Read Online Gauguin Connection, The by Estelle Ryan - Free Book Online Page A

knew about the piece of the painting found on the girl? “And stop answering my questions with questions.”
    “I know it is a lot to ask of you, but I need you to trust me.”
    A disbelieving sound escaped my lips. “I don’t know you. All I know about you is that you’ve broken into my apartment, have stolen back a lot of art pieces and seem to know a lot about a lot. Can you give me any rational reason why I would trust you, an obvious criminal? Or why I would tell you anything at all?”
    “Your life is in danger.”
    The stark statement hung between us. I found myself mentally writing a few bars of the third movement of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 5 in D major. I would not allow any more shocking statements, photos or bits of information to steal my control. After a few short bars I asked, “In danger from whom?”
    “You’re not the only one who cannot reveal information. There are also things that I cannot tell you. We will have to get to know each other better for that kind of trust.”
    “That’s not going to happen.”
    “What? Getting to know each other or trusting each other?” His smile was quick. A sober expression took over his face. “If you are looking into the murder of that girl who hid a piece of the Gauguin, you need to be very careful of any and all association with the EDA.”
    Cold fear constricted my throat. Who was this man? How did he know about the EDA? Manny had said that only himself, Leon, the Chief and the Head of the EDA knew about Phillip’s and my involvement.
    “Aha,” Colin said in a knowing tone. “You are working with the EDA.”
    “I did not say that.” I couldn’t believe that I had fallen for this amateur test. He had simply thrown that statement out into the air to see how I was going to react and react I did. I might as well have told him everything I knew.
    He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and letting his hands dangle. “I cannot emphasise enough how dangerous this is.”
    “How would you know? Does this have anything to do with the artists who got murdered?”
    It looked like I had shot him with a stun gun. “How do you know about that?”
    This was a job for Phillip with his excellent people and negotiation skills. The two of us were attacking each other with information and successfully shocking each other into admissions that should not be voiced at all. I had to delve very deep into my psychology training to find the right way to deal with this.
    “Okay, stop. We are walking in circles and it’s leading nowhere. I don’t owe you any kind of trust since you are the one who entered my home uninvited. If you want me to listen to you or answer any more questions, you will have to tell me your true purpose for being here.” I did not have to try to put severity into my voice and expression. I had never been this serious about anything.
    “Fair enough. I suppose lying is not an option since I know that you are an expert at detecting deception.”
    I did not move a single muscle in my face. I did, however, want to roll my eyes and raise my upper lip in disgust. He was still stalling, but I knew that I could outwait him.
    He breathed a tired chuckle in surrender. “Fine. I came here to find out who you are. I was curious about the person who had uncovered such a well-constructed secret. I also wanted to warn, or scare, you away from this case. But I have changed my mind.”
    “Have you now?” I was reading his every muscle movement. Holding on to a poker face was nigh-on impossible. We always gave away clues as to what was going on inside our heads. So far Colin had been truthful. Uncomfortable, but truthful.
    “Yes, I think that you are exactly what I need. Before you get upset, let me explain. I don’t have access to law enforcement like you do.” His smile was wry. “For obvious reasons. A lot of bad things have been happening for a long time and someone needs to stop it. Unfortunately, a lot of those bad things are done by