His By Design

by Dell, Karen Ann

  “Hey, Bug.” He offered her a hand.

  “Hey, bro.” She clasped it and swung her legs around using her long skirt to hide her brace. She slung her bag over her shoulder, grabbed her cane and straightened carefully. She gave him a wink and nodded toward the gallery. “So, this is the place, huh?”

  Jeff nodded.

  Zoe gave Jeff’s dad a hug. “Hi, Frank. How are you?”

  He sported the same wide grin as his son. “I’m doing fine, Zoe.”

  She turned to Jen and gave her a welcoming hug as well. Then she leaned back and studied Jen’s face at arm’s length. “Jen, you look amazing! Gorgeous. I’m so happy for you. Come on inside and let me show you around.”

  They all trooped through the front doors. Jen glanced around, her eyes bright with interest, then she pulled Zoe aside and stage-whispered in her ear, “Before I can saunter around and give everything here its due, I’m gonna need to use the ladies’ room.”

  Zoe slid an arm around Jen’s waist. “Allow me.”

  Jeff watched the two women, their heads close together, laughter trailing behind them, as they headed to the back. His shoulders relaxed. He swiveled toward his dad and caught the same film of moisture in his dad’s eyes as he felt in his own.

  “Yes, sir, she’s looking real good, isn’t she?”

  “She is, son. Thanks to you.”

  “No thanks to me, Dad. I almost blew it all to hell. If Zoe wasn’t the kind of person she is, I could be sitting in a jail cell right now.” And Jen would still be hiding in her apartment . . .

  “Hell’s bells, son. Give yourself some credit. You may have made a few missteps but you’ve worked damn hard to make their dreams come true. Both of them.”

  Jeff waved off the praise. “Come on back to the office and I’ll get you a cup of coffee.”

  “You read my mind, son.”

  “Leave your purse in my office and Jeff and I will give you the fifty-cent tour.”

  Jen obliged, and Zoe linked arms with her.

  “Later, I’ll show you some pictures of this place before Jeff worked his magic, so you can see what an awesome job he did with the renovations.” Zoe touched one of the movable interior walls and pointed to the floor lock that kept it in place. “These are Jeff’s pride and joy. I can move most of these walls around and make larger or smaller spaces to showcase an individual artist.”

  “Wow, fantastic idea, bro. Really makes this big cavern of a space versatile.” Jen’s face glowed with pride for her older brother.

  “Yeah, and since they don’t go all the way to the ceiling it helps with air circulation, too. Cuts down on cooling and heating costs.” Jeff pointed to the track lighting overhead. “Movable lighting is what makes changing the configuration possible.”

  “Right now I have your works spread throughout the gallery, but what I’d really like to do Jen, is have a major exhibition of all of your paintings with lots of advertising for our new, talented young artist.” Zoe gave her arm a squeeze. “You’ve been hiding your light under a bushel for too long, girl. Let’s get you noticed. Get a little buzz going . . .”

  Jen shook her head. “I don’t know if I’m ready for something that big, Zoe. Maybe . . .”

  “Okay. I understand you might be a teensy bit nervous. All budding artists are when they face their first big show.” Zoe glanced from Jen to Jeff, and tapped her finger to her lips. “You know, I have an even better idea.” She held her arms up and spread them wide. “How about ‘The Silvercreek Gallery Presents the Petroskys,’ a brother/sister show where you can both share the spotlight?”

  For a few silent seconds Jen and Jeff shared a look, the Jen’s face split in a big smile. “Now, that I could handle. What do you say, bro?”

  “Whatever makes you happy, Bug.” He draped an arm across her shoulders.

  Zoe’s smile turned thoughtful. “If you’re both up for it, I think it would be very helpful to have an interview with you two that we could publish in the newspaper and maybe get picked up by a couple of art magazines. We could play up the angle that Jeff was just standing in for you until you got out of the hospital. We won’t give a lot of details about why—” Zoe added quickly as Jen began a negative head shake. “Something like that would cut the legs out from under Barker’s threat to have Jeff arrested for art fraud.” She glanced hopefully between the two.

