Art Heist

By Leigh Macfarlane

For Raewyn Goldwin, her new job as a gallery assistant is a dream come true. Everywhere she looks she finds inspiration. Every day coming to work is a joy.
Surrounded by creative, talented co-workers, Raewyn couldn't be happier. Getting closer to Kurt Wilder, one of the better-looking gallery regulars, isn't a hardship, either.

Then comes the day that the collection of the decade goes missing. Raewyn finds herself one of the three chief suspects for the heist -- and of those three, Raewyn is the only one without a substantial alibi. Add to that the fact that Kurt's older brother has a criminal record, Raewyn's ex is using this moment to renegotiate the custody agreement with their four-year old daughter, and her new boss has it in for her, and Raewyn's dream job has turned into something of a nightmare!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leigh Macfarlane
• Release date: Jun 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215913512

Leigh Macfarlane

Leigh Macfarlane is a proud Canadian (eh!) author of both fiction and non-fiction books who is fortunate enough to live in California North -- the gorgeous Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. Since Leigh already lives in one of the most beautiful places in the world, many of her novels are set locally. In Leigh's books you will be transported to orchards, vineyards, ski hills, ranches, beaches, art galleries, athletic fields and waterfront cafes. Well, maybe not ski hills. Rumour has it Leigh is afraid to drive in the snow. Where heroes are concerned, I love me a cowboy, or a guy who can fix a car, a fearless protector type, or a studious professor with a sharp mind, the soft touch daddy, or a hard-body with a soft-heart. Sometimes I love me a bad boy, but I'm working on it. Just as long as he is good to his woman and cares about the world around him, I'm in. My heroines might be clutzy, or chubby, still figuring life out, or they might just have swollen bank accounts and be living the high life. Either way, my ladies are real women who appreciate life, laughter, beauty, family, puppies, chocolate, and especially the love of a strong man. When not writing, Leigh is mom to four wonderful, not so small, humans, one yap-monster dog, a gorgeous but aging cat and a fish whose quality of life appears to be declining. Once, Leigh fell off a horse, wrapped the back of her knee around a telephone pole, had horse liniment applied to her injury, and was proclaimed part horse by the race horse trainer who had fixed her up. To date, this claim has not been proven false.

Book preview

Chloe, hon, time to wake up.

Five more minutes, mommy.

Raewyn breathed out in amusement and affection.

Not this morning, sweetie, she said as she pulled the pink princess covers off her sleepy child’s shoulders. Mommy starts her new job this morning, remember?

At this, Chloe’s large blue eyes -- so different from Raewyn’s hazelnut-hued ones — snapped open. She sat bolt upright in the bed, and a big smile split her face.

I get to go to Grandma’s?

You sure do, Raewyn said, then stepped back with an audible oof as the child launched herself at her mother, wrapping little arms around her neck, legs around her waist.

Raewyn ignored the fact that the adorable limpet was creasing the outfit she had chosen with explicit care. She just held on tight until the child squirmed to be let go.

You’re wearing that angel perfume again.

Mommy, that’s silly.

Raewyn huffed in amusement and lifted pouncing monster arms. She turned to stage a mock attack on her daughter.

I smell me um angel, she said in the deepest voice she could manage.

In response, Chloe squealed and sprinted for the hallway, leaving nothing but giggles in her wake.

Rae gave her daughter’s retreating back an amused grin and dropped her arms to her sides. With one quick glance at herself in the mirror hanging above Chloe’s dresser, she smoothed down the front of her dress pants and re-tucked the tails of her blouse.

She loved the child to bits, Rae thought a while later. Taking peek-a-boo looks into the rear-view mirror, she watched her golden-haired daughter kick fire-engine-red rain boots against her car seat. The boots were still wet from the giant rain puddle outside the front door of their house, and they were flicking tiny droplets against the back of the seat. Raewyn just shook her head indulgently. It was just a car, after all. Not like a little rainwater would hurt it.

Chloe was a delight -- sunshine and butterflies and pure joy all day long. No one ever said being a single parent was easy, still Chloe was a straight-up gift. It was as if, Rae thought, God had known she’d have enough on her plate without adding more, so he’d sprinkled Chloe with all the good stuff. Like that poem: sugar and spice and everything nice. Chloe was all that in spades.

And in giggles.

Turning her Honda into her parent’s driveway, Raewyn’s stomach did a little flip. Today was for new beginnings and fresh starts. She could feel the excitement and the nerves jumping inside her belly.

