Read Online The Portrait of Doreene Gray by Esri Allbritten - Free Book Online Page B

“That’s interesting, though, that she thought the stepfather left everything to Maureene.”
    â€œDoreene probably told people that to drum up sympathy,” Suki said. “I wouldn’t put it past her.”
    Michael shifted impatiently. “We should get settled in Doreene’s house right now. What do you bet the gallery owner is calling Maureene to tell her we’re being nosy?”
    Angus made an impatient noise. “Ach, she already knows. This story’s moving too slow. We need people to start talking, so that real gossips know to approach us. Anyway, Maureene can’t kick us out. Doreene is the one who asked us to stay, and she seems to call the shots.”
    â€œI wouldn’t mind going back to Doreene’s place,” Suki said. “If I can’t photograph the portrait, I can at least photograph the house, and daylight is better for that.” She yawned. “Plus, there are only so many pictures of boats I can look at.”
    â€œNot a fan of nautical art?” Michael asked, already moving toward the door.
    â€œI prefer pictures of people,” she said. “Preferably without so many clothes.”
    *   *   *
    They went back to the hotel, packed up, and checked out before heading to the Gray mansion. As Suki drove the last block to Doreene’s, Angus pointed to a car parked across from the house. “Look. There’s that white Impala again.”
    In the back of the van, Michael unbuckled his seat belt and leaned forward between the two front seats. “And there’s the guy, just sitting. He must be with security.”
    â€œLet’s find out.” Suki pulled over to the curb, directly behind the Impala.
    The man’s tanned, bald head turned as he looked in his side mirror to observe them.
    â€œSuki, why don’t you have a go at him?” Angus suggested. “Michael and I will go around the back and get the bags.”
    Suki looked in the rearview mirror and tidied the line of her lip gloss with a finger. “No problem.”
    They got out, Angus and Michael going to the rear of the van, Suki strolling forward.
    When she reached the side of the Impala, she tapped on the window with two knuckles.
    It rolled down with an electric whir, and the man looked up at her.
    From this close, Suki could see that he shaved his head. She put his age at around fifty, but with that tan, it was hard to tell. The jacket of his charcoal suit was folded neatly over the back of the passenger seat. In addition to the matching pants, he wore an expensive-looking shirt in a sheeny slate blue, with no tie around his thick, muscular neck. Sunglasses hid his eyes. “Are you with security?” she asked. “Doreene asked us to stay at the house, but do we need to show you some ID?” The corners of her lips curved. “Or anything else?”
    He smiled back. “No, you’re fine.” His voice was husky, with some kind of accent.
    Angus and Michael joined her, carrying an assortment of luggage.
    â€œHello,” Angus said cheerfully. “I’m Angus MacGregor, from Tripping magazine. This is Michael Abernathy, one of our writers, and I see you’ve already met our photographer, Suki Oota.”
    The man nodded by way of greeting. “Enrico Russo. I wonder if you can help me. I need to talk to Ms. Gray, but I don’t want to disturb her if she has company. After you’ve been inside, could you come out and tell me if she’s busy?”
    â€œCan’t you just call her?” Michael asked.
    Enrico lifted a shoulder. “As I said, I don’t want to disturb her. It’s not urgent.”
    â€œI’ll find out for you,” Suki offered. “Hey, are those amber lenses in those sunglasses? I’ve been wondering if I should get some while I’m up here. It’s always clouding over.” She held out a hand. “Could I try them on?”
    â€œOf course.”