Chapter Twenty Six

Sasha

Patrick, like most men, was putty in my hands. He may have just lost his girlfriend, the love of his life, but he didn't seem to be grieving that much. He couldn't take his eyes off my legs unless it was to check out my chest! I had dressed with care, a skirt short enough to show a little thigh without being trampy and a blouse with one button too many open.

When he heard how much money I was looking to invest he almost salivated.

"I wasn't sure who I could trust but a friend of a friend suggested your company."

"Oh, who was that?"

"A friend of mine was talking to another friend who'd heard about your business. It's rather complicated I'm afraid. I just didn't trust my late husband's accountant or business associates."

He frowned but decided it was more important to get his hands on my money than to start an inquiry with so tangled a web.

"Oh right. Well, I'm sure we can accommodate you. Have you moved to Phoenix permanently, Mrs Rogers?"

"Actually, I'm looking for somewhere at the moment. I don't have any friends here to show me the right areas which makes it very difficult. My husband took care of things and I'm finding it very difficult without him."

I saw the gleam in his eye, a lone wealthy widow looking to be taken care of, that was right up his alley!

"I might be able to help you there. My stepmother knows all the right places to go. Maybe I could arrange for you to meet her."

I smiled dazzlingly, "That would be so kind of you. I do miss female company from time to time."

I gave him a flash of thigh as I spoke and he almost choked on his coffee.

"Let me organize a portfolio for you and we can meet again in a week."

"A week? Does it take so long?"

"Well normally we try to ensure we get the best for our clients and that takes time but I could arrange for you to meet my parents sooner. My father is the brains behind the company."

I leant forward allowing my blouse to gape open a little, "I would be so grateful if you could. Here…" I handed him a card with my cell phone number on it. "I had these printed because I'm forever forgetting the number. I look forward to hearing from you, Mr King."

"Patrick, call me Patrick."

"Then you must call me Sasha."

By the time I left he was practically drooling. Men were such suckers.

When I got back to the house I explained that I was waiting for an invitation to the King compound. It was great that I got praise from the family. I was beginning to feel more like one of them and I was determined to keep my curse under control as much as I could. I wanted to fit in, I just wished Bella was here. When she was present I always felt more in control.

Still, if I could find this painting and therefore prove that the King family were the ones out to hurt Bella then maybe she could come back.

Esme

I was surprised at how grateful Sasha was for the congratulations she received and it made me realize just how difficult her life must be. Having a destructive gift was indeed a curse and I vowed to make more of an effort to be kind to Edward's wife. It was amusing that he had managed to find a wife that his gift helped him with. He was able to understand her true nature because he could hear that her thoughts were not spiteful or evil. Edward could be understanding but it had been hidden by the arrogance of youth. Sasha was good for him, she made him appear more human and likeable.

He wasn't happy when he discovered how attracted Patrick was to his wife, but it was a weapon we women had used through the centuries to manipulate men. It worked so well why would we stop now?

"Edward, stop worrying. Sasha is in love with you. She doesn't care about Patrick."

He sighed, "I know that Esme but it doesn't stop me from feeling angry and jealous."

"She'll be back soon with the proof we need to pin the arson attacks on Patrick or one of his family."

Edward turned to Carlisle, "Just as a matter of interest what do you plan on doing if we do prove it?"

Emmett cut in, "Burn their business down for starters."

"No, Emmett, we are not going to stoop to their level. Besides, they will just claim the insurance and start again. They don't keep any stock there like Bella's gallery. And before you suggest it we are not firebombing their house either."

Emmett subsided grumbling that Carlisle was no fun.

I was curious too, "So, what are we going to do, Carlisle?"

"We need to hit them where it hurts and we will. But let's wait until we know who is responsible first."

When Sasha got back from her morning with Magda King she was grinning like the cat that got the cream and placed her cell phone carefully on the table.

"Is that the painting you were looking for?"

I recognized it immediately, "Yes, but how did you get a photo? Where was it?"

"Oh, I have my ways. It was in Bruce King's study. I accidentally opened the door while I was looking for the bathroom. Magda was furious when she found out the door wasn't locked. I think he's in for a rough night. I acted as if I had no idea about anything. I can play the dumb broad when I need to."

I was sure she could and this time it was working in our favor.

"Do you know if Patrick is aware that they have it?"

She shook her head, "I don't think so. I overheard Magda giving Bruce a real tongue lashing. She was worried that Patrick might see it if Bruce wasn't more careful. So, I guess the boyfriend is in the clear."

Rose looked horrified, "But why would his parents want to ruin Bella's life? It doesn't make any sense."

Sasha shrugged, "Actually it does. From what I understand they had their son's wedding and Bella's life all planned out for them. So when she dumped him it didn't look good for the King family. They probably already had the invitations printed. They are the kind of people to whom social standing is everything. People are going to whisper behind their backs. What went wrong? Why did Bella dump the most eligible bachelor in Phoenix? Is there something wrong with him? I can practically hear them."

"So all this is because they're afraid of losing face?"

"I'm afraid so, Rose. To the rich their reputation is everything. They don't like questions being raised about their family. Patrick is their golden boy. They don't want people to wonder if there is something wrong with him. His brother isn't going to produce any children so Patrick was their hope for someone they could pass the business down to.

"Well, there is something wrong with him. He's a dickhead."

I scowled, "Language, Rose! We might know that, but other people do not."

"Well, what are we going to do?"

