Page 54 of Fresh Canvas
My shoes required my full attention as I mumbled, “Thank you… for doing that.”
Val avoided my gaze at all costs, staring far off into the distance. “It’s no problem.”
As we began to walk again, I cast him a furtive glance. Val Russo was full of surprises, wasn’t he? I had wholeheartedly expected him to capitalize on the information and humiliate me in front of Vanessa. Or at least be using the salacious gossip to embarrass me now. Only, he hadn’t. He wasn’t.
Maybe the devil has a soul after all.
“So…” Val sounded hesitant, but curious. “Will you tell me about Anthony?”
The cat was out of the bag anyway, and Anthony just happened to be my favorite subject.
With a genuine smile, I said, “I know I’m biased, but he’s pretty much the coolest kid ever. Anthony is ten years old, he’s smart, and funny, and even though he’s growing into that whole ‘I’m too cool for this’ phase, he’s still so sweet and thoughtful. And he kicks my trash at Speed Racer 3000.”
Val laughed. “Youplay Speed Racer 3000?”
“I'm the best,” I deadpanned. “I mean, aside from Anthony, but he’s a pro.” I sized him up from head to foot. “I bet I’d kick your trash, easy.”
Val snorted. “I’d like to see you try.” We walked a few paces before he said, “You mentioned Anthony is in Europe?”
“Yeah. He’s with his dad for the summer.” A lump formed in my throat, but I bit it back. I wasnotabout to cry in front of Val Russo. “He’ll be back in August, though.” I took a deep breath and forced a small smile.
Val seemed to absorb the information as we walked until a small chime sounded from the phone in his pocket. He slid it out and read the text message. The edge of horror in his whisper set my nerves on fire.
“Amantha, you were right. The painting is a fake.”
My stomach sank. “H-how? How did he confirm it?”
“Titanium white. Just like you’d said. The lily had traces of titanium. The molecular test found it immediately. Felix Andreas died before it was even invented.”
The world began to tilt. I was going to get fired. All my work, all my passion I’d thrown into this new life was going to go up in flames. Which meant I’d likely be fighting Ryan for custody again much sooner than I thought.
“What do we do?” I whispered.
A grim determination spread across Val’s face. “We find the real painting.”
The real painting? Is he insane?
“And how arewesupposed to do that?” Frustration at his cavalier suggestion surpassed my fear for a moment.
“I don’t know,” Val huffed, “but would it kill you to have a tad of optimism?”
“It just might,” I snapped.
And just like that, we slipped easily into old habits.
“We’re done here.” Val turned, striding back the way we came.
I stumbled after him. “Done? We’re notdone! We haven’t even begun?—”
He whirled on me. “You know, sometimes I’m jealous you can be so ignorant.”
I shot daggers at him.
Val stretched his neck in a circle, took a deep breath, and said, “We’re notdone. I said we’re donehere. The museum software will have the accession form.”
“But—it’s Sunday, Val!” I protested. “Plus the museum is closed.”
“Unbelievable.” He shook his head as though I were the dumbest person he’d ever met. Pulling a small white rectangle from the back pocket of his jeans, he waved his employee keycard in front of my nose. “Keycards, remember? I have higher clearance.Full access.”
