Page 107 of Over Her Dead Body

The bandages surprised him.

My recognition does not.

CHAPTER 41

EMMA

The handler waits beside the uncovered painting. Marta is watching me. Reid is watching me watch her.

“I need to check a few records,” I say.

“Of course.”

I take out my phone and open the house’s database. My laptop is somewhere with my suitcase. Neither appears likely to become available in the next few minutes.

Her assistant looks up from his tablet. “What records?”

“Our most recent valuation. Any change in ownership.”

Marta folds her hands in front of her. “Is there a concern?”

“I just need to check a few things.”

“Does this affect the assessment?”

“Not necessarily.”

Marta shifts her weight. Her assistant lowers his tablet. I have spent enough years in rooms like this to recognize when someone wants an answer before I have one.

I enter the collector’s name. His file opens, but the document titles run beyond the edge of the screen. I turn the phone sideways.

“Would you like us to pause while you check?”

“Just for a few minutes, thank you.”

I open a valuation. The painting isn’t listed. There are several more documents, none helpfully named.

On my laptop, this would take seconds. On my phone, it looks like I have no idea what I’m doing.

“May I see the acquisition records for the painting?” I ask.

Marta nods. “I can have them brought over.”

“Thank you.”

“Before anyone contacts the family, I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with them first.”

“Of course.”

“Discretion was part of the engagement.”

“Understood. I’m only checking our internal records.”

Marta’s gaze shifts to the door.

The assistant makes another note on his tablet.

I keep my expression pleasant. So does Marta. Neither of us appears to be finding it especially helpful.