Free Mine Until Dawn by Ednah Walters, E. B. Walters Page A

life. A war-torn region, a drug cartel stronghold, or religious fanatic’s bunkers, it hadn’t mattered. The more dangerous the assignment the better had been his motto. He always ran from or after something. Not that it did him any good. In the end, it dawned on him that he couldn’t outrun his past or his problems. Unfortunately, this investigation was opening a chapter in his life he thought he’d closed.
    “Everyone wondered where you’d disappeared to,” Jade said when they stopped at a light.
    His eyes flickered to her face. “I’m sure they had their own idea which juvenile center was lucky to have me.”
    “Nothing like that,” she said quickly, the guilty look on her face a dead giveaway.
    “Don’t worry about it. I’m not very proud of that period in my life.” His voice came out harsh and he wasn’t surprised when Jade shifted and faced forward.
    How could he explain to her what he went through sixteen years ago? To learn that his father was alive just before his mother died, then have his father reject him had royally screwed up his psyche. No liking the way those memories twisted his insides, Vince bit off the thoughts. He wouldn’t function if he started reliving his unpleasant past.
    For a moment, there was silence in the car.
    Jade sighed. “How far to the dealer’s?”
    “Next block. Cohen Antiques.”
    “The one on La Cienega Boulevard?” She sounded surprised.
    “Yes. Do you know the owner?” From the corner of his eye, he saw her nod.
    “Benjamin Cohen. My mother introduced us several years ago. I’ve worked with him, even had him as a guest lecture in my class. Are you sure we’re talking about the same Cohen? The one I know could never sell a forgery.”
    “He did to me.” Vince reached inside his jacket pocket, pulled out a receipt and passed it to her. “I think we’re talking about the same guy.”
    Jade studied the receipt and shook her head. “This doesn’t make sense. If he’s running a scam, then someone forced him to do it.”
    “Forced or willing, he’s involved.” Vince pulled up outside the five-story building housing Cohen Antiques and switched off the engine. The OPEN neon sign flashed on and the yellow security lights glowed around the displayed paintings and statues in the window, but the showroom lights were off. Frowning, he studied the store. A shadow shifted inside, then blended with the darkness. “Did you see that?”
    Jade scowled at him. “See what?”
    “Someone is in the store.”
    “Cohen. He closes his doors at six but stays inside to finish his paperwork. Let’s go and talk to him.” Jade opened the passenger door and got out.
    “Jade. Wait.” Vince jumped out of the car and hurried after her. The tingling feeling at the back of his neck returned. He stopped behind her and grabbed her hand before she could push the door. “Don’t touch anything.”
    Jade froze and threw him a worried glance. “Why?”
    “We need to be careful.” The look she gave him indicated she was about to argue. “Humor me.” Then he tugged the right sleeve of his jacket until it covered his hand and used that hand to open the door. After their encounter with Hudson and his friend, he couldn’t afford to be careless.
    Jade walked ahead of him into the store. “Mr. Cohen?” she called out, turning around in full circle as she searched the showroom. “Are you in here?”
    Silence.
    Vince frowned. Lights off, the door unlocked, yet the place appeared deserted. Something wasn’t right. He studied the room, superimposing it with the way it was earlier. Paintings and carvings were displayed in niches all around the room. Of course, the cacophony noises, a blend of muted classical tune, pedestrian clamor and construction sounds from outside, were gone. Cohen’s office, separate from the showroom, but visible through a glass window, was in total darkness. The silence was eerie and oppressive, yet nothing seemed out of place.
    Vince frowned at the desk and a