Asking for Trouble Read Online Free PDF Page B

“That D.A. of yours has delusions of grandeur. No need to go poking into something that’s going to blow over any day now.”
    â€œI don’t think a stolen Picasso is something that will blow over, do you, Mr. Baker?” Gage peered around Van Keltin’s girth to the short, rotund man who looked like a young Truman Capote with thick bottle glasses and a pasty complexion.
    â€œMy w-wife was mistaken,” Charles Baker stammered, blinking so fast it was like he was transmitting fake Morse code. “I sold that painting without her knowledge. There was no break-in.” He cleared his throat, tugged at his tie.
    â€œIt’s interesting,” Gage said to Nathan. “You’d think a transaction like that would mean a trail of paperwork, and yet we haven’t found a scrap.” He felt as if he’d found a kindred spirit in Morgan’s brother when Nathan hid his smile behind his glass. Gage returned his attention to Charles Baker. “But I’ll be sure to make a special effort so we can eliminate your case completely. How about you, Mr. Swendon?” Gage addressed the tall, gangly man who looked more Lurch from the Addams Family than a media mogul who’d made billions off the public’s die-hard obsession with the cult of celebrity. “I suppose your wife’s missing jewels were misplaced, which explains your retracted statement?”
    â€œWhile we were traveling, yes,” came the nasal response, even more appropriate given that Lance Swendon was looking down his nose at Gage. “This task force is a waste of time and resources, something I intend to discuss with Mr. Marshall given the first opportunity.”
    â€œMr. Marshall is always open to discussing his plans with his supporters. I find it odd, however, that so many of you are against this investigation. If, as you say, there were no crimes committed against you, then what we investigate hardly matters, and yet here you are.” Gage could imagine the level of panic these men would achieve if they knew the FBI was sniffing around the case. “If you choose not to cooperate, we have all the communication between Nemesis and the press at our disposal.” He made certain his smile stayed in place as he spoke. “Strange world we live in when the criminal responsible is more forthcoming about his crimes than his victims. I bet his records are meticulous.”
    â€œMore like fictitious,” Van Keltin boomed. Clearly he didn’t appreciate Gage taking control of a conversation he’d started. “I’m sorry my wife and I are leaving in the morning for an extended stay in Europe and we won’t be around to watch how you handle this first case.”
    â€œThen I’ll make sure to have the case wrapped up before you return. For the rest of you, my office will be in touch. I’ll be sure to give your regards to Mr. Marshall. I’m certain your enthusiastic response to his investigation will be taken in the spirit it was intended.”
    Nathan chuckled and finished his drink.
    As he returned to find Morgan, Gage wrote the evening off as a success. Before tonight, he and Evan believed Nemesis’ victims simply didn’t want to be involved or were embarrassed with the case. They were wrong.
    Nemesis’ victims were protecting him. The question was, why?
    ***
    â€œI’ve been looking for you all night.”
    Despite the multitude of guests milling about, the muted conversations, the clinking of glass and the rattling of poker chips, the world dropped away and Morgan covered her sister’s hand as Sheila’s arm encircled her shoulders.
    Tears burned in Morgan’s chest, searing, almost paralyzing as she gazed up at Catherine Tremayne’s portrait. Their mother had been elegance personified whether in jeans and polo shirt—no T-shirts for Catherine—or the ruby red one-shoulder designer gown she’d forever wear in the oil