The Fall of East: Book 3 in the Hear No Evil Trilogy by Malone, Nana (ebook reader with internet browser .txt) 📗

She nodded. "You have a point. The old man is very much a rules robot. But I mean, that's love though. Sometimes you can’t fight it. Even if you hate yourself."

"That would mean that he cheated on my mum."

"Well, maybe, maybe not. It could have been some brief fling. And obviously, they couldn't be together so, he sent her off to America before he ever met your mum.” She plucked at her bottom lip. “Except, she never made it to America, right?"

My eyes went wide. "Are you suggesting he got rid of her or something?"

"No, Ny. Why does everything always revolve around 'hey, murder' with you?"

I shrugged. "I don't know, devious mind?"

I could tell she was holding back an eye roll. "Okay, we'll dig deeper when we get back."

"Yeah. It's about time I had some answers."

I glanced behind us, two rows down. Two more members of our team were back there, and in the final row was Denning. Glowering at me, as if it was my fault that he’d hooked up with an art thief. "But you know what, there’s one thing that I haven't had a chance to say."

Amelia lifted a brow. "Yeah, what's that?"

"I was fucking right about Denning," I said with a smug smile.

Her grin was so wide. "I swear to God, nothing has made me happier than you being right about that asshole."

"It's like the most satisfying thing I've ever had happen to me in my entire life."

She chuckled. "Is it?"

"Yes, just knowing that I was right about him, knowing that my suspension was, in fact, bullshit."

"But babe, you knew it was bullshit."

"Yeah, I knew, but to have my father know it was bullshit, God, there's something so satisfying about that."

Amelia snorted. "You know, smugness is not an attractive quality in a bestie."

"Whatever. I'd bet you anything you have champagne in your bag so we can celebrate appropriately when we land."

She grinned. "What kind of best friend would I be if I didn't celebrate your greatness. I mean, honestly, Ny, it's like you don't know me."

"I love you. You know that."

"Of course, you do. I'm fabulous."

I settled back in my seat, looking out the window. It was all winding down, and I could feel it happening now and it felt crazy. It felt like control, and I didn't know what to do with that. But I knew we were going to catch Krista Wilson, and I was going to find some way to bring Theroux in, whether he'd come willingly or not.

Chapter Sixteen East

I had to give it to my sister. She was a trooper. Interpol agents on her doorstep, and she didn't even blink. Nope. She just gave me a smile and Nyla a hug.

When Nyla stepped back and made introductions, AJ looked like she was in her element. Margaux, still waddling and wearing two different colored shoes, offered everyone something to drink.

"Anyone like anything? Coffee, tea, something stronger? It's not every day we are told we're going to be robbed… again."

Nyla winced. "Maybe tea if you don’t mind. I can help if you want. I'm so sorry this is happening all over again."

AJ waved her off. "No, no. Our housekeeper will help Margaux. I appreciate the warning."

When Margaux waddled off to get drinks with some help from the housekeeper, I watched her and asked AJ, "Is she all right?"

AJ nodded. "Yeah, she's just pregnant. And tired."

"Ugh, my niece or nephew is a take-no-prisoners type, right?"

She laughed. "Absolutely. She takes after her uncle."

My eyes went wide. "A girl? You guys are going to have a baby girl?"

She clapped her hands over her mouth. "Damn it. I managed to keep this secret from Mum, but I knew I'd be weak with you."

I laughed. "Yes. Now I’ll be sending you a room full of pink stuffies. You know that, right?"

She sighed. "Yeah, I had a feeling."

When everyone was settled, I noticed Denning Sinclair glancing around, assessing the cost of every single piece of art in the room.

The last thing I wanted him to do was assess anything. He'd let an art thief live under his roof for over a year. Had he been in on it with her? I knew Nyla wasn't going to love that idea, but it was a possibility.

But it was Roger Kincade that I watched most closely. There was no love lost between us, but he was Nyla's father. And some odd part of me wanted him to approve. Give his blessing. I wanted him to see that I was going to take good care of his daughter.

Which was ridiculous because the only person I had to prove that to, was Nyla.

Oh, look at you, the traditionalist.

But there was another part of me that knew how Roger Kincade had treated his daughter for most of her life, so I also gave no fucks.

When everyone was seated and had coffee, Nyla started. "AJ, it's good to see you again." Kincade cleared his throat and she cast him a frown. "Sorry, since we're here formally, Miss Du Mont, it's good to see you again."

AJ laughed. "Oh my God, so formal. But all right, fine. Since the higher-ups are here, Miss Kincade."

Nyla’s father frowned. "Agent Kincade."

My sister lifted a dark brow. "You get to be formal. I don't want to be. Roger, is it?"

He sighed. And I could see that my sister had already ruffled him. God, I loved AJ.

"So, what am I dealing with?" she asked smoothly.

"All right," Nyla started again. "The last time we talked, it was about the last attempted replacement of several pieces in your collection."

AJ nodded. "When we talked about it, I explained the perpetrators were caught, right?"

Nyla nodded. "Two of them were. But Marc Wilson had a sister. She was involved as well, and she’s the one coming after the Thomas Ackerman painting. We discovered that she’s stored various pieces, both originals and