Page 125 of Burning Caine

“Absolutely.”

“Good, now let’s talk about the painting.”

“I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”

“It appears to be insurance fraud, Mrs. Scott.”

“I forgot.” Olivia’s eyes narrowed at Janelle. “My husband of almost fifty years died, and I forgot to tell the insurance company about the change we’d made with the painting. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”

“Mother?” David leaned toward her, speaking for the first time.

“It’s nothing. We sold the Chagall a few months ago, and your father—” She sneered. “—didn’t call Foster to tell them about it.”

“But it was still hanging in—”

“That was a copy, David.”

He sat back in his chair at a look from Olivia.

“I’ll speak with Roger to clear the whole matter up.”

Janelle nodded, and they returned to the blackmail exchange. No. This whole thing was about the painting, the fraudulent painting, and they were glossing over it like it didn’t matter.

“Wait a minute!” I blurted. “We’re letting her get away with defrauding Foster Mutual?”

Olivia smiled at me, mock compassion on her face.Poor, silly little girl,it said. That’s why she’d insisted Janelle let me watch the interview. Payback.

Janelle asked coolly, “Has she accepted any money or signed anything confirming the value of the painting, concerning this claim?”

“Signed? No.” Dammit. She had me.

“Then it’s up to Foster Mutual, Sam.” Janelle turned back to Olivia to continue their discussion, leaving me floundering for words. Olivia had won.

Once the interview was done, and the plan in place, Olivia and David left.

Janelle took the chair next to me. “Sam, you did great. Whether we nail her for the fraud or not, you and Lucy led us to an arsonist, a blackmailer, and possibly a murderer. I know it’s a blow to your pride, but—”

“Pride? That’s not what this is about!”

I needed to hit something. Preferably that witch, with her condescending smile. She was as guilty as the day was long, but it was in Roger’s hands now, not mine, and not the legal system.

I stomped out of the room, Lucy scrambling to join me when I passed her.

The worst part about this claim was supposed to be Bobby’s death. I was supposed to mourn him in private and move on. No fraud, no arson, no lies. No falling in—

My phone buzzed as I reached the truck, and my heart dropped. Another text from Antonio.

I hope to have my friend back someday

I grabbed the door handle for balance and leaned my head against it, my chest constricting. I should have left him blocked.

Lucy took the phone from me and deleted the message. “You like him a lot, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I do—I mean, did.”

“Is it something you can forgive him for?” She handed back my phone.

I straightened and let out a long breath. “Doesn’t matter. He’s gone and I’m leaving in the spring anyway.”