  Jen immediately changed her head shake to a nod. “Absolutely. Good idea, Zoe. I’m all for it and I don’t mind explaining why I was in the hospital, as long as we don’t use any ‘before’ pictures. I’ll drum up so much sympathy for Jeff that Barker bastard won’t even try to go there.”

  Jeff was a bit less enthusiastic. “If you think that’ll help, I’m game.”

  Zoe sighed with relief. She’d been working on a plan to thwart Fredrick Barker’s threats of exposure to both herself and Jeff and this should solve half of that problem. She’d need a lot of help with the other half, but Andy, one of Dev’s radio announcers, had agreed to give her a hand with those plans.

  “Let’s go upstairs so I can show off the gorgeous apartment your brother built for me. Jamie should be here any minute and she can open the gallery while we have lunch.”

  Jen’s face fell. “Um, stairs are kinda hard for me. I can do them but it takes me a while. You guys go ahead up and— Hey!” she yelped as Jeff swept her up in his arms. She pushed at his chest. “Put me down, you idiot. Do you want to give yourself a hernia?”

  “Oh for Pete’s sake, Bug, you weigh less than half-grown poodle. Just be quiet and quit squirming.” He started up the steps in spite of her continued protests. “By the time you quit mouthing off, we’ll be there. See?” He set her down in front of Zoe’s apartment door.

  Jen gave him a solid punch on the arm.

  “Really? That’s the best you can do?”

  Eyes narrowed, Jen drew her arm back for another try.

  Zoe stepped between them. “Enough. I will not tolerate any injuries on the premises. I got into trouble that way once before.” She slid a sideways glance at Jeff.

  Zoe looked at Frank and he winked back. “Just like old times . . .” He chuckled.

  After a quick tour they sat at the kitchen counter while Zoe laid out meats and cheeses, sliced tomatoes, pasta salad, crusty rolls, and condiments. “I’m sure by now Jeff has told you about my abysmal skills as a chef. So help yourself while I pour drinks.”

  How lucky am I to have found a man with such a wonderful family? Jeff’s been the protector his whole life. Now it’s my turn to protect him. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him safe from my former boss.

  Zoe paced as she waited for Amanda to arrive.

  The paperwork was finished. Amanda had done profit and loss statements, one, three, and five year projections on income, and thirty-five other documents Zoe had never heard of. They had an appointment with the bank’s loan officer at three o’clock.

  Zoe’s palms were already damp. Summer heat notwithstanding, she wore her good black suit and white silk tank. She took a last look in the mirror, attempted to project a serious, businesslike demeanor and headed downstairs.

  “Dan, I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone, but I’ve got my cell so if you need me for anything—”

  “Call. I know. I’ve got you covered, Ms. Silvercreek. Don’t worry about a thing.”

  Dan was an artisan himself and exactly the type of person Zoe wanted to attract to Blue Point Cove. He was neat, personable, and at ease with customers. She was delighted to find he needed some extra income, until his handmade kaleidoscopes and wind-chimes provided more revenue. Zoe didn’t think it would take long. She loved the sound of his chimes and kept a small fan stirring the branches of Amanda’s ficus tree so she could hear them in the gallery.

  Amanda beeped her horn and Zoe grabbed her por
tfolio and headed out the door.

  “All set?”

  “Thank God you’re coming with me this time, Mandy. Last time I tried to get a business loan I was so nervous I’m sure the man thought I’d never succeed.”

  “We’re going to a different bank this time. The loan officer is younger and eager to make a name for herself. Being a female should help our cause too.”

  “Tell me honestly. What do you think my chances are?” Zoe resisted the urge to scrub her palms down her pant legs.

  “Honestly, I think you’ve got a seventy-five percent possibility of success this time. Your numbers are healthy, your building passed their inspection, the stars are aligned, and I had the Jamaican lady who cleans Dev’s building kill a chicken this morning and read the entrails . . .”

