Turning Point

By Elise & Rose

Alex & Abagail

Alex helped Abby on with her coat then took her hand and led her through the gallery. He could see she was tense, emotionally drained. He couldn’t blame her. Alex never liked the idea of Abby hiding things from him, especially her real identity. But that was behind them. Now they had to deal with her past as it crept up on them again. Abby wasn’t an art forger. She had only done reproductions. Laseter was the bastard behind using Abby’s reproductions as forgeries. Alex hoped the detective had seen it that way. The detective hadn’t dragged Abby away in cuffs, but Abby was still upset. He would find out what happened. Slowly. The first thing he needed to do was calm her down. Alex knew just how to do that.

They walked out to the car and Alex opened the door for her. He took her hand, caressing the back with his thumb as he drove. "I hope you can take a long lunch, honey. We’re going to Coff’s."

Just being near Alex had made her feel better. Abby just felt horrible that her past had bled over into her life with Alex. And now she realized some things that were very wrong, what a blind fool she is. Giving his hand a squeeze she offered a soft grin. "Yeah, I told Gail that I was going to take the rest of the day to sort though some things."

He grinned softly and nodded then kissed the back of her hand. "Was that the detective I saw leaving the gallery?"

Nodding she glanced out the window at the scenery as they drove. She loved living here. Australia was beautiful and felt like home. "Yes, it was. She had the painting printed. Eddie's and Angela's and one of the previous owner’s were the only prints on the painting. But she knew I had handled it. In her mind there should have been four sets of prints."

Shaking her head she caressed his fingers resting in her hand. "She threatened to extradite me to New York if I didn't explain. So I did."

He let out a sigh. "What did she say?"

"She knew the painting was a reproduction and she seemed to believe me when I told her about Laseter. She's investigating him. What got me is the fact that the copy was placed in the Augustine Gallery and shipped before authentication. Yet I have all the certifications and paperwork signed by Mr. Rosin. It's his signature I'm sure of it. The paintings were switched the week Eddie was harassing me. Then a month later Mr. Rosin is offering me the job here where the copy was sent? A position I had no idea I was even being considered for."

Instead of things sounding better, it sounded worse. More complicated. Alex thought they were starting new in Australia. Now it seemed as though Abby's job was just part of the mess.

With a soft grin she kissed the back of his hand. "The good part is she said she would contact me if she needed anything else further and that she was headed back to New York. She seemed satisfied with everything I gave her."

Alex nodded. He wasn't so sure any more that the detective going back to New York meant that the heat was off of Abby. "What do you think is going on?"

Leaning back with a deep sigh she rubbed her temple. "I'm not sure. I feel like I've been set up to take the fall for that painting. I may just be overly paranoid."

She shakes her head trying to clear it of thoughts Abby wants to think on something better right now. Like the wonderful man sitting next to her, she let thoughts of Alex help her to relax and let go of some of the tension.

"How could you take the fall for the painting? The detective has it now. And she didn't arrest you. She could have. What did you do with the paperwork you said you had from Rosin?"

"Thank goodness the detective was willing to listen. They found my signature in the reproduction, so she knew I was telling the truth. I gave her the originals of the paperwork but I kept copies of the file."

"That paperwork proves the painting was authenticated, but then it disappeared from the gallery. Then you and it both show up here. Even if the painting is one of the reproductions you did, she'll be looking for the original. Which the paperwork verifies was at the gallery. Couldn't that lead her to believe that you took the painting from the gallery and brought it here?"

Abby looks out the window for a moment. She had thought the detective would look elsewhere for the painting. "I... don’t know. She said there was no paperwork for the panting in the Augustine. That they knew it was shipped before authentication. Before I was offered the position. Maybe she has more information she didn't reveal."

"But Abby, you gave the paperwork to the detective."

He shook his head and sighed. Things barely made sense. It was a tangled mess and Alex worried that Abby was going to get pulled deeper into it.

He stopped the car in front of a small building on the waterfront. Getting out and walking around the car, Alex's thoughts were battling. He wanted things to be okay, but it seemed determined not to work out. Not yet anyway.