Ready, angel?

Chloe’s curls bounced along with her nod. Rae undid the buckle on the car seat and helped her daughter jump out of the car, then laughed as Chloe skipped her way up to the front door. Raewyn felt a similar urge.

She had been hired at Bennett Art Gallery as a gallery assistant one month to the day of her university graduation ceremony. It was merely an entry level position for someone with a double major in Fine Art and Business, but Raewyn had absolutely no issue with starting at the bottom. She knew her worth. She fully intended that her new employers would know it soon, too.

After thanking her mother and kissing her daughter, she directed the car to Kelowna’s downtown core. Entry level job or not, she felt full of first day nerves as she found a parking spot in front of the building with the large smoked-glass showroom windows and the cement front-facade. For a moment Raewyn looked with concern at the parking meter and the sign plainly stating a three-hour parking time limit. Plunking all the change in her wallet into the slot, she took a deep breath and willed the butterflies to settle as she walked up the short flight of steps leading to the front entrance.

You’ve got this, girl, Rae muttered to herself, then she plastered a smile on her face, reached out and gripped the stainless-steel door handle, and stepped into a whole new chapter of her life.

Raewyn felt her smile slip slightly as she looked around the large public space of the art gallery. When she’d come in for her interview, the walls to the left of the entrance had been covered with artwork. Now, the entire space had been closed off by what appeared to be a sliding wall.

The reception desk on the right looked just the same, but she didn’t recognize the woman sitting behind it, and no one else seemed to be around. Other than the two of them, the room was completely empty.

It made her feel uncertain. Then the woman looked up from the computer she had been gazing at and met Raewyn’s eyes. She might be several years older than Rae, but the woman’s smile was friendly, her glance, behind the classy steel-rimmed glasses she wore, observant and intelligent.

You must be the new girl.

It shows?

The woman’s lips twitched into a quick, understanding smile.

Also, I knew you were coming. She stood up and extended her hand. I’m Liz. I’ll be training you today.

Oh. Raewyn smiled as she shook the hand Liz offered her. Nice to meet you, Liz. I’m Raewyn. Just call me Rae.

Do you remember where the kitchen is from your interview? You can go stow your coat and purse back there.

They’ll be safe?

Liz tilted her head slightly at the surprise in Raewyn’s voice. Then she nodded.

Yep. We keep the door to the back area locked. The only people in or out are staff. Come on, I’ll let you in.

Raewyn followed Liz down a hallway to a locked door. Admiring Liz’s sexy heels, she waited as the other woman unlocked the door and stepped aside for Rae to pass.

Come on back when you’re settled, and we’ll get started with the opening routine.

The door shut behind Raewyn’s back, her entrance making enough of a sensation that the two heads bent over desks popped up to check her out. The room had been separated into a trio of open-facing cubicles, leaving an open-office atmosphere Rae appreciated. One of the desks was empty, but her entrance got a friendly reaction from both of the people already at work.

The largest of the desks was nearest the door. It was covered in stacks of papers and books and what appeared to be a decent-sized mock up of the gallery’s showing rooms. The woman behind that desk was short and -- although Raewyn would never say as much out loud -- looked exhausted. Like she’d just run a major marathon. Minus the sweat. She had long, straight dark hair tied back in a ponytail and distracted eyes. She gave Rae a quick glance, a brief welcoming wave, then went back to studying whatever it was she was looking at so intently on the organized chaos of her desk.

The man in the centre cubicle saw her enter, and he stood. With a big, friendly smile on his face, he walked towards her, hand outstretched.

New girl, he said, checking her out in a manner that was mainly professional. His blue eyes twinkled at her with open, good-natured humour. I’m Liam. Official events coordinator, unofficial welcoming committee.

Raewyn, she said just a trifle cautiously, But call me Rae.

Good to meet you, Rae. If you’re looking for Sandra, she’s in the kitchen.

Thanks, she said. Oh, and nice to meet you.

He was blond, surfer cute, Raewyn thought… and that one thought was enough to have her hustling away. She stepped past him, or would have, but he fell into step beside her as she walked in the direction of the kitchen.

We’re a small group here, so we’re all pretty close, Liam told her. If you need anything, or have any questions, feel free to ask.

Okay, Rae said with a nod, I’ll remember that.

She walked through the open kitchen doorway with him following, and she noticed the way Sandra’s eyes slipped past her to acknowledge Liam hovering in the doorway.

