Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 122440 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 612(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 408(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122440 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 612(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 408(@300wpm)
Four of the tables closest to the wall were smashed, along with their wooden chairs. The wooden debris lay in the path of the thick, slow-flowing paint. Parts of the table and chairs were already covered with the paint, while others were barely touched.
Harlow removed her camera and stepped around Sam, Rainier and Shabina in order to focus on the lavalike flow of paint down the wall to the floor. She kept a distance, not wanting to muddy the crime scene, but the entire site had to be photographed. It was a compulsion with her. She didn’t look at Alek or the others, just took as many pictures as possible from every angle she could without getting near the mess.
“I’m so sorry, Harlow,” Alek said. “Your beautiful photograph has been completely destroyed. And look at the others.” He gestured toward the ruined canvas paintings. It was impossible to see what was under that thick black paint.
Harlow was already working on another photograph of Frost and Venom, but the canvas paintings were one of a kind. It would be a devastating blow to the artists Alek had on display in his restaurant.
“I don’t understand why someone would do this.” Alek dropped his head into his hands.
“Did you call the sheriff?” Sam asked.
“I did. They haven’t sent anyone over yet.” Alek gestured, taking in the entire room. “I should be grateful they ran out after just destroying this wall. They came prepared to do a lot more damage. There are three other paint cans in the hall close to the dance floor.”
“That’s good,” Sam said. “Alek, paint cans can be traced. We’ll find who did this.”
“Do you have insurance?” Shabina asked. “We can do fundraisers if needed.”
“I have insurance,” Alek said. “Thanks, Shabina. I knew you’d be one of the first to offer help. When I contacted Sam, Stella reached out immediately as well.”
Harlow let the camera fall around her neck, and she stepped back out of the room. “What about surveillance? You have security cameras pointed at this wall from several angles. Did you look at them?” She couldn’t imagine that Alek hadn’t. That would have been the first thing she would have done, and she wasn’t as security conscious as she should be.
“Yes. The lines to the cameras were cut. He knew where they were,” Alek said. “He must have been in my restaurant enough times that he scoped out where the cameras are. Lawyer installed my entire system for me. At one point, when I told him my idea to display local artists’ works, he did suggest hidden cameras. I disagreed. I thought so many visible cameras would be a theft deterrent.”
“I’m so sorry this happened,” Shabina said. “Come into the kitchen, Alek. There’s no point in looking at it. I’ll make you coffee and breakfast. You need to eat something.”
That was Shabina, showing love with her food. Harlow wasn’t certain how she could show support, but she was there.
“Once the sheriff takes the report and pictures for their investigation,” Sam said, “we can organize a cleanup and take stock of what we’ll need to put everything right.”
“Where did you get the chairs and tables?” Harlow asked, taking Alek’s arm to lead him back to the kitchen. “They’re so nice.”
“I noticed them too,” Shabina said. “Those aren’t from a manufacturer.”
Alek looked pleased. “They cost me a fortune, but the chairs are beautiful, and when you sit in them, they’re very comfortable.” He managed to give them a little smile as he slid onto one of the barstools at the center island. “Vincent Martinez, one of the vet techs, has a couple of side businesses. He makes furniture. Mostly, he sells it online. I happened to see his work, a chair he’d donated to one of the hospital fundraisers, and I asked him to make a couple of tables and chairs for the restaurant. They were so nice, I kept going back. I have tables for two, for four and for six.”
“I had no idea,” Shabina said. “I’ve met him. He’s so good with the animals. I wonder why he works at the veterinary hospital when he’s so amazing at furniture making. I think he could make a really good living if he did it full-time.”
Harlow was fascinated by the way Shabina could talk and work so fast at the same time. She pulled ingredients out of the refrigerator and began to chop things up. Rainier busied himself with the coffee pot.
“I asked him that very question,” Alek said, seemingly as fascinated by watching Shabina as Harlow was. “He said he needs to do more than one thing, and for him, his choice is being a vet tech. He doesn’t want to have to do the woodworking. If he did it full-time, he’s afraid he would get bored.” He took the mug of coffee Rainier handed to him.