  Zoe laughed. “Thanks, I needed some comic relief right about now.”

  Forty minutes later, the pair climbed back into Amanda’s car. Zoe heaved a sigh. “That went a whole lot faster than I expected. I hope the speed is a good sign.”

  Mrs. Anderson was pleasant and informative about the bank’s processes. Zoe got a positive vibe from the firm handshake she gave as they left. She told them it would only take two days for the bank to decide, which was quicker than Zoe expected. Still, forty-eight hours of agony loomed ahead.

  She had to get that loan. While her bank account was healthier than it had ever been, she didn’t have fifty thousand dollars to hand over to Fredrick. If she couldn’t come up with that by Labor Day, nothing else would matter.

  “Have you guys figured out what to do about Barker’s other demands?”

  Zoe rolled her eyes and sighed.

  “As soon as I get the loan, I’ll call Fredrick and make an appointment to see him at his gallery in D. C. so he can sign off on the legal paperwork when I hand over the check for fifty thousand. While I keep him busy at the gallery, Jeff is going to get into Fredrick’s townhouse and exchange the original painting for my copy, which Russ has managed to get from Judge Abernathy.”

  “What serendipity that Russ knows him.”

  “Tell me. I owe that man plenty.”

  “Well sometimes fate does work in your favor.”

  “I guess. But I’m really worried Jeff will get caught breaking in the Fredrick’s place. He’s already scoped the place out and says the lock on his sliders in back are notoriously easy to pick. I gave him the alarm code to disable it, but . . .”

  “Considering Mr. Barker’s ethics, I don’t have much moral sympathy for the man. But I’d be worried too if it was Dev taking the risk.”

  “I’m going to try and get Fredrick to admit he swapped the paintings. On tape. I can use it as backup insurance.”

  “What do you mean ‘on tape’?” Amanda frowned.

  “I’m going to wear a wire. You know, like they do on TV.”

  “Are you serious? You know how to do that?”

  “I have no idea, but I asked Andy about it when he worked on the gallery’s website. He’s got mad skills in that area and he’s going to fix me up.” Zoe clutched Amanda’s arm. “Don’t tell anyone, Mandy. If Jeff finds out, he’ll call the whole deal off.”

  “I wouldn’t blame him. It sounds pretty risky to me.”

  “No riskier than Jeff swapping those paintings.” That’s what’s keeping me up at night. “There is no way I’ll let that sleazebag hold a gun to my head or Jeff’s. It will all work out, Mandy. Don’t worry.”

  Chapter 25

  The loan had come through and Zoe walked on air for two days before reality brought her back to earth. There was no reason to put off their plan any longer . . .

  Timing would be important. A reporter from the local paper would interview Jeff and Jen tomorrow and publish it in Friday’s edition along with a piece on the gallery and advertisements for their joint first show. Zoe would have to pay Fredrick and get him to sign off on their contract before the story broke.

  She asked her friends to help her outwit her former boss and the ‘Gang of Six’ gathered in her apartment to plan.

  “I have to get a check to Fredrick and make sure he signs off on our contract before the interview with Jeff and Jen hits the papers. He’ll be pissed that we snatched the rug out from under him about Jeff’s involvement with the paintings. I don’t know what his reaction to that will be, but I’m sure it won’t be good.” Zoe sipped her wine, but her throat remained dry. “I’ll call him tomorrow and tell him I will be in D. C. on Thursday to bring him his money. I imagine he’ll want to gloat over what he thinks is a winning hand in this game we’ve been playing. I’ll pretend defeat and beg him to relent about the copied painting. Naturally he won’t give up his advantage, but my attempt should keep him from suspecting anything.”

  “Okay, Dev and I will wait outside Barker’s townhouse until you confirm that he is in the gallery with you,” Jeff said, taking over. “I shouldn’t need more than five minutes. The lock on the slider to his deck is ancient. I could pick it with a bobby pin. I imagine he feels nice and safe with the alarm system he installed.” Jeff finished his beer and stood. “You’re sure he doesn’t change the alarm code?”

