Page 163 of The Chase
“Were there any more deaths involved in our other cases?” asked Shane.
“We believe the Ramirez family were the only ones who suffered like this,” I said. “Still, one family dying in a fire is one too many.”
“Icon’s not hurt anyone, right?” asked Shane. “No reports of any violence from him?”
“None so far,” said Abby.
Danny pointed to our file. “Every single painting we researched has a break in its provenance.”
“Each one of them once stolen,” I added. “And stolen again. That’s our pattern.”
“Well, we have a lot more to work with,” said Abby. “Let’s share our findings with the Met and Interpol.”
Brandon sat forward. “Talking of provenance, Zara, what are your thoughts on the theft at Christie’s?”
The blood drained from my face.“St. Joan?”
Had they found my painting onhim?
“We’re your friends,” said Abby. “We’re here for you. Like we are for each one of us.”
“I was mortified,” I admitted. “And everything else that goes along with discovering there may be a painting out there you were told shouldn’t exist.” I took a sip of water and added, “When I was ten my home almost burned down. My dad was an art collector. We lost most of our paintings. We managed to save a few.St. Joanwas one of the ‘destroyed’ paintings.”
“Sounds like your dad sold it.” Danny gave a comforting smile. “You were a kid. How could you keep track of something like that?”
“I remember my dad grieving for that particular painting,” I said.
“You were probably in shock,” Abby reassured me. “Memories have a funny way of being skewed after a traumatic event.”
That dreadful memory of my father sifting through the remains ofSt. Joan’sashes through his fingers was too dreadful to bear.
“I bet Ouless painted two,” said Shane. “There’s your answer. Walter Ouless painted more than one. Maybe he practiced on the first and didn’t like it?”
Guilt dripped off me with the unfairness of innocence. “Christie’s never got a chance to authenticate it. It was stolen the night after it arrived.”
“Who dropped it off at Christie’s?” asked Danny. “Bet they have answers.”
“They want to remain anonymous,” I told them. “Right now, Christie’s won’t reveal their client’s name.”
“We’ll find out more,” said Abby. “I’m sorry it’s gotten caught up in the Icon case.”
The memory of seeingSt. Joanmade me feel vulnerable and I inhaled a steadying breath.
Shane glanced at his ringing iPhone. “It’s New Scotland Yard.” He rose and headed out of the conference room to take the call.
Brandon held up a flash drive. “I got this for you.”
I tried to swallow past this dryness. “What is it?”
“Security footage from Christie’s. The night yourSt. Joanwent missing. I went over there this morning and they gave me a copy. Told them I worked for Adley.”
Mixed feelings rose over whether tampering with this potential hornet’s nest was wise and, after all, Tobias had told me to let it go.
“Have you looked at it?” I asked.
“Not yet.” Brandon glanced at the others. “We were going to see what you thought first.”
“Have the police seen it?” I said.
