Page 17 of No Artful Refusal
“Lucky guess.”Garvey was the shadowy piece that hadn’t snapped into place until now.“He used you, Janice.”Sympathy washed through Devyn.Through the detectives too, she guessed.
“So take it,” Janice pleaded.She lurched away from Cade, staggering toward Hoffman.“I’m sorry.He told me he’d cleared everything.”
The two women spoke quietly, both of them focused on the easels.
“She’s not a co-conspirator,” Devyn murmured to Cade.
“Probably not,” he allowed.“Still have to work the case.”
“Don’t let Garvey get away with manipulating her.”
“We’ll work the case,” he repeated.“I hope we won’t see you at Garvey’s house next.”
“No need for that.You’re on the right track and the painting is safe.”
Cade folded his arms over his chest.“For a woman who lives in another state, you’re in my town quite a bit.”
“My friend was ill.”She appreciated the flare of concern in his eyes.“A lingering cold, that’s all.I came up to check on her and during my visit, she had a, um...”Might as well just say it.“She had a vision that the painting was in danger.”She ignored Cade’s eyeroll.“She asked me to get involved.And here we are.”
“Why didn’t you know about Garvey?”
Of course he wanted more details.“I’m not a machine, detective.”A machine wouldn’t be so relieved to have succeeded.
“No, you’re a counselor.”
“Among other things,” she agreed patiently.
“Look at you two getting along,” Hoffman said.“I’m taking Janice in.Has to be done,” she added when the younger woman sniffled.
“You’re in good hands,” Devyn assured her.“Cooperate.You can count on Detective Hoffman.”
“Thanks.”Hoffman beamed.“I’ll let the two of you get that painting back where it belongs.”
“It’s evidence,” Cade pointed out.“We need to take it in as evidence.”
Hoffman’s gaze darted to Devyn and back to him.“Show some compassion, Laurier.You can drive by Marlene’s place and give her a minute to see her mom’s famous work is safe.”
“She would appreciate that,” Devyn said.
“I’ll make the calls.”Cade sighed.
“W-will she let the museum keep it?”Janice asked.“I didn’t mean to wreck everything.”
Devyn patted the student’s shoulder.“I’m sure she’ll think it over.For decades, it’s been safer at the museum—between climate-controlled storage and security systems—than it would be in her home.”
“Home security systems have come a long way,” Cade said.“I can give her some advice on the best options, if you want.”
Devyn’s eyes softened, her heart too.“You mean that.”
He nodded.“I say what I mean.”
“Yes.I’ve noticed.”She frequently had to make an effort to not be offended by his candor.
“An evidence room is secure, but it won’t do the painting any favors,” Hoffman grumbled.“Why don’t you take Janice in, Laurier.”Hoffman smiled at Devyn.“I’ve got a better relationship with the state’s attorney right now,” she explained.“Maybe I can pull some strings for Marlene.Give me a minute.”She moved away from the door to make the call.
Cade didn’t walk Janice out right away.“If there’s anything that can be done to protect that painting, she’ll do it,” he said to Devyn.
Her stomach fluttered.When the man was kind, she had a harder time keeping her thoughts straight.“Thanks.To you and Detective Hoffman.”She looked from him to Janice and back again.“Is there any way to keep my name out of the report?”
