Chapter Seven

 

Ric couldn’t sit still any longer. He shoved his chair back and paced the room. It had taken over an hour to track Dante Cardone’s art down, and all he’d hit was a brick wall. The art had been delivered to the man’s business, according to Jordan Shipping, which had faxed him a signed copy of the delivery order. But, it had been signed by, none other than, Mark Walker. What had his assistant been doing across town at Mr. Cardone’s business? Why had he signed for the piece?

 

He was now on his fifth call to Mr. Cardone’s offices and was still on hold waiting for the man to answer his phone.

 

Ric knew that he was a busy man himself, but it usually took someone only a few minutes if you wanted to get in touch with him.

 

What did Dante Cardone do, that he couldn’t answer a simple phone call? Especially one he was waiting for.

 

Just then he looked up and noticed the detective standing in his doorway. He motioned her in just as Mr. Cardone’ secretary came back on the line.

 

“Mr. Cardone will take your call now.” There was a click.

 

“Dante Cardone,”

 

Ric watched Roberta step in and sit comfortably in one of his chairs.

 

“Mr Cardone, Ric Derby here. I’ve got some more information about your delivery. Will you be available for a meeting with me and the Police in say,” he looked at Rob, whose face showed signs of questioning, “an hour?”

 

“Yes, Mr. Derby, I can clear my schedule. Do you know where we’re located?”

 

“Yes, we can find your building. We’ll see you then. Goodbye.” He hung up quickly.

 

“What was that all about?” She said crossing her legs. He noted how good they looked in the tight fitting dark khaki pants.

 

Walking over, he handed her the file. “What do you make of this?”

 

She looked over the paperwork he’d been staring at the last half an hour, while waiting to have his brief conversation with Dante Cardone.

 

“Hmm.” She said, with her head downwards. He noticed her hair and the way the lights shined off the rich darkness. She’d worn it loose today, it hung straight down her back with a slight curl. “I’d say, it’s worth talking to your,” she looked down at the file again, “Mr. Cardone. And since you’ve efficiently made plans for us through my lunch break, you can buy me lunch.” Rob said, standing up and handed the file back to him.

 

He smiled at her and they walked out of the room together.

 

This wasn’t the kind of place Rob thought he’d take her to eat at. The greasy burger place was one that she’d frequented and was actually one of her favorite places to eat. It was also run by two of her favorite people.

 

Kenny, the owner and head cook, stood just behind the counter. His red hair tied back with a net, his face matched the color of his hair.

“Well, lookie what we got here. Ric, what’re you doing with my Rob?” The three hundred pound man said pointing his spatula at the pair.

 

“Your Rob?” Ric asked the man and leaned against the countertop. “Kenny, I wasn’t aware you owned another woman. Does Barbara know about this?” He asked joking about the man’s wife, who stood a few tables away helping other customers.

 

The larger chocolate woman walked up and bumped him on the hip, smiling at him. “If he gets to own her,” she said, nodding towards Rob, who had seated herself on the stool next to Ric, “then I get dibs on you sweetie.” She reached up and pinched his cheek then smiled at the pair.

 

“What’ll you two have?” She asked, walking around the counter.

 

“I’ll take my usual,” he looked at Rob for her to order.

 

“Me too. This time Kenny, can you add some extra fries on it since I’ve got class tonight. I’ve been trying to beat Tommy. I swear that kid of yours has packed on a few pounds since last month.” She smiled at the mixed couple and leaned over the counter to grab herself a bottled water, then leaned over again and tossed one to Ric.

 

“How long have you been eating at Barb’s?”

 

Ric laughed. “Well, let’s see. I met Barbara a few years back when she came in and wanted to “fancy up this joint.” Her words, not mine. Then she got me hooked on their turkey burger and I’ve been coming here ever since. You?”

 

She chuckled. “Turkey burger, eh? I figured you for a turkey burger kind of guy. I’ve known Kenny since I was twelve, when he caught me stealing from his register. He’s been feeding me greasy burgers ever since.”

 

“Why do I get the impression, you had an interesting childhood?” He watched her start to twist the paper napkin in her hand. When she noticed, she set it down and straightened her black shirt.

 

“Tell me about Dante Cardone.” She changed the subject so quickly he laughed.

 

Forty minutes later, Ric whistled as he walked into the Cardone’s business building. Rob tilted her head and looked at him.

 

“Nice digs,” he murmured as they walked through the large marble lobby of the building, causing her to chuckle.

 

They looked at the directory and found the floor they wanted which was near the top. Taking the elevator, they rode up in silence. Ric watched her as the elevator doors slid closed. He’d seen the way she had shifted gears at the diner. She’d become more open, friendly and she’d remained so on the short drive downtown. Now, however, he could see that she was starting to put on her “cop mask” and he liked seeing the small changes in her. She stood up straighter and carried her back and shoulders differently. Her eyes were not as soft as they’d been when she’d been talking to her friends. Now she carried herself with an air of command.

