Read Online Favors and Lies by Mark Gilleo - Free Book Online Page B

a backroom painting accident. “I have no guess on this one.”
    â€œIt is titled Night Blind .”
    Dan’s eyes dropped to the already attached price tag and whistled. “That price will make you blind, regardless of the time of day. It’s going to be hard to convince people of the starving artist lifestyle with that price tag.”
    â€œI didn’t say anything about starving. Do I look like I’m starving?”
    â€œI can’t even hear that question,” Dan said. He stooped to pet the dog again, wondering how people spent five figures on artwork that was open to interpretation.
    â€œCan I take Levi out for a while? Maybe let him run in the park a little?”
    â€œYou know where the leash is,” Lucia said.
    Dan followed Lucia back into the front of the gallery where the large slab of rock was now resting on the three equally large supports.
    â€œLooks like your walk with my dog is going to have to wait,” Lucia said, pointing to the sidewalk in front of the gallery.
    Dan looked out the front window and saw a young lady looking up at the metal numbers over the old doorway that led to Dan’s second-floor office.
    â€œA customer?” Dan said out loud.
    â€œA novel idea,” Lucia retorted.
    â€œI’ll take Levi out later.”

    â€”

    Dan stepped from the gallery and startled his visitor as she pressed the button for the intercom.
    â€œCan I help you?” Dan asked.
    The young woman stepped away from the door and glanced down the street in each direction. There was plenty of midday foot traffic, well-dressed women strolling the cobbled brick, eyeing knick knacks that filled the stores of Old Town Alexandria.
    â€œI’m looking for Dan Lord.”
    â€œYou found him.”
    The young woman took another step back and Dan recognized his visitor was conscious of her space and the fact she was speaking to a stranger.
    â€œMy name is Sue Fine. I had an appointment for a job interview today.”
    Dan rolled his eyes, grimaced, and offered a greeting. “Shit.”
    â€œYou forgot.”
    Dan grunted as he exhaled.
    â€œIt’s OK. I can come another time,” Sue said.
    â€œNo, no. It’s my fault. Let’s go upstairs.” Dan swiped his security card in front of a wireless reader and then punched a five digit number into a key pad on the doorframe. He smiled at Sue as the outer door made an audible click.
    The inside foyer, one large step from the sidewalk, stood at the foot of a long, solitary staircase. Both sides of the staircase were brick from floor to ceiling. Between the foyer and the first step was a large, thick plastic door. Sue noticed the closed circuit cameras in the foyer and in the staircase.
    Dan pressed his hand against a pad on the left side of the wall and then used a high-security laser-cut key in a custom lock to pull the door open.
    â€œYou in the diamond business?” Sue asked, trying to break the silence as Dan went through his security protocols.
    â€œGold,” Dan answered, gesturing for Sue to lead the way up the stairs.
    â€œNo, after you,” Sue replied.
    At the top of the staircase was another thick plastic door with the number 201 stenciled on it. Dan used two more keys and pushed the door open into his sprawling, sparsely furnished office. The main room was as wide as the entire floor. Two windows on the front of the room looked out over the bustling street scene below.
    Dan walked around the office, flicking on the lights and turning on the radiator heat. As he moved about the room, he eyed his visitor without staring. Brown hair with a reddish tint. Brown eyes. Athletic. Maybe five foot six. His eyes landed on her shoes and he adjusted her height for one inch heels. Dan guessed they were not her foo t wear of choice. Sandals, most likely, even in cool weather. He also imagined a tattoo on one of her legs. Maybe another on her shoulder blade. Nothing too grand, but definitely