Net of Lies (18 page)

It didn’t get any easier once they were invited to her salon
. Only her last minute reflexes stopped her from walking over to the paintings hanging on the south wall that she had just admired hours before. Her eye went directly to Picasso’s black-and-white sketches and an early blue-and-white study that he must have done in his junior years. The rare treasures were displayed in a room full of eclectic pieces that guarded its most precious secrets very well. Pictures hung everywhere, along with flowers, mirrors, and odd curiosities that Rosa had collected over the years. Combined with her art-nouveau furniture and a large and imposing Persian rug, it was just colorful and interesting enough to confuse anyone who didn’t already know where to look—which she remembered just in time to put a clueless look on her face as she waited for Rosa to direct them.

Josh
did all the talking. Kate was starting to get the impression that he was the sort of man who believed women shouldn’t be heard much at all. It was infuriating and liberating at the same time, because she was realistic enough to understand that she might have failed if faced with carrying the conversation. On the way there, in the cab, he had calmly reminded her repeatedly to follow his lead. She had turned into a bundle of nerves since he’d met her that morning, with only the slightest of smudges under his eyes giving away that he had probably spent most of his night playing poker. She guessed that he was on a winning streak, as well, judging by his smug smile as he asked about her early night.

For one insane second
, Kate had wondered what he would say if she’d answered honestly that she’d had crazy sex with their client. She was tempted, if only to see his self-composure crumble for a second or so. Of course, she hadn’t said anything even remotely scandalous, shrugging her shoulders with a blasé expression instead. The fact that she had spent a good half an hour in front of the bathroom mirror, desperately trying to conceal the tell-tale shadows under her eyes, would remain her secret forever. She’d employed all of her skills to emerge from the suite with a fresh face, and her make-up was her armor. She’d brushed her long glossy hair and collected it in a low bun at the base of her neck. Her sleeveless black sheath dress and black pumps would have looked too somber if she hadn’t paired them with a simple string of pink pearls that brightened her complexion and added light to her eyes. She must have done a good job, because there was nothing alarming in Josh’s expression when he fetched her that morning. He had just nodded approvingly. As he walked her to the elevator, the heels of her pumps drowned in the deep carpet that hushed any noise.

She was grateful for the assignment that kept her occupied during their drive to Rosa’s villa.
As stressful and nerve-racking as it might be, at least it didn’t leave her time for other divagations that could pull her back into her black hole of despair that threatened to swallow her each and every time she let her guard down for even a second. She knew she would soon be sitting in the same room where only a few hours before, Raoul had been folded into his aunt’s sofa. She didn’t even need to close her eyes to see him there again, and the warmth of his skin as they were seated so close was almost palpable. The thought of his powerful thighs as they grazed hers conjured other, much more intimate pictures in her brain.

I have
to shake this obsession,
she thought unhappily. If anything, their unexpected and explosive lovemaking had made it only more obvious how far apart they had really grown. While she had kept his image in her heart and dreamt about him long after their split, the man who had taken her in the alley with such lack of ceremony hadn’t wasted any time in forgetting their unfortunate affair. He had been icy and polite when he’d dropped her off at her hotel room door, ignoring her halfhearted protests that she was perfectly able to reach it on her own.

A
tiny, deeply embarrassed, and insecure part of her had hoped against all hope that he would make good on his threat to talk about what had happened. She would have protested, of course. But… if he had cared the tiniest bit, he would have persisted, and they would have been together, even if only for a little while. She craved those few precious moments, because it would make the evening so much more than just a quick coupling in the dark, reducing it to the most primitive contact between a man and a woman. It would assure her that, even though he didn’t love her anymore, she was still more than just a body to be taken in the throes of passion. It would make her feel like someone he had respected and cared for. She needed him to persuade her that what had happened was indeed special and that he knew it too…

Instead
, he had nodded curtly as she opened the door. He had turned to walk away even before she had stepped into her dark room. Closing the door, she leaned against its cool surface, her whole body shaking as if she had just suffered from a physical shock. The dull pain that had started in her heart worked its way into her temples, turning to a throbbing migraine.

She was suddenly
aware of Josh’s slight annoyance as she stared into space, so she forced herself to stop thinking about Raoul. Her role of the sweet and helpful assistant required more effort than she was putting into it. He laughed at something Rosa had said, and Kate nodded, as well, the muscles of her face stretching reluctantly into a grimace that she hoped would pass as an amused smile.

‘It is wonderful to see such nice
artwork, señora.’ Just the tiniest hint of derisiveness colored Josh’s voice as he stepped closer and inspected the framed pictures. Fascinated, she watched him squint as he let his gaze travel all over the canvas, the beginning of a furrow building between his brows.

‘Too bad
, though…’ He sighed, shaking his head in regret as he stepped back, smiling apologetically. ‘There are a few issues with them. I can tell you that much.’

‘
Issues? What kind of issues?’ Kate thought she was an excellent actress and deserved an Oscar, nothing less. She imagined her face was as expressive as a painting, a whole myriad of emotions ranging from disbelief to worry coming and going through her features as she looked at the man at her side.

The old woman shook her head.
‘I’ve been told they were originals, Mr. Lastman.’ She pointed to one of the black-and-white ink sketches and repeated, the way old people often do, ‘I was told they were originals…’

‘
And they certainly are, señora.’ Cordial and compassionate, Josh smiled at her with a reassuring smile that sent Kate’s blood boiling as she imagined how many people must have been fooled by his false trustworthiness. ‘The problem is not the authenticity, not at all…’

He
was reeling Rosa in, Kate realized, reluctantly admiring his patient skill. It was important not to alienate her, always offering a bite that sweetened any unpleasant fabricated truth he was trying to sell.