 

Roberta’s mind and eyes caught everything. The way Ric had been warm and relaxed around her friends. She had actually enjoyed his company over the short lunch break. He had watched her in the elevator, she wondered why he’d stared at her so intently. It was almost as if he was trying to solve a puzzle. She was no puzzle. Sure, she had her little secrets, she liked her little secrets. But, for the most part, she was an open book. Most everyone she worked with knew her whole life story. After all, most had been there when she’d been on the other side of the law. The newbies and rookies quickly learned her history and then she’d teach them to fall in line and they’d given her the respect and space.

 

As they walked into the plush uptown office, the first thing Rob noticed about Dante Cardone was how much he reminded her of Ric. Oh, there were more differences than similarities, but the underlining bone structure was the same. Where Ric was blond, blue eyed, and fairer skin, Dante had jet black hair, dark chocolate eyes and his skin showed signs of a Mediterranean heritage. To her eyes though, she could see the same bone structure in the face and they were roughly the same height and build.

 

She also noticed the change in Dante’s face when he watched her walk in beside Ric. She could tell that he was a womanizer right from the second she laid eyes on him. When he’d seen her, the man’s whole persona changed, he became smoother and smiled a little more.

 

“Hello, Mr. Derby,” he shook Ric’s outstretched hand.

 

“Mr. Cardone, this is Detective Roberta Stanton. She’s in charge of the investigation into some missing art and the death of my assistant Mark.”

 

“Please,” he motioned to two chairs. When they sat, he continued. “How can I help you both today?”

 

“As you know, I did some research into your missing artwork, ‘The Indian’.” Setting the file on the desk, he pushed it towards Dante and waited for the man to open it. “The shipping receipt from Jordan Shipping shows a signature,” Ric pointed to it. “from Mark Walker. Who was employed, at least up until last week, at my gallery as my personal assistant. So, the question seems to be, why did Mark sign the receiving paperwork for your artwork?”

 

“This is a mystery. I’ve never heard of Mark Walker. At least not until I read what had happened down at your shop in the local news.” He looked at Rob. She could tell that he wasn’t really seeing her, but looking through her as he thought. Then, without a word he picked up his phone.

“Stacey, would you come in here please?” A few seconds later a tall, blond woman walked in. Rob didn’t know how women walked in heals like that. They had to be four inches of pain. But, the woman walked gracefully over to her boss.

 

“How can I help you, Mr. Cardone?”

 

“Stacey, this is Mr. Derby and Detective Stanton. Can you do a employee search on a Mark Walker? Please see if he has ever been employed by either myself or my father. You can get back with me and pass on your findings to both the detective and Mr. Derby.” He handed her the file.

 

“Yes, of course. I’ll get this information to you soon.” When she walked out of the room, Ric stood up to leave.

 

“I have a few questions for you, Mr. Cardone.” Rob took out her small pad and pen she always kept in her jacket.

 

Half an hour later, Ric and Roberta rode the elevator down to the parking garage.

 

He really liked it when she played cop. Especially with someone like Cardone. She’d maintained the cop persona until the elevator doors had shut. Then, he watched as she relaxed against the wall. She slowed her breathing down and her eyes softened. He was so turned on by her.

 

Walking across the empty compartment, he stopped right in front of her. His hands on either side of her on the railing. He saw her eyes heat just before his mouth claimed hers.

When the doors opened, her hair was a mess and her lips were slightly swollen. His nicely pressed shirt was now untucked and a little crooked and they both had large smiles on their faces.

 

“Well, that was a perfectly good waste of an afternoon. How can that man run a multimillion dollar company and not know the answers to some of my very basic questions.”

 

Ric laughed as he opened the car door for her. She stopped and looked at him. “You know, if I didn’t know any better. I’d say the two of you were brothers.” Ric stopped laughing and his head tilted to the side as he thought about her statement.

 

She slid into his car and waited for him to close the door. When he just continued to stand outside the opened door, staring into space, she got back out and looked at him.

 

“Hey, are you okay?” She placed a hand on his arm.

 

He blinked and looked at her. “You know, I thought there was something about him. I wonder…”

 

“Ric?”

 

He looked at her and she realized he was standing so close that she could see the different shades of color in his blue eyes.

 

Without saying anything he reached up and brushed aside a strand of her hair that had fallen forward.

 

“Ric?” It was more of a whisper from her lips. When had she started thinking of him as Ric instead of Mr. Derby?

 

Just then, a car drove by and broke the trance, he stepped back. So she slid into the seat again and watched as he started to walk behind the car to get in. She’d been too focused on trying to figure out what the confused look he’d given her meant, otherwise she would have seen the car coming before it was too late.

 

She heard the metal on metal and out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Ric go flying just as she felt the jolt of the impact, as the car was hit from behind. She was out of her seat belt in seconds and beside him in less time.