Please, lord, let there be lots of people . . . and no Fredrick Barker.
“Okay, Bug, I’m off to pick up Russ. We’ll be at the gallery until it closes tonight, so if you need me for anything, call my cell.”
“I’ll be fine, Jeff. You’re the one whose nerves are stung tighter than my five-string. Try to avoid talking to the customers, so you don’t have to outright lie about who painted ‘our’ pictures. I hate that part of this scheme.” Jen looked at her reflection in the mirror over the bathroom sink. “Although, I have to admit, I’m amazed at what Dr. Guiness has accomplished so far. After the operation next week, I’ll look almost normal.”
Jeff studied his sister’s face and smiled. She didn’t hide her right side anymore. The results of her plastic surgery had made remarkable changes in her face. Her mouth had hardly any droop on the injured side and Dr. Guiness promised them even that tiny bit would be gone once the nerve transplant completed its growth. The tissue expander under her cheek that made her look a bit lop-sided now would come out at the next operation, having done its job to produce enough fresh, beautiful skin to replace the scarred tissue.
I’ll be so damn glad when she’s healed and I can take her to meet Zoe. This side-stepping around who painted the canvases signed J. Petrosky is making me crazy. And keeping Zoe in the dark . . . His gut twisted. He hoped she would understand his motives when he confessed.
“Bug, once you heal from this next operation, you will be lovely. Almost as beautiful as you used to be. And I’ll have to barricade the door to keep your boyfriends from overrunning the place.”
“Yeah, yeah. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, bro. First we have to hope Zoe sells enough canvases to pay for the surgery. Otherwise . . .”
“The worst that could happen will be postponing your surgery until we sell enough to pay for it. And the way your work has been flying out of the gallery, I’m sure that won’t take long.”
“You’re taking Mr. Pennypacker’s rust-mobile today?”
“Yeah, Russ helped me load my sculpture into it last night. Good thing I decided to go with resin. With a piece this size any other material would require a fork-lift to move it.”
“I really hate it that I’m going to miss seeing Zoe’s face when you unveil it. You’ve done a wonderful job capturing her features. Even though I’ve only seen your photographs of her, the likeness is remarkable. She’ll be blown away.”
“Thanks, Bug. I hope so. This one’s not for sale. It’s my gift to her for helping us make your plastic surgery a reality.”
The piece depicted Zoe as a mermaid riding on the back of a dolphin, one arm upraised, holding a conch shell as though she was about to blow through it. Although it was not life-sized it still measured about three feet tall with exquisitely rendered details from the scales on her ‘tail’ to the tendrils of hair trailing over her breasts. He’d tried to capture the exultation and joy he saw every time she climaxed in his arms and felt he’d done a decent job of it. He could do a hundred sculptures of Zoe and still never be satisfied. He hoped he’d get the chance to try again.
“You’d better get a move on. Zoe will be anxious enough as it is without you showing up late.” She shooed him toward the door and looked out as he left, then stepped back and closed it quickly.
Russ slid into the passenger seat, after checking to make sure nothing noxious would transfer to his slacks. “I’m amazed this bucket of bolts actually runs.”
“Yeah, it may look like crap but I keep what’s under the hood running as best as I can. George hasn’t much interest in it. Which is good since I’ve never seen him in any condition to drive.”
“How’s Zoe this morning? I imagine she’s . . .”
“Spinning like a top inside, though I bet we won’t see any evidence of it. She’s a master at the cool, calm and collected facade. The most you’ll see is her running her hands down her skirt to dry her palms.”
Russ eyed him with a smile. “Know all her tells, do you?”
“Pretty much.” Jeff nodded. “I just hope that ass-hat Barker doesn’t show up today. The man puts my hackles up just walking in the door.”
