Chapter 27

 

“Anything new?” Paddy asked April as they walked around the boating lake in the park.

“Nothing. The house is clean as far as I can see. I’ve looked at as much as I’m able in his study, apart from his safe that is. But I’m sure any useful info will be stored at the gallery. He won’t have it at his house.”

“No, you’re probably right. He’d have thought about the ramifications of ever having his house searched.”

They halted their steps at a bench. Paddy checked with his hand that the dirty marks were engrained in the wood. It was secluded and away from the others in the park, so they wouldn’t be overheard.

She sat down next to him. “It’s my so-called birthday tomorrow and I’m going out in the evening with Rachel and Joey. I’ll spike Rachel’s drink so she won’t be in work the following day. She cleans the offices, but if she’s off, it’ll be down to me, and knowing my luck,” she rolled her eyes, “I’ll end up doing the bloody toilets as well. But if I can legitimately get into his office, I can have a good root around and see what I can come up with.”

“We need something,” he screwed his face up in frustration, “anything to lead us to where he’s got the Portillo stored. He must have some sort of verification of the painting’s validity somewhere . . . and the sales history.”

“He’s no dummy though,” she shook her head, “he’ll have that sort of info in his safe at the gallery if he’s got any sense, and I can’t imagine there’s anyone who knows the combination apart from him. He has an admin woman who comes in during the day, but of course I don’t see her with my shift not starting until the gallery closes, so no chance of gleaning anything from her.”

“What about the supervisor, anything on her?”

“Ingrid? No, nothing. I’m not entirely sure what her role is. I have an inclination she’s after Rider for herself.”

“Do you think they’re involved?”

“I’m pretty sure they are,” she nodded. “If he’s not already screwing her then she’d like him to be. I’ve no proof though, so call it intuition. I wouldn’t put it past him. Rider’s an attractive man and can have his pick of women; he just doesn’t get too involved. That’s evident from the info we have on him.”

“What about you. Is he still keen?”

“He seems to be. It’s the chase he’s interested in, though.”

“Well, don’t go down that road with him, whatever you do.”

“As if I would,” she dismissed, “Rider’s not my type, that’s for sure. And much as I love my job, sleeping with the suspect is not on the agenda.”

“Glad to hear it. We’ll just have to see what you can pick up from his office. Tomorrow you say?”

“All being well.”

“We’ll meet here Saturday, usual time?”

“Yep, that’s fine.”

“Perfect. See you then.”

 

***

 

He’d been watching them both sat on the bench engrossed in conversation. She’d been hiding her beautiful face with the obligatory cap and sunglasses, and he noticed she’d taken to wearing a decorative scarf. That’d be to hide her long neck, no doubt. April was a master at blending in and wouldn’t want to draw attention to herself in any way.

His fingers had itched watching her brush her fringe off her brow as she was talking. He wished it was his fingers caressing her forehead.

Paddy had stood up and lent forward to kiss her cheek. Bet he enjoyed that, the old bugger.

Her eyes watched Paddy walk away but she remained seated, staring ahead at the ducks bobbing about in the water.

What’s going on in that mind of hers?

Bet she knows I’m here.

She’s no dummy.

April Masters missed nothing.

She’d know if she was being followed.