Flawed Perfection (An Eve Sumptor Novel) Read online

  “Insurance will get involved, and we’ll have a lengthy period in which they’ll investigate, try to devalue the paintings and then bitch and moan while writing out the check.”

  Lainey’s shoulders shook with silent laughter at Eve’s answer. It was a terrible situation, but she was glad Eve could find a little bit of humor.

  “You’re hoping they find them.” Of course she would rather have the paintings than the money. That was how Eve was. The money wasn’t worth as much as the art to her. Lainey knew that art may have been the one thing that saved Eve’s sanity, perhaps even her life, during that horrid time in her past.

  “Hmm. I’m not getting my hopes up. Those paintings could be halfway around the world by now.”

  Or, somewhere too close to home, Lainey thought silently. She still wasn’t convinced that this had nothing to do with Eve’s father. She had no idea how or why, but she couldn’t shake the feeling. It was ridiculous really. Tony was dead, and Eve didn’t think it was related. She just wished she could trust Eve’s instincts. Despite the warm spring air, Lainey shivered at the thought.

  “Cold?” Eve was at Lainey’s side then, and rubbed her hands down Lainey’s arms a couple of times to warm her up.

  “Not really. Someone walking over my grave, I guess.” Lainey’s mumbled reply was a bit distracted by the thoughts that came into her mind when Eve’s hands were on her. She shut it down, quickly, and smiled. “Let’s get this over with. The less time I have to spend near that man, the better.”

  Eve shook her head with a smile at Lainey’s back. Lainey had once been very timid, thinking she was just a boring old mom. After their affair, Lainey’s attitude changed completely. Even becoming quite bold, as Eve remembered affectionately. The new Lainey kept Eve on her toes every day. It was an adventure Eve enjoyed a lot.

  “Ms … er, Mrs. Riley! I told you I would contact you if I had any information!” Mr. Branson’s chubby face reddened with frustration.

  “I’m not very good at waiting, Mr. Branson. I would like to take a look around.”

  “Absolutely not! This is not a gallery.”

  “Clearly.” Eve scoffed. Her surroundings were deplorable to say the least. Thinking of precious art in the dingy, stuffy warehouse made her shudder. She was seriously considering opening her own distribution center just to cut Branson out. It was certainly something to evaluate, she thought as she deliberately walked past Branson.

  “You cannot go back there!” Branson positioned himself between Eve and the entrance to the expansive area holding paintings and sculptures encased in cloth or brown paper wrappings.

  “Watch me.”

  “Mrs. Riley, don’t you need a warrant or something to come crashing in here and searching my place of business?”

  “She’s not the law, Mr. Branson. No warrant is necessary.” A man in a dark suit stepped inside, and stood in front of Branson.

  He—seemingly appearing from thin air—startled Lainey who had been enjoying the showdown between Branson and Eve. She recognized his face, but couldn’t place it with a name.

  “Well, then I am forbidding her to inspect my place.” Branson crossed his arms, defiantly, clearly thinking that was the end of the conversation.

  Lainey snickered. The man obviously did not know Eve.

  “Mr. Branson, you have lost millions of dollars of my client’s merchandise.”

  Ah, so that’s who he is. Eve’s lawyer. Lainey still couldn’t think of his name.

  “I would say she has every right to be here and look around, don’t you? Unless you’d rather make this a messy legal battle?”

  Eve chuckled as Branson sputtered. “Don’t you just love lawyers?” Once again, she walked past Branson, motioning for Lainey to follow her, and began rummaging.

  “You asked your lawyer to be here?”

  Eve flipped through paintings that were leaned, haphazardly, against the wall, and glanced at Lainey.

  “When that amount of money is involved, lawyers usually are, too. But, to answer your question, no, I didn’t ask Ian to be here. He insisted.”

  “What are we looking for?”

  “Nothing.” Eve grinned mischievously. “I just want to rattle Branson. And, see what I’m dealing with.”

  “Eve! You are so naughty!” As soon as the words left her mouth, Lainey knew it was the wrong choice. She saw Eve’s eyes flash, and Lainey felt the heat build inside herself. Damn it.

