Chapter 26

“…I told you I’d be home when I close up,” Ben was saying as they entered, on his phone behind the counter. “Yes, yes. I have customers. You, too. Love you, bye.” He ended the call and offered a sleazy, apologetic grin. “My wife. You know how it goes.”

“Not really,” said Dom, returning Ben’s grin. He didn’t like this guy much, and wouldn’t be surprised at all if he was behind Cat’s vandalized art hall. He and Kiko just needed the proof of it.

Ben sized them up in return, recognition flickering over his face as he saw Dom, then a kind of superiority as he saw Kiko, and figured out their relationship. Dom had seen that look before. He braced himself.

“Dom, right,” said Ben, almost warmly. “You were at my sketching class. I understand now why you weren’t impressed.”

“Enrique Cooper,” said Kiko as Ben turned accusing eyes on him. “But call me Kiko. I own Yolks on You a few blocks over.”

Ben nodded.

“I’ve heard of you,” he said. “My sister’s putting up art in your place.”