Dark Cover (The DARK Files #2) by Susan Vaughan Read Free Book Online Page A

argument. He sat in a matching chair, not in the executive throne behind the desk, but his authority suffered not an iota for it.
    Celia cast an anxious look at her assistant. “For the screens and the friezes, the more ornate cabinets, the market is specialized.”
    “Alexei knew how to bring in certain buyers.” Emil drummed his manicured nails on the brass table. A slight, dapper man in a bow tie, his Greek extraction totaled his only kinship with Nick.
    “Danielle and I are slated to attend a reception at the Washington Cultural Museum on Friday,” Nick said. “Networking could line up more prospects for the business.”
    “If I could make the buying trips to the Orient that he used to do, new imports might breathe new life into the business.” Celia sat still as ivory on a blue brocade chair, with her folded hands in her lap. Her knuckles gleamed white.
    Nick’s hands on his knees looked relaxed, but a muscle twitched in his jaw. “Ms. Chin, it’s too late for that. Selling is the only option. In the meantime, I’ll write up that reference for you. For you both.”
    Vanessa ducked from view. Time to retreat.
    All five employees — the clerks and warehouse attendants as well as the managers — were wound as tightly as the antique clock on the wall. No evidence tied them to Alexei’s nefarious dealings, but they bore watching.
    The background report said that after Alexei had disappeared, Nick paid the utilities and the housekeeper. He also kept the import business afloat, but he refused to do anything to keep it flourishing. He wanted out.Why?
    His international restaurant supply company was diverse. This was just another kind of import business. With a little effort, it could be profitable again. Why was he so determined to sell? Was he as rigid and inflexible as Danielle had said?
    Or was it something more?
    ***
    After the shop closed and the employees left, Nick found Vanessa reading through Alexei’s business e-mail.
    Her freckled nose wrinkled as she studied something obscure. Her hair seemed to contain the sun’s rays even under the office’s ugly fluorescent lighting. If he ran his fingers through the fiery waves, would they feel cool and silky or would their heat warm his hand?
    Idiotic thoughts like that had kept him away from her over the weekend. Damn, but he thought he’d hardened his internal armor against her gentle warmth. What was it about her wholesome beauty that drew him so?Studying the business’s books and chatting up the employees, she played the role of Danielle well today.
    Except for her personality.Other than her red hair, he could see why DARK had chosen her. The employees talked to her easily. All she had to do was ask a simple question here, make a comment there, and they blathered away. Her skill at drawing them out amazed him.From the snatches of conversation Nick overheard, he inferred their complaints were endless.About him.For them, he hated to close up shop, but keeping reminders of Alexei’s filth was like being flayed alive daily.
    “Didn’t DARK and the cops go through those e-mails ten times already?” he asked.
    Turning, she rolled her shoulders. The movement lifted her breasts against the soft fabric of her beige linen dress.
    Heat kindled in his blood.
    She laughed, a cynical chuckle.
    The sensual sound stoked the flame.
    “I’ve found nothing new yet, mostly chitchat about objets d’art I know little about. But I can’t help myself. In there, in that extravagant office is where he choked a man to death. I was part of the unit that trapped and captured Alexei, and I want closure.”
    “I want closure too. I want this damned mess out of my life!” Damn Alexei! Nick slapped the door frame.
    She rose from the swivel chair and placed a hand on his forearm. Muscles bunched at her warm touch. Her sorrowful gaze tugged at him.“I’m sorry, Nick. That was thoughtless. I shouldn’t have spoken so coldly about your brother. No matter what he did, his death is