“Excuse us.” Patrick took her hand and led the way toward the displays.
“I can feel his eyes on us.”
“Which one’s the Bellini?”
“I was just playing things by ear, just take me to that one over there and I’ll pretend to be disappointed.”
Though the piece was a gorgeous Venetian, Glenna wasn’t familiar with the artist. She picked up the brochure next to it and read the artist was actually a student at NYU studying the style of Giovanni Bellini and similar Venetian artists of the 1400 and 1500’s. She’d have to follow him on his social media—his work was magnificent.
“Like it?”
She turned to see a young man standing beside her. “Very much so, is this yours?”
“Yes. I was going to display my attempt at the Madonna and Child I’ve seen at the Met. Bellini was a little obsessed, there are so many around.”
“I’ve heard one was lost during the war.” Glenna saw that Raymond had followed and lingered nearby she let her eyes wander over the crowd looking for the other three.
“There was one in Afghanistan?” The young artist’s question brought her attention back to him.
Patrick didn’t chuckle, but his words were laced in humor. “Wrong war. The painting was lost during the Nazi occupation.”
“Oh, I never was good with history, unless of course it was art. I love the Renaissance period. It’s next on my course of studies.”
“I must say…” Glenna brought the brochure up to read the name. “Jeremy, you have a raw talent.”
“Thank you.” He smiled and then spotted someone looking at another one of his painting. “If you’ll excuse me.”
He half bowed at the waist toward them, then headed in the direction of his other admirers.
“Fake or sincere?”
“What?” Glenna asked.
“The kid, he couldn’t have been much older than Finn. He has talent but I got the idea he’s trying too hard to be like one of the men he admires so much. He’s just a couple hundred years out of his league.”
“I thought it was endearing.” She stood up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek, then whispered. “Raymond listened to every word. He didn’t miss the mention I dropped.”
He pulled her up, so her feet actually left the ground and gave her a sound lip smack. “If we’re going to make a public display we might as well do it with gusto.” Then he lowered his voice. “I haven’t noticed his partners in crime.”
“Neither…” Across the patio, she saw the others walk in from the little coffee shop in the rear. “There they are now, better late than never I guess.”
Raymond noticed his friends at the same time, and made his way toward them.
“You know I’ve been thinking…” Glenna started.
“Oh, oh. I’ve come to realize when you start thinking things get crazy.”
She pressed her lips together to keep from laughing and gave him a bump on the arm. She glanced around to make sure no one paid attention, though just to be cautious she sidestepped them into a corner of the patio with their backs to the perimeter and a good view of the patrons of art.
“We’re being serious here. As I was saying, I’ve been thinking. We came up with the plan to lure them with the painting, but that was before… I’m ninety-nine percent sure they know or they are almost certain we have the painting. Do we need to change our plan a little?”
“Good point.” He took his attention from surveying the crowd and grinned down at her. “The plan is to move the art to the salon when we get home. Let’s drop the hint that you’re going to do a one night show of it before we return it to the country of origin, instead of pretending there’s a possibility we may seek a high bidder on the Dark Web.”
“You’re right, I don’t think they would buy that. Even if those gossip ladies repeat it.” She followed his example and studying everyone. “Oh, since there is nothing illegal about contacting the country to return the art, and having a one night reception we no longer have to whisper it. Why don’t I make an announcement tomorrow night?”
Glenna didn’t know if Patrick contemplated the crowd or his answer. After a moment he snaked an arm around her and then said. “Not a bad idea, though I’m not sure we want to force their hand by giving them a reason to get their hands on it before we go home. We’re here for few more days.”
“What do you think we should do then?”
“I agree we should let people know, just not in a formal announcement. Let’s just continue what we planned, just with a different dialogue.” He tugged her into his side, kissed the top of her head without taking his attention from the four men he’d been keeping an eye on. “You’re excited about your discovery and you want to surprise the public with a showing.”
“Oh, I like it.” The possibilities flew across her mind. “Let’s go, I have some planning and it does no good over here in a corner where no one can hear.”
Once again they found themselves in the midst of phenomenal displays of local artists. The talented flocked to New York, making it hard to get noticed. So many choices for the patrons of art.
Glenna loved the energy, the different eccentricities, and the talent. How she’d wished she were as gifted. Whenever this thought crossed her mind, she reminded herself how talented she was for finding a home for others’ art.
Patrick had a slight frown on his face, most likely trying to figure out the abstract piece he was studying. Before she could tell him her thoughts on the framed chaos of colors, two prominent Californian patrons sidled up to the display next to them. Glenna didn’t want to miss an opportunity.
She leaned in, “Patrick, this is what I want to do.”
He frowned, she tilted her head back a little and rolled her eyes in the direction of the couple next to them. Enlightenment etched over his features.
“And what is that?” His tone indulgent.
“We could have a reception. One night. Maybe by invitation only. Make a huge deal out of my discovery.”
When she saw him try to suppress a grin, he gazed over her shoulder on the couple. She knew she had their attention and pressed on.
