Page 16 of No Artful Refusal
His reaction didn’t surprise her, but the sting she felt did.It left her exposed and uncertain, despite being the only one in the room who knew.
Why did it bother her?She didn’t need him to like her.His respect—no matter how grudgingly given—should be enough.
“Of course you’re here.”Cade stared her down.“Please step outside, Ms.Norris.”
“What?No,” Janice protested.“She’s my guest.”Her gaze darted from one detective to the other and back again.“My mother’s friend.”
Cade snorted as Hoffman handed over the warrant.“We’re here to conduct a search.”
“For what?”
Devyn slowly gathered her phone and purse.The young woman had some acting skills.That could complicate matters.“We’ll talk another time,” she offered innocently.
Cade got in her way at the door.“Wait outside, Ms.Norris.Please.”
Devyn only went so far as the doorway, forcing him to keep it open.She wanted to see when the painting was recovered.
“How do you know her?What is going on?”
“The warrant,” Hoffman began.“It allows us to search the premises as well as your vehicle for the painting that is missing from the college museum where you’ve been working.”
“If you’ll step back.”Cade gestured toward the kitchen that ran along one short wall.“Let us take a look around.”
“You don’t need to search,” Janice said.“It’s over there.”She pointed to a privacy screen blocking the end of the apartment Devyn assumed served as her bedroom.“On the easel.”
“Is anyone else here?”Hoffman asked.
“Just the two of us,” Devyn offered, earning another glare from Cade and a nod from Hoffman.Cautiously, Hoffman moved in that direction, one hand on her weapon.She cleared the space behind the screen, then shoved it aside.
For a moment, all four of them stared.Janice had placed the Sorenson on one easel and beside it, another canvas was prepped, with only the first sweep of color.
Cade pulled handcuffs from his belt.“Janice Willoughby, you are under arrest for the theft of this painting.”He continued to explain her rights over her protests.
With Cade distracted, Devyn stepped in and closed the door.She wanted to hear everything.Hoffman was making a call, reporting the find.
“I didn’t steal it,” Janice said again when Cade fell silent.“I didn’t!”
“Then why is it here instead of in proper storage?”Hoffman asked.
“Professor Garvey,” Janice replied.“He told me about the Monet in storage at the museum.He assigned me to paint a replica for his class.I only have two weeks.”Tears filled her eyes.“I couldn’t do it in that timeframe at the museum.The light in the basement is atrocious.”
“That’s not a Monet,” Hoffman said.
“What?It’s fake?”Willoughby stared at the Sorenson.“No way.”
“Way.”Cade, holding her elbow, led her closer.“Didn’t you notice the signature?”
“It’s blocked by the frame,” she complained.“But yes, taking a hard look, I can see the upper strokes aren’t quite right.”
“Sorenson or Monet, it’s grand theft.”
“It can’t be,” Janice said.“I had permission.”
Devyn stepped up.“When is Professor Garvey coming by?”
The detectives aimed hard looks at her, apparently having forgotten she was here.
“Tonight,” Janice replied.“To talk.”It seemed to dawn on her that Garvey might be coming by to take the painting.“How did you know?”
