I approach slowly, cautiously, like she’s a bird I might lose to the breeze.
“What are you doing here, Maya?”
She jumps, turning her back on the view and finding me with those wide, scared eyes. She clutches the bag tighter.
“Soren?”
“What are you doing here?” I repeat the question.
“I…” She glances down at the bag. “I had to. They made me.”
“Who?”
She shakes her head. “I can’t tell you.”
“Yes, you can.” I reach for her, cupping her cheek. “It was your roommate, right? Satan’s Mistress?” The slightest smile graces her lips. “She made you do this?”
Her eyes dart around the rooftop, and she drops her voice to a terrified whisper. “Katie called me last week. She wanted me to steal the painting for her. I refused. But then she stole everything from me, leaving me with a threat and a forgery she painted to switch with the original. I was going to make the fake look more authentic and give it back to her, regardless of the consequences, I swear. But then you showed up, and I thought I could keep the painting safe from everyone if I switched it. When Liam showed up, I was going to give him the real one, but then things got out of hand and I couldn’t talk to him with the police there…” She brushes a strand of loose hair from her face. “I never wanted to do this.”
“I know, sweetheart.” I don’t fully understand the situation, but I’ve gathered enough information to know she didn’t steal that painting of her own free will. She’s being blackmailed, and there’s nothing I hate more than a hostage situation.
Maya’s eyes fly over my shoulder, and her face drains of color. I risk a glance. There’s a couple getting off the elevator. They don’t appear to be here for the view, but rather a prize, judging by the haughty grins on their faces. I drop my hand and take a step away.
“Pretend you don’t know me.”
I lean my arms against the railing, phone in my hand capturing the scenery, attempting to take in the view, but I see absolutely nothing. I need to figure out how to play this before I give myself and position away.
“I told you she’d come through.” A woman’s nasally voice finds my ear as they stop in front of Maya.
“I owe you twenty bucks.” The man laughs.
“Betting with the money you stole from me? Real mature,” Maya snaps.
The laughter cuts off.
“Is that it?” the girl asks, condescension in her voice. I instantly dislike her.
“Yes,” Maya says, standing firm. “Now do what you promised.”
The woman, who is clearly the ringleader of this dumb-and-dumber duo, snickers. “I can’t do it now.”
“Then maybe I’ll just toss this bag off the building.” Through the phone screen, I see her moving the bag closer to the edge.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Maya,” the man mutters.
“Says the people who stole my identity,” she says the words loud enough to draw attention, though no one will know what to do with that information except me.
I’ve already got a photo of the pair sent to Liam.
“Send the email,” Maya says through gritted teeth.
“Fine,” Katie says with an annoying whine, typing rapidly on her phone before showing the screen to Maya. “There. Happy? You’re off the hook for the missing chess piece. Gosh, you’re dramatic.”
“Me? You stole mywhole life. You took my job, my good name, and every last item I owned, all because you’re a selfish person. You are an incredible artist; you could have had it all if you’d just put in the work yourself, but you’ve never been taught to work. Only to take from others.” Maya’s fighting words ring loud and clear. Perfect for the recording in my hand.
“Excuse me?Youruined my life; you got me demoted. I was humiliated,” Katie hisses.
“All this, because you wereembarrassed?” Maya says. “People make mistakes, Katie. You live and learn from them.”