  “It will always be there, Lainey.” Eve whispered. “It was too deep, too intense to just disappear.” She touched a fingertip to Lainey’s lips, before dropping her hand and going back to the paintings.

  Lainey blew out her breath, fluffing out her bangs. She knew nothing would happen between her and Eve again. But, the hell if she wasn’t going to fantasize—just a bit.

  Eve saw more paintings through a door that was slightly ajar, so she pushed it open and went in. Ian was keeping Branson busy in the front office, so Eve was going to take liberties with her exploration.

  “Should we be in here?”

  Eve shrugged in answer to Lainey’s question. She didn’t care if she couldn’t be in here. As far as she was concerned, Branson owed her. Eve was planning her takeover of Branson’s delivery service when she saw them.

  “Son of a bitch!”

  “Eve?”

  “That fucking asshole!”

  “Eve! What is … oh my God! Is that …?”

  “Mine? Yes.”

  “But, why would he tell you it was missing? And, where are the rest?”

  “Let’s go find out.”

  Eve’s deliberate stride was full of rage—and, quite sexy if Lainey took time to think about it—as she made her way to Branson.

  “What the fuck are you trying to pull, Mr. Branson?”

  “Excuse me?”

  He looked scared, and guilty as shit, Eve thought.

  “Why do you have one of my paintings hidden away here?”

  Ian instantly perked up.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about!”

  “Bullshit! Don’t fucking lie to me!” Eve closed the distance between them, and lowered her voice. “You don’t want to know what happened to the last person that lied to me.”

  She thought of Meredith. Of course, Eve didn’t have anything to do with Meredith’s death, but had she been honest with Eve and let Eve help her, Meredith would be alive today.

  Lainey stepped up, and placed her hand on Eve’s arm, pulling her back. She understood how upset Eve was, but she didn’t want Eve to think about the terrible things that happened.

  “Mr. Branson,” Lainey said amicably, even though she did not have one amiable bone in her body for this so-called man. “Eve and I saw one of her paintings in an office back there.”

  “Do you always take it upon yourself to go into places you’re not welcome?”

  Lainey’s hand tightened on Eve’s arm when she, again, stepped toward Branson.

  Ian advanced then, taking Eve’s place.

  “I can have an investigator here within minutes, Mr. Branson. Not to mention the police. You may want to start explaining.”

  “She’s mistaken.” Branson tugged at his collar, and sweat gathered on his mustache.

  “Eve does not make mistakes when it comes to art,” Ian replied, coldly. “If she says it’s hers, I believe her.”

  Branson’s mouth clamped shut.

  “Have it your way.” Ian brought out his phone, ready to call the investigators.

  “Call Captain Harris.”

  Eve’s voice was eerily quiet, and her eyes never left Branson.

  “You want to call the police in?” Ian was surprised. Eve usually preferred to take care of problems in her own way. A way that normally didn’t require the law.

  “No. I want Captain Harris here. Ask him not to say anything.” She knew she had no right to ask Charlie to keep quiet, but Branson only had one of her paintings that she saw. If she wanted to find the rest, and get answers, she need
ed Branson to talk without lawyers. But, she also wanted to keep Charlie in the loop, just in case. “Call James, as well.”

  Ian’s eyes widened a bit. A police captain, and a known criminal in the same place? Only Eve could pull that off without a hitch, he thought, and made the calls.

  “Legally, I cannot conduct a search without Mr. Branson’s permission or a warrant, Eve.”

  “I can.” James began to move towards the office before Harris stopped him.

  “If you want me to be able to do anything about this, it has to be by the book.”

  “I can get the painting, and make him talk,” James sneered. Cops had too many damn rules!

  “Enough.” Eve stepped between Charlie and James. “I saw the painting, Charlie. So did Lainey.”

  Harris took Eve aside so Branson couldn’t hear. “Eve, he could easily say you planted that painting there, and if he has a good lawyer, that’s exactly what they’ll tell him to say. Lainey is your assistant. She would lie for you.”

  Eve’s eyes cut to Charlie. “You know, as well as I do, that Lainey would not lie about this.”

