Part 6 (2/2)

Kelly had mentioned a box ... that he may have found the box. This box must certainly be the clue that tied everything together. Could Kelly have stumbled onto something, some secret Wolfgang didn't want revealed? Or possibly, Kelly, with her habit of writing everything down, had put what she'd learned into the box, and Wolfgang had found that. Or maybe not. Maybe it was something entirely different. What was so important about this box?

I worried about showing the letter to Linda. I worried that she wouldn't be able to keep her mouth shut, that she'd either intentionally or accidentally reveal the contents of it to Wolfgang. Then the both of us would be at risk.

The sky was the same dull gray and still sleeting when I pulled the van into the parking lot of the four-story Bingham hotel. I folded a newspaper to cover my head, then stepped outside the van and peered through the rear windows. None of my artwork appeared to have seriously s.h.i.+fted. I'd protected it well.

The van came equipped with an alarm system, so I wasn't too worried about theft. Plus, it seemed to be a good area of town, though I'd never been on this side of Denver before. Tonight, after the mall closed for business, I'd drive over and set up for tomorrow.

I checked into the hotel and took the elevator to the second floor. The place wasn't exactly new or exactly old. Its best quality as far as I was concerned was its proximity to the mall, just a few miles away.

The elevator doors opened and I stepped out onto plush green carpet framed by walls of pale mint. I found my room number, inserted the keycard into the slot, which signaled green and allowed me to enter.

The room was decent enough, continuing the green motif of the hall, patterned spread on the king-size bed, ginger jar lamps, telephone. I pitched my suitcase onto the bed, then sat down to use the phone. I called home first. Trevor wasn't there, so I left a message, said I'd arrived safely, the weather was crummy here too, that I was starving and thirsty-and lastly-that I loved him. I told him I'd call later in the evening. I left a similar message on his cell phone I ordered room service, turkey sandwich and tomato soup, then lay back on the bed and tried to relax.

The hotel was on the northeast edge of Denver, not so far from downtown that I couldn't sightsee if I had more time. It had been three years since I'd made a trip to Denver purely for pleasure. Kelly had been with me. We'd visited the Denver Art Museum, exploring the many wings of the huge free-form structure. Since then the museum had added an entire floor devoted to European paintings and textiles. I wanted to see them, but it would have to wait until another time. I tried to remember why Linda hadn't come along on that trip, some excuse, but she'd rarely joined me if Kelly was invited.

My snack arrived and after I finished it I checked my voicemail for messages. I had only one since I'd last looked, the time given, eleven a.m. I didn't recognize the number, though it seemed vaguely familiar. And then it clicked ... Josh.

”Hi, Gwyn. It's just me. I said I would call and here I am, calling. I'm over at my mom's again, a short trip only, but since I'm in town I thought of you and our lunch date in Aspen. I wouldn't mind seeing you again. I'm bored as h.e.l.l here. I love the family, but I can only eat, sleep, and yak with them so much. Are you very busy? Could you drop whatever you're doing and meet me for a drink? I realize this could be awkward, but we are old friends, more than old friends. I got the feeling last time that there's more we need to talk about. I could anyway. So, give me a jingle.”

He'd left his mother's number and his cell phone. I checked the time. It was now five-thirty. He sounded nervous and needy and I could have punched myself if I thought it would do any good. Look what I'd done.

I debated returning his call. Rude if I didn't, considering I'd given him my number though he hadn't asked for it. Of course, maybe he wouldn't answer and I could leave a short message, tell him I was out of town, thank him for the call, and leave it at that. Then let a week go by. He'd get the idea. He was no idiot.

I moved to the edge of the bed, thinking, contemplating the phone. I picked up the receiver and dialed. It rang once, twice, and just as I was about to believe it would all work out, he answered.

”h.e.l.lo?”

”Hi, Josh. It's Gwyn.”

”Oh-well great. I'm glad I picked up the phone. I'm in my car.”

”I got your message, a little late. I just got it now.”

”Oh, well I'm glad you called. I didn't think I'd be in town again so soon, but I am.”

”Is anything wrong?”

”Wrong? Oh, you mean my mother? No, she's fine. They're all fine. No, my sister's getting married, and at first I didn't think I'd be able to make it, but I did. The wedding's tomorrow. You want to be my date?”

Before I could answer, he continued. ”I'm kidding, of course. It's that whole church, morals thing. You know, married woman, single man. My family is so not with it. I don't give a d.a.m.n, but they might.”

He had me laughing now.

”Oh, Josh. So, which sister is it?”

”Amy.”

”Well, give her my congratulations.”

”I will. Say ... do you have a minute? For that drink, I mean.”

”Would you believe I'm in Denver?”

”You are? No. Why?”

”A good reason. A big solo exhibition at a mall.”

”I see.” Then sounding happier, he said, ”That's great. Are you done for the day?”

”No. No, it doesn't start until tomorrow. I set up tonight after the mall closes.”

”Which mall?”

”I don't think you'd know it. Vista Meadows. New, kind of cla.s.sy, I guess.”

”No, I don't know it. But I'll be going to the airport on Sunday. I have some business in Denver. Maybe I can stop by.”

”Well, I guess you could,” I said, hesitating, ”but I won't have much time to talk. I'll be busy trying to sell.”

”Then maybe I'll buy something. I haven't seen anything you've done in a while. Are you expensive?”

”If I don't sell anything Sat.u.r.day, the prices could get a lot lower by Sunday.”

”You'll sell. Maybe I'll buy the whole bunch.”

I smiled. ”I don't think you have to do that. Maybe just do a lot of gus.h.i.+ng about my work in front of the customers, pretend to be an art critic or something.”

”I certainly will, but actually I can't guarantee to make it. I have a few things to take care of on Sunday, so don't count on me.”

”If you're there great, if not, some other time.”

”Yeah.”

I couldn't think of anything else to say, and felt as if we might drift into dangerous territory if the conversation continued. ”Well, it was nice talking to you, Josh. I probably should call the mall and do some last minute-”

”Gwyn?”

”What?”

He was silent, then cleared his throat. ”Have a good time tomorrow. Enjoy yourself. You'll do fine.”

After we hung up, I made a list of questions to ask the mall people, just to reaffirm what they'd told me before. I'd get over there by eight tonight, before the mall closed at nine, look at the layout, plan how to set everything up, then get started.

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