It was the one piece of art that stuck with me from the class, and I remember a lot about it. The one major thing I do recall is that it was stolen years ago. What I’m looking at right now has to be the original. I can’t see Lilith getting something that’s a knockoff, but would she really be dealing in stolen art? It can’t be the original. I’m sure I’m wrong.
I think for a second and then grab my cell phone out of my pocket to double-check that I have the facts of it straight. Maybe it’s since been recovered and now she has it.
I find the painting online and read about how it was stolen along with several other pieces as part of a big heist. I read the article for a second and scroll down to look at the attached pictures. Then I go to where all the unmarked crates are waiting on me and open up another one. When I do, I find another painting that matches one of the images from the article on my phone.
The hairs on my arms stand up, and for a moment I’m still. Then, unable to resist, I jump over to the next create and open it up. I know nothing about art or how to figure out if they’re fakes. So I do what I know and take a picture of them with my cell. Then I put them in a reverse image search on Google to see what pops up.
One after another, they come up as stolen.
I start writing everything down and taking notes in my folder. I’ve got a list of box numbers and all the shipping information. Then I write down the names of the paintings and their corresponding numbers and I save all the pictures on my phone.
The whole time, all I can think is that Lilith is going to be devastated. These boxes were piled up in the back with nothing on them. Lilith might be a lot of things, but she’s not a thief. She negotiates million-dollar deals all day every day. She doesn’t need to hold on to stolen art.
I go over everything twice to make sure I have everything right. As much as I don’t want to be right about these being stolen, I also don’t want to be wrong and look like a stupid drama queen. These could all be replicas and my Google image search skills could be unreliable. I grew up watching old Perry Mason shows and thought one day I’d become a detective. I don’t need to fuel that fantasy right now, so all I can do is present her with what I’ve found.
This just can’t be right. Maybe no one knows these crates are back here, let alone stocked with stolen goods. I never saw them on any list, and it could all just be some terrible mix up. That has to be it. I worry what something like this could do to Fritz and Lilith.
I take a step back and notice a few of the crates on the shelves have been moved around. I double-check the number on the one I was just working on. It seems familiar.
I rush over to the little desk where I keep my paperwork and search for yesterday’s slips. It’s then I notice my name on everything. On all the slips. It’s even signed in a few places, but it’s not my signature. Maybe my name is on it because I’m running the warehouse now?
I let out a deep breath, feeling my stress level spike. Why is my signature on things that I didn’t approve? This is all a mess, but I’m sure we can get it all cleared up. All I have to do is call the right people. I can make things right and sort this out. After all, that’s my job. I was told this warehouse was a mess, and it’s the truth. This place has been chaotic since I came back here, but slowly I’ve been organizing it all. Of course there would be discrepancies, so I ignore what might be a dozen or so stolen paintings and focus on what I can control.
First, I need to talk with Lilith. I know that woman will know what to do. She runs this place like a general on speed, and she always has the answers. I’ve grown to really respect her, and I know I can learn a lot from her as my mentor.
I glance at the clock and realize I really lost track of time. I should have left hours ago, but I got lost in what I was doing.
Gathering everything together, I put my cell phone in my pocket after checking to make sure I have taken all the photos that I’ll need. I hope Lilith is still here. Maybe I should text Fritz, too? As soon as I have that thought I dismiss it. Lilith would want to be the one to control this. And I don’t want to overstep. I can’t treat him like a boyfriend here. I need to go to my superior first.
I pick up the folder full of all the information I have on the crates and everything I wrote down. Then I grab my bag, thinking I’ll leave after I talk to her. I close up the crates and leave them where they are. If Lilith wants to come inspect them she can.
I make my way out of the warehouse and down the long hall to her office. When I see the light on under her door I’m a little relieved. I raise my hand to knock but stop short when I hear a whimper on the other side of it. It’s followed by a deep sound, and I push on the door as I call out to make sure she’s all right.
“Lilith? Are you okay?” I ask softly, not wanting to scare her.
When the door swings open, I stand there in shock.
Fritz is on his knees in front of Lilith, her bare legs are spread wide and his face is buried between them. Lilith’s head is thrown back and another cry of pleasure escapes her.
“Oh my god,” I choke out, as the image of the two of them is burned into my brain.
I feel the warm liquid pool in my mouth—a sign that I’m about to throw up—and I have to fight it back down. I reach out and grab the door as a sob escapes me.
Lilith’s head snaps up at the sound, and her eyes lock on mine. Fritz turns his head but doesn’t make a move to get up, and I stand there like I’ve been struck by lightning.
All this happens in a split second before I turn around and run. I need to get the hell out of here. My mind is racing with too many things at once.
I don’t hear anyone call my name or chase after me as I stumble as fast as I can out of the gallery. I can hardly see where I’m going, but when I feel the cool air hit my face I know I’m outside.
What I don’t expect is the suited man in front of me, and I nearly bowl him over in my attempt to get free of what I just witnessed.
“Sorry, I-I…” I stutter, but the stranger wraps his big arms around me.
For a moment I sob into his chest, not caring that I don’t even know him. I blink back the tears and lean back, trying to apologize again when I happen to catch a glimpse of Johnny standing in a shaft of light behind the stranger.
“Johnny?” There’s a sad look on his face and my mind can’t catch up with everything that’s happening. “What are you doing here?”
I look up to the man comforting me, but there are too many shadows and it’s too dark to see his face fully. The only thing I can tell for sure is that he’s got bright green eyes that I feel like I’ve seen before. Even his smell is familiar.
“Shhh.” In a deep voice, his chest rumbling against mine, he says, “It’s all going to be okay.”
I don’t know why, but I find comfort in his voice. It soothes me, and though I’m not even close to okay, I feel better. But before I can focus on that for too long, I feel a sharp pinch above my elbow, and I look down to see the stranger removing a needle from my arm.
“Go to sleep, little cricket,” he says, and my eyes get heavy as my lids fall closed.
Chapter 6
Ryker
“Are you sure about this?” John asks as he paces nervously.
He’s been this way since I told him my plans. I knew this morning when he stepped out he was going to see Blair for a moment. Not that I blamed him. She has a magnetism that I know all too well. I would be lying if I didn't admit I felt some jealousy of the closeness they share. He had something with her that I didn’t. But I fought it back knowing that John only wants the best for her. And I was able to pacify myself knowing that in time I’ll have her in all always.
“Yes,” I answer calmly as I check my watch for the twentieth time. She should have been out of work by now. It’s putting me on edge that she hasn't left yet. I always feel jumpy when I don’t have eyes on her.
“She’s a nice girl, Ryker.”
I turn around to face him and shove my hands in my pockets. “Do you think