Abandoned (The Beckett Series Book 6)

by Mary Martinez

  For a full minute the two stared at each other. What was conveyed between the two, could only be the connection between father and son.

  “Did Beckworth ever come up with area surveillance around Glenna’s shop?”

  Paco’s question broke the silence. Glenna started, she hadn’t even thought about street cameras. She’d been too upset about Alex.

  “When he took my statement at the hospital he said the parking lot between Effie’s and Glenna’s camera angle focused more on the lot than the rear entrance of either establishment. There were three men in black that approached from the west but then went out of range.”

  “Doesn’t give us anything new, what about on the street?”

  “No, they entered the lot as if they’d crossed from the side street on the opposite side of Lincoln Avenue.”

  “Where there are no cameras.”

  “The city council voted to have them on the main road where all the shops were. It would be a waste of tax payers’ money to put them on the side streets.” Glenna shrugged at her phone. “Calistoga is small, sis.”

  There was a sigh on the other end. “They probably stayed in their black garb anyway.”

  “True. I’ve been thinking. They have to know art. The website for Blackmans House has pictures from past events. I plan to go over them with Patrick and see if he recognizes anything about the men maybe come up with some names for you. Then you can add them to your list of things to look for on the dark web and see what you can find.”

  “They’re not going to be using their real names, Glenna. What I don’t understand is, it takes a lot of money to just hang around here. Food, lodging, rental van. They have to be rich so why are they stealing art? Or is taking the pieces that lucrative?”

  “The Madonna and child is priceless, Finn.”

  “Even so, you’d be surprised what the rich do. Some may have a lot of money, but they’ve extended themselves so much that when the economy takes a dip they find themselves scrambling. On the other hand they have all that money can buy, but they crave excitement. The more dangerous the better. Most turn to extreme survivalist stuff like Bear Grylls. Maybe art theft is their excitement,” said Paco.

  “We’re looking for four rich spoiled playboys, out stealing art for fun?” Glenna couldn’t fathom the idea Paco suggested.

  “Pretty much. Once you two get us some names we can run with them, even if you don’t I’ve set traps out to flag any mention of the piece on the Dark Web.”

  “I’ll have them, if possible, for you in the morning. And by the time we arrive Wednesday morning we’ll have a plan,” Patrick said.

  “I thought you were coming in on Tuesday?”

  “We’re taking the redeye Tuesday night. We’ll be in Brooklyn around five in the a.m.” Glenna felt tired even thinking about it. She could never sleep on a plane.

  Glenna caught Finn yawning, the poor kid had had a few long emotional and physical days. She stood and placed a hand on his shoulder.

  “Come on Finn, off to bed with you. We’ll fill you in first thing. We’ve got a full weekend ahead.”

  “I’m fine, really.”

  “Son, Glenna is right. You need your sleep, and we’re almost through here. I’m going to need your help in the morning.”

  Glenna called Horace and followed Finn into his room. The cat followed, she eyed the dog, raised her head and turned and disappeared into Glenna’s room. Snobby cat.

  “Finn, I promise we will keep you up to date with everything. I think your dad is going to need your help.” She held up her hand. “I know that’s what he said just to placate you to go to bed, but I really think he is hurting more than he lets on. The plan is this, you and I will be one step of head of him the rest of the weekend.”

  Finn grinned. “Deal.”

  Glenna returned to the kitchen in time to hear the last of the conversation between Patrick and her sister.

  “In light of the fact the culprits are watching our every move, I would rather Finn not go anywhere on his own, like school. I don’t have a list of who can or cannot take Finn out of school.”

  “I thought that was mandatory? I know it is at Gabby’s school.”

  “This is a laid back area. It probably is mandatory and no one bothers to enforce it.”

  “I agree, missing Monday and Tuesday is a good idea. I’m sure you’ve already talked to his teachers for his school work while he’s in Brooklyn.”

