Portrait in Crime Read Free Page A

Bess called. “Do you need me? Tommy wants to show me some of Christopher Scott’s work.”
    â€œGood idea,” Nancy said, as she and Sasha followed Cynthia down a hall and into a quiet and perfectly decorated office. Cynthia had hung a few paintings on the taupe fabric-covered walls. A small bronze statue was spotlighted next to the door. “Your gallery is beautiful,” Nancy said sincerely.
    â€œThank you.” Cynthia shrugged. “It’s really just a hobby for me, but I have fun with it. Now, what can I tell you? Tommy says you’re willing to help me.”
    â€œWell,” Nancy began, “Tommy said you were worried about Christopher Scott, and we’d like to know why specifically.”
    Cynthia nodded. “I am. He’s absolutely disappeared. I have a major show of his work coming up in a few days and I have to have him here!”
    â€œYou’ve tried contacting any family members?” Sasha asked.
    â€œBob has. Bob Tercero is my manager. He works out all the details around here.”
    â€œHe’s the one who arranged Nicholas’s funeral?” Nancy asked.
    Cynthia nodded. “Chris didn’t even show up for that.” She stopped suddenly. “Maybe you could go to Chris’s studio to check it out for clues. Bob went by there, but maybe a detective could find something that he missed.”
    â€œI’ll go,” Nancy agreed, “but first I should probably get some more information about Christopher. Did he say anything about going on a trip?”
    â€œOh, goodness, I have no idea!” Cynthia said, surprised. “You know, I can’t remember the last time I spoke to him.
    â€œI’m sorry, you must think I’m crazy,” Cynthia continued sheepishly. “Bob really runs the show around here. I just stop in and put the finishing touches on things. Most of my dealings with Chris were worked out between Nicholas and Bob.” She wrinkled her nose. “Nicholas Scott was not the most pleasant person to deal with. Bob was a friend of his. It was a lot easier to let the two of them take care of business.”
    â€œIs Bob around?” Sasha asked.
    Cynthia picked up the phone. “Bob? Could you come to my office, please?”
    While they waited, Cynthia said, “We’ll help you any way we can. It’s just me, Bob, and our receptionist, Cecilia. I’ll tell her to cooperate with you, too. She’s a college student and just works summers. I’ll introduce you on the way out.”
    A few minutes later a broad, dark-skinned manwith black eyes and hair breezed into the room. Cynthia introduced him to Nancy and Sasha and excused herself.
    â€œI’m glad you’re here to help,” Bob Tercero said, settling himself behind Cynthia’s desk. “I’m worried sick about Christopher.”
    â€œI know this may seem silly,” Nancy began carefully, “but I’m afraid I’m a little confused. You’re worried sick, and Cynthia is, too, but still no one seems to think this is serious enough to take to the police.”
    â€œWell, Christopher is famous for dropping out of sight. Most of the townies just assume he’s out of the country.”
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œAnd . . . I don’t know,” Bob said, exhaling slowly. “It seems like the only reasonable explanation, but I talked to Nicholas the day he died, and he told me Chris was working furiously.”
    â€œCynthia tells me you and Nicholas were friends,” Nancy said.
    Bob nodded. “Good friends. We did quite a lot together.”
    Nancy glanced over at Sasha. Bob didn’t seem to be in mourning for his “good friend.”
    â€œWell, then, perhaps you can tell us how to get to the Scotts’ house?”
    â€œI can do better than that,” Bob said eagerly. “I’ll take you there.”
    Nancy shook her head. “No, thanks. It’s nice of you to