“Barker? Fredrick Barker is Zoe’s investor?” Russ grimaced. “I wish I’d known her before she made her deal with him. Barker has a nasty reputation among artists. He wrings every last cent of commission he can get out of the paintings he sells. He’s known for his shady practices with clients, too. Those who are knowledgeable enough he plays straight with but novice investors in art may not always get exactly what they paid for.”
“No shit? Doesn’t surprise me. I didn’t like his looks from the first time I saw the creep.” Jeff drove around to the rear of the gallery.
Russ frowned at Jeff. “Surely if Zoe worked for him she must have had some idea of his unethical business practices? How well do you really know her, buddy? I hope the gorgeous package hasn’t blinded you to what’s inside.”
Jeff hesitated, then shook his head. “She doesn’t like the guy, that’s for sure. But she’d never do anything unethical. She’s straight as an arrow and honest to a fault.” He got out and unlocked the back door to the gallery. “I’m not sure where Zoe will want to put it, since she doesn’t even know about it yet. Let’s keep the tarp over it until we get it inside.”
They unloaded the wheeled pedestal and together lifted the sculpture into place. Jeff had made the base just high enough to put the statue at eye level. They pushed the piece inside. Russ brushed at his jacket and trousers.
“You look fine, Dapper Dan.” Jeff clapped him on the shoulder. “Before we get swept up in the tumult in there, I just want to say again how much I appreciate . . . everything.”
Russ nodded. “I know you do, Jeff. I just hope this all works out well. Why don’t you let me distract Zoe while you wheel this behemoth into place. It’s a beautiful piece, guy. You should be proud of it. Put is somewhere where it can be seen in its full three-hundred-sixty-degree glory.” He went toward the front to find Zoe.
“Oh, there you are, Russ. I was expecting you to come in the front door.” Zoe smiled and took his arm. “Let me show you around. If you have any suggestions on the displays don’t hesitate to tell me. You’re so much more experienced than I that I value your opinions.”
Obligingly Russ allowed Zoe to lead him around. He stopped before the stone and copper wall sculpture that had a sheet of water cascading over the roughened surface to collect in a trough at the bottom. The sound of the falling water was almost musical and very relaxing.
“I’m glad to see you left plenty of room in front of this piece, Zoe. Large works like this one need to be appreciated from a reasonable distance. There is one thing I would add though. A sculpture several feet in front of it that would complement the backdrop and take advantage of the sound of water.”
“I see your point, Russ, but I don’t have anything at the moment that’s big enough to compliment the wall art without getting lost against it.”
The bell jingled over the front door as Dev and Amanda came in each carrying a stack of white boxes. “Jeff asked me to run over to the bakery and pick these up. He and Russ forgot all about them when they drove over.”
Zoe made introductions and Amanda disappeared into the office to set the goodies down. She quickly returned with a twinkle in her eyes and a grin on her face. “What do you think about the gallery, Russ? Haven’t Zoe and Jeff done an amazing job with the space?”
Russ nodded. “Absolutely. The layout is spacious, and the movable walls allow for changes to make room for large or small pieces. The man is amazingly talented.”
“Russ, now that you’ve pointed it out, I really wish I had something to use as an accent piece in front of this wall hanging, but I don’t have anything that’s the right size for the space.”
“I might be able to help you with that.”
Russ glanced over Zoe’s shoulder and signaled to Jeff to bring his sculpture forward.
At the sound of the rolling wheels, Zoe turned. “Jeff. I wondered where you were. What have you got there?”
“Oh, just a small tribute to the person responsible for bringing some culture, and a lot of beauty, to Blue Point Cove.” Russ helped him to position the pedestal and with a flourish Jeff removed the tarpaulin.
“Oh my goodness.” Zoe’s hands flew to her mouth, then she reached out tentatively, as though the sculpture might disappear if she touched it. “Jeff, this is . . . beautiful. So beautiful, I’m speechless with admiration.” She circled the statue, devouring every detail. When she returned to the front of it, there were tears in her eyes.
