False Impressions
THE ART OF MURDER
Chicago attorney Izzy McNeil is ready to take a break from private investigation and focus on her career in criminal law. But as a favor, she agrees to work with Madeline Saga, a beautiful art gallery owner who fears that artwork she has sold is fake. Who in Madeline’s tight circle of artists and gallery owners is guilty of the forgeries?
When Madeline’s life is threatened, Izzy is suddenly asking a more troublesome question: Who wants the gallery owner
dead?
As the case spins out of control, there’s only one person who makes Izzy feel safe—Detective Damon Vaughn. But getting close to her former nemesis is full of surprises. Astonishing truths about the glittering Chicago art scene will introduce Izzy to the deadliest art of deception.…
Praise for the novels of Laura Caldwell
“The latest magnificent McNeil legal thriller... With her father back in her life after years of not being there for her, last year’s Sam fiasco (see
Red Hot Lies
), and now the Theo incident; Izzy wonders whom do you trust when you cannot trust a loved one. This is a terrific twisting tale.”
—
Mystery Gazette
on
Question of Trust
“Forget John Grisham; Laura Caldwell is the real deal.”
—
Mystery Scene
on
Claim of Innocence
“Caldwell’s trial scenes, breezy but effective, are key to the unmasking of the real culprit. Izzy’s successful juggling of personal and professional roles should win her more fans.”
—
Publishers Weekly
on
Claim of Innocence
“Smart dialogue, captivating images, realistic settings and sexy characters... The pieces of the puzzle come together to reveal the secrets between the sheets that lead Izzy to realize who the killer is.”
—
BookReporter.com
on
Red Blooded Murder
“
Red Blooded Murder
aims for the sweet spot between tough and tender, between thrills and thought—and hits the bull’s-eye. A terrific novel.”
—#1
New York Times
bestselling author Lee Child
“Izzy is the whole package: feminine and sexy, but also smart, tough and resourceful. She’s no damsel-in-distress from a tawdry bodice ripper; she’s more than a fitting match for any bad guys foolish enough to take her on.”
—
Chicago Sun-Times
on
Red Blooded Murder
“Told mainly from the heroine’s first-person point of view, this beautifully crafted and tightly written story is a fabulous read. It’s very difficult to put down—and the ending is terrific.”
—
RT Book Reviews
on
Red Hot Lies
“Former trial lawyer Caldwell launches a mystery series that weaves the emotional appeal of her chick-lit titles with the blinding speed of her thrillers.”
—
Publishers Weekly
on
Red Hot Lies
Also by Laura Caldwell
The Izzy McNeil Novels
Red Hot Lies
Red Blooded Murder
Red, White & Dead
Claim of Innocence
Question of Trust
Look for these other books by Laura Caldwell
Long Way Home: A Young Man Lost in the System and the Two Women Who Found Him
The Good Liar
The Rome Affair
Look Closely
The Night I Got Lucky
The Year of Living Famously
A Clean Slate
Burning the Map
This book is dedicated to Katie Caldwell Kuhn, who knows nothing of false impressions, only of real love.
Contents
Prologue
W
atching Madeline Saga from outside her gallery had become an obsession. Just like Madeline also had an obsession—art.
Madeline was in her gallery all day. Then she would return at night, often wearing different clothes, more casual than her usual fare, her silky black hair pulled back loosely.
There was always a breath held for a moment, when Madeline opened the building’s door and disappeared. It only lasted for a minute. Likely Madeline was simply talking with one of the doormen, who were there twenty-four hours. Then, through the gallery’s glass walls, Madeline could be seen switching on lights and walking her gallery. She would pause to stare at the paintings and sculptures as if studying them for the first time.
She would disappear again—this time into the back room, sometimes for minutes, sometimes for hours. The torture of waiting could be exquisite. When she finally left, there was always the flattening of mood, the sadness that crept in.
But Madeline would be back. Madeline could be watched again. Soon.
1
“I
need you on something, Izzy,” Mayburn said, looking serious, his brown eyebrows pushed together.
“Can’t,” I answered without asking what the assignment was. I leaned back to give the waiter room to place our plates.
Mayburn continued to talk as if he hadn’t heard me, as if the waiter wasn’t between us. “It’s a part-time gig. Just part-time.”
I waited until the waiter finished.