To Catch a Billionaire (7 page)

Meredith smirked and sat on the corner of Erin’s desk. “Why do you put up with Erin’s attitude, Cam? She’s hardly here to help out, pops in for a short while in the evenings, and then takes all the credit for everything we do. Honestly, you’d think she was the Lady of the Manor.”

Surprised at Meredith’s words, Cam stared at her pensively. Was that how the employees saw Erin? “I didn’t realize you felt that way. Is that the general consensus among our limited staff?”

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. We watch you work hard, take care of God knows what, as well as the happenings here, and Erin doesn’t even make an attempt to meet with you or call you during business hours. I’m right, aren’t I?”

“I guess, about some things.” She shrugged. “But Erin keeps in touch with me by cell phone and I see her at the house.”

Meredith’s curious glance left Cam cautious over explaining her relationship with Erin.

“You’re popular with the staff, Cam, but Erin leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to being the boss. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not criticizing Erin, I just think she takes you for granted. Do you have a life beyond this job?” Meredith asked in a soft voice.

“I have, honest. This job is wonderful, I love art and being involved with it. Even if I do spend an incredible amount of time here, I do have a life,” Cam assured her. “I could ask you the same question. You’re here almost as much as I am.” Cam chuckled to lighten the conversation.

With a shrug of a shoulder, Meredith meandered toward the door. “You have a point. Maybe we should get together once in a while. Starbucks would be a good place to start.”

“I might just take you up on that invitation after the show is over and done with.” Cam returned to her lunch as Meredith walked out.

“Just what I need, a BFF,” Cam mumbled under her breath.

*  *  *

Clear skies and sunshine lifted Erin’s spirits as she drove into New York City. Studio parking was nil leaving Erin the prospect of parking her Porsche on the busy street. Wishing she had another choice, Erin snugged the car close to the curb in the only spot for a block and a half. She set the lock and alarmed the car before striding toward Giorgio’s.

“Sweetheart, I’m so glad to see you.” Giorgio greeted her with his usual exuberance. “Try the dress and see if it fits the way you want it to.”

Without a word, Erin scooted into the changing room, and admired the sexy look of the dress. She slipped high-heeled shoes on and clasped the necklace at the nape of her neck. After she’d adjusted the jewels that pointed into her cleavage, she stepped back and viewed her image with a smile.

“Are you coming out or do you plan to admire yourself in the mirror all day, sweetie?” Giorgio scolded with a chuckle.

She swept into his vision and watched his face. His eyes glittered like obsidian gems as he viewed her from all angles.

“Splendid, absolutely splendid. It’s as though I designed this dress with you in mind, Erin. I didn’t, but it seems that way.” He clapped his hands with glee and told her to walk the walk.

Her husky laughter joined his baritone laugh as she strode to and fro on an invisible runway.

His laughter died, his eyes narrowed. Giorgio glanced at Erin. “You owe me big-time for this and my wish is that you’d model for me in two weeks. Hervé Velasquez is putting on a modest show for up-and-coming designers. He called yesterday and asked to add one of my creations to the list. I have to provide my own model, and while you’re a bit bodacious, you fit the bill. Will you do that for me, Erin, please?”

His voice beseeched her to the point where she couldn’t refuse. “You know I dislike that sort of thing,” she said. When he opened his mouth, Erin raised a hand to stop him from speaking and wagged her index finger at him. “This one time, just this once, I’ll do it for you.”

Wrapped in Giorgio’s bear hug, Erin’s laughter filled the room. The door opened and a heavily accented voice asked, “You aren’t going straight, are you darling?”

In one second flat, Giorgio let Erin go and turned to the man he introduced as Jeremy. “I wouldn’t dream of leaving you, Jeremy. Erin’s going to wear the dress at the museum gala next week and she’s agreed to model for me in the Velasquez show. Isn’t that wild?” he asked excitedly.

Jeremy gazed at Erin. His eyes took in every speck of her from head to toe. Waiting for his answer, Erin and Giorgio stood silent.

“You do the dress an honor. It would be wonderful to see you do the runway walk. I’ll be there to cheer you both on, but I can’t make it to the museum party,” he said with a smile.

This, from the man she’d seen Tristan with earlier. She was fairly sure it was him.

