but were worth more than what he could make teaching. The Furies were part of that, only they were a personal interest. Alan never really believed they existed. He did, however, see an opportunity in Doug’s idea, his overseas connections and professional credentials, and he took it.
“Their partnership didn’t last long though. It was nearly a year after the accident before Alan learned Doug was still alive. Another year before Doug was well enough to continue working and approached Alan about using the gallery as a means to import material into the U.S.”
“Drugs,” Shane said in a knowing voice from across the room.
Maria glanced his way. “Yes, among other things. Alan wasn’t happy about the change, but Doug was adamant they could use the profits to boost the gallery’s business. And since everyone thought he was dead, it was the perfect cover. Alan felt guilty over the injuries Doug had sustained. In the end, he went along with Doug’s idea.”
“And made a buttload of money,” Shane muttered.
“Yes.” Maria’s gaze dropped to the floor. “I didn’t agree with Alan’s new business dealings. We…well, we went our separate ways after that. When Rafael approached me about the Furies, however, I contacted him. Neither of us believed Doug would try to go after them now. We both decided he was too weak.”
Lisa swallowed around the lump in her throat. The man Maria talked about wasn’t the man she’d known. She’d been blind for so long. “You said he wasn’t at the estate today. Where is he now?”
Maria looked up. “That’s just it. I’m not sure. His sister has been with him for nearly fifteen years, has rarely left his side. The fact she’s alone now, well—”
“You think he’s dead,” Pete cut in.
Maria nodded slowly. “If Doug was handling this, he would have waited for you to bring him all three Furies. He wouldn’t have bothered hunting Dr. Maxwell down, following her and Rafael all this time. Swanson, however, was worried you might sell to someone else. She’s edgy, nervous, like she’s unsure what will happen. I sensed it when we spoke last week. I read it in her eyes today.”
“Do you think she killed him?” Rafe asked cautiously, darting a look at Lisa.
Maria shook her head. “No. If she’d killed him, she’d be less of a threat. This is a woman who’s hell-bent on revenge. Something set her off.”
Lisa’s stomach rolled at the implication. “You’re saying this isn’t even about the Furies.”
Maria met her gaze. “The Furies are one small part. If Doug died of natural causes before they could get them, then she’s got all the more reason to see you suffer. If she finds out you’re still alive, I think it’s safe to say the Furies will be the last thing on her mind.”
Rafe tugged the black turtleneck over his head as he ran through steps in his mind. He’d had plenty of time to go through the blueprints, the security setup, the logistics of the evening, and he knew he was prepared. But he felt rushed. For some reason he couldn’t shake the tickle in the back of his throat, the one that said something was going to go wrong.
“I want to go with you.”
Startled out of his thoughts, he glanced toward the open bedroom door. Lisa stood just over the threshold. Light from the hall spilled around her. Her face was cast in shadows, but it didn’t hide the circles under her eyes, the lines across her forehead, the scratch high on her cheek.
She hadn’t slept much the last few days. She had to be exhausted and overwhelmed, but she wasn’t talking to him about any of it. She’d stayed up listening to their plans well into the night and had finally drifted off on the couch. When they’d finished, he’d considered waking her, carrying her up to bed and reminding her just what they’d done in this room before they’d left for the Bahamas, but her weariness had stopped him. Instead he’d sat with her and fallen asleep himself. And when he’d awoken in the early morning hours, cramped and achy from sleeping on the side chair, she’d been gone.
He was trying to give her the space he knew she needed to work through everything in her head, but her silence cut at him just the same. Somehow he had to hang onto the notion that, once they got Tisiphone back, things would be different. She’d realize she still needed him. She’d want him, as she had before.
Ignoring