Abandoned (The Beckett Series Book 6)

by Mary Martinez

  She’d been so susceptible to his charm. More so, because she’d finally realized she was ready to move on after the violation of Danny Collins. Only to be betrayed by Lance. She glanced over to where Patrick stood talking to the woman who’d come to give the presentation on the piece that would be returned to her country. She smiled and decided it was time to make her way over, start directing everyone to their seats they’d sat a few seats around the main attraction. An easel held the painting in the middle of the showroom. Although, there would be many who would have to stand.

  Finn must have read her mind, he began the process for her. He’d touch a person on their shoulder, then gesture with his other hand to urge them toward a chair. He was going to be a wonderful man, just like his father.

  “Hey, there you are.” Patrick slung an arm around her shoulders, comfort and warmth immediately helped wipe away the anger and frustration leaving pleasure to wrap around her. “I thought you were going to linger by the door all afternoon.”

  “I wanted to make sure everyone felt welcomed, but I think everyone is here.” She turned to the other woman and smiled. “It’s your time for the spot light. I’m so glad you could join us today, Ms. Schröder.”

  “Please, call me Adele. And are you kidding me? I wouldn’t have missed this. It is always such an exciting moment to recover some of our country’s missing treasures.”

  Adele smiled at them, Glenna had imagined someone much older would be the expert. She glanced around at her guests and decided this young vibrant woman could probably make growing weeds interesting. She was as excited as her patrons to hear the lecture.

  “Good, then I assume you’re ready to begin?”

  “I hope you don’t regret you’ve invited me when all your lovely guests are falling asleep in their chairs.”

  Glenna laughed. “I’m sure that will not happen.”

  Glenna and Patrick gathered the stragglers that Finn and Rebekah hadn’t settled yet, into the area designed for the presentation. Glenna wasn’t sure what to expect. She was about to find out. She walked to stand by the center of attention, the Madonna and Child.

  “Welcome everyone. I’m so happy you could join us today, but more than that I’m excited to introduce you to Ms. Adele Schröder. She is Berlin’s top art expert, but her specialty is the recovery of the lost art stolen during the Nazi occupation.” Glenna held her hand toward Adele. “I turn the time over to you.”

  “Thank you, Glenna, for inviting me. I’m very pleased to visit your beautiful town. Well, as Glenna said, I am a boring researcher. However, it’s anything but boring. I love to find treasures and this…” She turned to gaze at the painting. “Is a lovely piece that Berlin is very excited to reclaim. We already have a spot of honor at the Gemäldegalerie which translates Old Master Paintings…”

  Glenna had read the presentation prior, as it was a custom to send it along to the host first to make sure it fit the demographics of the audience. This was the first showing of this magnitude for Glenna, she’d been thrilled when she read the speech.

  Since she had reviewed it, she felt free to gaze about at the patrons making note where Raymond Branson, Jason Lewis, Edwardo Bertarelli, and Monroe Dyson were. They weren’t together, but stationed around the perimeter almost as if they were the guards. Did they know, or have an idea they were being watched by the several undercover agents also attending.

  Glenna hadn’t met the agents, they could be anyone in the crowd. Patrick had done that on purpose. He hadn’t wanted her or any of his family to react differently if they happened to run into one of them. For all Glenna knew she’d had several conversations with many of them.

  The room grew quiet and Glenna realized Adele had finished and waited for her. Glenna felt the warmth seep up her collar. Such a big day and she was lost in her thoughts. Good Grief.

  She took the two steps to the art expert’s side. “Thank you so much. What a wonderful museum you have. I don’t know about all of you but I could lose myself in a museum full of art treasures.”

  As intended everyone smiled and some even nodded in agreement. After that Adele was left to mingle and chat more about her passion, art. Glenna made her way to Patrick’s side. He was with his parents, she’d been surprised when they’d arrived. She hadn’t taken them for the artsy type, and by the way their expressions, she’d been right.

