Chapter Two
David Hundreds of people crowded into the museum that night. Anya and I were lucky; we were some of the first in. Anya wore a flowing black dress of silk, to match her dark eyes and long hair, with a train so long I had to watch the ground to be sure I didn't stumble over it. I wore a plain tux- black, and suitable for the occasion. As we walked through the new exhibit, Anya looked at the art while my eyes scanned the crowd for Nicole. After the first half hour, I'd gained a fan club that followed me around, of some people that'd bought my work at some time, or had seen it. I was busied explaining about the brushes and paint and surfaces I used, since none of 'em would shut up, or even give me space. They kept jabbering and inquiring until I'd answered every question of theirs at least five times. Then I saw her. Nicole walked into the room. Her long golden-blonde hair was pulled up neatly, and she wore a long rust-colored dress. Her bright eyes searched for me, and when they'd found their target, her head shook solemnly. Behind her I could see an older man, in his fifties, with brown and silver hair. His suit was well made, and from that I assumed he was Alex. When I saw him turn to Nicole, I knew. It was him. Alexander Velmen had entered the building, and he was not leaving Nicole's side. Well, if they weren't coming to me, I decided I'd go to meet them. It was about time I met the bastard anyway.
* * *
I wandered slowly farther from my followers until they'd been left behind me somewhere in the Egyptian exhibit. After ditching them, I made my way to the Mesopotamian exhibit, where I knew Nicole waited. It was where we'd first met, nearly a month ago. There she was, standing alone before a panel, reading the information it offered. I walked up behind her, and, when she saw me, I smiled. "You shouldn't have come." She spoke softly. I grinned idiotically. That always made her laugh. "I should have come, and did." "Alex can't see us together! He has a.suspicious mind. I don't know how he might react or what he would think." "About what? I'm an artist you've met. That's no crime. You've seen my work, so what? I have a herd of buyers wandering around somewhere lost in the Egyptian section. For all Alex knows, you might as well be one of them.Though you're much more beautiful, I must add." I paused, at first to catch my breath and be enriched by her momentary ring of laughter.and then to test a theory. "We have to negotiate an offer you made me, since I'm not so certain I agree with it." Nicole looked puzzled, but only until a new voice joined the conversation. "Really? An offer on what, exactly?" I turned without hesitation. Hesitation could indicate any of several things, including reluctance, guilt, and uncertainty. I could not demonstrate such signs, not if I was a mere painter having a discussion with Mrs. Velmen. I faced the brown-and-silver haired man from before.Alex. "Mr. Velmen, I presume." My hand extended toward him, offering a handshake. It was ignored. His voice was cold, dismissing. "Your presumption is adequate, but I fear I do not own the pleasure of knowing your name." Nicole stepped in, noticing the intensity of Alex's gaze at me. "This is Dav.This is Mr. Marrow. He's a painter. His studio's downtown. I think you'd like some of his work." "Would he be any acquaintance to 'Miss Marrow', who called earlier?" Nicole wasted no time in answering. "Miss Marrow is Mr. Marrow's sister." "And she called us.why?" I broke in before Nicole could even begin. "She's a bit low on money at the time, so I'm paying her to be a sort of.secretary for a while. She makes my phone calls and negotiates with buyers about prices for me." Alex faced me head on and looked into my eyes, reading them in search of a lie, and burning into me. "Yet here you are now, speaking of negotiation with my wife. Why is that?" "My sister has been ill this past week; I told her to stay home and rest rather than accompany me." I spoke fast, making the excuse which made most sense. And Alex bought it. "Really?" He kept watching me, like an experienced hunter watching its prey. I was motionless in his gaze; something kept my eyes locked on his for the time. I was like a bird caught in a snake's eyes. "She sounded quite well when she called a few hours ago. Hmm.And where, exactly, did you study?" Relieved for the delayed change of subject, I responded. "At Burkley." His eyes widened slightly, yet noticeably. "Burkley? Good school, so I hear." He took a breath. "Well, maybe I can come down to your studio sometime, look at your pieces." "I'd be glad if you did.
