Free Stealing the Countess by David Housewright Page B

food is very good.”
    â€œYou say that like you’re surprised.”
    â€œI’ve eaten in tourist towns before. I’m sure you have, too.”
    â€œI’ll take it as a compliment, then, and not just sucking up.” She gestured at the empty bar stool next to mine. “May I?”
    â€œPlease.”
    Heather sat as if she practiced it the way Steve McQueen practiced getting out of his car when making the movie Bullitt —so she’d look cool.
    â€œMr. McKenzie, did you come here to accuse me of nefarious deeds like you did Lauren?” she asked.
    â€œJust McKenzie. I hear ‘Mr.’ and I turn around to see if my father is standing there.”
    I had hoped to elicit a smile, and I received one, only it reminded me of someone’s aunt amused by a child’s attempt at telling a joke and not the joke itself.
    Heather didn’t speak, so I did.
    â€œI work for Paul Duclos,” I said.
    To prove it, I pulled his letter from my inside jacket pocket and handed it to her. Most people, if you gave them such a document, they would merely glance at it. Heather read every word before handing it back.
    â€œI know Paul is quite anxious about recovering the Countess,” she said. “I know he was quite disappointed when his wife refused to pay the ransom for her safe return.”
    â€œHave you been in contact with him?”
    â€œWe have spoken twice since the theft. He didn’t mention you.”
    â€œYou could say that I’m a new development in the case.”
    â€œIs Renée aware of what you are attempting to accomplish?”
    â€œMs. Peyroux is aware, although she does not approve.”
    â€œI do not understand her position, do you?”
    â€œYes. If more victims behaved as she did, there would be far fewer violins stolen, I think.”
    â€œPerhaps. However, I would expect a woman to take her husband’s side no matter what. If I were married to Paul, I would take his side no matter what. Renée wouldn’t even take his name.”
    â€œYou grew up with Duclos. Philip Speegle told me that you two were king and queen of the prom.”
    â€œIt was a small prom.”
    â€œHave you seen him since?”
    â€œIf you’re asking if Paul and I still have a relationship, the answer is yes. We’ve exchanged Christmas cards. I had dinner with him when he performed at Symphony Center in Chicago a couple of years ago. He surprised me by attending the grand opening of a restaurant I opened in Red Cliff last year. If you’re asking if our relationship has extended beyond that, the answer is no. To suggest otherwise would be base gossip.”
    â€œUnderstood.”
    â€œDid Philip suggest otherwise?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œPhilip and I don’t always get along.”
    â€œIs that because you own half the town?”
    â€œI own only three restaurants, an art gallery, and a motel out on Highway 13. Oh, and a full-service gas station.”
    â€œSo just a third of the town, then.”
    Heather flung back her head and laughed out loud.
    â€œNo, probably not quite that much, either,” she said. “I’ve done well, though. Not only here, but in Washburn and Red Cliff, too.”
    â€œHas your husband helped?”
    Heather’s smile softened with her answer.
    â€œNo. Herb likes playing with his boats.”
    I wanted to ask more about her marriage, yet decided a different time and place would be more appropriate.
    â€œWho thought to invite the Maestro to play in Bayfield?” I asked instead. “Was it you?”
    â€œNo, although I was very pleased when he accepted. Ask Zo, our marketing and events planning guru. I believe the idea originated with her. I could be mistaken, however. Why? Is it important?”
    â€œNot necessarily.”
    â€œIs it your intention to merely buy back the Countess Borromeo for Paul or are you also hoping to punish the thieves?”
    â€œThe