Read Online Flawed Perfection (An Eve Sumptor Novel) by Jourdyn Kelly - Free Book Online Page B

advanced then, taking Eve’s place.
    “I can have an investigator here within minutes, Mr. Branson. Not to mention the police. You may want to start explaining.”
    “She’s mistaken.” Branson tugged at his collar, and sweat gathered on his mustache.
    “Eve does not make mistakes when it comes to art,” Ian replied, coldly. “If she says it’s hers, I believe her.”
    Branson’s mouth clamped shut.
    “Have it your way.” Ian brought out his phone, ready to call the investigators.
    “Call Captain Harris.”
    Eve’s voice was eerily quiet, and her eyes never left Branson.
    “You want to call the police in?” Ian was surprised. Eve usually preferred to take care of problems in her own way. A way that normally didn’t require the law.
    “No. I want Captain Harris here. Ask him not to say anything.” She knew she had no right to ask Charlie to keep quiet, but Branson only had one of her paintings that she saw. If she wanted to find the rest, and get answers, she needed Branson to talk without lawyers. But, she also wanted to keep Charlie in the loop, just in case. “Call James, as well.”
    Ian’s eyes widened a bit. A police captain, and a known criminal in the same place? Only Eve could pull that off without a hitch, he thought, and made the calls.
     

     
    “Legally, I cannot conduct a search without Mr. Branson’s permission or a warrant, Eve.”
    “I can.” James began to move towards the office before Harris stopped him.
    “If you want me to be able to do anything about this, it has to be by the book.”
    “I can get the painting, and make him talk,” James sneered. Cops had too many damn rules!
    “Enough.” Eve stepped between Charlie and James. “I saw the painting, Charlie. So did Lainey.”
    Harris took Eve aside so Branson couldn’t hear. “Eve, he could easily say you planted that painting there, and if he has a good lawyer, that’s exactly what they’ll tell him to say. Lainey is your assistant. She would lie for you.”
    Eve’s eyes cut to Charlie. “You know, as well as I do, that Lainey would not lie about this.”
    “You’re right. I do know. But, do you think anyone else would see it that way?”
    When Eve frowned, Harris continued.
    “Let me do this by the book, Eve.”
    He sighed when Eve slowly shook her head. “I need answers, Charlie. You mentioned his lawyer. If you arrest him, I can’t get him to talk without an attorney present. Which means I don’t get what I need. The painting is there. I just need to know why, and where the others are. James can get answers.”
    “Eve! Damn it!” Harris watched Eve retreat back to James, and speak softly to him. With another sigh, he took out his phone and made a call.
     

     
    Eve’s phone rang, and she saw Billy’s name pop up on the ID. Once again, her eyes went to Charlie. He had called him, she was sure, she just didn’t know what he thought that would accomplish.
    “Billy.”
    “Eve, what you’re doing is illegal.”
    “He has my painting. What I’m doing is finding out what happened to the rest of my belongings.”
    “Then let Harris do it.”
    “Did he really think you could talk me into this?”
    She heard Billy’s exasperated breath, and almost smiled. If she weren’t so damned pissed, she probably would have.
    “No. I think he’s smarter than that,” Billy muttered. “Hand the phone to Branson. Harris thinks hearing from the FBI can intimidate him enough to talk before we have to arrest him.”
    “It’s for you.” Eve handed the phone to Branson, then joined Charlie. “You’re so hung up on going by the book. Tell me, Charlie. What would you arrest him for? You said yourself you can’t search this place without a warrant. I doubt you could arrest him for being an asshole.”
    Charlie didn’t even bother trying to hide his smile. “Could you imagine how full the jails would be if we arrested people for being assholes? I would ask him to come to the station to answer questions, as a person