Abandoned (The Beckett Series Book 6)

by Mary Martinez

  “I wanted to figure it out on my own.” He picked up the paper and started reading the list. “Ha, found it. It’s this ancient fertility God thing.”

  “You better put that down unless you want to have a dozen kids.”

  His eyes widened in dread and he at least had the forethought to wrap it and put it to the side and not drop it, like she’d feared. She should have thought that through before she scared him.

  “I was only joking. I honestly have read no modern day evidence that they actually work.”

  “Good to know. I love Finn, but twelve of him is a little daunting.”

  Glenna smiled and then returned her attention to the next item. She pulled it out, peeled the paper away. And froze. This had to be it. It was a small delicate frame, within it, the Madonna and child.

  “What?”

  “I think this may be it, but I need to grab my laptop. Oh, never mind, I won’t get service down here. Take a good look.” She turned it so he could see. “Come.”

  Glenna placed the frame on the work bench, then led the way toward the stairs. Once in her office she logged onto her laptop.

  “If I’m not mistaken it’s a Giovanni Bellini. And if it’s the one I’m thinking of, it’s one of the missing pieces stolen during the Nazi occupation.”

  Her heart raced as she navigated through her bookmarks for the article she’d saved. If it was what she thought it was, the piece was priceless.

  “Found it.”

  “Found what?”

  “The article, it’s about all the art and objects that are still missing from when the Nazi’s confiscated and destroyed homes in the cities and countries they occupied. Give me a minute and let me find the list.”

  As she scanned through the pictures and the descriptions, her excitement built. And then there it was.

  “Here it is, Giovanni Bellini, Madonna with Child, c.1430.”

  Patrick leaned over her shoulder and read aloud. “This was evacuated in the early 1940s from a museum in Berlin to be housed in a flak tower in Berlin-Fried…. Something or other, located within Russian control at the time. Most of the objects in the tower were either looted or presumed destroyed, including Bellini’s Madonna.”

  “How did this find its way to upstate New York?” She glanced up at him. “Museums and countries are offering awards for the return of their art.”

  “And we’ve found motive for your fiancé’s interest.” He stepped back to give her room to stand up. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but wouldn’t the piece bring even more on the black market?”

  “Oh, yes.” She led the way back to the basement. She picked up the frame with much more care than she had when she’d just suspected its worth. “Not to mention the network on the Dark Web. I hear that they’re the new black market. We need to find a safe place for this. Because I’m afraid there are hacks out there good enough to access the Calistoga Database, they’re not as tech savvy as the feds. As soon as Beckworth puts in his report, I have a basement storage and what we found, they may know.”

  “As much as I want to pretend you’re wrong, I know most likely you’re right. The FBI has a full time task force monitoring who hacks in to our servers on a daily basis. From what I understand, almost as fast as our IT geeks can write a script to block a hack, there’s a new breach.”

  “Do we have to tell them what we found?”

  “Yes.” He ran his hand through his ginger hair. Glenna immediately wanted to do the same. “However, I don’t think we need to tell them right now. We’ll take this to my place and come up with a plan. I want to let Tyler know or better yet, your twin. From what I hear, she’s had experience with cyber terrorism. She may be able to help. If the three guys who broke in found out about it through the Dark Web.”

  She thought about it and paced. Then stood in what she referred to as her strong woman stance. Fists on hips, feet a foot apart.

  “What?”

  “Is that a twin thing?”

  She frowned, what the hell was he talking about? He was grinning and looking at her. Did she have dirt on her? But then why would he call it a twin thing?

  “Twin thing?”

  “Your super hero pose.”

  She looked down at herself and understood how he could get super hero from her stance. “This is what I do when I need to be strong and take care of things. I’ve been on my own for a while. It gives me confidence.”

  “Makes sense, but did you know your sister does the same thing when she’s taking in a crime scene? Tyler told me she calls it her Super Hero pose.”

  Surprise ran over her. Reagan may be her twin and there were a few things they had in common, but mostly they were different as night and day. She had more of connection with Tyler.

  “I can see you had no clue. Well I have yet to witness your sister’s super hero, so until I do, I’ll go with the Strong Woman. Because I think I like the idea that you know you can handle the situation.” He gave her a look that she couldn’t decipher, but it had butterflies vying for position in her belly. “What are you thinking? Do you have an idea of who might want the art?”

  She’d think about those butterflies later, now they needed to figure out what was going on before someone else got hurt. What would she do if the art thieves came back and somehow Effie was hurt? She’d never forgive herself.

  “I had no idea we’d find something this priceless. This puts a whole new prospective on things. This art ring or whatever it is, and for all I know Lance could be a part of them, is far more dangerous than I thought. I thought maybe they’d killed Alex by accident. She surprised them, or threatened to call the police or something. But now, I don’t think they care who gets hurt.”

  “Let’s get this to my place, I’ll report what’s going on. This has to be an International ring, the department may have some background and a direction of where we can look. Then we’ll figure something out.”

