CHAPTER 4

Within five minutes, a patrol car rolled into view, lights flashing. Even though Cassie knew they were coming to help her, she couldn’t deny the feeling of antipathy that she always felt in the presence of cops. The driver parked, and two black-uniformed officers got out.

Cassie groaned inwardly. Seriously? Not again.

Cassie instantly recognized Officer Garcia and ol’ by-the-book Officer Riley.

Officer Garcia smiled wide in recognition. “Well, hello again! We need to stop meeting like this,” he joked.

Officer Riley merely gave her a nod, his penetrating amber eyes sweeping over her and the van.

“Are you guys the only two police officers in Whispering Pines?” Cassie asked. She knew she sounded rude, but couldn’t seem to stop herself.

Officer Garcia laughed. “No, not that Whispering Pines has a huge police force or anything. But Officer Riley and I work the second shift, so we respond to calls that occur between three and eleven o’clock.”

“Let’s get down to business,” Officer Riley said, giving his partner a stern look. “What happened here, Ms. Sherwin?”

Cassie explained about the package pick-up, the breakdown of her van, and gave them details about the black-clothed thief.

Officer Riley scratched notes into a notepad as she spoke. “I noticed that you referred to the thief as ‘he,’” he said, looking up. “How do you know it was a man?”

Cassie frowned. “Well, I guess I just assumed based on his size and how he moved.”

Officer Riley scratched down more notes. “And do you know what was in the package that you were delivering?”

“Not exactly,” Cassie said. “It was a small wooden crate. But it likely held a piece of art.”

“Art, eh?” Officer Garcia said. “So, we’re dealing with an art thief?”

“I guess,” Cassie said.

Officer Riley looked up from his notepad. “What kind of art?”

“You’ll have to ask my client that question,” Cassie said. Then her heart sank at the thought of having to tell Olga what had happened.

“We’ll need her name and address,” Officer Riley said, pen poised over his notepad.

Cassie gave it to him and he wrote while saying, “I find it strange that your van would break down so suddenly and conveniently for the thief.”

Cassie felt heat rise into her face. “Are you accusing me of something, Officer Riley?” she snapped.

He looked up from his notepad, his face registering surprise. “No, Ms. Sherwin, not at all. Simply making an observation.” He moved around to the front of the van to look beneath the hood that was still popped up. “Let me see if I can tell what the trouble is—“

“There’s no need,” Cassie followed him, cutting him off. “I already figured it out.” She led him toward the back of the van and pointed at the road where a pool of oil lay several feet back. “The oil drain plug fell out.”

He looked back at her, brows raised.

“I know a lot about cars,” Cassie mumbled.

“Is there anything more you can tell us about the thief or the vehicle he was driving?” Officer Garcia asked.

“I can tell you that it was a black Ford F-150 pickup. But there was dirt on it and too much dust from the road when he took off, so I couldn’t get the license plate number.

“Okay, I guess that’s all we need from you right now,” Officer Riley said, scribbling down that last bit and closing his notebook. “It sounds like our next stop is speaking with your client, Olga Kozlovsky. And we’ll call a tow truck to take your van to the station impound lot.

“Impound lot? No way!” Cassie said. “It’s a company car! Besides, I have another client to take care of.”

“I’m sorry, but it’s now part of our investigation,” Officer Riley said, “We’ll need our evidence tech officer to process it and collect any evidence that may be inside or on the outside of the van. In the meantime, do you need a ride somewhere?” His intense golden gaze was back on her face, and she looked away.

“We can give you a ride home,” Officer Garcia suggested. “Or wherever you need to go.”

“As long as it’s within the city limits,” Officer Riley added, giving his partner another look.

Cassie frowned. The more she thought about what had just happened, the angrier she felt. She dreaded letting Tami and Howard know about the theft and the van. But even more, she worried about Olga. She had no idea how valuable the stolen artwork was. But since all of Olga’s clients were museums and private collectors, this was most likely going to be a very serious issue. What she hated most was that it had happened on her watch. No way was she simply going home to wait for Whispering Pines’ finest to figure out how to get the artwork back.

She looked at Officer Garcia. “Actually, I’d appreciate a lift to Olga’s house. I need to tell her what happened,” Cassie said.

“We will inform her about the theft,” Officer Riley said.

“I’m responsible, so I would appreciate being the one to tell her,” Cassie said sharply, her green eyes flashing.

