“Thank you,” he replies, clearly dejected as he hangs up. He flops back onto the bed and I throw myself on top of him.
“So much for our spontaneity.” He sighs.
I laugh out loud and kiss his lips. “I’m sorry, but from where I come from, getting married in five days is still pretty spontaneous.”
He smiles against my lips. “Not enough for me.”
Chapter 23
Sitting at my desk, I print the last of the files. All morning I have been printing images of the artwork that has been stolen. I flick through the large pile of pictures of women and put them into a manila folder. They’re all gorgeous women. Maybe the thief is just into antique porn. I stifle a giggle. Maybe he just wants new material for his spank bank. It could happen, I suppose.
My phone rings and I pick up. “Hello, Emerson.” It’s Mark.
“Hi.” I smile.
“We have some detectives that are here to see you. Can you come down to the conference room, please?”
“Sure.” Shit. I blow out a breath. I’ve had four meetings about this last week. These crimes have the board and the police scratching their heads. My phone rings and the name Twinkle lights up my screen. Excitement runs through me. Even a call from him makes my day.
“Hello.”
“How is my beautiful girl, today?”
I smile broadly. “She’s excited to be hearing from you.”
“Aye. That’s a good answer.” I smile again. “Are you missing me?” I ask.
“Not at all.”
“I’m not missing you, either.” I smirk.
“My love, I have to work tomorrow night. Can you stay at Brielle’s?”
I frown. Oh, he’s never asked that of me before. “I will be okay in the house by myself.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” I shake my head and roll my eyes. “I’m not a child, Alastar.”
“I know, I know. I just don’t want you to be scared I may not get home till the wee hours.”
“It’s fine. I will go out for dinner with Brell. It will be nice to catch up and she might stay at your house, if that’s okay. Depends on her wanker of a boss.”
“It’s our house, and yes, that’s a good idea.”
I smile. It’s weird that he calls his house our house.
I feel him smile on the other end of the phone. “So, you’re not missing me at all?” he asks.
“Not even a little bit.”
I feel him smile once more.
“How many days until we get married?” I breathe dreamily.
“I still have three days to plan my escape.”
I smile broadly. “Can you up your life insurance so I get a bigger payout when you go missing.”
He laughs out loud. “I will be sure to kill you first, Emmaline. Goodbye, my love.”
I smile broadly, oh I don’t want to get off the phone. “What are you doing?” I ask.
“I’m editing with Fraidy.” I get an image of him on his computer in his office with that crazy cat sprawled all over his desk. “What are you doing?” he asks in return.
“Boring meetings.”
“You don’t have to work, you know.”
“And what would I do all day?” I smirk.
“You could be my sex slave.”
“I already am.”
He chuckles. “Aye, that you are. I will see you on our corner.”
“Yes,” I breathe dreamily.
“Emerson,” Deirdre whispers. “They are waiting for you.” I frown. Oh shit, that’s right. The police are here for me.
“I got to go, babe. Love you.”
“What do you want me to cook for dinner?” he asks.
I notice Mark come out of the conference room looking for me. Oh shit.
“Your dick. I got to go. See you at five.” I hang up in a rush and stand and make my way to the conference room.
Knock knock.
“Come in,” Mark calls.
I smile nervously at the two gentlemen sitting down while Mark stands. “Emerson, this is Detective Trout and Detective Michaels.” These are different officers than I met the other day.
“Hello.” I shake their hands.
The taller officer puts his hand out to the chair. “Please, take a seat.”
“Thank you.” I fall nervously into the chair.
“We understand that you have come across some suspicious activity in your time here.”
“Yes.”
“We have been through the case and it does seem to have a link. You are correct in your findings and have done the right thing by reporting it. Mark mentioned you were worried that you hadn’t done the right thing.”
I take a glance at Mark and he smiles reassuringly.
“Oh, that’s good. The other officers put my mind at ease the other day. I was worried I was imagining this whole thing.”
The taller officer shakes his head. “No. There is a definite link and there are real crimes going on here, as well as in other auction houses.”
I smile nervously.
“We will be contacting the people who have been robbed and getting statements and going back through the cases. We may need to call on you for more information if needed.”
I nod. “Of course.”
“In the meantime, I want you to keep an eye on the activity around the office and see if you notice anything suspicious.”
My eyes widen and I look at Mark again.