Bellamy set his brushes aside and stepped back for a moment. I hesitated, wondering whether I should drop my arm, unsure if he was done ornot.
"We'll have to pick this up again another time anyway," he said. "The light's goinganyway."
I sighed, sagging forward and groaning as my muscles screamed. He grimaced and rushed around the easel. "I'm fine," I assured him before he couldask.
He frowned. "Are yousure?"
I rolled my shoulders back and stretched my legs. "I'msure."
As I moved around the bed, I tried to take a peek at the painting, but Bellamy moved it to face the corner I had justvacated.
"You can see it when it's done," he saidquietly.
I smiled and nodded, leaving the room and heading downstairs. In the kitchen, everyone was gathered around the table like a giant family. Marv, however, had a file in his hand. He talked animatedly to Knix who nodded his head as he listened and dished up what looked to be chicken alfredo and asparagus. He passed a plate to Texas who passed it to Bellamy and then to me. Soon, everyone had their plates, but Marv ignored his in favor of his newestproject.
"It just doesn't make any sense," he said. "I knew a few of these girls, Knix. They wouldn't have acted likethis."
"People change, Marv," Knix said patiently. "Perhaps they got into some bad things since you knew them. We haven't formally been invited to do anything. I'm not sure if you'll be able to actually go through with an investigation. We have to think aboutAlex."
"Alex?" I piped up. "My oldboss?"
Knix tensed, but nodded before turning to Marv. "We'll continue this discussion later." I frowned, but then Knix turned a smile my way. "How was your day?" heasked.
"It was fine," Ireplied.
Marv turned his head towards me just as Knix frowned at my clothes. "Weren't you wearing a dress thismorning?"
Bellamy, Marv, and Texas laughed, and I glared at each and every one of them. "I was," I snapped, "butsomeone," I looked pointedly at Bellamy, "decided to throw me in thepool."
Bellamy opened his mouth to defend himself but before he could get a word in, Marv spoke up. "She and Texas painted my BMW pink," hesaid.
"Bellamy helped!" I yelledback.
"And then left him to deal with the fallout?" Marv asked, narrowing hiseyes.
Bellamy turned to do the same atme.
I gaped at them before gesturing to Texas, "What about him?! He didtoo!"
"We expect it from him!" Marv shook his head in exaggerateddisbelief.
I sputtered. "We–he–I'm–urgh!" I stabbed a piece of asparagus and shoved it in my mouth, chewing hard. Knix only looked on withamusement.
I settled back and decided to ask him about Graysonlater.