Free Secrets After Dark by Sadie Matthews Page A

others have had the chance to examine the piece. At the very end of the article, it is revealed that the work has been purchased privately for a sum in excess of two million pounds by a buyer believed to be Andrei Dubrovski, the wealthy Russian businessman.
    Mark has gone over to the window and is staring out crossly. Since our return, the weather has become distinctly autumnal, and the branches outside shed a confetti of leaves with every gust of wind. A grey sky lowers overhead; evening is coming earlier every day. He takes off his glasses and polishes them on his sleeve. ‘I don’t understand,’ he mutters. ‘Why would Dubrovski place me in this position? Why not wait until I had got the proof? Now it’s my reputation on the line. I just hope the bloody thing is real, that’s all.’
    ‘He’s obviously very impulsive.’
    Mark nods. ‘A man who acts on his instinct and who satisfies every desire he has immediately. That much is certain.’
    ‘Will you say anything to him?’
    Mark turns back to me, sighing. He looks truly worried. ‘There’s nothing I could say. Besides, it’s done now. I shall carry on behind the scenes, hoping I find something to guarantee this painting is what we say it is. But when he comes to dinner tonight, we must be our usual selves. Upbeat and professional.’
    I nod. I still don’t understand why I’m going to be at this dinner, but Mark said that Andrei Dubrovski particularly requested my presence. Besides, he explained, it is a little custom that Andrei dines with him whenever he comes to London and then takes the time to peruse Mark’s collection to see if anything takes his fancy.
    ‘Is he going to be staying in London for a while?’ I asked, when Mark told me this.
    ‘Apparently. If it’s a flying visit, he usually stays at the Dorchester and he mentioned he’ll be in his London apartment. That means he intends a stay of a week or two, I should think. He’s a non-dom here, so he can’t stay longer than three months in a year.’
    The news makes a tingle of excitement spread over me. If Andrei’s coming back for a few weeks, perhaps that means Dominic will be here too... Suddenly Dubrovski’s return takes on a new character. I’m positively looking forward to it.
    I didn’t have another moment alone with Dominic after I left him that dawn morning. Dubrovski was eager to be off, chivvying Mark along to get the picture negotiations finished.
    ‘Give them whatever it takes, just hurry up!’ he commanded.
    Forty minutes later, the deal agreed, we were in the cherry red helicopter again, rising from the top of the tower into the sky before the nose of the aircraft dipped and we soared off back to France. I had seen Dominic at breakfast but we were not even able to talk privately, let alone kiss goodbye. I hated leaving him, but as we flew over the Italian coast, my phone shuddered in my pocket and I pulled it out to find a text from him.
     
    That was incredible. Thank you. Take care and I will see you soon, I promise. Dx
     
    I smiled and sent one back to him.
     
    You made me happy. Please do it again very soon. Bx
     
    The reply arrived at once:
     
    Try and keep me away. Dx
     
    When we landed at the villa, our luggage was already packed and waiting for us in the big black car. Dubrovski didn’t wait around but said a swift goodbye to us on the lawn, with the rotary blades on the helicopter still turning.
    ‘Thank you, Mark,’ he said, his dark-blond hair ruffling in little waves as the eddies of air moved it. He shook Mark’s hand. ‘I appreciate it.’ Then he turned to me, his eyes intense, his mouth still unsmiling. ‘We’ll meet again, I’m sure,’ he said in a tone that was more like an order than a polite remark. Then, inexplicably, ‘I’m glad you enjoyed yourself in Croatia.’ Without waiting for a reply from me, he turned and walked away towards the house.
    ‘Come on,’ Mark said. ‘Let’s go home. It’s been a most peculiar couple of