“Motherfucking cocksucker.”
I slid into her open door, grinning as I did. “Making new friends, I see.”
With a heavy huff, she blew a fluff of blue hair from her face. If only I had the time she had to alter my hair color every week. “Did Jessie call you?”
“Jessie?”
“My niece, the girl up front.”
“Uh, no, why would she?”
Roxie jerked up, more furious than I’d seen in a long time. “Your paintings were stolen.”
“Is that what happened?” The same creepy-crawly feeling I’d had on and off for weeks was back with a vengeance.
“Yes, I’m so upset and the goddamn insurance company doesn’t see them as tangible inventory. They don’t want to pay me the money to have them replaced, the fucking bastards. They wouldn’t know priceless works of art if they were hit in the ass with them.”
“I don’t know about priceless works of art. What did the police say?”
Her laugh was exactly as before. “Don’t get me started. They dusted. They took my report. The officer laughed. I threatened to punch him. He threatened to drag me to jail. We have a date on Saturday.”
“Wha… what?”
She shrugged. “A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do to get laid. Speaking of which, how is that hunk of a man you hooked up with? I knew the two of you were destined to be lovers the night I saw you together.”
“I hardly think me yelling at him qualifies as the best foreplay.”
“I beg to differ. You are sleeping with him. Right? If you aren’t, then let me stand in line for that fine man.”
“Oh, no. He is so off limits.”
The way she fluffed her hair was so cute. “He couldn’t handle me anyway. I’m sorry about your paintings. I just can’t believe it.”
“Did this person take anything else?”
“Not a thing, other than maybe dog treats.”
“Did anyone try and buy them from you?”
Roxie snorted. “No, and I would have laughed in their faces if they had. Is something wrong?”
“I just came from Betsy’s place. Some guy was a little nutty about purchasing the painting she had on display.”
“That is weird. Tell that man of yours to keep you safe.”
“Yeah.” I thought about how weird it truly was. “Don’t you have a camera in your store?”
“Yes, but someone knew where it was and must have cloaked it. The police wanted the file anyway, although I doubt they will do anything with it.”
“Did you keep a copy?”
“I did.” Her nose wrinkled. “What are you up to?”
“Just checking on a few things. Do you think you can send me that file?”
“Sure thing, sugar. As long as I get an up close and personal greeting from your man tonight.”
“You’re coming?”
