Page 81 of Taken As Collateral

Alessandro stares hard at me. He wants me to go along with him. Why is Alessandro lying? I assume he’s trying to pass off this fake painting because he still doesn’t have the real one.

“I know a Matthew,” I say, because it’s true that there was a Matthew whom Peter and I knew from school years ago. Part of me wants to tell Rafe the truth, but if this isn’t the real Morelli, I don’t get my freedom. And I might end up dead.

“The guy had no clue what Peter gave him,” Alessandro continues. “He seemed flaky and was high on weed when I met up with him.”

Rafe asks me, “That sound like the Matthew you know?”

I swallow with difficulty. The Matthew I knew was an academic overachiever and most likely attending MIT or Stanford on a full scholarship at the moment.

“Yeah,” I muster while I keep my gaze on the Morelli. If I look into Rafe’s eyes, he’ll know I’m lying.

“The painting looks like it’s in good shape,” Rafe comments.

“Whoever had it took good care of it. Kept it away from sunlight and heat. Probably in an environment controlled for optimum humidity.”

“I could have the paint chips analyzed, though there’s no guarantee it will prove the painting’s authenticity.” Rafe looks at Alessandro. “You wouldn’t be stupid enough to try and give me a fake, would you?”

Alessandro looks surprised. “Hell no.”

Rafe turns to me again. “What do you think, Priscilla? This the real Morelli?”

My heart beats painfully in my chest. I pretend to study the painting as I consider what to do. If I tell Rafe the truth, is Alessandro a dead man? What will happen to me? Will I still be dead? And what about Peter? What if this is my only chance to get out of here?

“Of course it’s the real Morelli,” Alessandro cuts in. “Right, Priscilla?”

“Did you talk to Peter?” I ask him as I pretend to study the artwork more closely.

“Couldn’t get a hold of him. He’s probably having too good a time.”

Peter wouldn’t ghost me. Something’s wrong. I’m more and more convinced that something happened to Peter. I need to find out what. If I can get out, I can find Peter and track down where the real Morelli is.

Alessandro address Rafe. “I tell you what: since we’re late getting the Morelli to you, I’ll cut you a deal. Give you back ten percent.”

Rafe returns an amused smile. “You thinkyou’rein a position to cutmea deal?”

Alessandro frowns. “You screw me, word’ll get around. Maybe to the cops, even.”

“You think I’m worried about the police?”

“Look, you get the Morelli, I get paid, it’s all good. No one’s gotta worry about anything.”

Rafe looks back at me, then the painting. “Well, Priscilla? What do you think?”

Staring at the painting, I steady myself. I’ve got to be convincing. I dare to look into Rafe’s eyes before answering, “It’s the Morelli.”

Alessandro seems to sigh with relief and says to Rafe, “You want me to put her back in the tube or you want to take it as is? I got extra gloves.”

He fishes a crumpled pair of disposable gloves from his jacket pocket and holds it out to Rafe. Rafe walks over to Alessandro and takes the gloves. But he doesn’t put them on. Instead, he studies Alessandro.

“What’s the matter?” Alessandro asks.

Rafe delivers a hook right into Alessandro’s mouth.

“Fuck!” Alessandro curses as he covers his bloody lip.

Rafe shakes his head. “You are stupid enough.”

He kicks Alessandro in the stomach, sending him to the floor.

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