Lila was in a rush mode all morning. Before she could talk to the insurance agent, Inspector Richards drove up and wanted to talk to her. She made arrangements to meet the agent later.
They stood near Richards’s black Ford car with a Chicago Fire Department logo on it. Since it was August and summer in Chicago, it was a nice sixty-two degrees this morning. There was a slight chill in the air, though. She felt it all the way to her bones. If Richards was seeking her out, there had to be a reason.
“Mr. Rossini seems to think you had something to do with the fire and is being very vocal about it, so I’d like to ask you some questions.”
Her nerves tingled. “Oh, sure. So it was arson?”
“It’s kind of leaning that way, but we’re not finished yet. Mr. Rossini said that you were in debt and had a very good reason to set the fire.”
“The gallery is steadily making progress. I’ve only been open about six months. Why in the world would I choose to destroy what I created? I expect the profits will be more next month, but now...” She took a long breath. “I did not set the fire.”
“What was the name of the electrician who put in the new wiring?” He pulled a small notebook from his pocket and began to write in it.
“Philip Boyd.”
“Does Mr. Rossini know the electrician?”
“He hired him—that’s all I know. When I paid my rent last month, I asked about the wiring because he had promised to get it done. He told me he would get things fixed up like I wanted. A few days later, the electrician showed up and did the work.”
“Who else works in the gallery with you?”
“Savon Elam. Oh, no! I forgot to call her. May I borrow your phone?”
“Uh... I guess so, but don’t be too long. That’s my work phone.”
“Thank you.”
She told her friend everything that had happened and what she was doing now with the insurance people.
“Are you okay?” Savon asked.
“Yes. I have my own personal hero.”
“You mean handsome Mr. Finch?”
“Yes. I don’t know what I would have done if he hadn’t been there. I’ll talk to you later. The arson inspector is glaring at me because I’m using his phone. I’ll let you know when I get a phone.”
Lila clicked off and put on her best smile. “Inspector Richards, do you think it would be possible to get my phone back?”
“Let me check and see if they’re through with it.” He talked on the phone for a minute and then shoved his cell in his pocket. “You can pick it up at the station on Central.”
She wanted to hug him. Instead, she said, “Thank you.” Her excitement didn’t last long as she realized she didn’t have a way to get there. She would have to call a cab, but again, she didn’t have a phone. She shouldn’t have let the agent leave.
Men in red cars that had the fire department logo on them parked in the parking lot.
“That’s my team,” the inspector said. “We’ll be working here most of the day.”
“Uh...may I use your phone again?”
“What for?” His eyebrows knotted together.
“I have to call a cab.”
He looked around. “How did you get here?”
“A friend dropped me off.”
He reached for the phone in his pocket. “Remember...”
“Don’t stay on it too long,” she finished for him. “Got it.”
Within minutes, she was in a cab headed for the car dealership to get a rental. It took longer than she’d expected, but she had a nice Toyota to drive. Then she went to the fire station and it was a nightmare. It took over an hour to get her phone, but it still worked. The first person she thought about calling was Carter. He said he had a meeting this morning and she didn’t want to disturb him. Instead, she sent him a text to let him know she had her phone.
Last night was a moment out of time. She never dreamed she would fall for someone so quickly, but there was something about Carter that appealed to her. Maybe it was the way his eyes were so clear and honest and made her feel attractive and wanted. She never slept with guys on a first date, and for the last six months her focus had been on building the gallery into a successful business.
Carter was gentle and easy to talk to and she’d shared more of her life than she should have, but she’d needed someone. Her skin grew warm as she thought of his touch. She bit her lip and warned herself that she couldn’t get too serious. Carter would be leaving soon. She had to be prepared for that, but how did she prepare herself for a broken heart? With everything she had on her plate, she would be lucky to survive the week, and she didn’t want to endure it alone. She could only hope that he would stay a little while longer.
Carter slid into a chair across from Neil Dunning in the hotel restaurant. “Sorry I’m late.”
Neil closed his laptop and reached for his cup of coffee. He was a man in his fifties, very suave, very sophisticated and very knowledgeable about art. He always dressed impeccably in a suit and a tie, as he was today, and always had a handkerchief handy.
“Have you had breakfast?”
“No. I didn’t have time for breakfast.”
Neil signaled for the waitress and Carter ordered food. As the waitress poured Carter a cup of coffee, Neil tapped his fingers on the table, a habit that Carter hated. That meant the wheels in his head were spinning and a lot of questions would follow.
“You weren’t at the hotel, so where were you?”
Carter took a sip of coffee. He didn’t have to tell Neil where he was. It was none of his business, but they were good friends and Carter respected him. And he knew Neil. He didn’t mean anything by it.
“I met someone and I spent the night at her place.”
“That quick?” One eyebrow shot up.
The waitress brought Carter’s food and ended the conversation, which Carter thought was a good thing. “Have you looked at the paper this morning or the Chicago news on TV?”
