? I could swing by the center anytime.”
“I’ll be here most of the day. I’ll make the time to talk to you. Just have Kim escort you to my studio. I’m preparing for my exhibit and may not hear her page.”
“I could be there within the hour if that works for you.”
“That will be fine.”
Madison called Josh to touch base on her plans for the day and about scoping out Tyler Kincaid and the Art Center.
“Detective Logan.”
“It’s Madison. Anything new on the case?”
“Not yet, but I’ve been doing a little checking into the other women you mentioned and thought we could run by and to talk to some of their family and friends. You up for a road trip this afternoon?”
“Yeah, I was about to ask you the same thing.”
“Great minds think alike.”
“I guess so. I’m driving over to talk to the artist at the Art Center in about a half hour. How about I meet you back at the station about 2:00 p.m.?”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you then.”
Madison entered the center, and Kim was sitting at the reception desk. She looked up at Madison.“Oh you were here the other day when Aspen had that fall, weren’t you?”
“I was.”
“What can I help you with today?” Kim asked still smiling.
Madison pulled out her badge and re-introduced herself. “I’m Agent Hart. I’m here to see Mr. Kincaid.”
Kim’s jaw dropped, and her eyes were bulging. She stood up, “You’re an agent? I thought you were just a visitor interested in the Art Center. You’re the one who called to talk to Tyler. I mean Mr. Kincaid.”
“Do you mind showing me where he is? He’s expecting me.”
“Right this way, Agent Hart.” Kim straightened her shoulders, held her head high, and escorted Madison to the back of the courtyard to a small building with ‘Studio One’ on a plaque over the door. “Mr. Kincaid always uses this studio when he’s around.”
Kim knocked on the door, and Mr. Kincaid called out, “Come in.”
Kim opened the door and led Madison into the studio and remained standing in the doorway. Mr. Kincaid was behind an easel working on one of the pieces for his show. He came around the side of his painting and introduced himself. “You must be Agent Hart. I’m Tyler Kincaid.”
Madison was surprised to see such a gorgeous looking man. He stood all of the 6’2’’, with jet-black hair, and he had several strands of loose hair falling across his forehead, into his steel blue eyes. He was masculine, not too much, but enough to be extremely sexy. Madison caught herself staring at him. No wonder all the women want to take a class with him. He reached over, took her hand, lifted to his lips, and kissed it.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Ms. Hart. Now how can I help you today?”
Madison pulled her hand back and tried to regain her professionalism. She turned to Kim waiting for her to excuse herself and then turned to her. “Thank you, Kim.”
“Oh. If you need anything else, I’ll be at my desk,” Kim grunted as she left the room. She slowly pulled the door closed while watching the two of them standing there. Kim did not want to leave, and may not have, had it not been an official visit.
Madison saw Kim glancing back at the studio as she walked across the courtyard toward the main building.
“Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Kincaid. I know you’re very busy. I heard you’re about to have an exhibit of your new work. I’d love to see your paintings.” Madison headed toward his easel.
“I’m sorry, Agent Hart, but I’m a bit superstitious. I don’t like anyone to see my work until it’s ready for the exhibit, especially with my new collection. I hope you’ll come to the opening at the end of the month.” He casually stepped in front of her before she had a chance to see his painting.
She raised her hand and stood back. “I understand. I’d love to come. I was talking to Aspen, and she is so disappointed that she won’t be able to volunteer. She was pleased you called to see how she’s doing. She thinks a lot of you and your work.”
“She’s a charming girl, and I believe she has talent. I hope she’ll continue with her art.”
“Mr. Kincaid, I have a few questions I wanted to ask you. Have you heard anything about the woman who was murdered, not too far from here?”
“I did. That’s terrible.”
“Well, we have reason to believe, that the night she went missing, she was planning to attend an event here at the center.”
“What night was that?”
“November 23rd.”
“November 23rd?” Mr. Kincaid pulled out his calendar. “I’m pretty sure there wasn’t anything happening here that night. I would have known. Kim keeps me informed of all events at the center.” He thumbed through his book. “As a matter-of-fact, there weren’t any events happening that whole week because of Thanksgiving.”
“Thank you for your time, Mr. Kincaid.”
He reached for her hand. “It’s Tyler, Agent Hart.”
Madison quickly shook his hand, so he wouldn’t try and kiss it again. “I may have more questions for you at a later date, but thank you.” She turned toward the door.
“My pleasure, Agent Hart.” He walked her to the door, leaned over her, and brushed his arm against hers as he opened the door for her.
Madison stood up straight and walked out of the studio as if she didn’t notice the intentional touch and proceeded across the courtyard. She felt his eyes on her the entire way, which made her a bit uneasy and uncomfortable. It had been awhile since someone looked at her that way or at least that she had noticed.
She walked through the halls of the present exhibit and looked at Tyler’s painting again. Now I know why his work sells. They’re not buying the painting; they’re buying a piece of him.
Madison’s cell phone rang; it was Josh.
“I’m on my way. I got tangled up with my interview with Mr. Kincaid. I’ll be there in five.” She rushed passed Kim and flung the entrance door open, and a she looked back at the entrance, Kim was standing at the door with her eyes wide open and furrowed eyebrows.
That ought to give her something to think about.
As she pulled up in front of the station, Betty was coming out. “He’s waiting for you Ms. Hart.”
“Thank you, Betty.” Madison slowed her pace as she walked up to the entrance.
Madison caught her breath and sauntered into Josh’s office as though she didn’t have a care in the world. She was not about to let him know she rushed on his account. When she opened the door, Josh was on the phone. He didn’t say anything but held up his finger. Someone else was doing all the talking. Madison shuffled through some of her papers as if she was looking for a specific thing and wasn’t interested, or cared, that he was on the phone.
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Josh finally hung up the phone. “Sorry about that. Are you ready?”
“I am.” She took a moment to straighten her papers back into her bag.