  Glenna nodded. She had a roll of bubble wrap on the bench and measured out the length she’d need. She wrapped the picture up, then wrapped it with brown paper. She looked around and finally found a box double the size of the art.

  “Good idea, if they’re watching they won’t have a clue what we’re taking with us is what they’re looking for.”

  A chill ran down her spine when he actually voiced her thoughts. Somehow it made it more real, more dangerous, and suddenly she didn’t feel like the strong woman she wanted to be. Suddenly she wanted Patrick to make it all go away.

  She couldn’t do that, she owed it to Alex to help catch her murderers. She handed the box to Patrick so she could rummage through her purse for her lifesaving antacid. She really should make an appointment with her doctor, she probably had ulcers. Her stomach boiled whenever the situation turned stressful. The last few years she’d been pain free, until she was abandoned at the altar, and now the murder.

  The first half of the trip to Patrick’s was in silence, both lost in their own thoughts. The hands-free phone buzzed with a call breaking the peace. Patrick glanced at her briefly before he answered. Beckworth’s voice filled the inside of the 4-Runner.

  “Any news? Did you find something?”

  Patrick paused and again threw her a look that said clearly follow my lead. Okay maybe she read too many romantic suspense novels. But she nodded just the same.

  “Nope, we went through all the boxes. There were several valuable items, but according to Ms. Beckett nothing that would warrant a break in or murder. We have to be missing something. She even checked the internet to see if an item was worth anything.”

  This was the truth, he just didn’t clarify what she’d been looking for and found. The conversation went on, and Glenna let the words flow over her, while she contemplated her growing feelings for the agent. She’d barely met him, and she knew feelings could escalate over intense situations. The best thing to do would be to guard her heart and when all this was over, see how things went. Now that was a good plan.

  Then she thought about Tyler. He�
��d barely known Keira when he took her to a safe house and he fell in love with her and now she was working in the agency with him. Not to mention they had little Lucy.

  Still… she was jumping way too far ahead of herself. Remember two strikes… Law enforcement and ex-baggage.

  “…let us know if you find anything.” And then Patrick broke the connection.

  “Sorry, I was woolgathering. What are they going to find?”

  He gave her a questioning look but didn’t ask the question. Thank goodness. After a moment he explained.

  “Since we didn’t find anything, Beckworth had the idea to bring in an art expert to inventory your stock in the basement.”

  “And since we have what the thieves want, the expert won’t find anything. And it will give us time to come up with a plan.” Glenna grinned.

  “Yes. I like your Strong Woman.”

  Warmth filled her at his words and she did her best to wrap her heart in steel to keep it safe.

  “At least I’ll have a free audit of what I have, right?”

  He flipped her a grin as he pulled into his drive way.

  *****

  It was now more important than ever to keep his personal feelings out of the case. When Tyler Beckett had first called him, he thought it was a harmless favor the man asked of him. To be fair he figured Tyler had felt the same way. Neither could have determined that looking for his sister’s missing fiancé would turn into a murder investigation involving priceless antiquities and an Art Thief ring. Now Glenna’s life and possibly those around her were in danger. He was busy making a mental list of all he needed to do to start in the new direction when Glenna broke into his thoughts.

  “Earth to Patrick…” She raised a brow at him.

  “Sorry. Just thinking about the turn this investigation just took.”

  “I can understand that, but do we have to do it sitting in your driveway? It’s getting a little hot in here.” She grinned taking any sting that might have been in her words, away. She didn’t wait for him to open her door, he was busy grabbing their treasure from the back.

  Patrick placed the box on the table and then glared at the damn thing. He didn’t want it in his home. If they found out, Finn could be in danger. They all would be. He could take care of himself, but he was only one man and he had three lives to protect.

  “This can’t be here.”

  He drew his attention from the box to Glenna, had she read his mind? She was glaring at the box too, with an expression that he had a feeling matched his.

  “What should we do with it?”

  She finally looked at him. “Put it in a storage unit.”

  “If they’re watching, which I’m sure they are. They will still suspect it’s here. What we need to do is have someone put cameras in both your store room and your basement, today. If they come back and can’t find it. They’ll know the big box is what they want.” He plopped down in one of the kitchen chairs.

  “That means we need to figure out who they are and come up with a plan before that happens.”

  She took a chair across from him and sat down much more graceful than he had.

  “You’re right…”

  “…you just don’t want any harm even coming close to Finn.” She finished for him.

  Yeah, he was in trouble as far as she was concerned. He’d do whatever it took to be impartial until this was over. Then, and only then, would he see if anything would come out of a relationship with Ms. Glenna Beckett.

  “Right. I better get on with it. I’ll call a company I know to place those cameras.”

  “While you do that, I’ll use the shower. Then we’ll call Reagan.”

  He raised a brow. “Not your brother?”

  “I love my brother, but you said it. My sister has the experience we need. Besides I’d love to talk to my sister. I barely met her new husband and my niece I didn’t even know I had.”

  He opened his mouth to ask for an explanation and then thought better of it, family talk was far to intimate. Maybe when he had his heart wrapped firmly in Titanium, he’d ask.