  “It’s been the same every time I’ve gone there, so I see no reason why he should suddenly change it now.” Zoe caught the tightening of Jeff’s fists when she mentioned having been to Barker’s home before. She reached over and took his hand, forcing him to unclench it as she laced her fingers with his.

  Dev spoke up next. “We need some sort of code in case something goes wrong.”

  “What could go wrong?” Zoe asked.

  “I don’t know, but I’d feel better if we had a backup plan,” Dev replied.

  “Dev’s right. I’m not letting you spend time alone with that ass-wipe without some way to check on you.” Jeff gave her a serious stare.

  She gave him one right back. “First of all, you’re not letting me do anything. This is a joint effort, but if you’re going to get all huffy about it, I’ll go on my own.”

  “Over my dead body.”

  “Okay, let’s all take a step back,” Russ interjected. “Our goal is to swap the paintings, not determine the pecking order of the troops.” He held his hand up to forestall interruptions. “I do agree with Dev about a backup plan, though. Let’s just go over possible flaws and come up with some solutions.”

  “First, how do we make sure Barker will be at the gallery?”

  “Dev, if he knows I’m coming to give him a check for fifty thousand dollars, he’ll be there. That’s a given. I’ll nail down the time when I call him tomorrow.” Zoe rubbed her palms down her jeans.

  “Okay, fair enough. What if Jeff can’t get in? Or maybe more important, finds out the code has been changed?”

  “I’ll get in,” Jeff snapped. “Once I am in it won’t matter if the code’s been changed. If I can’t turn the alarm off, I’m still going to swap the paintings and get out in less than five minutes. It’s not like I have to search for it. Zoe’s given me the layout and exactly where to find the damned thing.”

  Russ nodded. “I have to agree there. In for a penny, in for a pound. No point in doing a B and E if we don’t wind up with the painting. Even if the alarm goes off, the cops won’t get there for at least fifteen minutes.”

  “As soon as I’m out, I’ll call you on your cell, Zoe. It shouldn’t take us longer than ten minutes to get to the gallery, so cut your tête-à-tête with Barker short and get outside.”

  Zoe scowled at him. “Listen, Jeff, I don’t like spending time with him, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t act as though this will be some intimate rendezvous.” She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at her him.

  “You’re right. You’re right, sorry. I just hate that you have to go anywhere near him. It’s making me crazy and I’m acting like an idiot.”

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p; Zoe relented and tugged him back down to sit beside her. “Chill, Studley. I know I’ll be safe if you have my back.”

  Dev put his arm around Amanda and whispered something in her ear. She looked nervous and Zoe was afraid her friend might spill the beans. “Look,” she said, “we all have cell phones. Let’s get everyone on speed dial so if we do have to communicate we’ll know who to call.”

  “Good idea, babe. Let’s synchronize.”

  Everyone grabbed their phones.

  Zoe started, “I’ll be number two, Jeff you take number three, Dev, you’re four, and Amanda your five. Russ is six.” They all tapped away for a few minutes. “Set up a group text too. That way a single message goes to everyone in an emergency.”

  Jen, who had been silent up to now, blew out a breath. “I wish I could be doing something to help out with this.”

  “You prepare for that interview tomorrow, Jen. Remember, your job is to tug on that reporter’s heartstrings. “Drown the guy in emotion and make sure he’s sympathetic about you using Jeff as your front man. We want the readers to see Jeff as a hero.” Zoe gave his hand a squeeze. “Which he is.”

  Jen nodded. “He’s my hero, that’s for sure.”

  “What do you plan to do when Barker finds out you’ve scuttled all his plans?” Russ asked.

  “I plan to laugh my ass off.” Zoe scoffed. “Once I have that contract marked paid in full, there won’t be anything he can do about the ownership of the gallery. The rest will fall apart when he has no felony charges to hang over my head.”