"I don't recall hiring a partner for this project, Julian," Clara said, her voice echoing faintly in the hollowed-out back room of the gallery. She was looking at Julian, who had arrived with a toolbox and a smile too broad for the early hour. Behind him, standing in the doorway like a storm cloud made flesh, was Eli.Julian wiped his forehead, glancing sideways at the bearded man. "I ran into Eli at the hardware store. Since I'm going to sea for three days tomorrow, I thought I'd pay him to help you finish the structural work while I'm gone. He's the best with a hammer in the county, right?"Elias felt a wave of cold, dark triumph. His plan to remove Julian from the equation was working, but being so close to the man who wanted to replace him made his blood boil. He entered the room, his heavy boots clacking against the floorboards he'd probably once paid a crew of contractors to install in a single afternoon. "The lady hasn't said she wants my help yet," Elias said, his voice deep a
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