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Five minutes later, Detective Hartley and Sylvie walked into the gallery together. Her blonde hair had been pulled up into a unique style that allowed tendrils of hair to fall against her cheeks. The black evening gown that she’d purchased in town complemented her petite frame, and the matching heels gave her an additional three inches in height. It didn’t surprise Brook that Sylvie had set her sights on Michael, who was still mere feet away.
“I’ve never seen such a stunning shade of red before.”
“I don’t believe that for a moment,” Brook replied without hesitation. She’d noticed Lauren and Maxwell go their separate ways after the man with the oversized tuxedo had entered the gallery. “Ms. Kim, congratulations on your art exhibit.”
“Thank you. You’re the infamous Brooklyn Sloane,” Lauren said in such a way that Brook was confident it was meant to throw her off balance. The woman had picked a champagne glass off one of the trays, and she made no move to shake hands. “The entire town has been abuzz about you ever since Lorelei Jameson hired your firm. No one here would ever say that openly, of course.”
“I find your honesty rather refreshing, Ms. Kim.”
“Lauren is fine. And I must say, you and your colleagues are good for business.”
“I think your talent speaks for itself, though it is very…”
“Dark? Ominous? Haunting? Deranged? Sick?” Lauren shrugged, as if to say that she couldn’t care less what people thought about her artwork. “Take your pick. I’ve heard it all.”
“Thought-provoking.”
“Maxwell Vanderbilt might be scum, but I doubt that he murdered Bella Kadel.”
“And why would you think that we believe Mr. Vanderbilt is capable of murder?” Brook asked, deciding to push past the line of etiquette. After all, Lauren had already done so the moment that she’d crassly yet subtlety brought up Brook’s past. “After all, you put yourself at the top of our list the moment you lied about your relationship with Piper Zimmer.”
Brook could understand Theo’s focus on the artist, because it was obvious that she hadn’t been prepared to be called out for her previous lie. Her features seemed frozen in place until she was able to lift her lips in a tight smile.
“Now I know why your colleague asked about my private life.” Lauren smiled, though the lines around her lips were strained with disgust. “As if I would hire someone else to do my dirty work.”
“Do I believe that the reason you lied to Mr. Neville about your business relationship with Ms. Zimmer was due to you not wanting Martin Kingston to know of your interest in the property where you currently reside? Yes,” Brook answered honestly, though she fully believed that Lauren Kimwascapable of murder. The artist would continue to remain on the suspect list until solid evidence was discovered to cross out her name. “It’s always much easier to win when the other party doesn’t even know there’s an opponent.”
Lauren Kim had been holding secret meetings with Piper Zimmer regarding the property. Bit had discovered two things of interest. One, Lauren had been preapproved for a very large loan recently. Two, Piper Zimmer had made a ten-thousand-dollar deposit to her checking account. Were the two incidents connected?
There was no denying that Lauren would be sitting a lot prettier after this evening’s exhibit. Only she hadn’t wanted Martin Kingston to know that she had been about to submit an offer above his bid at the last moment. Had she paid Piper Zimmer to be quiet about the offer?
“Touché, Ms. Sloane.” Lauren cleared her throat as Sophia suddenly made an appearance by her side. “Yes, Sophia?”
“Mr. and Mrs. Garnier seem very interested in tonight’s centerpiece.”
“If you’ll excuse me,” Lauren stated after clearing her throat. She’d regained her footing, and the narrowing of her eyes told of her indignation. “Enjoy your evening, Ms. Sloane.”
Sophia cast a quick glance toward Brook, but she ended up following closely behind Lauren to where an older couple was carrying on a conversation with Maxwell Vanderbilt. It was in that moment that Brook caught sight of Adeline Murphy. She must have been behind one of the large dividers upon Brook’s entrance. Bit hadn’t mentioned the woman’s arrival, which meant that she’d either arrived earlier than the start of the event or she had somehow entered through a back entrance.
Considering that Bit had parked the van across the street an hour before the doors opened, it was a safe bet to assume someone had permitted Adeline Murphy to enter through a backdoor.
“Sophia is now wishing that she’d never said a word about Bella Kadel’s conversation with Lauren Kim,” Theo murmured as he came to stand next to her. “It appears that Maxwell Vanderbilt’s change of heart about the exhibit stems from needing an injection of cash into the art gallery.”
“Not surprising,” Brook replied quietly. Bit had received a warrant to access the gallery’s finances earlier today, and the small business was stretched thin. “The male subject with Michael Davis…is that Spencer Bullard?”
Theo turned his attention to where the two men still stood near the front of the gallery.
“I do believe you’re right,” Theo said in contemplation. “Bullard cleans up nice. He shaved his beard, and he cut his hair.”
“Bullard hasn’t taken his attention off Lauren Kim since he walked into the gallery. I think—”
“Incoming.”
The announcement came from Brook’s earpiece. Theo and Sylvie had been able to hear Bit’s warning, as well. As usual, none of them had a reaction that could be seen by those nearby. Bit had spent a lot of time, care, and money to ensure that S&E Investigations had been properly outfitted with the most up-to-date surveillance equipment.
Having spent hours going over how to best utilize such an event, the most essential would be the reactions to Lorelei and Robert Jameson’s entrance. No one expected them to make an appearance at the very place that her younger sister had worked, let alone to be in attendance with the very detective who had made an inappropriate advance.
Interestingly enough, the only individual who didn’t turn her attention to the couple was Adeline Murphy. She appeared to be too engrossed in a smaller canvas, and she’d even lifted her hand and delicately traced the brushed strokes mere inches from the dried paint. It was as if she were seeking answers from within the disturbing creation.
