Even so, Rylan’s warning stayed with her. And by the way, where was he?
“How about you come with us?” Bree looked at Kasey, holding her gaze to let her assistant know this was important. “You have an eye for that sort of thing.”
David snorted. “I thought you were an artist, Bree?”
“That’s the problem,” she replied airily. “I’m too focused on the fine details. Kasey is better at the bigger picture.”
If Kasey was surprised to learn that she had become an interior design expert, she didn’t show it. Bree prodded the snoozing Papadum into life, and they headed as a group out through the gallery. The group of school kids paused in their painting to giggle and point at Papadum as he passed.
Although she glanced toward Arty Sans, Bree couldn’t see any sign of Rylan. The coffee shop didn’t look busy and, for the first time, she experienced a nagging doubt. Rylan was totally focused on her safety. If he hadn’t come back to Kasey’s office, there must be a reason. She suspected it wasn’t a good one.
When they reached the door to the basement, Bree pointed to the digital door lock. “This is new.”
“After your paintings were damaged, I decided it would be useful,” David said. “I spoke to the sheriff about it, and he thought it would be a good idea.”
Bree remembered Trey had said something about David wanting to speak with her about a new system. The security guard had a small maintenance budget with which they had agreed he could go ahead and make minor security improvements without requiring Bree’s consent.
“It’s a great idea.” Kasey nodded her approval. “But I don’t have the code.”
“No one does yet.” David pressed the numbers on the keypad. “I only finished installing it today. I’m planning to distribute the code later to those members of the gallery staff who need it.”
David reached inside to switch on the light, and held the door open for Bree and Kasey to go ahead of him. Since Papadum wasn’t happy with the steep steps, Kasey went first while Bree held the dog’s collar. This was starting to feel like a waste of time. Her thoughts were on Rylan. She should have told David to paint the whole corridor white.
She turned her head at the sudden noise of the door. Why would David need to shut them in down here? He wouldn’t...and everything clicked into place.
Bree barely had time utter a protest before David was already at the bottom of the stairs with a gun in his hand.
“What—?” Kasey didn’t have time to finish her question.
David raised the weapon, with the butt end turned toward Kasey. Bree cried out as he delivered a swift blow under her assistant’s chin. Blood spurted from Kasey’s mouth. She spun around and fell back, banging her head on the bottom step. She lay still on the floor—her body slumped and twisted.
Bree dropped to her knees at Kasey’s side. She was breathing, but the injury to her jaw was bad. Bree was scared that she might choke on her own blood. Tilting Kasey’s head up and back, she ensured her airways were open.
“I don’t know what’s going on here, David...” It wasn’t true. She knew. Of course she did. But maybe she could salvage this if she acted dumb. Right now, it was all she had. Fighting to keep the panic out of her voice, she continued. “But Kasey needs medical attention. Urgently.”
“It was your idea to bring her with us. For once in your privileged Colton life, own what you’ve done.”
The venom in his voice shook her. It also attracted Papadum’s attention. Growling long and low, the dog moved closer to Bree. In response, David raised his gun.
“No.” Shaking all over, Bree wrapped her arms around Papadum’s neck. “You’ll have to kill me first.”
Since he was probably planning to murder her anyway, she wasn’t sure the words would be a deterrent. In that instant, she didn’t care. There was no way she was going to watch him shoot a defenseless dog.
“Very touching.” She looked up to see David sneering at her with such contempt that she hardly recognized him. “Keep that thing quiet and I’ll let it live. I don’t really want to fire a shot down here and risk anyone hearing. Not unless Rylan finds out where we are and decides to play hero. There’s nothing I’d like more than to put a bullet between your boyfriend’s eyes.”