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“Hmmm?”

“He’s not guilty of anything”

“If you say so”

Wallace took another sip of his martini He had to head back to the city Even if he sped, it was a two-and-a-half-hour drive He’d be an hour late as it was The gaht, it was at Matthew’s place Rosalyn was venturing out for a business dinner, so she wouldn’t be horoup of them needed to talk—alone He had to be there

But he couldn’t leave Not yet He couldn’t tear himself away

He’d hung the new painting in his private gallery with the others This Cassatt had been costly And the risk was enormous

But it had been worth it

He leaned back in the leather swivel recliner that was at the center of the room From there, he could turn in any direction and view any masterpiece in his collection—or take in the entire collection at once Soh-end, like the Renoirs and the Cassatts Others were far less pricey, often created by up-and-co, and even local, artists Cost wasn’t the issue Content was

He studied the new addition to his private gallery with deep gratification His life was a facade, the world sie upon which to enact the charade

This room was his only sanctuary

The clock in the upstairs hallway chimed six-thirty

Reluctantly, he rose, setting down hisfor one longthis one had been worth the risk

He cliht, and shut and locked the door This rooues alike

He shrugged into his jacket and headed for the garage He was just opening the door to his Jaguar when he sensed someone behind him

He barely had time to turn when a foot sla to the concrete floor He lay there, groaning, doubled up with pain, and gazed up at his attacker