The Art of Love and Murder by Brenda Whiteside Page B

sat his fork down, wiped his mouth with his napkin. “He was killed in another incident.”
    She didn’t know what to say. The incident had some personal meaning and more questioning on her part seemed intrusive. His forearms leaned heavily on the table, and he swirled his wine, his food forgotten. She ate a bite in silence, watching him stare into his wine. When the color came back to his face, he lifted his gaze to her.
    “I’m sorry,” she said. The urge to reach across the table and stroke his cheek moved her. “I’ve totally monopolized our dinner conversation. And probably bored you to death.”
    “Hardly. I did ask.”
    He studied her a moment, a squirm producing look.
    “And I enjoy a good mystery.”
    Chance Meadowlark the man might be a good mystery. Her mother’s arcane past consumed her, yet the man on the other side of the table had a mysterious side she couldn’t ignore. As much as she wanted to squash the growing attraction, something about him begged her attention.
    And now this—an incident involving him and Muuyaw. Considering his initial reaction, questioning him seemed a daunting task. Still, she had to follow any connection she could find to her mother, intrusive or not.
    Her cell rang. “Oh jeez, I meant to turn that off.” Her daughter’s number lit up the screen, giving her pause.
    “Answer it if you need to.”
    “Thanks. I wouldn’t, but it’s my daughter.” She’d never been able to ignore a call from either of her children. “Hi, August.”
    “Hi, Mom. How are you?”
    “Well, actually I’m at a restaurant eating. Can I call you back later?”
    “Sure, but real quick—I Googled and tried Wikipedia. I can’t find much of anything on Muuyaw beyond a mention of a theft eight years ago.”
    “Doesn’t really surprise me.” Lacy sighed. “It was worth a try.”
    “Did you know about the theft? Maybe you could talk to the police about it. Find out what happened to the stolen art.”
    “I’ve...talked to the police—well the sheriff.” She glanced at Chance, whose eyes smiled over his wine glass. “Maybe my visit to the museum tomorrow will produce more information. I’ll call you.”
    “Great. Love you, Mom.”
    “Love you back, kiddo.”
    Lacy returned her attention to the dinner conversation and plunged ahead. “So, when the theft happened, do you remember Kaya’s name coming up?”
    “No, not that I remember. How is she connected to the artist?”
    She told him about the sketches, the half-carved wolf and the art gallery visit.
    “If the sketches are Muuyaw’s...or the sculpture...be careful, Lacy. We never found out what happened to the stolen pieces. The case raised more questions than answers.”
    “Well, as far as I know, they’re not my mother’s artwork. But there’s a connection. Maybe...” A collaboration? Then who was Muuyaw really? “If Muuyaw had another identity...” She waved a hand through the air. “I don’t know.” It was way too early to be guessing.
    Chance dug a business card out of his pocket. “These are my numbers if you need anything.” He held it out over the table.
    She took the card, her fingers grazing his. “I doubt I’ll have any trouble.” Though, maybe a little trouble would be worth needing to contact him.
    “Always good to have an emergency number when you’re in a town and don’t know anyone.”
    It would be easy to be taken in by his warm copper gaze, but she assumed his peacekeeper motives were at play, nothing more.
    Laura appeared beside the table offering dessert and coffee. They both declined. She set the bill on the table. “Tell Jenny to call me, Sheriff, before she gets too wrapped up in finals.”
    “I’ll do that, Laura.”
    She smiled at Lacy. “And so nice to meet you...with the sheriff.” She winked at Chance and moved on to the next table.
    He shook his head, embarrassed mirth in his eyes.
    Lacy snorted. “That was subtle.” Laura must not care much for her mother-in-law.
    She reached