  “Glenna.” The relief was evident in Caroline’s voice. “What a lovely reception, or should I say showing?”

  Glenna smiled. “Either is correct. I’m glad you both could attend.”

  “When Patrick told us about it, we had to see this piece of art, see what all the fuss was about.” Patrick’s father glanced toward the easel holding the main attraction. “It’s… I’m not sure how to describe it. I thought it would be an old stuffy painting. What was all the fuss about? If you know what I mean. Seeing it in this setting in a place of honor, the lighting just right it takes my breath away.”

  This time the warmth that spread through her was one of pride from hearing Kendal’s words of praise. She slipped her hand into Patrick’s and tried to reign in her emotion.

  Her voice still wobbled a little when she said, “Thank you.” She wanted to express how his words affected her, but they clogged in her throat as she blinked the tears away. Kendal only smiled warmly at her and patted her shoulder.

  Patrick cleared his throat and nodded toward Raymond still at his post by the back door. “The four of them haven’t moved since the presentation started. Almost as if they are the guards. I’m not sure what to make of it, unless that’s what they want someone to think, but who?”

  At that moment Adele walked over to Raymond at his post and he nodded, put his hand to his ear. Did he have an earpiece? Glenna glanced up at Patrick his gaze fixed on the pair, a frown on his face.

  When Adele nodded and turned to return to the painting with Raymond on her heals, Glenna felt a moment of dread.

  “Stay here.” Patrick didn’t wait for an answer.

  “What’s that all about?” Patrick’s mother wanted to know.

  “I’m not sure, but it can’t be good.”

  Patrick followed the two and once they were at the painting, not wanting them to know he followed he stopped by the first person he saw.

  “Enjoying the showing?” He asked the older woman, who had jewels dripping from ears, throat, to wrists. Patrick was pretty sure the dollar amount would be more than the value of his home.

  She had been intent on her brochure and started as she looked at him. After a brief pause she smiled. “Why yes, young man. It’s just what our community needed now that the valley is rebuilding after the fires.”

  Young man? How old was she? Patrick wasn’t that young. Still it was nice to hear. Smiling down at the woman. He tried to engage her in light chatter while trying to listen to Raymond and Adele.

  From what he could hear Adele did indeed think Raymond was security. She was currently giving him instructions on the transport scheduled to take place the following morning with a member from the Berlin consulate. She informed the man she would be meeting the gentleman at the shop at nine.

  Patrick noticed that Raymond did not correct her assumption that he would be in attendance for the meeting. Patrick wondered what the man planned. Was he going to pretend to be the security transport? With all the real security that would be in attendance, that wasn’t going to happen. He searched the crowd and saw the other three men, still standing on the perimeter.

  The only action Patrick could do at the moment was to wait and watch. His least favorite part of his job.

  *****

  Patrick smiled. Glenna just plopped down on one of the vacated chairs across the room. She took off her impossibly high heels, and he heard her sigh from where he stood. How she’d managed to walk on the damn things was a secret of womanhood he’d probably never understand. They looked damn good on her though, so he wouldn’t complain if she insisted she wear them.

  Effie sat next to Gl
enna chattering away, giving him time to make sure the place was void of any lingering patrons. He wouldn’t put it past the men to find a hiding place and wait the night through.

  If that was their plan or whatever plan they had for the exchange they would have a surprise. He would check the basement, though they hadn’t found it the night they’d broken in, that didn’t mean Danny hadn’t informed them in more detail where to locate the door. No one was clear how involved he was with them. From what the New York authorities had found, he’d just chatted with them one time.

  “Agent McGinnis, we’ve swept the entire place. No one hiding any nooks or crannies.” Agent Southerland smiled. At least she’d worn sensible shoes. “We’re going to head home, if they’re watching, they’ll expect everyone to be gone soon. Are you sure you don’t want one of us taking Ms. Schröder back to her hotel?”

