Werewolf Upstairs by Ashlyn Chase Read Free Book Online Page B

like.”
    “You’d better not. If I sound like an encyclopedia, they’ll think I looked her up. But in a CliffsNotes version, tell me what you know.”
    Konrad sat up straighter. “I love this woman’s story. She wasn’t accepted by the Boston blue bloods because she didn’t live the life of a restrained, Victorian matron. She loved to travel, had a sense of humor, and was vivacious. In other words, she lived large.”
    “I like her already.”
    “Yeah, I think you two would have gotten along just fine. Naturally she became the subject of scandals. As far as we know, they were unsubstantiated rumors. She was once quoted as saying, ‘Don’t spoil a good story by telling the truth.’”
    Morgaine laughed. “I’ll have to remember that one next time someone accuses Gwyneth and me of being lesbian devil worshippers.”
    “You’re kidding!”
    “Yeah, I am. Well, about the devil worship, that is. Dottie and Ralph thought we were lesbians because of the noises we made being phone-sex actresses.”
    Konrad laughed. “Yeah, I heard about that. You’ve been quiet lately, though.”
    “Yeah, she threatened to throw us out if we kept up all the racket, even though it paid the rent.”
    “Unbelievable.”
    “Now if I can crack this case, there’s a nice reward in it for me.”
    “I’ll bet. How much?”
    “The FBI is offering five million dollars for the recovery of all the stolen goods. A portion less, if only part of it is recovered.”
    Konrad whistled.
    “Yeah, so it’s a good thing I got this job, and I really want to do it well. I…I have a hard time leaving the apartment building due to my agoraphobia, but a reward like that, and someone going with me…well, it’s worth anything I have to do. Anyway, tell me more about this interesting Isabella.”
    “She loved the Red Sox as well as the symphony and made loads of friends in drastically different circles. She became a major patron of the arts and built the combination home and museum in the Fenway area to house her growing collection. She wanted to share it with the average American.”
    “I saw a portrait of her at the museum.”
    “Oh, yeah. She displayed the portraits of friends like John Singer Sargent and James McNeill Whistler, but also amassed a collection of famous European painters. It’s considered priceless today. She held concerts too. I went to hear a former student of mine play piano there.”
    “What a gorgeous setting for a concert. I don’t suppose you’re talking about rock and roll, though.”
    Konrad laughed. “No, it’s mostly classical stuff. Maybe some jazz. I can’t picture the calm, serene atmosphere of that atrium being shattered by Aerosmith.”
    “Me neither.”
    “Did you see the blank spots on the wall where the stolen art had been? The curator left it like that.”
    “Yeah. I was almost sick to my stomach when I realized the theft involved some original Rembrandts.”
    “The most valuable painting they stole from the Dutch gallery was the Vermeer. There’s only something like thirty-six of them in the world.”
    Morgaine leaned forward. “Would you come with me? Maybe because you know a lot about the museum and Mrs. Gardener, Reginald will talk to you through me, and you can make sense of it. Plus, you might know how they got away with it, because of your…you know.”
    “My security expertise?”
    “Exactly!”
    “Sure. I haven’t been there for a while. When were you planning to go?”
    “I can go anytime. I just need to call first.”
    “Don’t you need privacy to do your medium thing?”
    “They let me upstairs into one of the parlors. That’s where Reginald likes to hang out. He’s not crazy about the visitors. Especially if they try to touch things.”
    “Is that how they knew he was there? Did he throw a chair at a tourist’s head or something?”
    “No. The curator said a couple of people claimed they saw him, and he senses a presence from time to time. That’s why the curator