Read Online Thread End: An Embroidery Mystery by Amanda Lee - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Amanda Lee
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was looking forward to spending the day with Ted. . . . That’s all. And then I had to stumble over a body in the alley!”
“Even if you hadn’t discovered Professor Vandehey, someone would have. . . . Plus, the museum was robbed on top of everything.”
We filled our plates and sat down. At her request, I poured Reggie a cup of coffee, and I had a Bellini cocktail.
“Manu and Ted are fairly certain Dr. Vandehey’s murder and the museum theft are connected, aren’t they?” I asked.
She nodded as she put butter on her muffin. “Josh Ingle is, too. He’s terrified he’ll lose his job over this whole mess, even though he took a lot of extra security measures to protect the exhibit.”
“What’s your opinion of Josh?” I asked.
“I don’t know him terribly well, but I like him all right. Why?”
“Well, I had a customer come in Friday before the museum exhibit opening, and she expressed a reluctance to go to the event because she was afraid she’d run into Josh,” I said. “I encouraged her to go and told her she could hang out with us.”
“Was she the young woman who introduced herself to us?” Reggie asked.
“Yes,” I said. “And immediately after that, Josh came up and she took off.”
“I remember that.”
“So, based on her opinion and reaction to Josh, I was wary of him. But Blake and Sadie seem to think he’s great,” I said.
“I imagine he visits the coffeehouse quite often,” she said. “So maybe they know him better than your customer does. It sometimes takes only one unpleasant encounter to ruin an entire relationship with someone.”
“True. Blake and Sadie did mention that they believe Josh’s uncle influenced the board of directors to give him his job as curator. Do you think he’s competent?”
“I had no reason to think otherwise—nor did anyone else—before the theft,” she said. “And he
had
taken more than adequate security measures. Still, I don’t think anyone—Josh, the board of directors, or the security guards—really expected anything to happen Friday evening.” She sipped her coffee. “I believe they thought the worst-case scenario would be someone getting drunk off the free champagne and making a scene.”
“If you’ll recall, the only concern Ted and Manu both really expressed was that the museum would exceed maximum occupancy.” I took a bite of my pizza. The still-warm crust, tangy sauce, and crisp vegetables made a delicious combination. “Ted said the thieves stole the majority of the Padgett Collection.”
“They did. There were a couple of the bigger pieces that they left behind,” she said. “And it breaks my heart that they so carelessly ruined that kilim.” Her eyes widened. “And that they killed the professor, of course!”
I smiled. “I know what you meant, Reggie. It’s all right to say that we’re not only sad that a man lost his life but that an antique rug was destroyed as well.”
“I guess. . . . It makes me feel callous to even think it, though.”
“You’re anything but callous.” I tasted the refreshing Bellini. “Was anything besides pieces from the Padgett Collection stolen from the museum?”
“No. It appears the thieves were specific in what they wanted. They left everything else in the museum alone.”
“That seems odd to me,” I said. “If I wanted to rob a museum, I’d make the most of it and take everything I possibly could.”
“Maybe they did. What if Vandehey wasn’t in collusion with the thieves? He might’ve interrupted them in the midst of the heist and spoiled their plan.”
“And got himself killed in the process.”
“That’s only one theory,” Reggie reminded me.
“I know,” I said. “What about the security cameras? Didn’t they provide a clue as to who was behind the heist?”
“The cameras had been shot with paintball guns immediately. The person or persons who shot the lenses were masked, wore coveralls, and had on gloves.”
“What about the
“Even if you hadn’t discovered Professor Vandehey, someone would have. . . . Plus, the museum was robbed on top of everything.”
We filled our plates and sat down. At her request, I poured Reggie a cup of coffee, and I had a Bellini cocktail.
“Manu and Ted are fairly certain Dr. Vandehey’s murder and the museum theft are connected, aren’t they?” I asked.
She nodded as she put butter on her muffin. “Josh Ingle is, too. He’s terrified he’ll lose his job over this whole mess, even though he took a lot of extra security measures to protect the exhibit.”
“What’s your opinion of Josh?” I asked.
“I don’t know him terribly well, but I like him all right. Why?”
“Well, I had a customer come in Friday before the museum exhibit opening, and she expressed a reluctance to go to the event because she was afraid she’d run into Josh,” I said. “I encouraged her to go and told her she could hang out with us.”
“Was she the young woman who introduced herself to us?” Reggie asked.
“Yes,” I said. “And immediately after that, Josh came up and she took off.”
“I remember that.”
“So, based on her opinion and reaction to Josh, I was wary of him. But Blake and Sadie seem to think he’s great,” I said.
“I imagine he visits the coffeehouse quite often,” she said. “So maybe they know him better than your customer does. It sometimes takes only one unpleasant encounter to ruin an entire relationship with someone.”
“True. Blake and Sadie did mention that they believe Josh’s uncle influenced the board of directors to give him his job as curator. Do you think he’s competent?”
“I had no reason to think otherwise—nor did anyone else—before the theft,” she said. “And he
had
taken more than adequate security measures. Still, I don’t think anyone—Josh, the board of directors, or the security guards—really expected anything to happen Friday evening.” She sipped her coffee. “I believe they thought the worst-case scenario would be someone getting drunk off the free champagne and making a scene.”
“If you’ll recall, the only concern Ted and Manu both really expressed was that the museum would exceed maximum occupancy.” I took a bite of my pizza. The still-warm crust, tangy sauce, and crisp vegetables made a delicious combination. “Ted said the thieves stole the majority of the Padgett Collection.”
“They did. There were a couple of the bigger pieces that they left behind,” she said. “And it breaks my heart that they so carelessly ruined that kilim.” Her eyes widened. “And that they killed the professor, of course!”
I smiled. “I know what you meant, Reggie. It’s all right to say that we’re not only sad that a man lost his life but that an antique rug was destroyed as well.”
“I guess. . . . It makes me feel callous to even think it, though.”
“You’re anything but callous.” I tasted the refreshing Bellini. “Was anything besides pieces from the Padgett Collection stolen from the museum?”
“No. It appears the thieves were specific in what they wanted. They left everything else in the museum alone.”
“That seems odd to me,” I said. “If I wanted to rob a museum, I’d make the most of it and take everything I possibly could.”
“Maybe they did. What if Vandehey wasn’t in collusion with the thieves? He might’ve interrupted them in the midst of the heist and spoiled their plan.”
“And got himself killed in the process.”
“That’s only one theory,” Reggie reminded me.
“I know,” I said. “What about the security cameras? Didn’t they provide a clue as to who was behind the heist?”
“The cameras had been shot with paintball guns immediately. The person or persons who shot the lenses were masked, wore coveralls, and had on gloves.”
“What about the
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