You made it, Sandra said, her attention returning fully to Rae. She sounded as cheerful and kind as she had the day she’d interviewed and hired Raewyn. That day, she’d worn a full-skirted black dress with a silky purple vest-jacket. Today’s camel pantsuit and crisp white blouse was much more sophisticated and professional. It caught Rae off guard. She’d liked her first impression of Sandra. Her new boss had struck her as both intelligent and artsy. Today, she looked a lot more formal. It made Rae wonder if she’d misread the woman she was going to answer to at the gallery.

Sandra’s energy, though, was the same.

You can put your things on that bench there, Sandra said as she poured steaming water from a kettle into a coffee cup, then stirred a spoon of sugar into her beverage. Then follow me, and we’ll get you started.

Not waiting for a response, Sandra picked up her cup and left the kitchen. Dumping her purse and raincoat, Raewyn jumped to follow.

Sandra paused to pick something off her desk and was already on the move when she handed it to Rae. Glancing down, Raewyn saw the gold-toned name badge her new boss had thrust at her.

Put it on, Sandra said. Opening the door that separated the front gallery from the offices, she ushered Raewyn through. I assume you met Liz?

The woman with the great shoes? Yeah, she’s the one who sent me back here.

She’s going to be training you. Sandra flicked a look over her shoulder. She’s great. You’ll like her. She stopped in front of the reception desk where Liz was once again staring at her computer screen. I have meetings all morning, but I’ll be checking in on you when I can. Make her comfortable, Liz.

Of course, the older woman said. She took a look at the slightly shell-shocked look on Raewyn’s face and smiled with understanding. She’s a force, isn’t she? But she knows her stuff, and she’s a good boss. You’ll see. So, let’s get started.

There wasn’t that much to it, as it turned out. They were responsible to unlock the galleries, to start up the computer and check the morning email, and to do a safety walk around the building.

So, what are we looking for? Raewyn asked as she ducked under a low-ceilinged doorway into an upper-level room full of dusty pipes and fans.

For fire or water, Liz said, then grinned when Rae gave a little alarmed jerk. Don’t worry. Well, I mean, do. The two biggest dangers to the security of galleries are floods and fires. That’s why you’ll so often see art galleries in cement structures. But, I’ve worked here two years now, and I’ve never even seen smoke. This is a precaution.

Okay. Rae looked around the room where Liz indicated, saw nothing that seemed amiss, and followed Liz back out the height-disadvantaged door. So, two years, she said as she straightened to her full height. How is it working here?

It’s good, Liz said with her head bobbing to her words. She said it casually, as if she’d never really questioned the calibre of her workplace before. I mean, it’s a job. There’s always something.

Yeah? Rae followed Liz into the next room. This one looked like a large square cement box and was full of industrial heaters and electrical components. One entire wall was full of monitors with flashing lights. So, what do I need to look out for here?

In this room, you mean? Or at the job in general?

Well, both, Rae said, intrigued.

In here you’re going to do a walk around, check that nothing is dripping, check that there’s no steam visible, but mostly, you need to make sure that those red lights over there, she pointed to the wall Raewyn had noticed, Are solid red and not blinking.

Okay. Raewyn nodded that she understood as she did a quick walk around the room. She blinked when she realized that the corner table she’d briefly glanced at was covered with a messy stack of large sheets of paper that were, she was fairly certain, floor plans. For this building, she had to assume. But, it was her first day. Probably not the time to comment. Besides, Liz was talking, giving her a rundown on the personalities of the employees.

...and so she’s the only one you need to watch out for. She just gets a little bit edgy until she knows she can trust you.

Since the woman Liz had mentioned was one of the gallery bosses, Rae’s only response was a nod of acknowledgement. Liz waited for her to complete her circuit of the room, then smiled and opened the door at Rae’s summary.

We are smoke and water free.

Good. Then let’s go set up the computer, and I’ll show you how to use the world’s most ancient cash register.

Laughing at the critique like she realized Liz expected, Raewyn followed her new associate back downstairs.

Chapter Two

The poster he’d stolen from the coffee house bulletin board was folded up and stuck into his back pocket. Kurt was more eager than it was wise to say to see the new exhibit. Playing it cool, he’d made himself wait for his lunch break before venturing over to the gallery.

He was a regular here, so no one even looked twice at his dusty construction boots and dirty, faded Levis.

