Page 133 of Fresh Canvas
I stepped forward to embrace Barbara for the last time. She felt like cashmere and memories, and I struggled to keep my tears at bay.
Val’s gaze locked with mine over Barbara’s shoulder. I gave him the tiniest nod, to which he returned, letting me know he understood.
We had found the painting. I had the evidence. It was done.
Worry was etched in the lines framing his eyes, the crease in his frown. “Of course, Angel. Let’s get going.” He turned to Barbara with a winning smile. “Thank you again. And I apologize for my rambling, I can’t help it when I get excited.” He chuckled and moved close to my side.
Ever so gently, Val’s knuckles brushed against mine in a familiar trail of electricity.
It felt like comfort, and pain. Peace, and agony.
And despite it all, I still opened my palm to his. He threaded his hand in mine, giving me a reassuring squeeze that somehow made everything worse.
He’s just pretending.
After saying goodbye, we stepped into the muggy night.Rain clouds hung low in the sky.I was sure Val could feel my heart breaking through my palm as we strolled to the car.
I counted the paces before us, calculating how much time I had left to hold Val’s hand.
Nine. Eight. Seven.
It was all over now. The case was solved.
Six. Five. Four.
Sherlock and Watson were done. I’d likely never see Val again.
Three. Two. One.
Val’s white Audi was flecked with the raindrops just beginning to fall. I steeled myself for him to let go, to unlock the car, to take me back to the life where I belonged.
He hesitated, glancing down at me with a pained expression.
“It’s okay, Val. I have the evidence. It’s done.” He didn’t respond, so I tried again to reassure him through my hoarse whisper. “She can’t see us from here. You don’t have to pretend anymore.”
Silence settled, thick and heavy like the clouds above.
“Will you come somewhere with me?” he asked.
I stared into those chocolate eyes of his. To the answers looming behind them. It was now or never.
“Yes.”
Shadow and lamplight took turns illuminating my face as Val drove me through the city for what felt like hours. I checked my watch, surprised to see it was only past ten.
Val parked his car behind a nondescript white brick building. We were in a commercial area of town, bustling streets lined with restaurants and shops. I didn’t carewherehe pulled the plug as much as I cared about why.
“Come with me,” he said.
I stepped out of the car as fat raindrops pelted my blackblazer and freckled my white t-shirt beneath. Val led me to an unmarked door. It seemed like an employee entrance.
“What is this place?” I asked. “It looks like it’s closed. Wait—why do you have a key?”
Val responded with a weak smile over his shoulder before pushing open the door.
“Because I own the place.”
Bewildered, I followed him into near darkness, only a few eerie exit signs illuminating the space.
