Genuine Lies

the screen door. Sent the child out to play, he presumed. However rattled she might be, she would protect her son first. When Paulwalked into the kitchen, she was standing with her hands braced on the sink, staring through the window.
    “If you’re concerned about the value of the missing pieces, I can promise you they’re insured.”
    “That’s not really the point, is it?”
    “No, it’s not.” After setting the brandy aside, he moved behind her to massage her rigid shoulders. “The point is your space has been invaded. This is, after all, your space while you’re here.”
    “I don’t like knowing someone could walk in here, look through my work, select a few expensive trinkets, and stroll out again.” She pushed away from the sink. “Here comes Eve.”
    Eve rushed in with Nina one step behind. “What the hell is all this?” she demanded.
    Braced, Julia told her as quickly and clearly as possible what she had discovered.
    “Son of a bitch” was Eve’s only comment as she moved from the kitchen into the living room. Her gaze sharpened as it swept the room, noting the spaces where items were missing. “I was damn fond of that clock.”
    “Eve, I’m so sorry—”
    With an impatient wave of her hand, she cut off Julia’s apology. “Nina, check the rest of the place against your inventory list. Paul, for Christ’s sake, pour me a brandy.”
    Since he was already doing so, he only lifted a brow. She took the glass and drank deep.
    “Where’s the boy?”
    “I sent him outside to play.”
    “Good.” She drank again. “Where have you set up your office?”
    “In the den, through here.”
    Eve had already swept in to yank open drawers before Julia could speak again. “So, you claim someone’s gone through the tapes.”
    “That’s not what I claim,” Julia said evenly. “That’s what I say.”
    The faintest hint of amusement touched Eve’s lips. “Don’tget up on your high horse, girl.” After brushing a finger over the tops of the tapes, she let out a quick laugh. “Well, well. Busy little beaver, aren’t you? Kinsky, Drake, Greenburg, Marilyn Day. Good Christ, you’ve even gotten to Charlotte Miller.”
    “Isn’t that what you hired me for?”
    “It certainly is. Old friends, old enemies,” she murmured. “All tidily filed. I’m sure dear Charlotte gave you an earful.”
    “She respects you almost as much as she dislikes you.”
    Eve glanced up sharply, then let out a full-throated laugh as she dropped into the chair. “You’re a cool-handed bitch, Julia. By God, I like you.”
    “I’ll return both compliments, Eve. But more to the point, what do we do now?”
    “Hmm. You haven’t got any cigarettes around here, do you? I left without mine.”
    “Sorry.”
    “Never mind. Where the hell’s my brandy? Ah, Paul.” She smiled and patted his cheek, and he crossed over to hand it to her. “How convenient that you were here in our moment of crisis.”
    He let the sly inference pass. “Julia is naturally upset at having the house broken into, her work pawed over. And, perhaps not so naturally, feels responsible for the loss of your property.”
    “Don’t be ridiculous.” Eve dismissed it all with a negligent wave, then sat back, eyes closed, to think. “We’ll check with the guard at the gate. There may have been some deliveries, some repairmen—”
    “The police,” Julia interrupted. “They should have been called.”
    “No, no.” Already planning, Eve swirled her brandy. “I think we can handle this incident with more delicacy than the police.”
    “Eve?” Nina stepped into the doorway, a clipboard in her hand. “I think I’ve got the bulk of it.” “Estimate?”
    “Thirty, maybe forty thousand. The amethyst butterfly.” Her eyes filled with concern. “I’m sorry. I know you were fond of it.”
    “Yes, I was. Victor gave it to me nearly twenty years ago. Well, I think the wise thing to do is take inventory at the main house. I’d like to know if we’ve had any sticky fingers there as well.” After finishing off the brandy, she rose. “I’m very sorry, Julia. Paul was perfectly right to use that censoring tone to inform me you’re upset by all this. You can be sure I’ll speak with security personally. I dislike having my guests disturbed.”
    “May I speak to you a moment privately?”
    Eve merely gestured her assent as she perched on the edge of the desk. Julia closed the door behind Paul and Nina. “I am sorry you’ve been upset,