Free Flawed Perfection (An Eve Sumptor Novel) by Jourdyn Kelly

of interest in the case of the Sumptor Gallery thefts.”
    “And, if he refused?”
    “Then, I’d arrest him for being an asshole. Or, obstruction of justice.”
    Eve laughed, softly, but sobered quickly when she saw defiance in Branson’s face as he spoke to Billy. “He won’t tell you anything.”
    “So, I should let James beat it out of him?”
    Eve entertained the thought for a moment. She didn’t care for violence, having seen too much of it in her life. But, she also didn’t care for being stolen from.
    “He wouldn’t beat him. Just intimidate him. More so than what Billy is doing, it seems.”
    Eve had had enough. She strode over to Branson, and snatched the phone from his hand.
    “This isn’t working, Billy. I’ll call later.” She disconnected, glanced at James—who walked up behind Branson—then brought her eyes back to Branson. “I’m finished playing games with you. Why do you have my painting?”
    “Go to hell. I don’t have to talk to you.”
    James grabbed Branson around the back of the neck, and leaned in. “The lady asked you a question.” He squeezed. “Answer her.”
    “Are you going to allow this?” Branson fumed at Harris.
    Captain Charlie Harris turned and walked out of the building.
    “Where are you going?!”
    James changed his stance, clutching Branson around the throat and slamming him against the wall. “I said answer her!”
    “Eve?” Lainey’s timid touch quivered on Eve’s shoulder.
    “It’s okay, Lainey. Why don’t you keep Charlie company outside?”
    “I want to stay with you.”
    Eve turned to her and smiled. “I’d rather you go outside. Everything will be fine. I’ll join you in a minute.”
    Lainey saw the determination in Eve’s eyes, and reluctantly agreed. “ Please hurry, ” she whispered, then disappeared outside.
    Eve nodded to Ian, then waited until he was gone before stepping closer to Branson.
    “Don’t fuck with me. Why do you have my painting?”
    James dug his fingers into Branson’s neck at his continued silence, only backing off when Branson turned red, and started coughing.
    “It was payment!”
    “Payment for what?”
    “They will kill me if I talk!”
    “Who says I won’t kill you if you don’t,” James growled.
    “James.”
    James grudgingly backed off at Eve’s urging.
    “Who will kill you, Branson?” Eve exhaled with frustration when Branson said nothing. “I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me.”
     

     
    “Is she still in there with him?”
    “Yes, sir. She’s trying to get him to talk.” He spoke through the headset, watching Eve through the scope of his rifle, then focused back on Branson. “What would you like me to do?”
    “Take him out before he says anything.”
    “What about Eve?”
    “Not yet.” Damn, it would be so easy to kill Eve now and be done with this. But, he would wait and watch her suffer first. “Where is the other woman?” Perhaps if Eve watched her friend die, that would be the beginning to Eve’s end.
    “Outside, with the cop.”
    Fuck. It was unfortunate that the woman was not next to Eve. Luck won’t always be on your side, bitch, he thought.
    “Deal with Branson. Perhaps scare them a little, but no other casualties. Yet. We’ll leave them for later.”
    The call was disconnected. He had a job to do. He aimed, and pulled the trigger.
     

     
    “Branson …” Eve felt the warm splatter of blood hit her face, and stood there, confused as she watched Branson’s body slump to the floor.
    “What the fuck just happened?” She felt James push her out from in front of the window, and cover her body with his. Concrete ricocheted from the walls as more shots came through.
    “Eve!” Lainey came running through the door at the commotion, but couldn’t see Eve. Only James, and a very dead Branson.
    “Get her out of here, Harris!” James yelled his order through gritted teeth.
    “Lainey, let’s go!” Harris radioed in to dispatch as he ran behind Lainey, shielding