“Don’t cry, sweet cheeks. This was supposed to make you happy.” Jeff brushed the single tear that slipped down her face away.
“I am happy. Overwhelmed and ecstatic and . . . and stunned.” She reached up and caressed his cheek. “You realize I’m buying this for the gallery? There’s no chance I would let anyone else own it.”
“You don’t have to buy it, babe. It’s my gift to you.”
A silky voice interrupted them. “Quite a touching display. But you might want to make sure it’s really his to give away, Zoe.”
The group turned to find Fredrick Barker standing a few feet away. He chuckled at their surprise. “You really shouldn’t leave the back door unlocked, Zoe. Anyone can just walk right in.”
“Yeah? Well you can just walk right the hell out, asshole.” Jeff clenched his fists.
“I wouldn’t be so quick to give orders, Mr. Petrosky. This gallery doesn’t belong to you. Right now it belongs to Zoe and me, although only one of us will own it soon enough.” He shifted his gaze to Zoe. “You look lovely, by the way, my dear. And, indeed, you have done a remarkable job with this place. I had no idea I would wind up with such a well thought-out venue as a result of my investment.”
Zoe shook off Amanda’s restraining hand and stalked toward him. “You are not ‘winding up’ with any part of this gallery, Fredrick. I have until September to repay your loan, and I have no doubt I’ll have the money in plenty of time.”
“Maybe, my dear. But once the word gets out that you’ve committed fraud, there may not be many buyers for your merchandise.”
Jeff watched Zoe pale in response to Barker’s taunt, and his own gut twisted with apprehension. How did this guy find out the paintings aren’t mine?
“You wouldn’t . . . you swore . . .” Zoe stuttered.
“Oh dear, dear, Zoe. You always were such an innocent.” Barker’s gaze traveled down then up Zoe’s slender body. “It’s one of the many things I love about you. Such charming naiveté.”
Jeff started for him, anger distorting his face.
Russ grabbed his arm and shook his head.
Barker pointed at Jeff’s chest. “That’s right, Lothario. I wouldn’t add assault to your list of crimes. In fact, I suggest you concentrate on explaining to Ms. Silvercreek why you’ve been lying to her all these months.”
Chapter 20
Zoe frowned and glanced back at Jeff. She’d thought Fredrick’s threat referred to her, not Jeff. He wouldn’t meet her stare and a muscle jumped in his cheek. She frowned as her gaze shifted between the two men, one smugly confident, the other angry and . . . afraid?
She didn’t want Fredrick to reveal her secret in front of everyone. She’d be too ashamed to ever look any of them in the eye again. But why did Jeff look so worried?
“Cat got your tongue, Jeff?” Fredrick sneered. “No matter. I’m glad to help.” He focused his condescending grin on Zoe. “None of those canvases signed J. Petrosky were painted by your boyfriend.”
Zoe shook her head, not believing him.
“Yes, dear, it’s true. They were all painted by the woman who lives with him. She’s quite talented, I must admit, and who knows what line Mr. Petrosky fed her to get her to sign his name to them.” He spread his hands, palms up, and shrugged. “Regardless of how he accomplished it, selling them as his own is fraud. I’m sure you understand what an accusation of fraud can do to a novice artist, and to the gallery owner involved in the deception.” He pursed his lips in mock sympathy. “Tsk, tsk.”
Zoe’s mind reeled. The phrase ‘the woman who lives with him’ echoed over and over in her head. That news was more upsetting than the purported ‘fraudulent’ paintings. Jeff was living with another woman? That’s why he bought those extra meals from Ed’s diner? That’s where he went when he wasn’t working at the gallery? Does he make love to her before or after he’s been with me? Oh God, probably both.
So this other woman was the artist? But why hadn’t she brought her paintings to the gallery herself? She remembered their conversation when he’d brought the first canvas for her to see. He didn’t want her to think he’d taken on her renovation project so she’d show his work in her gallery. He didn’t want her to think he’d had sex with her just for that reason, too.