  “I was planning to do that on Monday, I’ll just tell them he’s out until we return. It’s late. I apologize for the late night or should I say early morning call? We’ll talk again tomorrow. Glenna and I will check on her cottage and the shop, then bring you up to date on any developments.”

  Good nights and good mornings were offered all around and the connection went dead. Glenna raised a brow at Patrick, he had the same what now expression. She figured more coffee was in order. She knew he wouldn’t sleep until they had scoured the events page on Blackman’s Site.

  “The search will be much faster if we do it together. You do your connections, I’ll do the traditional and Google anything or one we find on the Site.”

  She grinned as she busied herself finding a snack to go with the coffee. Something that wasn’t chock full of empty calories, she was feeling the effects of not exercising.

  “God, I’m feeling out of shape,” Patrick said. “Make it something healthy.”

  He was reading her mind again and she felt a sense of family. They had a lot to do over the weekend. She took a deep breath as she pulled some things out of the fridge. Sometime during the last twenty-four hours she’d stopped thinking of their coupleness as of a trial. She would wait until all this business was over before filling him in.

  She wanted to make sure this time.

  She placed a plate of mostly fruits with a few crackers and cheese on the table, then refilled their coffee. After she logged on, she looked over the top of her laptop at Patrick.

  “Now that we have somewhere to search or at least a lead, no matter how far-fetched it seems, I feel we’re at least in a little control.” She tapped a couple of keys until she reached the search engine.

  His brows drew together. “There is something about one of them, I wasn’t close enough to really look at their faces but one of them was familiar. And whatever it is, is so close I swear I could taste it.”

  “I hate when that happens. Bitter taste.”

  She sipped her coffee and got to work.

  “Bingo!”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Patrick had been trying to figure out why one of the men looked so familiar. While she worked, he’d searched his computer for clues. When he’d been about to throw his hands up in defeat the answer almost jumped out and hit him over the head.

  He loved to startle her. She almost jumped out of her seat and the little squeal sent tingles of the dangerous kind up his spine. He grinned at her. She was so cute. It had been so quiet the only sound the tick of the wall clock. How long had they sat both lost in concentration?

  She had her hand over her heart. “What?”

  “Airline.”

  She didn’t answer, just gave him a tilt of the head and one raised brow as if to say continue.

  “You know the major airline in the UK?”

  “Branson Airways?”

  “Yes, that’s where he comes from. Raymond Branson. I have to admit I have always had a fascination for airplanes of every kind. I’ve seen his picture enough times to recognize him.” He looked back to his screen and read. “‘Branson founded the airlines in 2005 and began operations in 2008. The young man was only 30 when he started his endeavor. And at 42 he’s now one of the richest men in the world’.”

  “And he’s part of an art ring?”

  He lifted a shoulder. “I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t deem to be anything but the leader. As your sister said, he must be in it for the thrill. He certainly doesn’t need the money.”

  “Wow.” She tapped on her computer a
moment, then her eyes widened. “Listen to this. ‘Branson CEO of Branson Airways made a large contribution to the Louvre’s renovation of the galleries devoted to the northern European paintings from the 17th to the 19th century.”

  “All of a sudden it doesn’t seem so unbelievable.”

  She continued to read but shook her head in the negative. He felt that thrill when a case was coming together, getting close to the end when he could tie it up in a neat package and hand it over to his superiors.

  He glanced above her head at the clock, three in the a.m. “Glenna, if we’re going to clean up your shop and do everything else on our to-do list, we better catch some shut eye.”

  She held up one finger. “There was a gala for the kick off of the renovations. Branson was there. There’s several pictures.”

  “I would imagine there would be if he was a large contributor.”

  She stared at the screen. He didn’t think she was going to say anything more, but as he was about to move from the table her words halted him. Her eyes went wide. “I know these guys. Even Raymond, I hadn’t paid much attention to him tonight. But yeah I recognize him, and there are three couples with him. I’ve seen all of them at several art functions in New York.”