“No, I haven’t. I slept on the plane and arrived here about five this morning. Luckily, you put my name on the hotel room, too, and I was able to get in and take a shower. Hurry so we can get over to the gallery.”
“The gallery burned down last night.”
Neil’s eyes opened wide. “What?”
“It burned to the ground. The large safe is left and part of the office space, but otherwise it’s a total write-off.”
“You’re kidding.”
“No.”
“What about the Tinsley paintings?”
“They’re in the rubble, ruined. The arson inspector wouldn’t let us in yesterday, but he might today.”
“Arson?” Neil tapped a finger against his chin. “That’s interesting. Why would they call in the arson expert?”
“To determine the cause of the fire. I’m sure it’s procedural.”
“Yeah. Let’s get over there and see what’s left.”
As Carter followed Neil out of the restaurant, his phone beeped. He looked at the caller ID. Lila. Then there was a text. I got my phone back. See you later.
Yes, he would see her later. Definitely.
Chief inspector Frank Richards and his team were on the site when they arrived. They shook hands. “How’s it going?” Carter asked.
“We’re about through. I’ll have my findings in a couple of days.”
The fire department vehicles drove away. “Well, I guess our work here is done. There’s no way to validate the paintings. They’re gone, basically. That means the forger gets away with it. And he’s still doing it.”
“Yeah, and I didn’t get to look at them really good because Ms. Colton was having a showing, but I’d stake my reputation on the fact that they are forgeries.”
“Too bad we didn’t get to them sooner, but don’t worry—we’ll catch him or her. It will just take some time. Now on to Milan.”
“Milan?”
“Yes. I got a call from a man who operates a gallery there. He’s being offered an Ila Chay painting, but he has a feeling it’s a forgery and is willing to pay a lot of money to prove that it is. He wants to hang it in his gallery, but he’s waiting until he knows for sure if it’s a real work of art by Chay.”
“She died many years ago and dealt mostly in abstracts. I’d be very surprised if it was real, unless a family member owns it and wants the money.”
“That’s what I want you to find out. Get your ticket and call me when you get there.” Neil was already getting into the rental.
For the first time, Carter didn’t want to leave. He had vacations, but this wasn’t a vacation. He wanted to be here for Lila if she needed someone.
He slid into the driver’s seat. “I’d rather not go to Milan.”
“Why not?”
He told him how they were trapped in the building and how upset Lila had been and he just wanted to stay here for a while to make sure she was okay.
“So you like this girl?”
“Yes. Just give me a few days.” The thought crossed his mind if he would be ready to go in a few days. Only time would tell.
“Okay. I’ll see if Marla would like to go on a trip to Milan. She loves visiting her home country.”
His wife had a temper that could peel the wallpaper off the walls, so Neil did all he could to please her. But she had the warmest heart of anyone he knew. She was always trying to feed him and find him a wife. Carter didn’t need any help in that department.
At the hotel, they said goodbye. “Call me when you’re ready to come back to work.”
“Thanks, Neil. I appreciate the time off.”
Neil patted him on the shoulder. “Have a good time, but not so good that you don’t come back to work. Not many men enjoy being away from home that much and I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Carter waved as he drove away. His tense muscles relaxed. He would get to know Lila better and explore these feelings he had for her or whatever they were. After a few days the newness would wear off and he would be ready to go. That was the way it usually went with him. Staying wasn’t in his nature. That wouldn’t be fair to Lila, though, if her feelings got involved. The best thing for him was to leave now while they both understood there was nothing serious between them. That was just hogwash. His nerves tensed again and he really didn’t know what he was doing. He just wanted to be with Lila, and that was so telling. They were both adults and they would work it out. He pulled into a parking lot and called her.
“Where are you?”
“At home digging through some stuff Inspector Richards brought over.”
“What kind of stuff?”
“Everything that was salvageable. It’s not much.”
“That was very nice of him.”
“Yeah. I thought he was a grouch, but he’s really nice, especially after almost accusing me of burning down the gallery.”
“He did that?”
“Earlier this morning when I talked to him, but I think he knows I didn’t do it. It still makes me nervous, though.”
“I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
He found her sitting on a big plastic sheet in the middle of her living room. On the plastic were charred items. He sat beside her with one knee raised and his forearm resting on it. She smiled at him, and everything looked a little brighter and his fear of hurting her disappeared.
“Find anything?”
“The hard drives off the computer might still be good. They took the security cameras to the lab hoping they could get something off them. I’ll check on everything tomorrow. My purse is a gooey mess.” She opened it for him to look inside. He made a face. “Makeup does not stand up well to heat. The rest is trash. Inspector Richards said that tomorrow they would let me in the safe to get the items out, and my insurance agent will be there, too. I have to make a list of everything that was in the fire, and that’s going to take a while.” She tapped his leg with her forefinger. “But luckily, and you should know this, I’m very organized due to my mother’s insistence that everything has a place, and clothes do not belong on the floor, and drawers do not need to be rattraps. My mother had rules. She would say, ‘When you’re on your own, you can live like you want, but while you’re in my house, you will be neat and organized, just to please me.’”