Her gaze on him, Erin summed up the tall, handsome man. “I’m happy to meet you, Jeremy. I think we have a friend in common,” she said innocently.

“Who would that be?” he asked.

“Tristan Forsyth.”

He shook his head. “I’m sure you’re mistaken. I know of no one by that name,” Jeremy said with his hands spread wide.

Studying him closely, Erin murmured, “My mistake. I thought I saw you two the other day after I left Giorgio.”

Giorgio glanced at Jeremy and then turned to Erin. “You couldn’t have seen Jeremy. He was here right after you left.”

She nodded and then said, “You’re probably right. I’ll get changed.”

“I wouldn’t miss this for party the world, Erin,” Giorgio said, his former humor restored.

With a glance at Jeremy, she headed into the booth and slipped the luxurious creation off her body. The dress fit like a glove, showed off her attributes to their best advantage and exhilarated her in a way she hadn’t been in ages. While Erin hung the dress and readied it for travel, the two men’s voices reached her. Though muted and difficult to understand, there was one thing Erin did know, Giorgio was suspicious of Tristan Forsyth and Jeremy.

She’d heard his voice rise and ebb like the tide. Each time it rose, Jeremy shushed him. Why? What was the big secret? Was Jeremy taking advantage of Giorgio? The thought saddened her. Giorgio was her long-time, good friend. He was generous, thoughtful and loving. The idea of him being used was unacceptable.

“Is everything all right out here?” Erin asked as she crossed the room and prepared to leave.

Giorgio joined her at the exit. “We’re fine. Jeremy insists he can’t attend the Met Gala. As disappointing as that is, we’ll have a good time. Don’t you worry about the man who’s trying to take your business, we’ll make short work of him, Erin,” Giorgio said with a smile as he walked the distance with her to her car. He kissed her cheek.

Erin slid into the driver’s seat of the Porsche. “I’ll see you then. We’ll meet outside the entrance at seven, if that’s all right?”

“Perfect. I’ll be there on time,” Giorgio promised as he closed the car door.

M
ONDAY DAWNED TO
a heavy downpour of rain. Her feet were dry and unattractive in yellow Wellington boots, that clomped instead of tapped like her regular shoes. Erin shook raindrops from her umbrella and closed it. She’d slipped into the Jetta and was headed down the driveway when Tristan entered the grounds in his Jaguar.
Now what?

Stopped side by side, Cam slid the window down. “Erin’s not here. She’s on her way to New York. Can I help you with something, Mr. Forsyth?” Rain spattered in through her open window as she waited for his answer.

“Never mind, it can wait. You must be on your way to Starbucks?” Tristan asked with a smile.

She nodded, slid the window up and drove away without a word. Certain that he’d follow, Cam dreaded their upcoming conversation. She’d seen nothing of Tristan since he’d laid that heavenly smacker on her lips. The memory of his deep, luscious kiss inflamed her overwhelming desire for him. With a head shake, Cam grimaced and picked up speed.

The café was filled to the brim by those seeking their morning allotment of caffeine. Cam joined the queue. She grinned over the fact that she numbered among the many who made a daily trip, or more, to the shop with the best-tasting coffee imaginable.

“You’re addicted to this coffee, Cam. It’s really not good for you,” Tristan said close to her ear.

How had he gotten here so quickly? And right behind her in line? She’d happily left him in a spray of water from her tires, several miles back. “It’s a bad habit, but one I’m not willing to break. Erin got me hooked on the stuff. Mrs. Hardy brews it for Erin at their home.”

“Can we sit and chat, or must you get to the office right away?” Tristan asked gently.

With an exaggerated sigh, she made a show of checking her watch. “A brief chat, if we must. I have tons to attend to today, especially with Erin away.”

“Thank you,” he said.

They ordered, found an empty table for two, and set about measuring one another. When they’d both reached their own satisfaction level, they laughed in unison.

“This isn’t what I expected from you, Cam. I thought for sure Erin would handle the most important issues at the gallery, but instead, you manage it all. Why?”

Wary, she replied, “When I took the job, Mr. Cameron was still alive. A charming man to work for, he trained me in all aspects of the business. After he passed away, I took the reins and led the team until Erin could get her head together. It’s as simple as that. Erin does her fair share, Mr. Forsyth, she really does. There are those who think she’s a slacker, but they’re wrong.”