  He scooted his chair around so he could see her screen. “Which ones?”

  She pointed to a blond beach boy type. “That’s John or Jim, something that starts with a J, I think, Lewis. He’s big in investments on Wall Street. His wife is some supermodel from Victoria Secrets. Man, her dress must have cost more than I make in a year.”

  He could believe that, the woman sitting next to him was a knock out. Then Glenna pointed to a guy with totally opposite coloring, more Italian, dark eyes, skin, and hair. The woman next to him had flame hair, another beauty.

  “That’s Monroe Dyson, I’m sure you know what family he’s from. And his wife is an Eisenhower from money in New York. And Edwardo Bertarelli. He’s in pharmaceuticals. I don’t know much about his wife. I know her name is Karen and I’ve spoken with her on a few occasions. Very nice.”

  “Study the people at all the tables in this picture. The occupants all look slightly bored. Except at the table with Raymond and these three couples, they clearly have a history.”

  Glenna was quiet as she did as he suggested. Then she nodded. “There were three in black that night. And the fourth guy was probably the driver they had waiting. I would bet my last dollar the four men at that table are our thieves. Something else, they’re a perfect foil for each other. One’s dark, one’s light, one’s ginger, and Raymond is a perfect blend of each. It’s sort of Stepford Wivesish. Creepy.”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, creepy. We better get to bed.”

  He wiggled his eye brows at her, she just grinned back. They both logged off, then he stood and pulled her up with him, and the momentum, as he’d intended, brought her into his arms. The impact caught him by surprise. His throat closed off with emotion. He’d never felt this way since Finn was born. The immediate love of his son had almost brought him to his knees. And now this small dark, with the delectable streaks, haired woman did the same. He wasn’t sure what to do, he had made her a promise that he wouldn’t seduce her during their trial period. He wasn’t sure he was strong enough.

  He lifted one hand to her cheek and bent his head slowly until he could look into her deep green eyes. He swore there was love there, just as he let his lips gently rub over hers. He kept it light and easy. Or would have if she hadn’t run her hands up his back and pulled him in, efficiently taking control.

  God. He opened his mouth to her and lost himself in her. He bent, placing one hand under her knees and as he started to pick her up his body screamed at him to stop. Talk about a shocking dose of reality.

  About the same time, she pushed with one hand, and brought one of her legs to the floor and awkwardly crawled out of his attempted romantic carry the woman off to bed move.

  They both straightened, chests heaving trying to catch some air. He didn’t want to admit it, but she probably saved him from a trip to the ER. Best to keep it light.

  “If I weren’t so beat up, I’d pursue this and continue on to bed. But missy, you’re safe tonight.”

  She gave a mock pout. “Damn!”

  *****

  She yawned, such a long big one her jaw popped. She rubbed a hand over her cheek as she entered the kitchen. Had she even slept? She’d tossed and turned all night thinking about what might have happened if Patrick’s injuries hadn’t reminded them in a brutal way that he was far from healed. Love. She knew she saw it in his eyes. She wanted to tell him that this farce of a trial was just that, because as far as she was concerned… They were a couple.

  A few more things had to be cleared out of the way before she could let him know. The biggest obstacle had been dealt with, she had come to terms with his baggage as he had hers. Patrick saw Glenna for who she was. No more comparison between her and Joyce.

  That left two obstacles. One, his law enforcement, but she was slowly coming to terms with the fact she and Finn together could get through any worry. Two, the last obstacle, Raymond and his small ring of bandits.

  She sighed. Since she’d returned from New York and her sting at the altar, it seemed as if life had gone into hyper drive. As if it had been years and not just a few weeks.

  The sausage sizzled, she stirred the eggs to make them fluffy, and with her other hand she pushed the toaster lever and the bread dropped into the slots. Finn reached over her to try for a mushroom sautéing in the small pan. As usual he’d caught her by surprise and she dropped the spatula into the eggs.