The two officers exchanged a look, then Officer Garcia shrugged.

“All right,” Officer Riley said, resigned. “I suppose we can allow it.”

“Gee, thanks,” Cassie said with an obvious attitude.

The three of them walked back to the patrol car. Officer Riley opened the back door so Cassie could climb in while Officer Garcia sat in the driver’s seat and called for a tow truck over the radio. As they drove to Olga’s house, Cassie used her cell phone to call Tami and let her know what happened.

“Oh no! Are you okay, Cassie? Are you hurt?” Tami’s voice exploded over the phone.

“I’m fine, Tami. Just incredibly angry, and so sorry,” Cassie said.

“Don’t be silly. This is absolutely not your fault,” Tami said. “Nobody could have predicted this! I hope the police get to the bottom of it quickly.”

I will get to the bottom of it! Cassie thought to herself.

She hung up and, feeling an ache in her jaw, realized she was clenching her teeth. She forced herself to try and relax, taking several slow, deep breaths. Riding in the back of the police car definitely wasn’t helping. It conjured up a lot of negative memories. Like the devastating day she was taken away from her mother. And the time she’d been busted for shoplifting. Then there had been her sudden and traumatic removal from the Myers’ home when she was sixteen.

She and some friends had been caught vandalizing it. And that had been the final straw for the Myers. They’d called her caseworker and demanded she remove Cassie from their home. “She causes way too much trouble,” Cassie recalled Cora Myers saying. “And she’s a negative influence on Ani.”

Ani had been distraught to learn that Cassie was leaving. And Cassie was equally upset. She hated the idea of leaving Ani to fend for herself. The night before she left, the two girls had sat together on Ani’s bed, holding each other in the darkness. While Ani cried, Cassie tried to remain strong for her. “I won’t forget you, Ani,” she’d said. “I’ll visit you, and you can always call me whenever you need me.”

“I know,” Ani had sobbed onto Cassie’s tear-soaked T-shirt sleeve. “But it won’t be the same.”

Cassie knew this was true. She’d felt even more guilty when she found that her new placement was so incredibly different from any home she’d ever been in before. Mark and Rachel changed everything for her. Through their love and support, they’d eventually broken down Cassie’s walls and helped her turn her life around. Under their influence, she finally stopped the illegal street racing, stopped hanging out with destructive people, and started focusing on improving her life.

The patrol car rolled into Olga’s driveway and Cassie felt a wave of dread wash over her. She couldn’t imagine how Olga was going to respond to this.

Officer Garcia opened her door, and the three of them walked up the front steps.

Cassie knocked on the door and Zack opened it. “Is everything okay, Cassie?” he asked, a surprised look on his face as his eyes took in the two officers behind her.

“No, Zack. It’s not,” she replied, but she was cut off from saying anything further by Officer Riley.

“Good evening, sir. I’m Officer Riley and this is Officer Garcia. We need to speak with Ms. Kozlovsky. May we come in?”

“Of course!” Zack opened the door wider, allowing them to step into the foyer.

“Who is it, Zack?” Olga called from her studio.

“It’s the police...and Cassie.”

“What?” The shock in Olga’s voice was apparent. Cassie could hear her get up from her chair and unlock the wheels of her walker. In a moment, she entered their view, her walker rolling smoothly as she moved forward into the foyer. Her bright blue gaze swept over the group.

“Good evening, ma’am,” Officer Riley said. He introduced himself and then added, “We’re going to allow Ms. Sherwin to explain why we’re here, so if you could listen to her for a moment, please.”

Olga focused her attention on Cassie. “Cassandra, darling, what’s happened?”

Cassie told her. Zack’s eyes were wide when she finished, and Olga looked visibly pale. Zack quickly pulled out the chair from behind his desk, giving Olga a seat.

Officer Riley pulled out his notepad again. “Can you provide us with any details about what was inside the package you gave Ms. Sherwin, ma’am?” he asked Olga.

Olga’s eyes were unfocused.

“Ma’am?” he said again.

“Olga?” Zack looked concerned.

Olga’s attention returned to the room. “I’m sorry, yes, um...” She was uncharacteristically flustered and her voice was quiet. “It was an oil on canvas from the late sixteenth century, titled Madonna and Child with San Giovannino.” It was painted by an Italian artist, Cristofano Roncalli.”

“How valuable is it, ma’am?” Officer Riley asked.

