Page 21 of Artful Deceit
“Especially given how much he charges for letting people stay and paint with him,” he went on. “You’d think he’d pass some of that on to me.”
“Surely you could refuse to come unless he pays more?”
“He reckons he can get someone else to do it for what he pays me. No idea if that’s true, but I don’t seem to be in a strong position to negotiate. Anyway, I’m yapping away as usual. What are you doing out this way?”
“Looking for Gideon?” Lily said. “Is he around?”
“No. Won’t be back until this afternoon. Which means I get to work in peace. He drives me crazy when he stands beside me, looking at me as though I’ve no idea what I’m doing.”
“Sounds frustrating,” Lily said. “How long does it take you to do all this?”
“The downstairs will take me an hour or two. I’ve a lad coming to help me with the upstairs windows. Can’t manage them alone. I said I’d mow the lawn while I’m here as well.”
“Here for a while then,” Lily glanced around as she attempted to come up with a new plan. “You don’t have a key, do you?” she asked hesitantly, then kept talking when he didn’t immediately reply. “I’ve been wanting to have a look through his paintings. I was here yesterday, and I missed him then as well. It looks as though I’ve made another wasted trip today.”
“You should probably try calling first next time.”
“That’s a sensible idea,” she said.
“I don’t have a key,” he said when Lily had just about given up on him answering the question. “A lot of people give me keys.Sometimes they want me to clean the insides of the windows, or have some other odd jobs for me. Not Gideon. If I clean the inside, it’s always when he’s here and with him looking over my shoulder like a hawk.”
“Annoying,” Lily muttered.
“I can tell him you called by, if you’d like.”
“That’s fine, thanks. I’ll give him a call and arrange a time to come back.”
“It’s weird, you know.”
“What is?”
“His artwork. Costs a small fortune, and it’s very weird – just paint splatters on a canvas. I’m not convinced he ever sells any of it. Just makes his money from the retreats as far as I can tell.”
“I’ve heard good things about his paintings and wanted to have a look. My walls are looking a little bare.”
“Pay me no mind,” he said jovially. “Everyone’s taste is different, and I certainly don’t know much about art. Only know what I like and what I don’t. Now, back to work for me!”
“Me too,” she said, with a sinking feeling in her stomach.
Failing to come up with another plan, she wandered back the way she’d come, only to stop a little further down the road as she caught sight of the tent close to the large oak tree at the end of the field. Her eyes drifted to the house, gauging whether Len could spot her from this distance. Given the slant of the landscape, she suspected she’d go unnoticed if she kept to a crouch.
She’d give it a go anyway since she couldn’t face going back to the shop having made no progress. With any luck, Len would be focused on his work and wouldn’t even glance in her direction.
The crouched run was a solid workout, but the fear of getting caught and the hope of retrieving her belongings overshadowed her burning quads.
At the entrance to the tiny one-man tent, she kept low and made quick work of dragging the zip open. The smell hit her immediately – a pungent mix of sweat and damp air that had hernose twitching in protest and made her question whether the search was really necessary. Even though she’d only met him briefly, she’d got no suspicious vibes from Silas. Maybe because he came across as someone who didn’t place money and material possessions high on their list of necessities.
Kneeling at the entrance to the tent, she took hold of the hiking backpack blocking her way and had a quick root through it but only found a few sets of clothes and a wash bag. There wasn’t much else to search. She disturbed what appeared to be a small pile of washing, then leaned further into the humid tent to pat down the bedding and pillow. Nothing there, just as she’d suspected.
At least she could cross Silas off her list of suspects.
For the rest of them, she’d either have to come back later and poke around while they were all here, or tomorrow – which suddenly felt like forever away.
Chapter Eleven
She should have gone backto the shop to give Jessica a hand, but as she wandered past the airport, she had the bitter notion that she should make the most of her freedom while she could. Before long she wouldn’t have Jessica to take care of the shop for her. She wouldn’t be able to come and go as she pleased.
Arriving at Glynis’s house, she didn’t hesitate on the doorstep, but gave a short, loud knock on the wooden door.