At least, not until he stepped into the main gallery and the heavy security doors closed behind him. His step was light despite the steel toes of his boots, and he wanted to believe it was that which earned him the double take and the slight frown from the pretty woman standing in the centre of the room.

Hello, he said with his voice modulated to show his reverence for the space. With its twenty-foot ceilings, his greeting was sucked up into the acoustics of the room, anyway.

The woman nodded but didn’t speak. Her hair was brunette with blond streaking through it in a way he guessed came from being outside and not from a bottle, and it flipped forward into her eye. She pushed it behind her ear in a gesture that was clearly as familiar as it was impatient.

When she noticed him still watching her, she met his eyes briefly. Hers were large and hazel. Even all the way across the room he felt their pull. When he let himself stare at her a moment longer than proper, she flushed and broke eye contact. Clasping her hands behind her back, she turned away and prowled slowly around the room.

He turned in the opposite direction, but he kept one eye on her as he studied the collection hanging on the walls.

She was the definition of his type. Gorgeous, but in a natural way. Stylish without being flashy and ostentatious. Long legs he knew he would fantasize about later. And the willowy, elastic-looking body type he preferred.

The woman had a classy, slightly aloof exterior -- again, right up his alley. Her carriage was just this side of chilly, which, of course, made him want to warm her right up. Paint her, even. Oh yeah, he’d like to take her to bed -- he was a man, wasn’t he? But a woman like this one? There was more there than just sex.

He could imagine it, lying her out on the sofa in his studio, poised, maybe a hint frosty and reserved but not shy as she uncovered herself for him to capture with his brush. Definitely not shy, not the way her eyes tracked him as he wandered the room.

Once the thought was in his head, it stayed there. He could imagine her sitting for him as clearly as if it had already happened. So, he kept one eye on her as he passed the Turner watercolour, stood in front of the Pissarro landscape -- and he didn’t mind in the least that she was watching him, too.

There weren’t many people who ever got to see him painting. It was his, alone, and he shared infrequently.

Most people, Kurt had learned, only saw the surface. That was as far as they looked. When they looked at his surface, they saw a reasonably attractive, somewhat scruffy construction worker. Medium height, medium build, easy smile, but dark scruff on his cheeks that matched the dark hair curling over the top of his collar.

Those rare individuals who took the time to look deeper didn’t see much more. He made sure of that. If you took a good look at his green eyes, though, you’d see the sharp attention to detail, the shrewd intelligence that never stopped swirling. You might even, if you were watching at the right moment, notice the careful way those eyes had of blanking out.

There was mystery there.

Kurt unveiled his secrets to even fewer people than he showed his art.

He had just enough aura of bad boy to draw women his way. No complaints from him there. He’d cultivated the type of manners which appealed to their mothers. That was entirely deliberate. He did not need red flags cluttering his personal life.

Which, if you were street savvy at all, would be a warning sign in itself.

It wasn’t that he was a bad guy. Kurt didn’t think so. He showed up for work every day on time. He paid his taxes, didn’t smoke or use drugs. He only fed his dog raw food, and he had even taken to mowing the lawn for his next-door neighbour ever since Debbie’s husband had died.

Given all that, very few people ever noticed that there was more to him underneath the every-guy surface he projected. What fetishes he privately indulged were just that -- private. And he guarded them jealously.

He’d wandered halfway around the room and was giving his attention to the Andre Derain, Buste de femme aux seine nuit, when he sensed the approach of another person. The woman moved to stand at his left, leaving a decent amount of personal space between them. Still, there was no hesitation, and no doubt about her intentions.

You move like a cat, he said, not taking his eyes off the painting in front of him. The portrait was of a short-haired, button-nosed female. She was naked, captured from the waist up, and Kurt wasn’t exactly sure why, but he decided to send out a challenge to the woman whose name he intended to know before leaving this room. Amazing that this woman was once alive and had breasts that perfect. And we are looking at them all these years later.

She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes as she peered at the hundred-year-old painting.

His brush strokes are gorgeous. She gave her head a considering, sideways micro-bob. I’ve seen better breasts.

Challenge accepted.

He huffed out a single breath of laughter, and turned to her, offered his hand.

I’m Kurt.

Nice to meet you, Kurt. She didn’t shake or offer her name. Do you come here often?

He felt his interest rise as he let his hand drop.

Yes. He gave her nothing further. He did return the thought. You?

I’m new.

