Chapter Twenty-Two
The interview was immediately halted and the video came to an end. Donovan was about to close his laptop when Phoebe abruptly stopped him.
“Can I see that last bit again? The moment when Ari was asked about the portrait? I think I saw something.”
“Sure, let’s take another look.”
“What is it, Phoebe?” Peter asked, leaning forward in his seat.
“As I pointed out, he crosses his arms or legs when he’s lying, but watch his eyebrows.”
“You said something about that earlier,” Donovan remarked.
“I know, but I think there’s more to it than I originally thought,” she murmured as the video began to play a second time.
“Mr. Baptiste, are you familiar with an estate known as Hawthorne Hall?”
“I’ve heard of it.”
“Are you aware a portrait was stolen from there?”
“Freeze it,” Phoebe exclaimed. “See? There’s a slight frown. Keep going until he’s asked about the buyer.”
The three of them watched intently until the last question was presented and the interrogator was interrupted by the barrister.
“We know Mr. Koslov has a buyer. Who is this person, and what are the details of the deal?”
“Right there,” Phoebe said excitedly. “Look, he stopped frowning and raised his eyebrows.”
“What does that mean?” Peter asked anxiously.
“He was taken by surprise.”
“I don’t understand,” Donovan said. “Alexi and I talked about the buyer and he said he would receive a King’s Ransom. Those are the words he used.”
“Yes, but don’t you remember? When you had that conversation with Alexi, Ari was with me in the room off the foyer. You had to tell me about it later.”
“Phoebe! You’re right.”
“What does this mean?” Peter interjected.
“I’m not sure. Maybe Alexi lied to Ari about having a buyer or didn’t tell him.”
“But what does it matter?” Peter continued. “Why would his bodyguard care about where the painting ends up?”
“I have no idea, or maybe that’s not the issue,” Donovan murmured thoughtfully. “Peter, what makes your particular portrait so valuable?”
“I’m embarrassed to say I really don’t know. It’s insured for one-hundred thousand pounds, but I can’t imagine anyone paying that much for it. Certainly not a King’s Ransom. The only thing I can suggest is that it must hold personal significance to the buyer.”
“Daddy?”
“Yes, Jane, what is it?” Peter replied, turning to see his daughter stepping through the door. “We’re a bit busy at the moment.”
“There’s a package for you at the front gate and the courier says he has to give it to you personally.”
“Jane! There you are!” Trevor exclaimed, suddenly appearing behind her.
“Then I suppose I’d better go out there.”
“Not without Trevor and me,” Donovan exclaimed.
“I’m sure that’s not necessary. It’s the delivery we’ve been waiting for.”
“Probably, but we can’t be too careful. Trevor and I will check him out. If he’s legit we’ll bring him to you.”
“Ah, yes, quite right, I understand,” Peter said sheepishly. “I’m not used to all this cloak and dagger business.”
“You two stay here,” Donovan continued, looking at Phoebe and Jane. “Come on Trevor, let’s make sure this guy is legit.”
* * *
After patting down the somewhat surprised driver, Donovan and Trevor led him to the house where Peter signed for the delivery.
“I’ll rather Jane not know about this just yet,” Peter said quietly as the three men headed back to the library. “What she doesn’t know can’t hurt her—or us. What do you think, Donovan?”
“I agree, not that I think she’ll find herself in the company of dangerous people again, but you never know. Trevor, can you keep her busy while we deal with this?”
“That’s what I’m here for,” he replied as they approached the library. “Jane can you join me, please,” he asked as they entered.
“I want to see what it is.”
“You will, but not yet,” Peter declared. “Please go with Trevor.”
“What’s so secret? Is it news about Jimmy and his friend Nigel?”
“Jane, with me,” Trevor said firmly.
“Daddy, I’ll go, but only if you promise to tell me later.”
“I will, but it won’t be today, maybe not even tomorrow, but I will when I can.”
“This is sooooo annoying,” she grunted as she marched across to the door.
As she sharply closed it behind her, Donovan locked it, then returned to stand with Phoebe and watched as Peter carefully unwrapped the precious package.
* * *
“Why am I the only person who doesn’t know what that is?” Jane demanded angrily as Trevor walked her down the hall to the games room.
“Hey, I don’t know either.”
“That’s different,” she grunted, ambling over to the pool table.
“Why?”
“Because I’m me. I’m a Hawthorne, I should be told.”
“Perhaps, Jane, it’s for your own good. Perhaps knowing about it could—”
“My own good!” she retorted, cutting him off and glaring at him. “I’ve been told that my whole life. Wear the ugly riding helmet, it’s for your own good. When I lock away the hard liquor it’s for your own good. Things are always for my own good!”
“And so is this.”
A tiny voice in her head told her to bolt, but she was too captivated by the glint in his eye…then suddenly it was too late. He was grabbing her wrist, spinning her around and bending her over the pool table.
“What are you doing? Let me go.”
Ignoring her plea, he began landing his hard hand on her bottom with a volley of swift, stinging swats.
“Don’t, that hurts,” she wailed, her thin cotton slacks offering little protection from his hard slaps.
“Not until you promise to stop being such an ungrateful brat.”
“I d-don’t know what you m-mean!”
“What I mean,” he said sternly, pausing his hand, “you were told to wear a helmet so you wouldn’t get seriously hurt if you fell off, and drinking hard liquor—any liquor—too young can have disastrous results. Translation? People care about what happens to you. Do you understand? ”
“Yes, yes, I do, I swear.”
“You are so damn lucky to be born into this family, and it’s about time you realized it,” he continued, landing several slow smacks eliciting a yelp after each.
“You’re right, I am,” she admitted, then to her shock, he pulled her up and wrapped her into his arms.
“Jane Hawthorne, I care about you too, I always have, since we were kids.”
“You do?” she whispered, shifting in his arms and staring up at him. “I’ve always liked you as well, but you were with that girl Tiffany.”
“I’m not now, I’m here with you,” he murmured, sliding his fingers into her hair. “But if you don’t want this…if you don’t want me…just say so.”
“Trevor, I do, so much.”
As he leaned down and pressed his lips on her in a long, lingering kiss, her heart leapt in her chest, and a bevy of butterflies fluttered to life in her stomach.
“Just one thing,” he murmured, pulling back. “Do you understand what will happen if you don’t behave?”
“No, I don’t have a clue,” she quipped with a grin. “Now stop talking and kiss me again.”