* * *
Calico "Anya!" My voice called to David's forgotten friend over the low, dismal mumbling of hundreds of art spectators, each testing their voice's strength in order to overcome the rest and be heard. Anya twisted slowly to make a full ninety degree pivot toward my general direction and recognized me-Calico Black, a friend and neighbor of hers. "What?" She inquired. "What are you doing here?" I asked in sheer confusion. Anya didn't go to many parties, so the proceedings appeared quizzical. "A favor." Was all the given reply. Just two short words breathed in a tone of minor boredom.if not exasperation. From outside the doorway, I waved. "Can I come in?" Anya's brow bent a bit as she set a frown upon her pale face. "No!" "Why not?" "You're wearing casual clothes." Anya retorted. As usual, I wore black pants and boots with a long flowing black trench coat over a dark turtleneck. Shades covered my eyes, even though the evening already was entranced in a state of pure darkness. "SO?" Anya sighed, annoyed. "This is a formal party." I moaned in irritation. "SO WHAT? That doesn't matter! Hey, you're wearing black too. This could be formal!" I motioned at her ebony ensemble. "Look, stop shouting, I can hear you fine where I am without you screaming your lungs out." "OK! I mean, ok." Anya took her time walking to the entrance. She stood just inside to talk to Calico. "Do you have a ticket?" I grinned. "Who the hell needs one?" "You do, to get in." "Shit, how much are they?" I wasn't pleased with the answer. "Thirty bucks, just to see a few things that're some thousand years old or something? Like Cleopatra.I mean, who's gonna remember her in ten years? Huh? You've got to be kidding!" "Calico, that's just how much they are. I didn't set the price!" "Anya, be quiet and let her in!" David what's-his-last-name whispered in her ear, approaching from the back and momentarily placing a steady hand on my friend's arm when he reached her. She obeyed without a question, and all he received was a frown as she turned.
David I'd excused myself from the sides of Mr. and Mrs. Velmen for the time being and had become fed up from Alex's questions. "Sorry." I added, again in a whispered tone, after noting Anya's displeasure at my order. I brushed my hand softly and briefly against her arm in a small, but feeble gesture of apology as well. "We're leaving. Ten minutes." I added hastily, and left, not giving her any choice but to agree.
* * *
Calico glared. Everyone kept staring at her. She wasn't exactly the usual sort of person you met on the streets every day, even in New York. Her hair was black and shoulder-length. She had dark eyes that mimicked shimmering pools of oil or wells of ink. She always wore the color black, always wore shades, and carried a silver dagger in one pocket, just to be prepared for the worst if worst came to worst. She was always ready, and you could tell by looking at her that she was most definitely not a person with whom to fuck. Anya walked at her side, slowly and patiently. People turned to look at Calico, but looked away because of Anya. Her eyes warned away unwelcome stares of any sort, from anyone, and were also deep, hypnotic pools of black, as the feathers of a raven. But she had a look that would make you feel like a bird caught in a snake's eyes when your random glances met in the air, and everything around you seemed to melt and disappear as long as eye contact was maintained. Once, Calico and Anya crossed paths with Alex during their wandering exploration of the neat building, leaving no floor untouched. He curiously did no more than nod curtly, not seeming to notice Calico's.difference from the others gathered within the great museum. That one thing, that simple, innocent action was what made him quite unlike any other person in the building. That also was what I should have immediately noticed that was unnatural, but didn't until it was too late.
David Hundreds of people crowded into the museum that night. Anya and I were lucky; we were some of the first in. Anya wore a flowing black dress of silk, to match her dark eyes and long hair, with a train so long I had to watch the ground to be sure I didn't stumble over it. I wore a plain tux- black, and suitable for the occasion. As we walked through the new exhibit, Anya looked at the art while my eyes scanned the crowd for Nicole. After the first half hour, I'd gained a fan club that followed me around, of some people that'd bought my work at some time, or had seen it. I was busied explaining about the brushes and paint and surfaces I used, since none of 'em would shut up, or even give me space. They kept jabbering and inquiring until I'd answered every question of theirs at least five times. Then I saw her. Nicole walked into the room. Her long golden-blonde hair was pulled up neatly, and she wore a long rust-colored dress. Her bright eyes searched for me, and when they'd found their target, her head shook solemnly. Behind her I could see an older man, in his fifties, with brown and silver hair. His suit was well made, and from that I assumed he was Alex. When I saw him turn to Nicole, I knew. It was him. Alexander Velmen had entered the building, and he was not leaving Nicole's side. Well, if they weren't coming to me, I decided I'd go to meet them. It was about time I met the bastard anyway.