Well, aren’t I the world’s biggest fool?
No. Wait, she told herself. It isn’t as though Fredrick has never lied to you. He could be making this whole story up. Could just be trying to ruin my Grand Opening out of spite. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. There was a simple enough solution. She took the few paces to stand in front of Jeff.
“I don’t have time for detailed explanations. I have a gallery to open. So I want simple yes or no answers. Did you paint those pictures?”
Jeff’s eyes looked haunted as he replied. “I— No.”
The single word hit her like a fist. She nodded. Inhaled. “Is there a woman living with you at the motor court?”
“Well . . . not exactly—”
Zoe put her hand up to halt any justification.
Jeff nodded. “Yes.”
That answer almost doubled her over. She felt tears gather behind her eyes. She wouldn’t cry, though. She didn’t have time for that. Later. She’d save them for later. She put her hand out, palm up. “The key to the back door, please.”
He dug in his jeans pocket, then dropped the key into her hand. “Zoe, I—”
She shook her head. “Please go. Now.”
He left quietly without looking at Russ or Amanda. Zoe saw the subtle tilt of Amanda’s head which had Dev following him out. She turned back to Fredrick. “I hope you’re happy. Now, get out. You’ve done enough damage for one day.”
“Watch your tone, my dear. Remember who holds all the aces here.”
“You won’t be able to play them if you’re dead, Fredrick. And right now I’m as close as I’ve ever been to physical violence. Leave now before I decide a jail sentence is worth putting you in the hospital.”
He held up both hands and tilted his head down. The gesture of surrender didn’t completely hide his self-satisfied grin, but he left without another word, holding the door open for the Chronicle’s photographer to pass him on the way in.
“Mr. Holcomb, would you please begin with some shots of our guest artist, Russel Manheim? I have something to take care of in the office, but I’ll join you in a moment.” Grateful her voice sounded calm and businesslike, Zoe forced a smile and retreated to her office.
Amanda followed Zoe and closed the door. She tried to put her arms around her friend but Zoe pushed her away.
“Don’t, Mandy. I’m barely holding myself together as it is. One kind word and the floodgates will open. I don’t want to ruin the day I’ve worked so hard for. You only get one opening day, and damnit, I’m going to make the most of mine. After we close I’ll try to figure out what to do about . . . everything. Right now, you can help me the most by being my rock.”
They stared at each other for a few seconds, Amanda silently offering her support and Zoe gratefully accepting it. “Now if you’ll get these h
ors d’oeurves plated and ready to go, I’ll open the champagne and fill the glasses.”
Amanda nodded but said, “You have to listen to Jeff’s side of the story, Zo, before you make any decisions. He deserves that much at least.”
“I guess.” Zoe’s hands trembled as she filled the glasses but she managed not to spill a drop of the golden liquid. So many questions fought for attention her brain spun. She’d deal with all of them later. Right now she had to concentrate on presenting a welcoming, professional facade to her soon-to-be-arriving guests.
What will I do with all of Jeff’s canvases? I can’t continue to sell them as his now that I know they were painted by . . . someone else.
“Amanda, I need to talk to Russ for a few minutes and get his opinion on how I should handle those paintings Jeff claimed were his. Can you send him back here and tell the photographer I’ll be out in a minute or two?”
“Of course.” Amanda took two trays of pastries and went to find Russ.
Zoe rubbed her palms down her skirt and paced.
Russ entered quietly and closed the door behind him. His gaze held both sorrow and compassion. “What can I do to help, Zoe?”
“Did you know about all this?” she blurted before she could stop herself. “No. No. Don’t answer that. That’s not what I wanted to talk to you about.” She clasped her hands in front of her. “What I need to know is how to deal with any sales of . . . Jeff’s . . . paintings. I’m sure some of them will be bought but what to I tell the buyers about the artist? I don’t want to lie to them.”
His By Design Page 20
