Page 118 of Caper Crush
“In this case, yes.” I email Officer Johnson a photo of the painting.
“I’m not sure we’ll be able to get a warrant based on the similarity between the brushstrokes,” he says. “Hmm … it does look similar. I’m about to interview Lena again. If she admits she removed the paintings at Edmund’s suggestion, we’ve got more of a lead. Since Miju didn’t see anything, it’s not enough.”
“I understand,” I say, disappointed. I text him the name of the artist so they can run a search, then hang up and turn to William. “He said he doesn’t think it’s enough to get a warrant.”
“We should pay our own visit to the studio then.”
“Let’s text Takashi and Uncle Tony.”
William texts Takashi while I text Uncle Tony. They’ll do some research and planning while we meet with Annabelle.
“Are you sure I should come to this lunch with your stepsister?” William asks.
“It’s better if both of us decipher the situation. I’m not exactly unbiased.”
We pass a graduate in a bright-blue gown, her black, tasseled cap at a jaunty angle on her head. She walks arm in arm with her friend, also in a gown, their heads close together, their faces wreathed in huge grins, as a set of parents trails proudly behind, like the inverse of a mother duck with her ducklings. It must be an early graduation ceremony.
I say, “Congratulations,” a bit choked, and immediately tear up.
William darts a look at me. “Are you crying?”
“I always cry when I see graduates. You probably think it’s silly.”
“No.” He hands me a handkerchief, the one I had returned previously.
“It’s such a huge milestone for them. And they just radiate joy, don’t they? But I can’t even congratulate them because I immediately start to cry.”
He takes my hand, holding it warmly.
We enter the lobby of Annabelle’s building, nod hello to the doorman, and take the elevator up to my sister’s floor.
Chapter thirty
I’mfortrustingAnnabelle,but William doesn’t think we should. His argument is that if she is in love with Edmund, maybe that would trump any stepsister love, especially since I’ve acknowledged we are not close.
But I don’t think she’s in love with Edmund. That look in her eyes at John’s party told me she’s still in love with David.
We walk down the hallway toward Annabelle’s door. She lives in one of these large, luxury apartment buildings with ten units on each floor. It must be great for kids trick-or-treating. I ring her doorbell.
Annabelle opens the door, Pepper yapping at her heels.
I reach down to pet Pepper.
“Any news on your painting?” she asks.
“No.” Maybe I don’t completely trust her yet.
“Thanks for coming. And William too,” Annabelle says. “Are you guys glued at the hip now as the detective duo?”
“He doesn’t trust me not to mess up our investigation.”
“You should trust her,” Annabelle says. “She was the family Clue master.”
“I had a very elaborate note-taking scheme,” I say.
“But I didn’t actually ask you over to discuss the case.” Annabelle looks pointedly at William. “I need to ask your advice on something.”
“Okay.”