Abby got out of the car taking his hand. The view was breath taking as she looked around. Turning to the building she gave him a smile. "Is this your new office?"

Kissing his cheek she nodded with a grin. "I think you are going to be spending a lot of time enjoying this gorgeous view."

He smiled and took her hand. Leading her up the steps, he slid the key inside the lock and opened the door. The space wasn't huge, but it was just right for what he needed. Room enough for himself and three other investigators. He just needed to find some.

Alex watched her as he walked through the office to the far side. Four large floor-to-ceiling windows stood, two on either side of a door that led to the balcony outside. On the floor sat several blankets and pillows arranged around a basket of food. He slipped off his shoes and sat down. Grinned as he patted the blanket for Abby to sit with him.

Looking at the food she picked up a strawberry and offered it to him. "You are going to be very successful here, handsome.

Alex grinned and nodded. "I hope so." He filled their plates with the sandwiches, chips, and the potato salad she liked. He knew he wasn't the most romantic guy. But he tried for Abby. He picked up another strawberry from tray of fruit and cheese and offered it to her.

Smiling softly she leaned over and ate the strawberry from his fingers. That he had done all this for her lightened her heart. She was finally able to set aside the events of the day. They would creep back later probably but for now her focus was Alex. As it should always be. "I know so. You are a good detective, the best."

Caressing her face, he leaned over to kiss her. He eased back and he brushed her hair from her face. Looking around the empty office, he grinned at her. "What do you think? Needs a little furniture, huh?"

Glancing around she nodded. "Yeah just a few things. A nice desk and chair would be a good start." Abby grinned imagining him. "I can picture you leaning back your feet propped up on a nice oak desk as you gaze out your windows."

"I'm going to be doing more than sitting back and looking at the view."

Leaning back against him as she offers a bite of potato salad. "I know you will. You really are good at what you do, Alex. This location is fantastic, not just because of the view. You'll be getting cases as soon as you open the doors."

He nodded. He'd hoped that he would have cases to busy himself with. Alex watched Abby as she ate. She didn't seem as worried about all of this as much as he was. Two months ago things were much clearer. He knew the direction they were headed. They still were. Maybe. With her past hanging over their heads, Alex wasn't sure.

As they ate she could see he was concerned. In truth she was too, in the back of her mind was the fear that the detective would come back with a warrant and cuffs. Abby knew he didn't need her baggage. She loved him so much and wanted a future with him but her past kept coming back.

Trying to shake it back off she nodded returning his grin. His smiles always seemed to twinkle in his eyes no matter how small they were. "I'm all yours tomorrow. I just need to call in the afternoon to make sure the sculpture was delivered but that's it. Which houses did you like?"

Alex opened the envelope and pulled out the files. He pointed to two of them. "I like these."

He could sense tension in her now. It wasn't there a minute ago. Maybe she was re-thinking things. Being in the boarding house was the first time they lived together. He sat back and sighed. "Abby, if you don't want to do this, you have to tell me."

Looking up from the photos and information she gave him a soft grin. "Honey, being with you seems to be the only right thing I've done. I just....I feel like I've pulled you into my mess. I was so stupid to think that buying a new identity and cutting my hair would solve anything."

Looking at the photos she could see them sitting on the porch here. Or him sitting in front of the fireplace going over files. "Falling asleep in your arms, waking up to you every morning is what I want. I love you, Alex"

Alex smiled softly as he pulled Abby close to him. His arms encircled her. Brushing back her hair, he kissed her neck. "Yeah, everything is a mess, but it's our mess. We're going to take all of it as it comes. Everything will be fine. I promise. I love you, Abby."

He kissed her deeply and caressed her face as he looked into her eyes. "Tomorrow morning, we'll find our place."

In his arms she could believe that it was going to be all right. "I love you too, so much." She hugged him tight and gave him a soft smile nuzzling into his hand. "Our place. I like the way that sounds." Picking up the papers again she held them up. "I like theses best out of them too." Looking into his eyes she cupped his face and kissed him. "One of them is our place."