Read Online Played by Barbara Freethy - Free Book Online

continued.
    “There seems to be no end to your curiosity.”
    “Why Barclay’s? Why not one of the other bigger auction houses? Why did the Benedettis choose your house for their collection? I’ve seen your security, and it could be better.”
    “You can take that up with Russell Kenner. Security is not my area. As for why us…Barclay’s may be smaller and not as old or as well-known, but we’re very well respected in the industry. We have an office in Europe, and one of our specialists there was able to win the consignment from the Benedettis. There are all kinds of deals in terms of money and percentages. I’m not privy to that particular information. You would have to discuss the details with Alexis or Jeremy Kensington, the owners of Barclay’s.”
    He nodded. It was interesting how she had so much more to say when she wasn’t being asked a personal question. “I’ll keep that in mind. Since you’re not in charge of security or pricing, what exactly do you do?”
    “I’m the department specialist for jewelry, not just diamonds, but any kind of jewelry that we sell. I have a background in art history and I’m a certified gemologist.”
    “In other words, you’re a smart girl,” he mused. Christina was not just smart; she was also beautiful, a dangerous combination.
    “You could say that.”
    “Do you have a boyfriend?” Where had that question come from?
    Her jaw dropped, her eyes widening with surprise. “What does that have to do with anything?”
    He searched his brain for a good reason. “Just wondering how vulnerable you would be to a seductive con man.”
    She bristled at that. “As you said, I’m a smart girl. I don’t fall for phony lines.”
    “You didn’t answer my question, Christina.”
    She crossed her arms in front of her as she sat back in her chair. “Not that it’s your business, but, no, I don’t have a boyfriend at the moment. I’m too busy with my job. What about you? Do you have a girlfriend?”
    “No,” he said shortly, regretting having opened up this line of questioning. Fortunately, she seemed as eager to ditch it as he was.
    “So, are we done?” she asked. “It’s been a long night. I’d like to go home.”
    “Not so fast. We never finished our conversation about your father.”
    She let out a sigh. “I’ll tell you this. My father is an incredible man. He raised me on his own from the time I was an infant. My mother left me, but my father didn’t. It was just the two of us. He was my whole world. I thought he was the smartest man alive.”
    J.T. picked up the nuance in her voice and wondered where it came from. “But you don’t think that now?”
    “Of course I do,” she said quickly.
    He wasn’t sure he believed her. There was something going on between her and her father. “Are you still close?”
    “Not like we used to be. My father is retired, and he travels a lot. We don’t see each other much.”
    “Sounds like he has a good life. Did he ever re-marry?”
    “My father said he could never love anyone but my mother. He’s a romantic,” she added with a weary smile.
    “Like his daughter?”
    “No,” she said with a definitive shake of her head. “I had to be the practical one or we never would have survived. My father would get caught up in his research and lose track of time. He had that absentminded professor bit down pretty well. But I took care of him, and he took care of me. We traveled a lot. It worked.” She stopped abruptly, the sound of her cell phone interrupting their conversation. She pulled out her phone and said, “Hello.” She stiffened, her face turning pale. “Yes, all right,” she said, then ended the call.
    Christina tried to act nonchalant as she returned her phone to her purse, but J.T. could see that she was rattled. “Who was that?” he queried.
    “One of my coworkers.”
    “So it was business?”
    “Sure.”
    “Interesting, because your face turned white when you said hello.”
    “I’m just