Page 46 of Deadly Charade

“What do you think this means?”

“I think this is our real ticket,” Bryce said. “I’ve heard of secret auctions that take place during a legitimate auction, but they have a back room where they sell the stolen artwork. People who are into that kind of thing would know about the hidden ticket.” He snapped his fingers. “I should have realized . . .” He shook his head. “Well, whatever. We have it now.”

“So, this was a test.”

“Probably.” Bryce stood and walked to the refrigerator. He grabbed two bottles of water, then stilled. “What if that eight means the eighth item up for bid on the public bidding list is the signal—that’s when a private sale starts somewhere else? Maybe in the basement or another room close by.”

“Wow, you got all that from a string of numbers? I’m impressed.”

A ding sounded from Bryce’s laptop. “Boss wants a video chat.” He sat back down and scooched his chair closer to hers. Normally, she loved her personal space. But with him—she didn’t mind. He was close enough for her to catch a whiff of his aftershave. A light woodsy scent.

She ran a hand through her hair as if to displace her wayward thoughts. “At least we have good news for once. Maybe that will offset us destroying a car.”

Bryce waved a finger at her. “Technically, not our fault.”

“Yeah, well, I’m telling him you picked the most expensive car from the impound lot. That sporty thing was all you.”

The laptop chimed again, and Bryce flipped it open. SSA Turner’s face filled the screen—stern, tight with stress, and edged with anger. Then again, he always seemed to look that way. “Glad to see both of my agents are alive and well.”

Kira filled him in on their latest findings and the discovery of the secret invitation.

Turner let out a breath. “I have half a mind to pull the plug on this operation. Ivan Sokolov is a wild card. We know he works for the FSB. The Russians assured us that if we helped them, they’d help us, without actually telling us what they’re up to. However, doesn’t mean we should trust the man.”

Kira tapped her foot. The last thing she wanted was to be dismissed from her first case as a field agent. She had to see this through, close this case, and prove her worth to the Bureau.

“He did save our lives,” Kira said. “I agree, he might be playing both sides. However, it doesn’t appear that he’s told the Dominiks who we really are. He’s kept our cover secret.”

Turner nodded. “I’m inclined to see this play out and let you stay in. Especially now that you might have an invitation to a secret auction. I think we need to get our hands on that statue.”

Kira had wanted to do that from day one. “We could steal it from the auction.”

“Not what I had in mind, Kira. However, you and Bryce are supposed to be high-rolling art buyers. What if you just make sure you have the highest bid?”

Kira’s pulse thumped. “The price tag could jump into the millions if everyone wants it.”

Her boss stared at her through the screen. “It’s an illegal auction. They won’t see a dime of our money once we raid the place, now that we know what’s going down behind the scenes. Think you two can handle it without getting abducted, run off the road, or shot at?”

“We’ll do our best, sir.” Bryce went to say something else, but Turner had already disconnected.

“We’re really going to do this,” Kira said.

“It appears that way.” Bryce leaned in closer to grab his drink off the counter, and his arm brushed hers.

She jumped to her feet, and to cover for her overreaction, she smacked her head. “I forgot to call Everly back. She has news and I rushed off the phone to rescue you from Sophia’s evil clutches.”

“Evil clutches?” Bryce laughed. “I think I can hold my own against a woman like Sophia. She’s just trying to cause trouble. Probably to feel us out to see if we’re legit buyers.”

“By breaking up a marriage?”

“By trying to gain the upper hand. The woman is all about leverage and power. And I must have done my job by appearing to be rich and successful.”

If that was the case, Kira needed to up her game. After all, she was supposed to gain Sophia’s trust and learn a few of the woman’s secrets.

“Do you think she’s in charge?” Kira cleared the bowls and cups from the countertop and put them in the dishwasher. “Could she be the ringleader of this secret organization out to obtain stolen treasures before anyone else?”

“I’d say it’s possible. I get the sense Alex is taking orders from someone else. Maybe his wife is in charge.”

Kira nodded. “Ivan alluded that Alex is being blackmailed. But let’s move to the living room and we can call Everly.”