The Portrait of Doreene Gray Read Online Free PDF Page B

hand.
    â€œNo.” Doreene raised her head and looked at the guards, who still stood at the bottom of the stairs with the painting. “Anda!” she croaked, waving at them to go on.
    As the guards resumed their climb, she slowly collapsed.
    Angus caught her and lowered her gently to the ground.
    Behind him, Suki took a picture of their hostess as she lay sprawled on the floor.

 
    Six
    Fifteen minutes later, Doreene reclined on a love seat at the back of the ballroom, pale but apparently recovered.
    â€œCara,” Reynaldo murmured as he knelt at her feet. He laid his cheek against her hand. “My angel.”
    â€œAre you sure we shouldn’t call a doctor?” Maxwell asked.
    Reynaldo looked up at Doreene. “Please, can we?”
    She shook her head. “I already saw a doctor. He’s the one who gave me those pills, and that’s all I need. It’s just a minor thing, nothing to worry about.”
    â€œIt didn’t look minor,” Maxwell said.
    â€œIt was the shock of realizing I couldn’t trust you,” Doreene snapped. “I saw you trying to look at the painting.”
    Maxwell glanced at Angus and the others. “All right, if you want to discuss this now, let’s discuss it. Yes, I think I should be allowed to see the portrait before the day of the sale. How am I supposed to appraise it, let alone—”
    Doreene cut him off, grimacing. “You’re making me hurt again.”
    At the sound of footsteps on the wood floor, they all turned toward the back of the room.
    Maureene slouched toward them, hands in the pockets of her coat. “Lupita said you had some kind of attack. Are you all right?”
    Doreene leaned over the love seat. “Where’s Gigi?” She picked up the dog and clasped it to her chest. “I’m fine.”
    â€œI’m glad to hear it.” Maureene frowned and jerked her head at Angus and the others. “You know they’re reporters, right?”
    Maxwell turned a professional smile on Angus. “What publication are you with?”
    â€œ Tripping, international travel magazine. We’re doing a feature on Port Townsend.”
    Maxwell nodded. “There are a lot of artists in Port Townsend. Is that your focus?”
    Maureene answered him. “Don’t waste your time, Max. I looked them up online. Tripping is only interested in a town if it has a lake monster or a haunted graveyard. Their last story was about a ghost Chihuahua.”
    â€œAnd what’s wrong with that?” Doreene looked down at Gigi. “Maureene prefers her dirty old terrier.” She swung her legs over the edge of the love seat and got up.
    â€œWhere are you going?” Reynaldo asked, scrambling to his feet.
    â€œUpstairs. I have to make sure those idiots put the painting away.”
    â€œYou gave them the key code?” Max asked.
    â€œOf course not. That’s why I’m going up there.” She left the room carrying the dog, Reynaldo trailing after her.
    Maxwell took a business card from his suit-coat pocket and handed it to Angus. “This number is for Elizabeth Canter, Doreene’s publicist. She’ll advise you as to what you can legally print. I suggest you follow her instructions to the letter if you don’t want Rothwell’s coming after you.”
    Angus took the card. “I’m sure there won’t be any problems.”
    â€œI’ll show you out,” Maxwell said. “I have to get back to my hotel anyway.”
    Maureene followed them back through the foyer and out the front door.
    The line of cars was gone, leaving only Tripping ’s minivan, a white car across the street, and a silver Volvo convertible with rental plates.
    â€œI’ll be in touch, Maureene,” Max said.
    â€œUnless you’re going to help, don’t bother,” she said bitterly.
    He shook his head wearily and walked toward the Volvo.
    Maureene turned to Angus.