Chapter 6 - The Price of Loyalty
By sunrise, Anthony Russo’s operation was collapsing.
The evidence Elena had gathered connected him to stolen artwork, fraudulent auctions, shell companies, and millions in hidden transactions.
Victor had been framed.
Nolan agreed to cooperate.
Callum’s collection was recovered.
But Sadie didn’t care about any of that when she returned to her apartment.
She cared about the orange cat sitting in Marco’s arms.
“Oliver!”
Marco looked miserable.
“He hates me.”
Oliver hissed.
Sadie took him.
“He hates everyone.”
“Good.”
Callum stood behind them.
“You’re moving.”
Sadie looked at him.
“No.”
“Your address is compromised.”
“Anthony has been arrested.”
“His people haven’t.”
“So what do you suggest?”
“I have apartments.”
“Of course you have apartments.”
“One near the museum.”
“No.”
“Security.”
“No.”
“Doorman.”
“No.”
“Underground parking.”
“Callum.”
He stopped.
Sadie placed Oliver inside his carrier.
“You cannot solve every problem by owning the building.”
“It solves a surprising number.”
She smiled despite herself.
Then became serious.
“I appreciate what you did.”
Callum looked at her.
“But?”
“But I’m not becoming another thing you protect because you think it belongs to you.”
His expression shifted.
“You think that’s what this is?”
“I don’t know what this is.”
Neither spoke.
Finally Callum said, “Neither do I.”
That surprised her.
He continued.
“I know I was angry when you were late.”
“You were going to fire me.”
“Yes.”
“And then?”
“I saw your shoe.”
Sadie looked down.
The damaged pump had been discarded.
Callum’s voice lowered.
“And suddenly ten minutes didn’t matter.”
Sadie met his eyes.
“You frightened me that night.”
“I know.”
“Not because I thought you’d hurt me.”
Callum waited.
“Because when you asked who did it, I knew you actually cared about the answer.”
He stepped closer.
“I did.”
“That’s dangerous.”
“For which one of us?”
“Probably both.”
Callum smiled.
Sadie did too.
Then her phone rang.
Museum director.
She answered.
“Sadie Miller.”
Her expression changed.
“When?”
Callum watched.
“Yes. Of course.”
She ended the call.
“What?”
Sadie stared at him.
“The museum board wants to see me this afternoon.”
“Why?”
“The recovered paintings.”
Callum frowned.
“They want you to authenticate them?”
“They want me to run the entire provenance investigation.”
A slow smile appeared on his face.
“That sounds expensive.”
“It is.”
“How expensive?”
She narrowed her eyes.
“Don’t.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You were about to.”
“I was going to congratulate you.”
“You were going to offer money.”
“I can do both.”
Sadie laughed.
Then Callum’s expression became serious.
“Take the job.”
“I intend to.”
“Good.”
“What about my contract with you?”
Callum paused.
“Terminated.”
Her smile disappeared.
“What?”
“You shouldn’t be authenticating stolen paintings for people like me.”
Sadie stared at him.
“People like you?”
“Dangerous men.”
She stepped closer.
“You’re firing me?”
“Yes.”
“After everything?”
“For your own good.”
Sadie slapped the leather portfolio against his chest.
Callum blinked.
“Did you just hit me with a Caravaggio report?”
“Yes.”
Marco quietly walked away.
Sadie pointed at Callum.
“You do not get to decide what is good for me.”
Callum stared at her.
Then slowly nodded.
“You’re right.”
She stopped.
“What?”
“You’re right.”
“That was disturbingly easy.”
“I’m learning.”
“Slowly.”
“Very.”
She took the portfolio back.
“So?”
Callum considered it.
“New contract.”
“Legal acquisitions only.”
“Yes.”
“Double my fee.”
Callum raised an eyebrow.
“Double?”
“You’re difficult.”
“Fair.”
“And no threatening me over customs stamps.”
“That depends on the stamp.”
Sadie smiled.
“Deal.”
They shook hands.
May you like
Neither let go immediately.
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