The owner of a highly reputable downtown art gallery was discovered early this morning by a pair of joggers. They claim to have heard muffled moaning from down an alleyway just off Third and Fifth Street. Upon closer inspection, two men, both naked, were found hogtied behind a dumpster. The witnesses claim the men were tied together at the waist upside down to each other simulating a lewd sexual position. The man believed to be the gallery owner was bloodied and bruised indicating that this could be indeed a hate crime or that of retribution. Police have confirmed that foul play is behind this bizarre discovery. Ambulance personnel arrived on the scene, and both men are being monitored closely in hospital. They are expected to be released this afternoon, but not before facing curious questioning by the authorities.
“What. In. Actual. Fuck?” I mouthed, wide-eyed at the screen.
“Now what?” I was startled back to reality by Charlie’s voice.
Without saying a word, I turned the laptop around as he took a seat on the other side of the desk. He read in silence, his frown deepening, his mouth agape.
“Jesus H Christ!” Charlie looked up in disbelief. “What the hell does he get up to in his private time? He's kinkier than me.”
“I can’t even fully comprehend what I’ve just read.”
“Foul play? Who has he pissed off?”
One face came to mind. I shivered at the thought.
Had Mason been watching last night?
Was he angered by the way David treated me?
This was a particularly violent and deviant crime. It practically had Mason Carter’s name written all over it.
“Someone clearly had a point to prove,” Charlie said, sitting back in his chair. “And they certainly proved it.”
I decided to keep David’s assault and blackmail attempt from the night before to myself.
“This is going to look really bad for the gallery when word spreads David was involved,” I said, preparing for the worst.
“What’s our damage control?”
“We don’t have one. This isn’t something anyone could ever prepare for. We just need to reassure our clients and investors that the gallery is running as per normal. Keep social media to the standard posts and don’t address anything provocative.”
“So, we plead ignorance?”
‘Yes. This is David’s mess. When he returns, he can clean it up.”
Charlie gave a questionable smile. “I sense a bit of coldness?”
“I have my reasons, and no I won’t divulge—”
“Oh, come on, you can’t—” We were interrupted by my cell vibrating on the desk.
“It’s Rufus,” I said, ready to accept the call although filled with some dread. “He’s probably heard by now. I’ve got to take this. Can you check the Facebook and Instagram accounts, and make sure everything is kosher?”
“On it.”
When Charlie left the office, I swiped to accept the call. “Rufus! Good morning.”
“Gemma, is David there?”
“No, he’s… he’s in a meeting right now.”
“Hmm… is that so?”
“I can get him to call you back when he’s free. Or I can help you.”
“You can help by not lying to me, Gemma. The Downtown Herald has released David’s name in their online article.”
As quietly as I could, I typed in the Google search bar, and sure enough the article popped up. Not only had they mentioned David’s name in full but also the gallery name. This was not only bad for David but awful for me. My name and reputation were on the line and would be brought into question with future curating jobs.
“I don’t know what to say, Rufus. I’ve literally walked into my office, and this has been sprung on me. I know it comes as a shock, but please trust me when I say it’s not going to affect your exhibition.”
“Again, although I know you are only saying what you have to, you’re lying to me. This is not ideal, Gemma, and if I’d known the gallery I was considering investing in was being brought into disrepute by its owner, I would never have initiated contact in the first place. The Maximus Kline vandalism and this? I’m out.”
“Rufus, please, give it some thought. Let’s see how the week plays out, and then—”
“I’ve given it enough thought. Take care, Gemma.”
The call ended, and I was left in a moment of shock. Everything was happening so fast I could hardly keep up. I had to lower my head between my knees to quell the unease in my stomach. If Mason was behind this, even if it had been with misguided intentions, he was now ruining my career.
Inhaling deeply, I released a few steady breaths before righting myself and scrolling through my contacts. When I reached Christina’s name, I pressed call.
After four rings she answered, “Gemma,” she greeted softly.
“Hey, Christina.” My heart started a heavy beat. “Before you hang up on me, I just wanted to apologize for my behavior on the weekend. I don’t know what possessed me, but in any case, it was unacceptable.”
“Don’t apologize,” she said sounding defeated. “After all that, you were right.”
“What do you mean?” I cautiously asked.
“Mason was never interested in me. He left pretty much straight after you pulled out of the drive. When I asked him where he was going, he told me to delete his number. It was like he had staged the whole thing.”
I swallowed hard.
My gut feeling had once again been correct. If Mason was no longer in Maine with Christina, that meant he could very well have been in town watching the violent interaction between David and me.
But why punish David?
I would have thought anyone trying to hurt me would bring a smile to Mason’s face.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t want it to be that way, Christina. I really didn’t. Mason is a dangerous man and seeing him with you and Evie and knowing what he’s like, sent me over the edge. You deserve so much better than someone who only wants to use you.”
“Perhaps one day you can tell me a little bit more of the history you two share, and I’ll understand. For now, he’s just another douchebag to add to the ever-growing list.”
For the next few minutes we chatted about small stuff, the tension still not yet cleared. When I ended the call promising to be in contact soon, I grabbed my handbag and headed downstairs to reception.
“Where are you going?” Carleen asked, looking more frazzled than earlier. All phone lines were buzzing, her hair poking up in places courtesy of the headset. “I have all of these reporters phoning, asking if I knew about David’s sexual fetishes. Why would they be asking me such a thing?”
The look on her face made me have to stifle a smile. She obviously hadn’t seen the papers. “Let the phones ring out,” I instructed. “Cancel the rest of David’s meetings for the day and close up.”
“Close up?”
“I’d do it sooner rather than later before those reporters end up banging on the glass demanding answers.”
“Jesus! What did the guy do?”
There was one thing I was certain of. “I don’t think it was all him.”
Chapter 24
Outside the precinct, I stood under a gloomy sky, the streets buzzing with those wanting to get back to work after their lunch break before the rain began to fall. Scanning around the sea of faces, I searched for one person. I needed Mason to see me outside the precinct and wanted him to know his time was up. I wasn’t going to take any more of his shit.
Satisfied that if he were watching, he’d seen me by now, I entered through the revolving doors. On the third floor, I found Kinross and Walsh waiting for me. They’d made the special trip to see me, but it was obvious they’d collaborated with the NYC district before.
“Ms. Sinclair,” Detective Kinross greeted, exuding the warmth Walsh lacked. “We’re pleased you’ve made this step. Though we are curious as to why.”
“Let’s just say I’ve realized playing it his way was doing more damage than good.”
“Follow us,” Walsh said, the corners of her mouth turning up the slightest degree. It was the first time I’d ever seen her truly smile, and in a way, it caught me off guard.