Page 59 of Deadly Charade

Bryce smirked. “My employer is spending a lot of money to get what he wants. I think we’re good.”

“Suit yourself.” Theo kicked off the wall and walked away. Then paused and turned back to Bryce. “But I have something you want. Something way more valuable than a stupid rabbit statue.”

Bryce folded his arms. “Yeah? What’s that?”

“Those journals you took from that old man in Sawyer’s Peak. I don’t know how you knew about them, but I know who took them from you.”

15

SOPHIA LOVED TO SHOW OFF, and Kira wasn’t surprised the woman had jumped at the chance to showcase the pieces in the illicit auction. She had taken her to the women’s restroom and straight to a high-back couch. She slid the couch to the left, revealing a keypad.

“I knew that was a secret code on the invitation,” Kira whispered.

The woman’s smile widened. “Our husbands both have employers who will spare no expense on the finer things. But I’m not supposed to let you in here, so just keep quiet.”

A hidden panel popped open when Kira entered the numbers she had memorized from the invitation. She stepped into what looked like a long supply closet, but at one end a set of stairs descended into darkness below.

“The men’s room also has a door so as not to draw much attention,” Sophia said.

Kira considered a thousand different scenarios that could happen and almost all of them involved her death. But she nodded and headed down the stairs, praying Bryce would figure out where she was—or that Alex would bring him. The last step opened up into a room that looked like an old wine cellar.

At least she wasn’t claustrophobic. The rectangular space had several chairs lined up on one side. The opposite side contained display cases with pieces behind locked glass panels.

Three items.

Sophia’s voice whispered behind Kira, as if the narrator of a documentary. “We have an original Degas lost during World War II. But our curator tracked it down.”

Our curator? Confirmation Sophia and Alex were in on the smuggling ring.

And that they bought Kira and Bryce’s cover.

“The next is a Rembrandt, also stolen during the war. Now here, ready to be added to someone’s private collection.”

Kira stared at the painting behind the glass panel secured to the wall.

Then she moved to Zaika. The statue rested in the same glass box as the first day she’d laid eyes on it. With the same security lock on the outside that flashed a red light every fifteen seconds. She’d counted.

Sophia slid next to Kira. “Don’t get your hopes up on this one. Alex and I will be bidding for this.”

“Really? Why the interest?”

Sophia gave her a dismissive wave. “Let’s just say we have a personal interest in this piece. And that gallery owner has had this piece locked up tighter than a Russian prison. This is the closest I’ve been able to get to the statue. But enough about that.” Sophia waved her hand in front of her face for dramatic effect. “Are you ever going to tell me more about Brian’s employer? Maybe next time, we can do business on a direct basis. The gallery owner collects pieces like these, and Alex helps with the financial arrangements. But Alex can help broker private deals.”

Everly had given Bryce’s employer a fake profile, but Kira wanted to string Sophia along a little bit longer. “If all goes well tonight, I’ll facilitate an introduction.”

Kira acted like she had the power in her relationship with Bryce, and admiration showed on Sophia’s face. The woman fingered her gold necklace that hung over her low-cut dress. “Perfect. Alex and I are always looking for new clients. But it’s almost time for the real auction, and I’m sure your husband’s employer might like some of those items as well.”

Of course, purchasing the real items and creating a transaction would mask any black-market purchases. If anyone questioned transfers of money to the auction house, someone could point to the real art purchases.

Kira followed Sophia up the stairs and back into the ladies’ room. Upon exit, Kira nearly bumped into Bryce talking with . . . Theo?

Sophia disappeared down the hallway.

“Oh no. Were you waiting for me long?” she said to Bryce while slipping her arm around his waist.

He shot her a look that communicated desperation—and relief. “There you are. I was beginning to think I was going to have to come find you.”

“All is well. Theo, would you excuse us? I don’t want to miss the beginning of the auction since there are a few pieces I will be bidding on.”