Double Exposure. Lenora Worth
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know she intended to go through with the show yet. So for now, she was safe.
They turned into the affluent West Hills of Portland and climbed high above the city twinkling with white lights. This area of town was foreign to Jennie, though she knew its reputation. It had the same wealth and trappings as many prestigious neighborhoods in the country, just not the formal dress code. Gore-Tex was more common here than cashmere, but the narrow streets they wound through still reeked of money.
Ethan pulled to a stop in front of a fifties-style home in Forest Park. Jennie clutched her camera like a lifeline and waited until he got her suitcase from the jump seat and signaled it was okay to get out.
He came around the front of his truck and opened her door. Earlier he’d put on a scarred leather jacket that, even as worn as it appeared, smacked of money and privilege so fitting for this neighborhood. She didn’t know if he’d wanted to cover his bloody shirt or if he was reacting to the falling temperature. She also didn’t know if he’d ever tended to his injuries.
“How’s your arm?” She hopped down and caught a whiff of his musky aftershave on the evening breeze.
“It’s just a scratch.” He gestured toward the walkway.
“I wish you’d have someone look at it.”
“It’s fine.” His gaze moved in sweeping arcs over the area, avoiding her concern.
She let the subject drop, and before they could reach the entrance, Kat opened the door. She was smiling as she stepped forward, but her mouth quickly formed an O of surprise. She stared at Jennie, and Jennie returned the favor, taking in Kat’s high cheekbones, glossy shoulder-length hair and bright blue eyes.
“You’re that Jennie.” She socked Ethan’s shoulder. “You should’ve told me.”
“Can we come in?” Ethan ignored his sister as he pushed past her.
“Welcome, Jennie. It’s been a long time.” Kat stepped back so Jennie could enter.
“I’m surprised you remember me.” Jennie moved into the open foyer with stairs straight ahead, a dining room on one side, and living room on the other.
Kat closed the door. “Are you kidding? Ethan moped over you for years.”
“Enough, Kat,” Ethan warned.
“What? You haven’t told her, huh?”
“Told me what?”
“I said, enough, Kat.” Anger pierced his words.
Jennie expected his tone to hurt Kat, but she seemed unaffected.
“Any word on the picture I emailed earlier?” he asked, setting Jennie’s suitcase at the bottom of the stairs.
Kat smirked. Jennie remembered how close the two of them were and how easily Kat saw right through him as she seemed to be doing now. She simply stood and watched him until he faced her again.
“I’m not going there, Kat,” he warned. “Just tell me what you found out.”
She didn’t speak, as if she wanted to push the subject Ethan avoided.
“C’mon, Kat, just answer my question,” Ethan said, his tone brooking no argument. “Jennie’s had a tough day, and I need to get out of here so she can get some sleep.”
“Fine. Narcotics confirmed the tattoo is the Sotos gang’s mark. Also, after Cole gave me Munoz’s name, I called the detective in charge of the gallery break-in and passed the information on. He’ll issue an alert for Munoz and bring him in for questioning.”
“I don’t suppose they’ll let you be present for the questioning.” Ethan’s phone rang, interrupting the conversation. He dug it out and looked at it. “It’s Cole.” He clicked Talk.
Jennie could hear Cole’s deep baritone rattle something off before Ethan could say anything.
“Slow down, bro,” Ethan said and listened.
“Can’t you just tell me what it is?” He looked at Jennie, and the darkening of his expression told her something was wrong again.
“I’ll call you back after we see it.” He disconnected and turned to Kat. “Can we use your computer? Cole’s texting a link for an interview Madeline’s assistant did with the newspaper today. He says we need to read it.”
“This way.” Kat headed into the dining room and through her kitchen boasting avocado-green appliances.
Ethan’s phone chimed a text just as they entered a bedroom furnished with floor-to-ceiling shelves and a large antique desk jutting from a wall like an island.
Kat had taken her place behind a flat-screen monitor.
“Here’s the address.” Ethan moved next to his sister and set his phone on the desk.
As Kat typed in the URL, Jennie joined Ethan. She instantly felt the tension radiating off him like heat from the sun. The news clearly would not be good.
She watched as the webpage opened and the headline came into focus. Her heart started to pick up speed.
Local Photographer Not Afraid of Thugs. Show Will Open as Scheduled.
She gasped.
“I second that,” Kat said.
Jennie forced herself to read the article adjoining her official head shot, photos of the trashed gallery and a picture of crime-scene tape strung around her house. Linda Becker, the gallery assistant, had told the reporter all about both break-ins. She extolled Jennie’s professionalism, said she kept a spare set of negatives and announced that the show would proceed as planned.
Jennie couldn’t pull her eyes from the screen.
Oh, Lord, how could You let this happen?
“How did they get this on here so fast?” Kat asked.
“Madeline’s assistant already had an interview scheduled today for a PR piece,” Jennie answered. “All she had to do was call with an update.”
“So much for keeping a low profile,” Kat mumbled.
“You think?” Ethan slammed a fist onto the desk, making Kat and Jennie both jump. “I was standing right there when Madeline warned Linda not to tell anyone. She knew better than this. She might as well have painted a bull’s-eye on Jennie’s back.”
Distress brought a lump to Jennie’s throat. “Why would she do this?”
“I don’t know, but I intend to find out.” He stormed around the desk and out the door.
Jennie charged after him, hearing Kat’s footfalls not far behind. By the time Jennie caught up to him, he was in the foyer, talking on his phone.
“I don’t care how you do it, Cole,” he barked. “I want to talk to Madeline’s assistant. Have her at the gallery by the time I get there.”
He clapped his phone closed and jerked open the door.
“Ethan, wait.” Jennie rushed forward. “I want to go with you.”
He turned, his eyes all hard and angry but softening a touch when they met hers. “It’s better for you to stay here.”
“But I—”
“Please, Jen.” His anger faded more, and he sighed out a long breath. “You’re safe here. Taking you to the gallery would just invite danger.” He looked at Kat. “I’m certain no one knows Jen is here, but don’t take any chances. Lock up and stay alert.”
With a final glance at Jennie, Ethan left. She felt his loss the moment the door closed. All day she’d wanted him gone. Wanted to be anywhere but with him, and now she wanted nothing more than to see his caring face looking at her. To hear him tell her everything would be okay even