  “You’re right. I do know. But, do you think anyone else would see it that way?”

  When Eve frowned, Harris continued.

  “Let me do this by the book, Eve.”

  He sighed when Eve slowly shook her head. “I need answers, Charlie. You mentioned his lawyer. If you arrest him, I can’t get him to talk without an attorney present. Which means I don’t get what I need. The painting is there. I just need to know why, and where the others are. James can get answers.”

  “Eve! Damn it!” Harris watched Eve retreat back to James, and speak softly to him. With another sigh, he took out his phone and made a call.

  Eve’s phone rang, and she saw Billy’s name pop up on the ID. Once again, her eyes went to Charlie. He had called him, she was sure, she just didn’t know what he thought that would accomplish.

  “Billy.”

  “Eve, what you’re doing is illegal.”

  “He has my painting. What I’m doing is finding out what happened to the rest of my belongings.”

  “Then let Harris do it.”

  “Did he really think you could talk me into this?”

  She heard Billy’s exasperated breath, and almost smiled. If she weren’t so damned pissed, she probably would have.

  “No. I think he’s smarter than that,” Billy muttered. “Hand the phone to Branson. Harris thinks hearing from the FBI can intimidate him enough to talk before we have to arrest him.”

  “It’s for you.” Eve handed the phone to Branson, then joined Charlie. “You’re so hung up on going by the book. Tell me, Charlie. What would you arrest him for? You said yourself you can’t search this place without a warrant. I doubt you could arrest him for being an asshole.”

  Charlie didn’t even bother trying to hide his smile. “Could you imagine how full the jails would be if we arrested people for being assholes? I would ask him to come to the station to answer questions, as a person of interest in the case of the Sumptor Gallery thefts.”

  “And, if he refused?”

  “Then, I’d arrest him for being an asshole. Or, obstruction of justice.”

  Eve laughed, softly, but sobered quickly when she saw defiance in Branson’s face as he spoke to Billy. “He won’t tell you anything.”

  “So, I should let James beat it out of him?”

  Eve entertained the thought for a moment. She didn’t care for violence, having seen too much of it in her life. But, she also didn’t care for being stolen from.

  “He wouldn’t beat him. Just intimidate him. More so than what Billy is doing, it seems.”

  Eve had had enough. She strode over to Branson, and snatched the phone from his hand.

  “This isn’t working, Billy. I’ll call later.” She disconnected, glanced at James—who walked up behind Branson—then brought her eyes back to Branson. “I’m finished playing games with you. Why do you have my painting?”

  “Go to hell. I don’t have to talk to you.”

  James grabbed Branson around the back of the neck, and leaned in. “The lady asked you a question.” He squeezed. “Answer her.”

  “Are you going to allow this?” Branson fumed at Harris.

  Captain Charlie Harris turned and walked out of the building.

  “Where are you going?!”

  James changed his stance, clutching Branson around the throat and slamming him against the wall. “I said answer her!”

  “Eve?” Lainey’s timid touch quivered on Eve’s shoulder.

  “It’s okay, Lainey. Why don’t you keep Charlie company outside?”

  “I want to stay with you.”

  Eve turned to her and smiled. “I’d rather you go outside. Everything will be fine. I’ll join you in a minute.”

  Lainey saw the determination in Eve’s eyes, and reluctantly agreed. “Please hurry,” she whispered, then disappeared outside.

  Eve nodded to Ian, then waited until he was gone before stepping closer to Branson.

  “Don’t fuck with me. Why do you have my painting?”

  James dug his fingers into Branson’s neck at his continued silence, only backing off when Branson turned red, and started coughing.

  “It was payment!”

  “Payment for what?”

  “They will kill me if I talk!”

  “Who says I won’t kill you if you don’t,” James growled.

  “James.”

  James grudgingly backed off at Eve’s urging.

  “Who will kill you, Branson?” Eve exhaled with frustration when Branson said nothing. “I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me.”

  “Is she still in there with him?”

  “Yes, sir. She’s trying to get him to talk.” He spoke through the headset, watching Eve through the scope of his rifle, then focused back on Branson. “What would you like me to do?”