We all looked to Carlisle to answer Rose's question and he smiled slowly, "What, apart from reputation, means the most to the King family?

"Money."

"That's right, Emmett. Money and their business. So, we should target all three."

Sasha looked bewildered. "Excuse me for being a little slow but what I want to know is why they would steal the painting from Bella's apartment. I mean it's not valuable, is it? I thought it was Jasper."

Emmett grinned, "You know I was asking myself the same question so I went on the internet. It's amazing what you can find out there if you dig deep enough.

I suspect that Patrick went home and told his parents about the painting and one of them, probably Bruce, decided to do a little digging of his own. I discovered he collects paintings featuring the Civil war. He may well have thought the painting was by Conrad Wise Chapman. He was one of very few artists who painted from the Confederate viewpoint. The painting Bella bought could be one of his that was lost when Chapman died and his estate was sold off. If so, it could be worth a lot of money.

If not then it might have been taken out of spite after Patrick told them how fond Bella was of it just in case it survived the fire.

Rose, still staring at the photograph, shook her head, "We have to get it back for Bella and we still have to work out who was behind the fires. Was it Bruce King or that harpy of a wife of his, or both of them?"

Sasha smiled brightly, "Oh, that's easy. It was Bruce. Magda doesn't have the brains to organize something like that. She's a real bitch and I could see her shredding Bella's clothes or putting it around town that she's a slut, but arson? No way."

Carlisle nodded his agreement with her. "I think you're right, Sasha. So, what are we going to do about it? Emmett, I want you to dig as deep as you can into the King family business. Anything we can use against them would be great."

"And if I don't find anything, Carlisle?"

"Then a little creative accountancy will be in order."

"And the painting?"

Carlisle smiled at Rosalie, "Oh, I think you ladies can deal with that. Are you seeing Patrick again, Sasha?"

She preened, "Of course, I'm a rich widow. I thought I might ask to see Bruce too. Just to make sure I'm getting the very best service. That way Esme and Rose would only have Magda to deal with. Unless she's on one of her shopping trips. I understand she's out most days."

I cut in at that point, "I'm going to leave you two girls to sort out the painting. There's something else I need to do."

"What's that, Esme?"

I smiled at Carlisle, "A little repossession of my own. Patrick bought Bella a dog but he wouldn't let her take him when she left. I'm pretty sure it will have a better life with her than with him."

"Are you sure Bella wants the dog? I mean she and Jasper are only just starting out. They don't even have a place of their own yet."

"No sweat, Carlisle. Rosie and I will take him on if they can't. I always wanted a pet dog."

Something then occurred to Emmett, "Hey, it's not a chihuahua or a Shih-Tzu or something like that is it? I mean a dog should look like a dog, not a fluffy toy!"

Esme laughed, "Actually it's more your size, Emmett."

"Great, what's his name?"

"Hugo, I think."

Emmett smiled, "Now that's a great name for a dog."

As he rubbed his hands in glee, Rose shook her head indulgently and we both knew that if Bella did want Hugo then she and Emmett would be looking for a dog of their own. Once Emmett got an idea into his head there was no shaking it.

"Should I tell Jasper what we've discovered?"

"Not yet, Esme. Let's see what we can do to the Kings first. I'd like to replace the photograph of Charlie that Bella lost too. Can I leave that with you, Esme?"

I nodded, pleased to help, "Of course."

"What about me?" It seemed that Edward was feeling a little left out.

"You can help me. It'll be much quicker with two sets of eyes. I'll tell you what to look for. And if we don't find anything you and I can put our heads together and come up with a cunning plan to make the King family pay."

I suspected Edward was feeling a little put out that Sasha was proving to be more helpful than he was. Under the circumstances I wanted him to feel included.

"Sasha, why don't you engineer an invite with the King men to a business lunch. Edward, you could be in the restaurant too and monitor their thoughts. They don't know you. Who knows, maybe you'll learn something of interest. Maybe how they operate."

Carlisle got up, "Which reminds me, Sasha. I should give you the money to invest. They're sure to want proof of it soon."

She beamed, "You're sure I won't just run off and spend it, Carlisle?"

He turned, looking very serious, "No, Sasha I don't think so. You're a Cullen now, you've already proved that."

She was almost bursting with delight and even Edward looked pleased. Perhaps it had been hard for him knowing that Carlisle and I were not overly fond of his wife. If he had explained her situation it would have been easier but I guessed they were both ashamed of the curse. Silly really, but I guess I understood why they kept it to themselves.

"For now everyone, hold on. I want the ammunition we need to finish the King family before we start the repossessions. It will be far easier if we don't put them on their guard. For now, they think they've got away with the fires. Let them keep thinking so. I'd like a link between rat-face and Bruce too."

"I'll keep digging, Carlisle. Something might come up."

"How long do you need, Emmett?"

He thought about it, "A day, two at the outside if we have to do some creative accounting as you put it, Carlisle."

He nodded, "OK then. We'll set our target date two days from now. Just make sure you all know what you are doing. Sasha, how long will it take to arrange a business dinner?"

She tapped the table with her manicured fingers, "I'll call Patrick this afternoon. Tell him I have another broker interested in my business and push for a quick deal."

"Good. Well, I guess I should probably text Jasper and tell him we have things in hand. I'd like to know how Bella is too. I was worried about her when she left."

I patted his arm, "I'm sure Jasper will take good care of her."

He turned, smiling wryly, "It's not Jasper that concerns me, it's his friend!"