‘
It’s the condition. You must see it.’ He looked closer again and sighed, this time deeper and more gravely. ‘They have some flaws that will definitely impact their value on the market, I’m afraid. Art collectors today are extremely picky, paying attention to every single detail. God knows, I wish it wasn’t like that.’ His halfhearted laugh didn’t really reach his eyes as he watched Rosa, eager to read her reaction. When she remained mute, he continued, visibly encouraged with the progress he was making.

‘
There are some smudges and scratches in many places. I can see them without any magnifying glass, which isn’t good at all. Also, as much as it pains me, I have to tell you that this type of art isn’t really the one in highest demand, señora. Black-and-white drawings and the blue phase of Picasso’s oils aren’t exactly the hit of the season, if you understand me.’

Like
heck they aren’t!
Kate had to curb her need to yell at him. What an awful liar he really was. She was quite certain that had the painting been a different color, he would have simply told her that color was less desirable. She reached into her purse and checked the tiny tape recorder that was capturing the whole conversation, making sure that the play button was still in the right active position. She and Raoul had tested when they’d visited Rosa the night before, and it had worked excellently. She was still not fully convinced what they were doing was perfectly legal. Raoul had patiently explained to her that all he wanted was to get enough proof to confront Marc and threaten to leak the information to the press. He would never be able to use it in court, should anyone decide to sue the Stevenson’s Gallery. Yet, knowing Marc, threatening him with public disgrace and losing his clients would be enough to put an end to his schemes once and for all. And that would have to be enough, as much as he yearned to punish him for all of his wrongdoings.

So far
, Josh was providing her with plenty of material to prove what kinds of brainwashing tactics he used to reduce the price of valuable pieces he was supposed to professionally assess. She listened in disbelief as he explained to Rosa all the reasons the pieces she owned were worth only a fraction of the conservative estimate she had received from another source. He lied with a straight face, peppering the conversation with his little jokes and personal remarks that were supposed to make him more approachable.

Soon he
’ll be telling her what gifts he planned on buying his kids for Christmas,
Kate thought resentfully. Never in her life had she witnessed such cruel and manipulative talent, and her trust in her ability to read people was seriously shaken. She knew very well that if she’d met Josh under different circumstances, she would have trusted him. His smile and earnest honesty would charm her, making her a fool once more.

She was glad
she didn’t have to do much, except be present and nod at intervals. As he got down to numbers, hiding her shock was hard enough because the prices he offered were an affront to anyone who had a clue about the value of the art in the contemporary market. But she managed to smile pleasantly at Rosa, who was visibly enjoying her staged ordeal. Kate had a strong suspicion that she was actually having fun. Her dark eyes, which were so much like Raoul’s, sparkled with verve as she played along.

The meeting ended after an hour
of Josh’s velvety voice dominating the conversation, weaving its way around the two women. Rosa asked him for some time to make her decision, which disappointed him so much that he didn’t even bother to hide it. He looked personally offended, and his hurt expression almost made Kate burst out laughing. But obviously, it must have worked with his previous victims because he played it out smoothly, trying to change her mind for another quarter of an hour after Rosa had declined his offer.

Gradually, as it became obvious that
his persistence wouldn’t do him any good, his demeanor changed and his congeniality and warmth disappeared as he lost his patience.
Or is it all an act that is supposed to intimidate the old lady?
Kate wondered. His overt hints that keeping her art in her house as she did wasn’t safe, with so many robbers and break-ins happening all the time, seemed to have an effect, because Rosa looked sufficiently scared to make him take a slightly more mellow approach as he continued.

Like
a benevolent teacher, he explained to her the benefits of cashing in on these few imperfect pieces as opposed to having them at her villa, practically begging to be stolen—especially since his benevolent boss happened to be a true art lover who was willing to pay a bit more to keep her happy.

A moment more
, and he’ll tell her he’s doing her a favor just out of his love for her.
Kate’s stomach churned with acid.

‘This is
a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity right here, and you would be a fool not to grab it,’ he argued eloquently, his brown eyes warm and insistent. ‘I’m ready to call Mr. Stevenson right now and discuss all the details, if you’re ready to close the deal,’ he said, his eyebrows raised questioningly. He was a brilliant actor, adding urgency to his voice and posture. Nothing was more intimidating than putting a person in front of a choice, especially after a full hour of tireless preaching about the benefits of making the right one.

Rosa prevailed. As helpless as she appeared, she managed to convince him to come back in the afternoon, her smile and gentle manner leaving him with no
other option but to agree.

The
door had barely closed behind them before he swore succinctly, surprising her with his sudden mood change. Until then, she hadn’t even thought he’d known those kinds of words, let alone how to use them.

‘
That old hag. She thinks she is the smart one…’ Biting his lips until they formed a thin, ugly line, he walked to their car. His fast steps forced her to hurry along.

‘I will bet my last shirt she
’s calling around and asking for a second opinion,’ he hissed, opening the door and glancing at her with a resentful expression. ‘And to be honest, Kate, you haven’t been really useful at all. Standing there like a statue, barely opening your mouth at all. I don’t think that was the kind of help Marc had in mind when he sent you with me, now did he? I wonder how he will react when I report to him what happened.’

She was very
tempted to tell him right there and then that he was absolutely wrong, just to wipe that arrogant smirk off his face. She had been useful—more so than he knew, and he would find that out for himself soon enough. But that wasn’t the right time, as tempting as it was. So she swallowed her pride, nodding curtly and playing a hurt person.