Read Online The Flinck Connection (Book 4) (Genevieve Lenard) by Estelle Ryan - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Estelle Ryan
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muscles around Manny’s mouth twitched. Manny didn’t smile often. I didn’t understand why he was amused. “The doc is right though. We need that video. We can determine height and weight at the least, and at best Doc here can tell his future.”
I sucked my lips in between my teeth and bit down to refrain from correcting Manny. It was clear he was bantering with the other men, building rapport. I tried. I really did, but after twelve seconds, I simply couldn’t hold it in any more. “I cannot tell anyone’s future. It is impossible. People who believe that are naïve and ignorant.”
“I know, Doc.” Manny surprised me by winking at me.
It took me a millisecond to decipher his behaviour. “You were teasing me.”
“I’ll make a detective of you yet.” Manny turned back to the men who were shifting from one foot to the next. They were impatient to leave. A few questions later, I realised they had nothing more of value to add and I walked to the centre of the room.
Across the doorway was the longest wall with the most paintings. Except now there were three paintings missing. The wall to my right had two empty spaces, and directly next to the doorway was another obvious gap in the exhibition. The remaining paintings were from masters like Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Botticelli. Surely the thief would’ve done well taking those paintings as well.
Soft footsteps stopped next to me and I glanced to my side. Colin was staring at the same empty spaces.
“Why choose those specific paintings?” I asked. “Are they more valuable than these hanging here?”
“All of these are valuable. They could’ve taken any six paintings from these walls and it would’ve been a nice day’s work.”
“Then why those six?”
“A good question, Jenny.” Colin’s shrug was slight. “It could mean something. Or it could mean nothing.”
“You’re right. Speculating about it is a waste of time. We should get the video footage and get back to the office so I can analyse it.” I turned to face him, took note of his expression and leaned closer to him. “What do you know?”
He closed his eyes, huffing a small laugh. When he looked at me, it was with affection. “You really see too much, love. And I mean this in the most positive way possible.”
“I didn’t think it was negative.”
“Of course you didn’t.” He smiled. “To answer your question, I have a strong suspicion, but I know how you feel about speculation. I suggest we get back to your viewing room to check out those videos. Maybe then I can confirm my suspicions and tell you.”
I leaned a bit closer and spoke quietly, respecting Colin’s need for confidentiality. “Does this have something to do with the phone call you received?”
“Yes and no.”
“That is not an answer.” I hated it when he didn’t give me clear answers. His expression told me I was not going to get anything better than that. “Do you know this thief?”
He sighed. “Maybe. A few things the curator said and especially the method of entry sounds like someone I know.”
“Well then, let’s stop faffing about and get back,” Manny said from a few feet away. I hadn’t heard him come closer. “And you better tell me every bloody thing you know, Frey.”
Chapter FIVE
Manny walked into the foyer of Rousseau & Rousseau, looking back to make sure we were following him. His strides were long and purposeful, his face conveying his disapproval. He was grumbling about Colin not sharing everything he knew as he learned it.
We followed Manny into the team room and walked over to the round table where Vinnie and Nikki were sitting. Manny, however, didn’t stop until he stood in front of Francine’s desk. She was, as usual, working on the three computers she had running simultaneously. She glanced up and immediately returned to her computers when she saw Manny glaring at her. The orbicularis oculi muscles around her eyes and the muscles around her mouth told
I sucked my lips in between my teeth and bit down to refrain from correcting Manny. It was clear he was bantering with the other men, building rapport. I tried. I really did, but after twelve seconds, I simply couldn’t hold it in any more. “I cannot tell anyone’s future. It is impossible. People who believe that are naïve and ignorant.”
“I know, Doc.” Manny surprised me by winking at me.
It took me a millisecond to decipher his behaviour. “You were teasing me.”
“I’ll make a detective of you yet.” Manny turned back to the men who were shifting from one foot to the next. They were impatient to leave. A few questions later, I realised they had nothing more of value to add and I walked to the centre of the room.
Across the doorway was the longest wall with the most paintings. Except now there were three paintings missing. The wall to my right had two empty spaces, and directly next to the doorway was another obvious gap in the exhibition. The remaining paintings were from masters like Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Botticelli. Surely the thief would’ve done well taking those paintings as well.
Soft footsteps stopped next to me and I glanced to my side. Colin was staring at the same empty spaces.
“Why choose those specific paintings?” I asked. “Are they more valuable than these hanging here?”
“All of these are valuable. They could’ve taken any six paintings from these walls and it would’ve been a nice day’s work.”
“Then why those six?”
“A good question, Jenny.” Colin’s shrug was slight. “It could mean something. Or it could mean nothing.”
“You’re right. Speculating about it is a waste of time. We should get the video footage and get back to the office so I can analyse it.” I turned to face him, took note of his expression and leaned closer to him. “What do you know?”
He closed his eyes, huffing a small laugh. When he looked at me, it was with affection. “You really see too much, love. And I mean this in the most positive way possible.”
“I didn’t think it was negative.”
“Of course you didn’t.” He smiled. “To answer your question, I have a strong suspicion, but I know how you feel about speculation. I suggest we get back to your viewing room to check out those videos. Maybe then I can confirm my suspicions and tell you.”
I leaned a bit closer and spoke quietly, respecting Colin’s need for confidentiality. “Does this have something to do with the phone call you received?”
“Yes and no.”
“That is not an answer.” I hated it when he didn’t give me clear answers. His expression told me I was not going to get anything better than that. “Do you know this thief?”
He sighed. “Maybe. A few things the curator said and especially the method of entry sounds like someone I know.”
“Well then, let’s stop faffing about and get back,” Manny said from a few feet away. I hadn’t heard him come closer. “And you better tell me every bloody thing you know, Frey.”
Chapter FIVE
Manny walked into the foyer of Rousseau & Rousseau, looking back to make sure we were following him. His strides were long and purposeful, his face conveying his disapproval. He was grumbling about Colin not sharing everything he knew as he learned it.
We followed Manny into the team room and walked over to the round table where Vinnie and Nikki were sitting. Manny, however, didn’t stop until he stood in front of Francine’s desk. She was, as usual, working on the three computers she had running simultaneously. She glanced up and immediately returned to her computers when she saw Manny glaring at her. The orbicularis oculi muscles around her eyes and the muscles around her mouth told
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