* * *
I wandered slowly farther from my followers until they'd been left behind me somewhere in the Egyptian exhibit. After ditching them, I made my way to the Mesopotamian exhibit, where I knew Nicole waited. It was where we'd first met, nearly a month ago. There she was, standing alone before a panel, reading the information it offered. I walked up behind her, and, when she saw me, I smiled. "You shouldn't have come." She spoke softly. I grinned idiotically. That always made her laugh. "I should have come, and did." "Alex can't see us together! He has a.suspicious mind. I don't know how he might react or what he would think." "About what? I'm an artist you've met. That's no crime. You've seen my work, so what? I have a herd of buyers wandering around somewhere lost in the Egyptian section. For all Alex knows, you might as well be one of them.Though you're much more beautiful, I must add." I paused, at first to catch my breath and be enriched by her momentary ring of laughter.and then to test a theory. "We have to negotiate an offer you made me, since I'm not so certain I agree with it." Nicole looked puzzled, but only until a new voice joined the conversation. "Really? An offer on what, exactly?" I turned without hesitation. Hesitation could indicate any of several things, including reluctance, guilt, and uncertainty. I could not demonstrate such signs, not if I was a mere painter having a discussion with Mrs. Velmen. I faced the brown-and-silver haired man from before.Alex. "Mr. Velmen, I presume." My hand extended toward him, offering a handshake. It was ignored. His voice was cold, dismissing. "Your presumption is adequate, but I fear I do not own the pleasure of knowing your name." Nicole stepped in, noticing the intensity of Alex's gaze at me. "This is Dav.This is Mr. Marrow. He's a painter. His studio's downtown. I think you'd like some of his work." "Would he be any acquaintance to 'Miss Marrow', who called earlier?" Nicole wasted no time in answering. "Miss Marrow is Mr. Marrow's sister." "And she called us.why?" I broke in before Nicole could even begin. "She's a bit low on money at the time, so I'm paying her to be a sort of.secretary for a while. She makes my phone calls and negotiates with buyers about prices for me." Alex faced me head on and looked into my eyes, reading them in search of a lie, and burning into me. "Yet here you are now, speaking of negotiation with my wife. Why is that?" "My sister has been ill this past week; I told her to stay home and rest rather than accompany me." I spoke fast, making the excuse which made most sense. And Alex bought it. "Really?" He kept watching me, like an experienced hunter watching its prey. I was motionless in his gaze; something kept my eyes locked on his for the time. I was like a bird caught in a snake's eyes. "She sounded quite well when she called a few hours ago. Hmm.And where, exactly, did you study?" Relieved for the delayed change of subject, I responded. "At Burkley." His eyes widened slightly, yet noticeably. "Burkley? Good school, so I hear." He took a breath. "Well, maybe I can come down to your studio sometime, look at your pieces." "I'd be glad if you did.
* * *
Calico "Anya!" My voice called to David's forgotten friend over the low, dismal mumbling of hundreds of art spectators, each testing their voice's strength in order to overcome the rest and be heard. Anya twisted slowly to make a full ninety degree pivot toward my general direction and recognized me-Calico Black, a friend and neighbor of hers. "What?" She inquired. "What are you doing here?" I asked in sheer confusion. Anya didn't go to many parties, so the proceedings appeared quizzical. "A favor." Was all the given reply. Just two short words breathed in a tone of minor boredom.if not exasperation. From outside the doorway, I waved. "Can I come in?" Anya's brow bent a bit as she set a frown upon her pale face. "No!" "Why not?" "You're wearing casual clothes." Anya retorted. As usual, I wore black pants and boots with a long flowing black trench coat over a dark turtleneck. Shades covered my eyes, even though the evening already was entranced in a state of pure darkness. "SO?" Anya sighed, annoyed. "This is a formal party." I moaned in irritation. "SO WHAT? That doesn't matter! Hey, you're wearing black too. This could be formal!" I motioned at her ebony ensemble. "Look, stop shouting, I can hear you fine where I am without you screaming your lungs out." "OK! I mean, ok." Anya took her time walking to the entrance. She stood just inside to talk to Calico. "Do you have a ticket?" I grinned. "Who the hell needs one?" "You do, to get in." "Shit, how much are they?" I wasn't pleased with the answer. "Thirty bucks, just to see a few things that're some thousand years old or something? Like Cleopatra.I mean, who's gonna remember her in ten years? Huh? You've got to be kidding!" "Calico, that's just how much they are. I didn't set the price!" "Anya, be quiet and let her in!" David what's-his-last-name whispered in her ear, approaching from the back and momentarily placing a steady hand on my friend's arm when he reached her. She obeyed without a question, and all he received was a frown as she turned.
David I'd excused myself from the sides of Mr. and Mrs. Velmen for the time being and had become fed up from Alex's questions. "Sorry." I added, again in a whispered tone, after noting Anya's displeasure at my order. I brushed my hand softly and briefly against her arm in a small, but feeble gesture of apology as well. "We're leaving. Ten minutes." I added hastily, and left, not giving her any choice but to agree.
* * *
Calico glared. Everyone kept staring at her. She wasn't exactly the usual sort of person you met on the streets every day, even in New York. Her hair was black and shoulder-length. She had dark eyes that mimicked shimmering pools of oil or wells of ink. She always wore the color black, always wore shades, and carried a silver dagger in one pocket, just to be prepared for the worst if worst came to worst. She was always ready, and you could tell by looking at her that she was most definitely not a person with whom to fuck. Anya walked at her side, slowly and patiently. People turned to look at Calico, but looked away because of Anya. Her eyes warned away unwelcome stares of any sort, from anyone, and were also deep, hypnotic pools of black, as the feathers of a raven. But she had a look that would make you feel like a bird caught in a snake's eyes when your random glances met in the air, and everything around you seemed to melt and disappear as long as eye contact was maintained. Once, Calico and Anya crossed paths with Alex during their wandering exploration of the neat building, leaving no floor untouched. He curiously did no more than nod curtly, not seeming to notice Calico's.difference from the others gathered within the great museum. That one thing, that simple, innocent action was what made him quite unlike any other person in the building. That also was what I should have immediately noticed that was unnatural, but didn't until it was too late.
