The Prisoner of Paradise by Rob Samborn
Author:Rob Samborn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: TouchPoint Press
XXXVI
Julia hit the call button on her cell. She sat on the bed, her back supported by pillows propped against the headboard. To her right were a notepad and pen.
As the phone rang, she tapped the pen on her thigh, waiting for Lionel Benton to answer. She figured she may as well seize the opportunity while Nick was at the police. She prayed sheâd made the right decision to not meet him there. She preferred his familiar, overprotective nature, but the mood swings were getting old fast. She wantedâneededâto trust her husband. They worked better as a team.
Shaking her head and body, she scattered the drops of nerves.
âHello?â A man with a crisp London accent answered.
An adrenaline surge prompted her to stand. âHello, Mr. Benton?â
âWhoâs calling?â
âYes, Mr. Benton.â Julia ran her hand over her skirt, smoothing it out. âMy name is Julia OâConnor. Iâm calling about your blog.â
âMy blog?â Benton asked with annoyance. âRemind me to send a holiday card to WordPress this year. As stupendous as being an English journalist may be, none of my other ten thousand followers have taken the time to phone me. How on Earth did you get my personal number?â
âPierre Gold gave it to me. Iââ
âWhy would he do such a thing? How do you know Pierre?â
âIâm an artist. A photographer.â
Benton burst out laughing. âOh, my, this is rich. Is it play-a-practical-joke-on-an-art-critic day already? I mustâve missed that on my calendar. Pierre shouldâve known better. Good day, miss.â
âWait, please!â Julia started pacing. âIâm really sorry to bother you. My husband and I, well, weâve been involved in some events at the Palazzo Ducale, and Iâm hopingââ
âWhat sort of events?â
âFor starters, we were kicked out. And, well, you can say we were harassed.â
Benton inhaled deeply. âWhy were you ejected?â He asked.
âThey claimed he got too close to a painting, but he wasnât gonna damage it. Forgive my language, but itâs B.S. Theyâre definitely hiding something.â
âAnd you think heâs gotten mixed up with the group Iâve written about.â
âThereâs a good possibility, but I donât know how or why. Please, Mr. Benton, I just have a few questions.â
âHow do I know you are who you say you are, Mrs. OâConnor? That youâre not enquiring on behalf of the Palazzo?â
âIâm not sure how I can prove it.â She stood still. âIâm American. From Boston. My husband, Nick, works for Fidelity. You can Google him. And me. And weâre both on LinkedIn.â She couldnât think of anything else.
âYou sound charming, if not distraught, Mrs. OâConnor, and typically, Iâd be happy to assist a friend of Pierre, but Iâd insist on having this conversation in person, and you caught me at a terrible time. Iâm about to leave Venice. A water taxiâs taking me to the airport in twenty minutes.â
âWhich hotel are you in?â Julia grabbed her purse.
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