“It could be in the center of the display cases. We could serve appetizers and wine.” She threw her hand to her chest, trying not to be overly dramatic. “Since the piece was taken from the flak tower in Berlin-Friedrichshain we could contact Berlin to let them know we have the piece and what we’re doing. Maybe we could ask for one of their historians to visit and recount how the painting was lost, and what they’ve done to locate it.”
“Sort of display and lecture on stolen artifacts?”
“You catch on quick for an art novice.”
“I have my moments.” His tone dry as the desert in the middle of August.
Glenna didn’t need to turn, she could feel the heat of their bodies, as they’d edged up almost touching her back. She was in the process of coming up with more to keep their attention when they inserted themselves into the conversation.
“Darling, we couldn’t help but overhear a bit of your conversation.”
The man placed his arm around his wife. Glenna remembered them from a gallery event in LA a few months ago. “Yes, what did you find?”
Glenna let out a sigh as if she’d been caught with her hand in the proverbial cookie jar. “Oh, I didn’t realize you were there. I’m trying to keep it a secret until I have everything organized.”
Together as if a single unit, they leaned closer. The woman glanced to her husband then back to Glenna. “We will not say a word. This is just so exciting. Especially since the showing would be close to home.”
Glenna hadn’t realized they’d recognized her. She didn’t need to act flattered. She was. They were moneyed from the Hollywood. He was a producer of some kind. She was far from a movie buff. For all she knew one of the top producers in the industry could be standing in front of her. But she did know that they were huge contributors to the arts.
“You know my shop?”
“Glenna’s Surprisingly Vintage, of course, I visit whenever I’m in wine country.” She paused, a sad look crossed her face. “I was very fond of Alexis. I’m very sorry to hear what happened to her and your precious boutique. Do you know what they were after?”
The conversation had taken a different direction, Glenna didn’t know how to respond. Were they involved with The Black Cats in some way? Or were they just curious. Usually Glenna wasn’t paranoid, but since the break-in, she looked for ulterior motives where there weren’t any. Luckily Patrick took the lead.
“We have an idea. It’s what we were discussing.”
Again the couple inched forward, Glenna swore they were literally joined at the hip. The way they moved in tandem. She’d watched them earlier and had the same impression.
“And what were you discussing?” The man shifted his gaze to encompass the patio area, his eyes narrowed. “Whatever you do, don’t let them in on it.”
Though Glenna took a quick peek to see who he’d been starring at, their suspects, she still asked. “Who?”
“Branson, Lewis, Bertarelli, and Dyson.”
The woman giggled. “He calls them the four musketeers.”
Something ran over her. Maybe a combination of dread and excitement, she wasn’t sure. She just knew they were closing in.
Patrick pretended he wasn’t interested in the four, he didn’t even glance in their direction. “We really aren’t ready to tell anyone.”
“You can trust us,” the woman.
Patrick chuckled. “I’ve learned to do the opposite when someone promises that.”
The woman’s lip jutted out. “Honestly.”
Spoken in a tone that led Glenna to believe the woman wasn’t used to not getting her way. Maybe now would be a good time for a lesson. That is, if they weren’t trying to spread the tale.
“Come on, Babe. I don’t want the news out, but they’ve been around the galleries, I think they’d be happy to keep our little secret.” Glenna tilted her head. “You know, maybe they could help us.”
“Yes, yes, yes.”
The woman chanted. As she bounced her husband went along for the ride. Glenna blinked. Weird. Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dumb floated across her mind. So distracted, she started when Patrick cleared his throat to bring her back to the conversation.
“Can I speak with you in private?”
Glenna smiled at the couple. “Give us one moment.”
Once they were almost out of ear shot, again the tandem movement as their bodies swayed in Glenna and Patrick’s direction. The couple’s full attention on them.
“Glenna, we aren’t ready to let everyone know about…” he lowered his voice a notch. “…art you’ve found. We don’t want another break in.”
Glenna leaned to the side to consider the couple then whispered. “I think they can be trusted to keep it quiet. They’ve been around the art circuit for years.”
This time Patrick twisted to view the couple, currently pretending to have their attention on the young artists’ work. He turned back and leaned in to Glenna, lips grazing her cheek to whisper in her ear. “They’ll spread the word, exactly what we need.”
Glenna turned her head “yes” breathed a second before her lips met his. Before long an intent tango of tongues swept her away until her entire body thrummed with desire.
A moment later, they couple moved closer. “Excuse us.” The man’s voice broke over them, a tidal wave of cold water.
Glenna swallowed, good lord. How had she’d completely forgotten they were in a very public place. Patrick could make her forget her own name. Yet he slipped an arm around her shoulders and steered them toward the waiting couple as if this sort of thing happened every day.
“Let’s take a walk around the park for a moment.”
Without waiting for an answer, Patrick led Glenna through the side gate by the coffee shop in the back of the patio area. She felt the attention of the men standing only feet away from the exit. She’d bet they would follow.
Yet when they found their way across the street with the other couple, Glenna realized the men weren’t following and the Van was parked not far away and empty for a change.
