Flawed Perfection (An Eve Sumptor Novel) Read Online Free

thoughts. “If you need something, I’m there.”
    “I just need information, James, if you still have contacts.”
    “I do. What information are you looking for?”
    “Have you heard of any art heists around the area lately?”
    “Art heists?”
    “Yes. High end. They would fetch millions on the black market.”
    “Have you been stolen from?”
    “I have. A delivery that was made to my gallery today was missing three pieces. The ones that actually made it here are forgeries.”
    Eve was hoping he would say yes, that others were being stolen from as well. That would mean she wasn’t a specific target. If the answer was no … well, she would have to worry about that later.
    “Hmm. I haven’t heard anything.”
    Damn!
    “However,” he continued before Eve could respond. “I will keep my ear to the ground and see what I can find out.”
    “I would appreciate that. Is your account still active?” Eve asked, referring to the bank account she would funnel money into when he helped her before.
    “There’s no need for payment, Eve. It’s just information.”
    “James, I owe you for way more.”
    “That debt has been paid.”
    Eve stayed silent for a moment. “I will wire $50,000 to the account,” she said quietly. “If the information turns out to help me, I will wire more.”
    “Eve …”
    “It’s done, James. If you don’t need it, or don’t want to use it, then put it towards your son’s education.” She heard his sigh of resignation, and smiled.
    “Thank you. I’ll dig around and see what I can find out. Send me a list of your items, and I’ll pass it around, see if I can’t get your items back to you.”
    “Thank you.”
    “I’ll be in touch.”
    With that, there was a click to disconnect that made Eve chuckle. James wasn’t one for sweet goodbyes. He preferred to get to the job and be done. It was a quality Eve admired.
     

     
    Alone now, and having done all she could do for now, Eve sat back in her chair, and studied the photos in front of her. Before Lainey, Eve’s expansive, frosted glass and steel desk was bare of any mementos. Now, it held family photos that were more precious to her than the priceless paintings she held in the gallery.
    A silver frame with Mickey Mouse cut-outs along the edge, held her first such photo. It was a gift that Lainey had given her after returning from their first vacation together. Eve had extremely fond memories of her time at Disney with Lainey, Kevin and Darren. She and Lainey had been lovers then, and even the boys had found their way into Eve’s self-professed cold heart. Lainey had learned a lot about Eve during that trip, much to Eve’s dismay. But, she couldn’t regret any of what happened, because it brought her to where she is now.
    She turned her attention to the next photo. Eve and Adam’s wedding photo. Her dress was a modern, brilliant white satin and chiffon gown, adorned with crystal beads around her waist. If Adam’s face was any indication when he saw her walking down the aisle, he loved the way the silhouette dress flattered her body. He confessed to her later that night in bed that it took all of his willpower not to march her out of there, and have his way with her before the ceremony even started. Eve knew exactly how he felt. When she saw him waiting for her at the altar, in his white tuxedo—beautifully contrasted by his black hair—her heart stuttered. And, her body reacted so intensely, she couldn’t stop shaking until her hand was in his.
    She continued inspecting the photos, coming across one of the entire Stanton family, that Eve had taken herself. She thought back to that day when she had Lainey, Kevin, Darren and Jack in her studio. Eve had actually been nervous having Jack there. The brief time they had spent together up until that point hadn’t exactly been all that friendly. Jack had blamed Eve for a lot of the problems he and Lainey had. She couldn’t entirely argue with that, given her relationship with