Page 54 of Accidentally Forever

Hale lets out a low whistle which just further irritates me. “Did you ever see any large payments come in under Xavier’s name? Any transactions that seemed off?”

I’m not sure what they don’t understand about my position there. The most I did with money was enter in a bid or a drop off time. We did a lot of scheduling but Xavier handled the actual transactions, money wires, all of it. Other than the prices on the paintings themselves, I didn’t do anything else with numbers. “I only handled the actual paintings. Xavier did the actual transactions.”

Another look passes between them. Irritation. Frustration. They don’t like that they aren’t getting what they want. Banks sits forward, a slow grin sliding across his face. “I’ve heard quite a lot and I think it’s time for me to talk to my client.”

Hale straightens slightly, feigning ease. “This is just a conversation.”

A slow, amused smile curves at the Alpha’s lips. “That’s cute.” I almost choke as Banks adjusts his cufflinks like he has all the time in the world. “Unless you’d like to explain why this feels like an interrogation rather than just a few questions. Because I’d be happy to shed some light on what’s going on here.”

The officers exchange a look, their frustration shifting into something closer to reluctant compliance. A few beats pass before Hale mutters something under his breath, then both push back from their chairs and walk away, leaving us in peace.

Banks turns to me, gently patting my shoulder. “You’re just as strong and stubborn as Puma boasted over the phone. I thought I’d have my work cut out for me, telling you where to speak and when to hold your tongue but there isn’t anything I would have changed. They’ll want you to step intoAsh & Ivoryto give them any other information that you can. It was shut down a few days ago so it’ll just be the officers and the two of us. However, you’re not under arrest and there’s no need for you to agree to any of this.”

I shrug. “I’ll do it. Anything I can do to get the suspicion off of my Alphas I’ll do.”

He offers me a soft smile. “Violet, that’s not exactly how this works. The legal and art world are very confusing places but I admire the thought behind it. Let’s get this over with, then.”

“Any pointers or whatever?”

“Don’t lie and don’t give them too much. Just answer the question they’ve asked and nothing more. If they want more information, they’ll have to ask for that.”

“I definitely thought you were going to say something about how my actions would reflect on the pack as a whole or something.” I chew on my bottom lip, waiting for him to start laying down the do’s and don’ts like I see on TV.

Banks just shakes his head. “Violet, you just told me that you’re here to help your pack. You drove here alone and walked in here without Puma at your side because you know exactly what that would construe. I don’t have to tell you what weight your words have. Right now, these officers want information because they have absolutely no idea where to look. It’s why some of those questions came off a little accusatory. You’re going to be fine in there, I’m sure of it. Anyone Puma talks highly of is special in my books.”

My cheeks heat a little as I blow out a deep breath and push to my feet, heading toward Hale and Kane to let them know I’m ready for more. They seem to be surprised I’m taking this so well, nodding to the gallery across the street. I feel like this whole process is a little uncouth but I don’t ask questions as we step into a place I couldn’t wait to get away from. There were some good memories here but mostly a lot of strenuous moments where I was just trying to survive.

There’s a strange aura in the air, the counter devoid of any happiness that Sofie brought. Hale and Kane are walking through the gallery like giants in a glass house, looking absolutely out of place. It’d be funny if not for the reason we’re here. I follow them, staring at the paintings and the space I called my second home but there’s something different. Most of these frames aren’t the ones I hung for the showing. They feel like that painting that smudged beneath my fingers. They all have this non-authentic feel and a quick glance at some of them show hurried strokes similar to the kids in the painting classes I oversaw.

Others, I can’t tell but I recognize from that back room.

Hale stops in front of one painting and points to a little mark in the right hand corner. It looks like many of the others I’ve dealt with and it means nothing to me. Even at the last gallery, I just always dismissed any oddities, calling it a flair of artistry or some bullshit.

“We had a few experts comb through these and there seems to be a calling card on most of them.” He shines a light over the small patch of green and I lean in, eyes widening as I catch the soft strokes of a name. “No idea who it is and no one seems to have seen it before. However, it seems like this isn’t the first time these have shown up.”

I swallow nervously, Kane making me realize they aren’t just poking around in the dark. They’ve actually donesomeresearch. “And it seems that at your last employment, we confiscated a few of these as well.” I want to ask them if they think I’m involved but I don’t get that far. “You’re not under arrest and you’re not a suspect but we’re hoping you knowsomethingsince you’ve been around all of this for more than just three months.”

My stomach twists as I glance at Banks. He gives me a small nod, silently telling me to share the truth. “I honestly don’t know. I’m not an artist. I worked at the last gallery because of my friend and moved here because it pays the best. The only alternative was the grocery store and it’s like $5 less an hour.” Even if I had noticed the pattern months ago, it wouldn’t have made any sense to me.

Hale lets out a frustrated sigh, dragging his hand through his hair. “I was hoping you had more for me, Violet but it gives me something to work with. We’ll stay in touch if we have more questions.”

Banks cuts in. “If there are more questions, you can reach out to me.”

“How the fuck does she afford you?” Kane growls before leading us back over to the parking lot across the street. “Don’t answer that. I guess we’ll be in touch with your lawyer should we need anything. Thanks for speaking with us.”

There’s no handshakes or goodbyes as they disappear back into that little house, my face twisted up in confusion on how awkward that felt. I turn to Banks, trying to suppress my emotions and fail. “This is bad, right?”

“Something like that. Seems like whoever is dealing fakes is a lot more ingrained in the business than we thought. It’s going to take some time to wade through. For now, I’d go home and calm down your Alpha before he finds a way to cuss me out.” Banks playfully points to the other car in the parking lot, Puma’s fierce stare focused on my face. Even through the window, I can see him focused on me, a need to see that I’m okay.

I’ll make him stew a little more until we get home. I’ve always wondered what would happen when I break his resolve. Will he stay this soft or will there be another version of him?

Chapter forty

PUMA

Violet isn’t answering the goddamn phone. I’ve called her twice, following behind her in my car and she keeps declining it. I have no idea what she’s playing at but god, I’m going to let her have it the moment we pull into the driveway. There’s very few seconds as my tires screech to a stop and I hop out before dragging Violet out of her driver’s seat. “Why weren’t you answering, Violet?”

Her wide eyes have me hesitating as her hands fall to my chest. “Fuck, we were just coming home!”

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