  “No that’s fine. And thank you for taking one of your Sunday’s to help me out.”

  “No problem, I’d actually planned to attend when I heard about it in the paper. These kinds of jobs are hardly something to complain about. After all, it would have looked strange if I hadn’t tried all the delicious foods. The only bummer, I had to pretend I don’t drink.”

  Patrick chuckled. “If you’re riding with one of the others, you could always enjoy a glass of wine before you leave.”

  “Tempting though that may be, Agent Caines is waiting for me. But thank you.”

  “See you next week in the office.”

  She tossed him a grin as she left. He walked over and secured the door, then went to where Glenna and Effie chatted with Adele.

  “Are you ladies ready to go? I believe we’ll leave this mess for in the morning, when we’re doing the ‘exchange’.”

  Glenna grimaced. “I don’t know, I’ll dream about the mess all night.”

  “You can do this Glenna. You won’t see it once you walk out the door. It’s not going anywhere. You look like you didn’t sleep last night.” Effie raised a brow waiting for her to argue.

  “Effie, don’t let her move. I’m going to check our secret.”

  “Secret?” Adele stood. “I need to see this.”

  Adele followed Patrick through the showroom to the back store room. He heard her give a small gasp of surprise when he went to the closet to reveal the hidden door.

  “A cellar built during the prohibition period.”

  “Oh, I’ve read about things like the prohibition, in the 1920’s and early 30’s, right?”

  “That is correct, I’ll just be a minute.”

  “I’m not waiting. I want to see this.”

  She was right on his heels, he just hoped the men weren’t waiting. He reached behind him and pulled his Glock from his waist band.

  “Are you expecting trouble? No one knows this is down here.”

  “The guys after the painting know it’s down here but haven’t found the passage.” He paused and lowered his voice before he started down the stairs. “That we know of, they may have been snooping today.”

  “And intend to wait the night in the basement, safe and undetected.” He heard a hint of excitement in her voice.

  She wouldn’t be so intrigued if they were lying in wait.

  “Hang on until I give you the go ahead.”

  She nodded, but he barely saw her. The only light filtered from the storeroom above. Gun in both hands, arms stretched ahead leading his way into the room. Standing in one place he swept his arms in a semi-circle making sure the room was empty. Still not satisfied he reached to pull the string. Bright light flooded the room to reveal boxes of all shapes and sizes filled with Glenna’s treasures. He wondered how many more rare art pieces she had she might not be aware of, he hoped none.

  He turned to give Adele the go ahead and she was already at the bottom of the stairs. At least she’d been quiet. He didn’t say anything just gave her a look.

  “When you turned the light on, I could see no one was here.”

  “They could have been hiding.”

  Of course, the room empty of hiding places didn’t lend any credence to his warning. He shrugged and went to investigate beneath the stairs, though he could see through the frame work no one was there. He wanted to reassure himself he didn’t leave a square inch unsearched.

  “What are in all these?”

  Adele was bending over a box full of who knew what. Getting dust all over her slacks, he didn’t think she cared. If he didn’t steer her away from the box and back to Glenna and Effie, they may be down here for hours.

  “We better get you back to the hotel. We don’t want those watching to think anything is up.”

  Disappointment shown in her eyes as she straightened. “You’re right. I left my bag in the showroom.”

  He waited until she was almost up the stairs before he pulled the string to turn the lone bulb off then he followed. He locked the door and pulled the items in front giving it an ordinary closet appearance.

  Adela returned to the store room with Glenna and Effie in her wake. She looked around at the room.

  “At least there are no windows in here.”

  “We’re hoping they believe the story about the exchange in the morning. They won’t think anything of your briefcase after all you brought it to the showing.”

  Glenna had placed the easel and painting in the storeroom as soon as the last patrons had left. He knew she hadn’t wanted to wait until this moment in case they were watching.

