Too Far Under Read Online Free PDF Page B

imagine Rusty G. was feeling as
proud as I did at Pablo’s artistry on display.
    “Hey, Cleo. Where’s Pablo?” I turned away
from the sculptures to face a petite woman with short, spiky auburn
hair and a wide smile that crinkled her whole face. Her
outfit—ivory silk pants and tank topped by a short Asian-styled
gold jacquard-woven jacket with a standup collar and square wooden
buttons—more than lived up to her reputation for decking herself
out in expensive designer ensembles.
    “Hi, Faye. Great outfit! He’s on his way.
Just got sidetracked briefly by the St. Julien happy hour.” I’d
known Faye Whitton, the gallery owner for years. She’s a great
admirer of Gramma’s painting, which she continues to exhibit and
sell as part of her commitment to showing high-quality local art.
“Wow, the display looks great,” I gushed. “Isn’t it amazing how
much better artwork looks when it’s well lit and given some
breathing room?” As I heard myself rattling on, I realized I was
trying to charm Faye, so as to deflect her attention from Pablo’s
lateness. And I also realized that it was not my responsibility to
make excuses for Pablo, especially when he was hanging out with
Mia.
    Fortunately we were interrupted before I
could embarrass myself further. A husky dark-haired
athletic-looking man wearing a cotton sweater and designer jeans
grabbed Faye in a bear hug, lifted her up and twirled her around.
“Great show, Faye. Judith and I love the way you hung Angelica’s
work,” he boomed.
    A slim woman standing next to them watched
with a disapproving look. Her long blond hair was swept away from
her face in a way that emphasized her scowl. “Derrick, don’t forget
that one painting that is hung too high.” The woman’s frown
deepened as she reminded him. “It doesn’t serve the work. We really
need to have it lowered.”
    Faye flinched ever so slightly, but quickly
regained her composure. “Derrick have you and Judith met Cleo Sims?
Her grandmother is the painter, Martha Donnelly.” She grabbed my
arm to draw me closer to them. “Cleo, this is Derrick Townes and
Judith Demar. Derrick’s ten-year-old daughter Angelica is a gifted
painter. We’re showing some of her work here tonight for the first
time.”
    Suddenly lights were flashing inside my head.
Derrick and Angelica Townes. This must be THE Townes family here.
As in the drowned Mirabel Townes whose daughter Lacey thinks she
was murdered. And the blond woman with the long neck is Derrick’s
girlfriend Judith Demar, the sociology faculty member Elisa doesn’t
like. And Angelica the Indigo child is also an artist? At this
point I can’t wait to meet this kid.
    “Nice to meet you both,” I said. “Derrick,
you must be very proud of your daughter. Is she here?”
    “Great meeting you, Cleo.” His smile was
charming and slightly sexy, the kind that makes you feel instantly
welcome. “My older daughter Lacey is bringing Angelica, but they
haven’t showed up yet. I was just about to call them and find out
what’s up.”
    Judith chimed in with another negative
comment. “You can never depend on Lacey. She acts more like an
irresponsible teenager than the twenty-two-year-old she is. She
always gets involved in some crisis that makes her late. I told you
we should have brought Angelica with us.”
    I thought about mentioning that I knew Lacey,
but didn’t want to be drawn into their argument. Instead I excused
myself and went off to find Elisa, who to my surprise was deep in
conversation with Tim Grosso, the Psych Department chairman. Tim is
a tall, bald ascetic-looking man, who looks like he spends hours
meditating every day—and maybe he does. I don’t actually know much
about him, except that he’s a mild-mannered, agreeable guy who gets
top teaching ratings and is generally liked by most people who know
him. While he had made it clear to me that my teaching at the
university was on a trial basis only, I didn’t take it personally
because I