  “Sounds good. I shouldn’t take too long. They also may have some resources I can check out.”

  She stopped by the arch leading to the hall. “Promise me something.”

  “Sure, well if it’s feasible I will.”

  “Keep me in the loop. I know I’m not a trained agent and there may be some things I cannot help with. But knowledge is power and I need to know every step whether I’m to be involved or not.”

  He thought about it for a moment. She wasn’t asking to go on a stakeout or anything, just for information.

  “I agree. The more you know about what is going on the better. I promise to keep you up to speed.”

  “Me too.”

  They both turned to see Finn coming through the back door, Horace at his side.

  This case was going in directions he’d never dreamed possible. The last thing he wanted to do was involve his sixteen year old son.

  Chapter Ten

  “Finn, you surprised me.” Glenna placed a hand to her racing heart.

  She glanced to Patrick who was staring at his son, she knew he didn’t want him to be involved in any capacity. She felt since she had brought the danger to their door, she needed to put in her two cents. Whether Patrick liked it or not.

  “I agree with Finn. He needs to be kept up on things also.”

  His head whipped around to her, the fire in his eyes almost made her step back out of the heat. His love for his son was fierce and she understood it. Before he could say anything, Finn stepped further into the room. The boy placed a hand on his dad’s shoulder. Patrick turned to face his son.

  “Dad, I know you want to protect me. But if I know nothing, that puts me in more danger.” He raised a brow and when Patrick was about to interrupt he gave his dad’s shoulder a squeeze. “Think dad. If someone comes to school because they know I live here. How will I know who may be the bad guys if I don’t know what to look for?”

  Patrick’s chest expanded and she heard his sigh from where she stood. “Dammit, you’re both right.”

  “Sit.” Patrick motioned Finn to a chair then glanced at Glenna. “I’ll bring him up to speed while you take your shower. We’ll all call Reagan when you’re done.”

  “Awesome.” Finn grinned. “Finally, you trust me enough to let me help.”

  The expression that crossed Patrick’s face at his son’s words was not a joyous one. As much as she wanted to be in on the conversation she decided it would be prudent to do as he asked.

  Glenna made her shower quick, she threw her thoroughly disgusting clothes in the bag she’d brought for her dirty laundry. Going through treasure boxes from her shopping sprees could be very filthy work.

  She threw her hair up in a lose bun, pulled some jeans on and pulled on a tee-shirt. Glancing in the mirror she figured she’d do, and raced out to see if she’d missed anything.

  “Wow that was fast. All the girls at my school take forever to get ready for anything.”

  Glenna grinned. “I’m not just any girl, I’m super girl.”

  “Woman,” Patrick corrected.

  Glenna wanted to know what was racing through Finn’s mind. His gaze was bouncing back and forth like a tennis match, as if trying to figure what that super girl and or woman meant. Apparently he decided to let it go because in the end he just turned to his dad with a question.

  “Now what?”

  “We call Glenna’s sister.”

  Finn frowned and turned to her. “Your sister a super woman too?”

  “No she’s a super hero and works with a special agency that handles cyber terrorism. We’re hoping she can help us track these art thieves on the Dark Web.”

  “Cool. I think I want to be a special agent.”

  Patrick looked at his son in horror for a moment, then resignation settled over his features. “It’s not as exciting as it sounds.”

  Finn just chuckled. “So far it’s been prett
y good. I think I’d make a great agent, after all I have a live-in text book example to follow.”

  Glenna could feel the proud bouncing through Patrick from where she still stood under the arch to the kitchen. Someday she wanted to have a son or daughter who had a love for the profession she’d chosen. Anything of the arts. Hell, she knew she’d be proud no matter what her children did.

  And why was she thinking of her children? She hadn’t thought about a child since she was a little girl playing with Cammie from down the street when they’d pretended to be grownups with families of their own.

  Patrick was playing havoc with her well-being. She could not fall for him. But every second with him pounded another chink away from the armor she’d been trying to pull over her heart.

  “Are you going to stand there all day or can we get this show on the road.”

  Finn’s voice startled her and she realized she’d been standing there in her own thoughts for several moments. She rubbed her hands down her jeans and then took the empty chair at the table.

  “Okay, what’s the plan? Should we make a list of what we need to ask Reagan?” Glenna had no idea how these agent things worked.

  “For someone from a family full of law enforcement you’re a little on the clueless side.”

  Patrick didn’t expand but picked up his phone and waited with a raised brow.

  “What?” She asked.

  “I don’t know your sister’s number.”

  “Oh.” She felt silly as she took the phone from him and punched in the number.

  After a couple of rings her sister’s voice came on the line, it was always a little unsettling to hear her own voice, or so it seemed.

  “Reagan, we need to pick your brains on a case, I’m putting you on speaker.”

  There was a pause and then her sister’s voice filled the room.

  “Case?”

  “Yes, did Ty fill you in on the agent he called to help find Lance?”

  “Yes, he did. You’re working the case with him? Isn’t that a little out of your expertise?”

  “Yes. Not the art part though. We found what the thieves’ who murdered Alex was after.”