  “I am still curious as to why they would believe that we would have to exchange this painting with the consulate when I’m the country’s art expert? It is not unheard of for me to reach out to patrons who have art that one or our museums would like to display.”

  “Glenna made a big deal when we were at the Gala…”

  “I’m sorry I missed that, I do try to attend. Sorry for interrupting.”

  “It was an event.” Though he was thinking of Finn’s near escape. “We tried to lay the ground work for everyone to think Berlin would send an ambassador to retrieve it, and that having you as a guest for the showing was just that, you’re our guest and have nothing to do with the exchange.”

  “That sounds plausible, and as I am the expert of course I’d want to be in attendance to make sure the person picking it up for the consulate knew how to handle it.” She set her case on the table to open it revealing packing for the painting. “I did tell anyone who brought the subject up tomorrow’s the plan. I’m not sure I talked to any of your thieves though.”

  Together Glenna and Patrick answered. “You did.”

  Glenna gave him a grin and though it was hardly the time or the place, desire ripped over him. He swallowed and glanced away he clamped his jaw tight, then he caught Effie’s knowing grin. Damn. How embarrassing.

  “Let’s get going, or they’re going to think something is up,” Effie said breaking through the tension. Although, Patrick was fairly sure he was the only one who felt it.

  The painting was safe in Adele’s case. Glenna and Effie on one side of her, and Patrick on the other, they walked to the car. Keeping up the chatter about Berlin, and anything else they could think of, as they didn’t know where the men were watching. And they were watching. Patrick could feel the back of his neck prickle. A sure sign.

  He opened the door for Adele, then the other two women. Once he settled into the driver’s seat he called the station on his handless phone to let them know they were on the move. Other agents were also in place. He hoped.

  He didn’t think the men would confront them in front of the shop. He wasn’t too sure about the route to the hotel. Adele was correct to worry about whether they’d bought the story. There was no reason Adele couldn’t transport the treasure. Though with the value of the painting, they had sent a man with her. He had been at the showing, but left shortly after so as not to draw attention. He was waiting at the hotel and would take over security as soon as they dropped her off. The scene in the showroom the day he’d met Glenna passed through his mind and
he shivered. He didn’t want another death over a painting. Senseless. Murder usually was.

  *****

  “And there they go.”

  Raymond drummed his fingers on the steering wheel as they watched from their post across from the shop down the side street. A perfect view of the activities.

  “They’re going to drop her off to her bodyguard at the hotel. What’s our next move?” Jason twisted in his seat to include Monroe in the back.

  “They think we are going to try to either take the Madonna tonight or in the morning during transport.” Monroe leaned forward.

  Raymond met his eyes in the mirror. “You don’t think they’ve left it in the shop.”

  “No. I don’t think there’s a consulate meeting either.”

  “Why would they need one?” Jason asked. “I know the painting is priceless but this Adele Shruder, or whatever her name is, came to lecture, so why not just have her bring it back with her to Berlin.”

  “Why would she have a guard with her if she came to the states to lecture?” Raymond asked.

  Monroe moved his hand from the back of the Raymond’s seat and settled back into his former position. He slouched against the door, legs along the bench seat. “I believe they think they’re pulling the wool over our eyes.”

  Raymond grinned in the review mirror at his friend. He turned and finally removed a hand from the wheel to fist bump Jason in the shoulder.

  “Ow.”

  “Oh baby, I barely touched you.”

  “Yeah right.”

  “Guys. Focus.” Monroe didn’t so much as move with the command. “The way that agent boyfriend of Glenna’s keeps watching us, I have a feeling they suspect.”

  “No, I don’t think so. Glenna and her law enforcement bodyguard were definitely preoccupied with each other at the Gala.” He chuckled.

  “Does anyone know about our hobby?” Worry threaded through Jason’s words. “I thought we agreed no one know but the four of us? Yet somehow we let our guard down to ask that guy questions about the area.”