“May I see it?”

“Oh…um…sure.”

Max took the cell phone and tapped on the screen. “I’ll need your passcode.”

“Um…it’s my thumbprint.”

“Even better.” Max spun the phone long enough for Gus to unlock it, and then returning to the screen, he moved through the apps effortlessly. A minute later, he handed the mobile back to Gus.

“You now have my direct number,” Max said, looking Gus squarely in the eye. “If there ever comes a time when you believe Bennett requires...let’s just call it help, you are to call me immediately. Do you understand?”

“Yes…yes, sir.”

“Good,” Max said, sending a look in Bennett’s direction. “And now, I’ll wish you both a good evening.”

Max had made it only a few steps up the driveway before he turned back around. “And Bennett…”

About to climb into the car, Bennett stopped and pivoted to her right. “Yes, Max?”

“I trust I won’t have to remind you again that where Napoleon is concerned, velvet gloves are required.”

Chapter Ten

The two men came into the gallery, tugging off their leather gloves as they looked around. Neither were art aficionados, so quickly dismissing the abstract paintings and sculptures, they moved toward the center of the room.

“I’m sorry,” Lisa said, coming up the hallway. “We’re closing. I was just grabbing the keys.”

“Are you Bennett Archer?” the taller of the two men said.

“No, I’m Lisa Jensen. I’m the curator here.”

“Do you know where Miss Archer is?”

“May I ask who’s asking?” Lisa said, looking back and forth between the two men.

“I’m Detective Krankowski, and this is Detective O’Brien,” Stan Krankowski said as they held out their badges in unison. “We’d like to talk to her if she’s around.”

“Of course,” Lisa said, flashing a smile. “Bennett’s in the back. I’ll go get her.”

Lisa tapped her way back down the hall and stepped into the office. “It looks like your Tuesday night just got a whole lot more interesting.”

“And why’s that?” Bennett said, looking away from the monitors.

“Because there are two detectives out front who’d like to see you,” Lisa said, approaching the desk. “Have you been a naughty girl?”

Bennett got up and walked around the desk. “No more than usual,” she said, giving Lisa a wink as she headed for the door. “Do me a favor and keep an eye on that auction until I get back. I don’t think this should take long though.”

Tully O’Brien was trying to make sense of a Salvador Dali series of sketches when he heard footsteps coming up the hall. He returned to stand by his partner, and a moment later, a woman appeared…a woman who fit their description almost too perfectly.