Her answer was as succinct as his own. He liked that. Still, there was something there, something about the way she’d said the words. Before he could analyze or ask for more, though, the gallery door opened with a whoosh of displaced air, and the staccato tap of rapidly approaching heels filled the space.

Oh good. Raewyn, I see you met Kurt.

Kurt recognized Liz’s voice without turning. Right now, he had more important things on his mind than chatting with the older woman.

Raewyn? His eyebrow lifted, and the smile he directed at her extended the challenge he’d thrown out earlier.

Rae, she said, and though her tone was perfectly civil, he felt her reluctance all the way to his bones. Perversely, it made him grin.

Want.

Oblivious to the undercurrents, Liz stepped between them.

Kurt is one of the gallery’s most frequent visitors, she told Raewyn. What would you say, Kurt, are you here once a week?

He smiled at Liz, nodded like he was the tamest person in the room.

I try. Although, he gave the art hanging around the room a brief glance, considering how gorgeous everything is in here today, I might have to come more often.

Kurt noticed the barely perceptible way Raewyn’s eyes narrowed and knew she’d recognized the subtext of his message. He didn’t allow the smile that wanted to spread access to his face. Gorgeous and observant. The combination was as appealing as it could be lethal to a man like him.

Well, we’re always thrilled to have you, Liz said. Then she turned her attention to Raewyn. I just came to tell you it’s time for your lunch break.

Wait, you work here?

She gave him a cool glance. Kurt guessed she’d be unhappy if she realized the look actually made him hot.

This is her first shift, Liz supplied. What do you think, Kurt, is she going to fit?

The expression in his eyes was dirty. He had all kinds of ideas about how well she’d fit. He deliberately let her see his thoughts, then just as deliberately let her see him neutralize his expression when he grinned easily at Liz.

I hope so, He turned the same harmless smile he’d offered Liz Raewyn’s way. I wish you luck.

Liz nodded and beamed at him. Raewyn had one single thought.

Wolf.

Well, we’ll let you look, Kurt.

Actually, I need to head back to work, anyway. I just wanted a quick peek.

A slave to the grind, Liz said cheerfully, like she knew all about it. Well, hopefully you can come back soon.

You know I will. It was nice to meet you, Raewyn, he said, and again held out his hand. This time, with Liz watching, she had no choice but to put her palm against his. Hers felt small and warm, and he was fairly certain he’d irritated her by taking advantage of the situation. Since he was a man who regularly pressed advantages, that didn’t faze him in the least.

She’d think of him when he was gone, which was his intention. He’d definitely think about her, so that seemed fair. Most likely her thoughts would be less pleasurable than his.

As if to prove him right on that one, he heard her speak as she walked out with Liz.

How well do you know that guy?

He smiled internally. Gorgeous, observant, and smart. Definitely his kind of woman.

He didn’t hear Liz’s response, but he caught the glance Rae flicked his way before leaving the room. She stood at the door, one hand propping it open, and moved only her neck to look back over her shoulder.

There was a world of suspicion in her eyes. When she saw that he stood watching her with eyes that assessed her in much the same fashion they’d assessed Derain’s painting, she flushed. Then her eyes narrowed once more before she snapped her chin back around and let the door close behind her retreating back.

Interesting.

Alluring, possibly.

Dangerous, definitely.

After all, he’d been counting the days until he could come see the works of these masters. One look at her, and his attention had been completely diverted.

Yes, Raewyn was a development. Like all such things, that meant both possibilities and potential complications.

Neither were going to stop him from coming back again. What would be would be. All he could do was test the waters, then see what happened.

Chapter Three

Liz?

There was no response from the CB radio Raewyn spoke into except a slight hiss of fuzzy air. Wrinkling her brow in concentration, Raewyn looked at the handheld device and tilted it around, trying to see what she’d done wrong. Pressing the very obvious talk button on the side of the machine, she tried again.

Liz? I need your help for a moment. Can you hear me?

The radio made the same crackle as before, but Rae glanced over at the security camera viewing monitor and saw Liz get up from the chair where she sat. Relieved, Raewyn looked up into the eyes of the young man with the leather bracelets.

She’s on her way, Rae said, then added, Sorry about this. It’s my first day.

No problem. You like it so far?

Yeah. Raewyn’s head bobbed up and down, It’s good. People are nice. Apparently, I still have a lot to learn though. She gave him a self-deprecating smile, and the guy grinned in response just as Liz’s clicking heels announced her.