She hesitated, then waved a hand vaguely. “Perhaps around $60,000.”

Officer Garcia let out a low whistle.

“But that’s nothing!” Olga cried.

“Not to me,” Officer Garcia said.

Olga lifted her fingers to her temples and began massaging.

“What Olga means, gentlemen,” said Zack, “is that the piece of artwork that was stolen is not particularly valuable in comparison to many of the other pieces she works on.”

“Regardless,” Officer Riley said, “that kind of money might be a fortune to someone. Who knew you were shipping it today?”

“Just me...and Zack.” Olga looked at her assistant and so did everyone else.

Olga immediately jumped to his defense. “I’m certain Zack had nothing to do with this. He’s been a loyal assistant of mine for the past six months, and his references are impeccable. Besides, what he says is true. Other pieces I work on are much more valuable than this one. It makes no sense for someone to steal this particular piece. Especially because it could have been stolen more easily at any time when it was in storage for the past decade.”

“Why was it in storage?” Officer Garcia asked.

“Museums acquire much more art than they can possibly display at any given time. You’d be surprised at how many works never even see the light of day,” Zack said. “For example, The Louvre only shows about eight percent of what they own, and the Guggenheim only three percent. They literally don’t have the space to show more. So, they’re forced to store the majority of their pieces.”

“Why was the painting you were shipping pulled out of storage now?” Officer Riley asked.

“That particular piece was sent to me so I could prepare it for a special exhibition they’re holding next month at a museum in Boston,” Olga said.

“Is it possible that the thief didn’t even know what he was stealing?” Zack asked.

“At this point, anything is possible,” Officer Garcia said.

Olga began wringing her hands. “In all my years of work, this has never happened to me before. Never. What should I do?”

Cassie crossed to the woman and squatted down beside her. “Don’t worry, Olga. I promise you, I won’t rest until I figure out what happened. I’ll get it back for you.”

“Thank you, Cassandra, darling,” Olga said, placing a paint-stained hand against Cassie’s cheek.

Officer Riley cleared his throat and Cassie looked over at him. His face was flushed, and his golden eyes shot sparks in her direction. Then he returned his attention to Olga. “Ms. Kozlovsky, we’ll be sure to keep you posted on our investigation.” He flicked a pointed glance at Cassie. “And if you think of anything else, here’s our card.” He held out a simple black-and-white business card, and Zack took it from him.

“You should probably have one, too,” Officer Garcia said, handing a card to Cassie. “In case you think of anything else.”

Once they were all back in the car, Officer Garcia started the engine and Officer Riley turned in his seat to face Cassie. “Ms. Sherwin—”

“Can you please stop calling me that,” Cassie interrupted him. “You make me sound like I’m a hundred years old.”

“Ms. Sher-win,” he said again, clipping each syllable, “it was extremely inappropriate of you to make those promises to Ms. Kozlovsky. You are not the one investigating this case. Officer Garcia and I will handle this.”

Cassie felt heat boil up from her center, and she clenched her fists, pressing them against her thighs. “Look,” she said, lifting her chin and meeting his eyes, “this happened on my watch. Olga is my client. And I care what happens. Besides,” she added, “it’s a free country, and you can’t stop me.”

Officer Riley stared at her. He opened his mouth. Then shut it, and turned to face forward. But a moment later, he turned back again. His dark gaze snapped with a power that surprised her. She felt pinned to her seat as she met his eyes, and he enunciated his next words carefully. “Ms. Sherwin, if you obstruct our investigation in any way, we will stop you by whatever means necessary.”

She narrowed her eyes, but didn’t say anything. They rode in silence for another moment before Cassie decided to change her tack. Keeping her tone casual, she said, “So, out of curiosity then, what’s your next step going to be?”

This time, Officer Riley didn’t turn in his seat. “That’s our concern, not yours.”

Officer Garcia sighed deeply as he drove. “Wade, will you relax, man. She’s just upset. It’s understandable.” He looked in the rearview mirror and caught Cassie’s eyes. “We’ll probably start by interviewing people along the route the thief drove and looking at street camera footage to see if we can find out any more about him or the vehicle he was driving.”

Cassie nodded, thoughtful.

“Now, where can we take you?” Officer Garcia asked.

Relaxing back against the seat, Cassie folded her arms across her chest. “To the place where I work, Priority Courier Services on Main Street in town.”