Unless the other couple was bugged, which Glenna now doubted they had anything to do with the men, they couldn’t hear the conversation.
“Okay, what is all this secrecy about?” The man still wedged to his wife’s side, asked.
Sticking as close to the truth about her find as she could. She filled them in about the Bellini Madonna and Child.
“We are trying to find the agency in charge of the stolen artifacts from Berlin. I’m not sure, but I believe all the countries were victims of the Nazi occupation have organizations tracking down their lost treasures.” She grinned up at Patrick. “Meanwhile, I figure I might as well use the art to my advantage. What a great way to introduce more patrons to my boutique?”
The woman was clearly excited, the couple quivered in excitement.
“What are you thinking? I’m the party planner for the art association in our area, I could help.”
“Oh, wonderful.” Glenna reached for the woman’s free hand. “We’re thinking of doing a special showing and hopefully have a historian from Berlin visit with stories about all the art that went missing during the occupation.”
The woman gave her hand a little squeeze before she let go. Then, miracle of miracles, stepped away from her husband to dig through her purse. She produced a card and handed it to Glenna.
“Here, call me when you have the date set. I’m thrilled to be involved in such a momentous occasion.”
They watched the couple sway as one as they sashayed to the brunch still in full swing.
“I sort of feel bad. She was genuinely excited for us to invite her help.”
“Why can’t you have the showing? It’s the perfect trap. We’ll have plain clothes everywhere watching their every move, because they will be there. Then Raymond Brandon his ring of thief’s will be behind bars. And we’ll return the piece to Berlin. It’s a great idea Glenna, go for it.”
Glenna regarded the card, then slipped it in her clutch. “I think I will.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Glenna flopped onto the bed, not even taking in her luxurious surroundings. Exhausted to her bones she just wanted to sleep until the Gala the next evening. The whirlwind activities of rubbing shoulders with artists and patrons from gallery to gallery ending at the Met ordinarily wouldn’t have been so draining. However, the constant awareness of being watched, and keeping alert to watch for anything suspicious had taken a toll.
Her arms stretched above her head she let out a groan, muscles protesting at the pull. She’d just close her eyes for a moment before she got ready for dinner. At least it would be just the two of them and they could relax. She hadn’t decided where to take Patrick, it wasn’t like he was new to New York, he had attended The City University of New York.
Still she’d wanted to treat him to something special. She’d think about it in a minute…
*****
Towel firmly wrapped around his waist, Patrick contemplated Glenna. He rubbed his hair dry. He really didn’t want to wake her, actually he did, but not for dinner. Swallowing down his desire he reached for his jeans. He wouldn’t listen to objections, they’d order in. Besides it would be nice to be alone with her.
He’d just zipped up his jeans when the beautiful lump on the bed stirred. A soft groan slipped from her lips two seconds before her lids lifted and the green of Ireland pinned him. He sucked in his breath and let it slip out again through his teeth.
“Look at you. I have my own highlander.”
She pushed herself into a sitting position. Her gaze traveled from the top of his head to his bare toes, heat sizzling in its wake. He dropped the towel he’d used on his hair. The mattress dipped with his knee. The motion made it easy for him as the object of his desires rolled into him.
In one movement, he reached over so he leaned straddling he
r in the process, until she lay back again on the bed. Several moments could have been an eternity as he drank in the sight of her. She didn’t say anything, apparently content to have his attention. Careful to keep his weight on his knees, and bracing with one hand, he lifted his other to slip a slim black strap off her shoulder. Something he’d wanted to do all day. The little black number she’d been wearing clung to every curve to perfection.
Now all he could do was think about peeling it inch by inch until she was naked under his searching hands. And what was he doing just thinking it. The way she watched him, he was damn sure it was what she wanted.
With that thought in mind, he shifted to his side, then began his journey. The other strap went down, his lips trailing in its wake. His finger hooked in the V of the neck of the dress and pulled it down. God. Braless.
As any red-blooded man would do, he dipped his head and caught a nipple in his mouth. His hand captured her other breast.
*****
Glenna couldn’t breathe. All the air had left when his lips and tongue gently caressed then sucked her nipple. When was the last time she’d had any type of intimacy? Years. And this was no one night stand, this was overwhelming.
When she woke and saw him standing over her, towel in hand, bare chested—now she knew the true meaning of a six-pack—his jeans unbuttoned at the top, holes in the knees. She thought she’d gone to highlander heaven.
He was taking her thoughts away with his questing hands and tongue. She remembered saying something about a highlander, but it was lost at the moment.
“You okay?”
His face so close the words had brushed over her lips. Was she okay?
“I’m not sure.”
He leaned his forehead on hers a moment then his hand moved from her breast, leaving her skin to quiver in the cool air. Now he cupped her cheek.
“If you’re not ready, we can wait.”
“I don’t want to wait. I’m just scared. I haven’t felt like this for anyone before. I’ve had flirtations, but Patrick, I don’t think, I know I love you and I don’t want to ruin everything. What happens if I can’t make love?”
Abandoned (The Beckett Series Book 6) Page 24
