Free Burning Intensity by Elizabeth Lapthorne Page B

should have already shown me. I know my rights. You said this was about Luke, what’s happened?”
    “Ma’am, your brother was involved with the incident that occurred at the National Gallery. Please understand we’re trying to keep the worst of these details out of the media—I’d appreciate it if you don’t pass on what we’re about to discuss. Your brother and some of his team members have been involved in the attack on the Gallery and stolen a painting. Do you know anything about this?”
    Louise shook her head, her lips thinning in a pinched manner. Her mouth became drawn into an unhappy frown. El saw the moment the woman hit upon the notion to deny it. Her eyes lightened somewhat and a few of the wrinkles on her brow eased. El thought it was very telling that Louise’s first, gut instinct was to believe her brother capable of it. Innocent people usually denied first and only came around after.
    “That’s not Luke’s style,” Louise insisted. “From what I’ve heard on the news, they suspect terrorists. There were rocket launchers and a coordinated attack. I’ve seen footage of the Gallery, it’s a shambles. They’re saying it will take millions of pounds to reconstruct the outer façade alone.”
    “And that isn’t your brother’s style?” El questioned.
    Louise shook her head impatiently. “My brother has been a part of his fair share of destruction, Officer. But it’s a rare occurrence his plans reach the news, and international coverage at that. He’s too smart and subtle for that level of mess. Coverage means attention, and in his business that sort of notice isn’t needed. Word of mouth, gossip, rumors, those are what he aims for. He needs people to talk about his work, for the knowledge to spread, but having groups of outraged citizens baying for his blood, to have rich, powerful people want to destroy him, is way out of his range.”
    El nodded and cast a quick glance to James. When she and Rob interviewed people, they often had a smooth, easy rhythm going. He caught her look and seemed to understand that she felt it was time for him to add to the conversation. Only she would have recognized the fleeting glance of worry that crossed his face. James promptly covered it, smoothed his features so he once again looked like a sober, serious professional.
    “Uh, that fits the same sort of thing we thought,” he said a little awkwardly.
    Louise turned to face him for the first time.
    James held up well under her intelligent glare. El noticed that he even managed to appear sympathetic. She had to hide her smile. He was playing good cop, she decided.
    “You see, Miss Calloway, the risks for your brother and his team were quite high. This was a complicated, intricate project they’d undertaken. There must have been a powerful reason behind your brother wanting to do this. Can you think of why he could have been driven to this? Did he hold a grudge against the Gallery? Or was he obsessed with any particular painting? Or artist? Any information you can give to us would be helpful, please.”
    A part of her wondered if he’d ever considered working for the Agency. James looked sincere in his desire for illumination. El bet with seasoning and practice, James could coax bloody secrets out of a stone maiden. The fact that he was charming, sexy and flat out gorgeous didn’t hurt either. What better way to seduce women out of their knickers than for a handsome rogue to offer them sympathy and understanding?
    Louise’s body language softened to James. Obviously the woman was not immune to his charms, either.
    “I’ve not been close with my brother since we were children,” she said. “I’m fairly sure when we were small we had the usual school visit to the Gallery. He probably went there once, maybe twice in our youth. I also am not going to lie about the fact he loves artwork, pretty and expensive things. But it’s the money, the power and prestige that comes with these things he enjoys. The