Page 54 of The Chase
“Paperwork that tracks the painting’s origins. It’s as valuable as the painting sometimes. Now and again it’s the deciding factor on whether a painting is deemed authentic.”
“Do you think it might be real?” she said.
I beamed their way.
Harriet’s eyebrows shot up with excitement.
“That was extraordinarily kind of you, Ms. Leighton,” said Stewart.
“Oh, did I just let it slip you own an authentic painting by Lowry?” My lips curled into a mischievous smile. The joy on their faces was adorable.
Elena appeared in the doorway.
I headed over to her. She must have read their happiness because she suppressed a grin.
“Send them to Sotheby’s,” I told her. “It’s worth at least two million.”
“Shall I bill them?” she said. “You’ll get the commission.”
“Leave it to their discretion.” I glanced back.
“Adley wants to talk with you.” She gestured for me to follow her out.
“Everything all right?” I said.
She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Not sure what Logan told Adley, but he’s pacing.”
“What does that mean?”
She looked nervous. “It’s never good when he paces.”
10
Adley refused to let up.
And I refused to unfold my arms and agree I was wrong.
He was sitting behind his desk and I was standing in front of it. Apparently, the moment I’d left my office, Logan had stormed into Adley’s to discuss my refusal to sign the NDA. And to think I’d believed it was best to have my boss review legal paperwork first.
“You and I have already discussed your attitude, Zara,” he said. “You can’t talk to Mr. Wilder’s staff so disrespectfully.”
“I merely advised Ms. Arquette I’d have you look over the form first.”
He rose to his feet, rounded me and shut the door. “We have clients who require discretion. Even from me. A little unusual, I know. You’ll get used to it.”
“But from you?”
He looked sympathetic. “There’s a gray area.”
“Mr. Wilder gave me a bonsai tree.” I pointed to my office. “And a thank-you note. I thought he was happy.”
“Probably sent out as standard.”
This felt like a catch-22. If I explained to Adley I’d been dragged through a palace half-naked to see a stashed-away painting, I’d breech the client’s trust, but not sharing this made me appear as the ungrateful employee who’d recklessly threatened a relationship with a respected businessman. I had gone above and beyond.
Way beyond.
Adley slid the form across the table.