  “I am so going to have a heart attack one of these days if you guys keep creeping up on me.” She smacked his hand, rescued the spatula, and used it as a pointer. “Sit. Breakfast will be done soon.”

  “What’s in line for today?”

  She thought about it for a moment, but as she was about to answer Patrick walked in and did it for her.

  “Several things, one is going to Nanna and Móraí’s to bring them up to speed about our trip to New York. They may also have a few questions concerning that statement about Glenna being your mom, after all we’re only supposed to be a trial couple.”

  The boy’s eyes widened. “I’m sorry, it just sort of slipped out. Besides, I don’t think either one of you are still thinking of it as a trial couple anymore.”

  Patrick grinned, and Glenna swore his hand started to reach out as if it longed to ruffle the boys’ hair. He’d probably done that when Finn was younger. Now though, it probably wouldn’t go over so well.

  “No, but we promised we would visit. Though we will probably need to go to Glenna’s Surprisingly Vintage first.” He glanced at his phone in his hand, then shoved it in his pocket. “We need to hustle after we eat. The cleaners will be there at nine.”

  “Don’t we have to find a place for the picture?” Finn asked.

  “That is on the agenda also.”

  “I have an idea about that.” Glenna served the plates all around. “I’ll fill you two in on the way.”

  Patrick frowned at her. “You know, you’re not here to serve us. We are capable of helping.”

  “I know, but I’m enjoying having someone to cook for. It’s boring and I really don’t cook that much when I’m on my own. So humor me and enjoy it while it lasts.”

  Her last word seemed to placate him because he grinned and got down to the business of eating. He seemed to move a little better. She wondered if he’d gotten any more sleep than she had, his eyes did look a little shadowed and heavy, as hers felt.

  It seemed like only minutes after they’d climbed into the 4Runner that they were pulling into the parking lot at the shop. Before they could even turn off the engine, Effie blew out of the Bistro’s front door in a blur of, Glenna wasn’t sure, but it seemed a combination of orange, pink and bright green.

  “What the hell is that?”

  “Language, son. That’s Glenna’s person.”

  “Her
what?”

  “I’m sitting right here guys. Ask Rebekah, she’ll know what that is.”

  Finn shrugged and pushed his door open. Glenna did the same, as the ball of colorful energy launched herself into her arms.

  “Glenna. It’s been ages. I swear it has anyway.” She stepped away and looked at Patrick. “And how are you, handsome?”

  But before Patrick had even started to replay, Effie had turned her attention to Finn, he returned her stare warily.

  “And you must be Finnegan.”

  “No one calls me that.”

  Effie raised her brow. “Finny it is then.”

  “Ack, no one would dare call me that.”

  Effie put her hands on her hips in Glenna’s strong woman stance, except it looked more like a demanding child on her friend.

  “I dare. Now come on Finny and parents, let’s go meet the cleaners and get this show on the road. And I want nothing left out as you explain to me what is going on.”

  Glenna reached for Patrick’s hand and then followed in her colorful wake. What would she do without Effie? She’d be bored, that was for sure.

  *****

  Patrick blew some air through his teeth, he hadn’t done a damn thing, yet he was exhausted. He was glad they had a few days before they flew off to New York. He needed to be in top form when they set the bait.

  He looked out the window of the Bistro as the traffic slithered down the main street of Calistoga. So far, the day had been productive, and now they were in the process of hiding the art. They’d told no one their plan. Glenna had told them on the way that morning that Effie had been with her when she’d bought her laptop case and purchased the same. They were going to do the switch.

  Patrick hadn’t seen any of the four suspects, but he was sure if he looked hard enough he’d spot the van. Glenna had made it known in her art circle she’d be attending the Gala. She’d also hinted she may have something of value with her.

  The original plan would stay the same, let them think they’re in disagreement about the art, black market, or to give it back to the country of origin.