His stare had intensified as he listened. She fidgeted with her napkin and sipped the strong brew. What did he want from her? Wasn’t he supposedly interested in Erin? And if so, why had he confused the issue and kissed her, Cam?

He leaned back in his chair and studied her. “You’re protective... I like that in an employee. Erin’s lucky to have such a dedicated manager to operate the gallery and stay tuned to the staff’s needs the way you do.”

“Please, you’ll make me blush if you keep this up. I do my job, Mr. Forsyth. Nothing more and nothing less.”

“No, you do more than anyone else at Cameron Gallery. Meredith mentioned it on more than one occasion. She seems to think you ought to be the owner instead of Erin. At first I thought she was complaining over Erin’s treatment of you and the others. The more often we spoke, it became clear that she’s right. If Erin eventually sells the gallery to me I’ll put it completely in your capable hands. You’ll have total control over shows and all the rest, giving you more power than you presently have. My other businesses work like that. I pay owners a fair sum for each gallery and allow them to maintain control. We work out a system, which is what I’d do with you. Think in terms of us being workmates.”

Before she could say a word, he held up a hand and said, “I’ll give you the staff you need to make it all work without you having to run yourself into the ground, as you have been.”

Speechless, Cam set her cup on the table and folded her shaky hands in her lap. Was he serious? He’d bypass Erin with a mere snap of his fingers? Not only would he, he could do it under rights of ownership. The implications of his offer hit her smack in the head. He’d been trying to turn Cam to his side. The scoundrel.

“You make quite an offer Mr. Forsyth, however, pitting me against my boss is unfair to me and to her. I won’t turn on Erin, no matter what the offer is.” Cam capped her cup and slid her chair away from the table. “I must be going. I won’t mention this to Erin. I wouldn’t want to cause her any more grief than you’ve already given her.” Scurrying away, Cam left Tristan standing in the coffee shop.

She’d just entered the gallery through the rear of the building using her security card to unlock the door, when she was assailed by Guy Blakely, her main security guard. Meredith and the other guard, Jesse Comber, who shared the responsibility for keeping the artwork safe and sound, rushed toward her. Meredith’s face showed ravages of tears. Both guards yammered at once.

“Wait, wait, I can’t understand a thing you’re saying. Let’s pop into my office and discuss what’s got you all so upset,” Cam ordered with a thumb jerk toward her office.

When the two guards went on ahead of her, Cam drew Meredith aside. “What’s the matter?”

With a sniff, Meredith whispered, “There’s been a robbery.” She burst into tears and hung her head as she rushed forward.

Cam stood stock still, absorbing her words.
Robbery? What robbery?
There weren’t any police about, the alarm hadn’t gone off and she, Erin, certainly hadn’t gotten a call about a robbery. Her body trembled, her knees knocked together, and it took all her strength to put on a businesslike face before she strode into the room behind them.

The two men were seated in front of her desk. Meredith stood at the wide windows, sniffling into a wad of tissues. Cam glanced at each employee and said, “I assume you’ve kept the front entry secured, so Guy, start at the beginning and tell me everything. Erin’s out of town, and I can’t call her until I know what’s going on.” Cam plunked into her chair, took a deep breath and waited.

“Everything is locked up tight, Cam.” Guy dipped his head toward the younger guard, “I came in this morning and found junior, here, out cold on the floor.”

About to speak, Guy interrupted Cam before she could utter a word. “He’s all right. Has a headache, is all. We’ll send him off to the hospital emergency room shortly, but I wanted him to explain what happened.”

Her eyes flicked to the younger man. “Are you okay?” He nodded.

“Would you please tell me what the hell is going on then?”

“Around four this morning, I went to the men’s room, you know, to uh...” Jesse’s voice trailed off.

Cam waved a hand and snapped, “Yes, yes, move on.”

“Sorry, uh, I wasn’t gone long, honest. When I got back, someone wacked me on the head.” Jesse winced when he touched the tender spot on his head. “There are two paintings missing.”

Speechless, Cam gawked at him. A moment later, she erupted. “Jesus, do I have to rip the words from your mouth? Which two paintings?”

His face blanched, his eyes widened, and everyone in the room seemed to hold their breath, including Cam. His eyes cast downward, Jesse mumbled, “The Botke painting and the one by Karl Albert Buehr.”