“Sounds like a very smart lady.”
“Yeah, my mom is the best. My dad was... Forget it. I’d rather not talk about it.” She fiddled with a picture frame she was trying to wipe the soot off of.
He scooted to rest his back against the couch. He heeded her wishes because he knew her father was not a topic she liked. Another topic was on his mind and they needed to talk about it.
“About last night...”
She laid the frame beside another batch of things she was saving. “What about it?”
“I don’t want you to think it was a one-night stand. It was more to me.”
She turned to face him. “Me, too. I’m well aware you will only be here a few days, and like I told you, we’re adults and make our own choices. I chose to sleep with you and I don’t regret it. And whatever happens next is up to us. I know you’re leaving and I’ll be fine with that.” She raised an eyebrow. “But I think we should curb the sex for now because I don’t want to be clinging to you and begging you to stay. I needed you last night in ways I never imagined. It was nice and...now...”
“That sounds rehearsed,” he interrupted.
“Maybe it is.” She got to her feet. “Look, Carter, I’ve never been in a relationship like this before, so I’d prefer to take it slow.” She glanced at the mess at her feet. “I have to throw all of this stuff away.”
He helped her wrap up the plastic and carry it to the garage to put in a big receptacle. The things she wanted to keep she put in a box. His mind was buzzing as they worked. Could she be that perfect? Could she be that understanding? Lila was a mystery that he was slowly unraveling, and before he left here, he might be the one begging and clinging.
Lila took a shower to get the soot off her. She never knew she was such a good liar. She gave him points for being so open. When he left, she would be strong in her hope that one day he would return. She had to let go of the most wonderful man she’d ever met. Until that time, she would enjoy every minute.
She slipped on sneakers and jogging pants and hurried into the living room. Carter was looking through an art book. “Let’s go jogging and get a Chicago hot dog. You have to have one before you leave.”
“Great. I’ll change my clothes.”
In a few minutes, they were outside her town house, jogging toward a business section of restaurants. “There used to be people on the street selling hot dogs like they do in New York, but now they’ve all moved indoors and have their own place.”
“I’ve heard of the Chicago hot dog.”
“You’re in for a treat.” She turned to look at him. “I forgot to tell you the hot dog place is almost two miles away. Do you think you can handle it?” His laughter followed her and she jogged away.
They stopped at an intersection to take a breath. She pointed. “We’re going to Portilli’s. They have the best.” She put her hands on her knees and took several deep breaths.
He patted her on the back. “Are you sure you’re up for this?”
She made a face at him. “You work out, don’t you?”
“All the time.” He gave her a quick smile and linked his arm through hers, and they slowly walked down the street to the hot dog place. They ordered the original and Carter also ordered fries and a beer. She did, too. They sat at a blue gingham-covered table near windows.
“This is nice,” Carter said. “Very home-style and very busy.” People milled around them. Two little boys looked in the window at them. People started a line outside, eager to get in.
Carter stared at the hot dog the waitress placed in front of him. “Are you kidding? What’s on here? It looks like a little bit of everything.”
“It is, from the poppy seed bun, the beef hot dog, to the mustard, tomatoes, slice of dill pickle, sport pickle, green relish and onions. It’s a great combination for your taste buds.”
They ate in amicable silence and it was comforting to be out with a man. She’d put so much of her time and energy into the gallery that she forgot how to enjoy herself. And now she didn’t know what she was going to do. First, she would enjoy this evening with him.
“How about chocolate cake?” Carter asked. He glanced at the table next to them. “They’re having chocolate cake and it looks delicious.”
“I’m game for anything chocolate.”
Later, they caught the transit back to her town house. They had an easy, comfortable relationship that she loved. She’d said no sex, but she was slowly changing her mind. If he was leaving...
He pulled off his T-shirt and sat on the sofa in an effortless movement of strength and muscles. Oh, yeah. He had muscles. She turned her eyes away and sat beside him, taking off her sneakers and wondering how she should handle the night.
Before words formed in her head, the doorbell rang. She jumped up to answer. A young man stood there and asked, “Miss Lila Colton?”
“Yes.”
He handed her a large manila envelope. “This is for you.” He then walked away.
Lila didn’t get a chance to say thank you or much of anything. She stared at the envelope and saw it was from a lawyer. Her insides tightened with a foreboding. Thoughts of throwing the envelope on her desk and looking at it tomorrow crossed her mind. But she was more adult than that. She hoped. She ripped it open with more force than necessary.
Anger built in her as she quickly scanned the document. “That sorry SOB!”
“What is it?” Carter came over to her.
“Fox and the Tinsley estate have filed a claim against me for the ruined Tinsley paintings.”