  “Take him out before he says anything.”

  “What about Eve?”

  “Not yet.” Damn, it would be so easy to kill Eve now and be done with this. But, he would wait and watch her suffer first. “Where is the other woman?” Perhaps if Eve watched her friend die, that would be the beginning to Eve’s end.

  “Outside, with the cop.”

  Fuck. It was unfortunate that the woman was not next to Eve. Luck won’t always be on your side, bitch, he thought.

  “Deal with Branson. Perhaps scare them a little, but no other casualties. Yet. We’ll leave them for later.”

  The call was disconnected. He had a job to do. He aimed, and pulled the trigger.

  “Branson …” Eve felt the warm splatter of blood hit her face, and stood there, confused as she watched Branson’s body slump to the floor.

  “What the fuck just happened?” She felt James push her out from in front of the window, and cover her body with his. Concrete ricocheted from the walls as more shots came through.

  “Eve!” Lainey came running through the door at the commotion, but couldn’t see Eve. Only James, and a very dead Branson.

  “Get her out of here, Harris!” James yelled his order through gritted teeth.

  “Lainey, let’s go!” Harris radioed in to dispatch as he ran behind Lainey, shielding her from the direction of the shots. “Shots fired! Shots fired! 5153 is on scene. Get units here, now!”

  “Charlie! Eve is in there!” Lainey felt the hot trail of tears flow down her cheek. Was Eve hit? Was she alive? If she was shot, how was she going to go through this again?

  “James is with her! Get down! I need to make sure you’re safe before I can go back in.”

  It seemed like a goddamn eternity before Eve was able to leave the building and see for herself that Lainey was unharmed. Police officers flooded the building, and Eve was questioned before being released.

  When she stepped outside, she saw Lainey and immediately went to her, wrapping her arms around her. Eve held Lainey closer, feeling Lainey’s body shake with sobs.

 
“It’s okay. I’m fine. Shh, baby, I’m fine. I’m right here.”

  “You have blood on you.”

  “It’s Branson’s, honey. Not mine.”

  “What happened? God, Eve, I was so scared!”

  “I know. Me too. I have no idea what happened. One minute, we were talking to him, the next his brains were scattered on the wall.”

  Eve cursed softly when Lainey’s body jolted.

  “I’m sorry, Lainey. I shouldn’t have said that.”

  “Eve?”

  She turned to look into Charlie’s worried eyes.

  “You should take Lainey home. I’ll stay here and get as much information as I can.” He paused for a moment, watching her. “This is now a murder investigation. My jurisdiction.”

  “It wasn’t me, Charlie.”

  “I know. I was here, remember?”

  “I mean, it wasn’t me they were after. I was two feet away from Branson. If they wanted me dead, it would have been easy.”

  Lainey gasped, and clung to Eve’s hand.

  Harris nodded, but he wasn’t sure Eve was entirely right. Multiple shots were fired. The shooter could have just missed his target. “I’ll get info, and give you what I can. In the meantime, stay out of this. Let me handle it. This isn’t just about stolen art anymore.”

  Eve dropped Lainey off before pulling into her own driveway next to Adam’s car. He was home early, and she had blood splattered all over her. Perfect. She blew out a breath, and sat there for a minute, laying her head back on the headrest. She had hoped to be able to take a shower, and get her thoughts together before having this conversation with Adam. So much for that. And, after what happened today, there was no keeping it from him anymore. With a deep breath, she got out of the car and went inside to face her husband. Shit. He’s going to be pissed.

  Adam was furious. Eve had promised him she wouldn’t keep things from him anymore, and he had to hear what was going on from Agent Fucking Donovan. It pissed him off even more that Donovan was in on this, since Donovan clearly had feelings for Adam’s wife. He heard her pull into the driveway—this time his heart was pounding out of anger more than lust—and waited. She must know he wasn’t happy, because she’s taking her sweet damn time coming in the house. Adam took a deep breath to try and calm himself when he heard the door open. He would give her a chance to explain. At least, that was his plan before she walked in covered in blood.