"Just a couple of sticking points. One, the cops, and I mean all the cops from Philly all the up to the feds and even Interpol, saw Doo Wop's prototype at the gallery. Don't you think that they would be even a little bit suspicious when #37 turns up at a major art auction? Wouldn't they put two and two together?"
"Okay and your other sticking point."
"How are you going to legitimately get the money to Millie and her kids? That type of thing is sure to get noticed."
Wow! That is one bright girl. Or should I say woman.
"Simple. We do what all good magicians do. A little misdirection. You're absolutely right. There had to be some logical reason for Anthony to be able to copy a painting that was not known to exist.
"Once again, Connor thought ahead. When the provenance was being prepared his team fabricated some vintage photos with 'Mother and Child' on prominent display. One such photo was discovered in Anthony's studio. It was accompanied by a letter and canceled envelope from France. The descendent of the man that originally purchased the painting commissioned Doo Wop to make a copy fearing that the original would never be returned."
Kelly was awestruck. "You've got to be kidding. This is like being privy to a Mission Impossible plan. So, who's the descendent?"
"Connor's aunt. His father's sister married into a prominent French Jewish family. Prior to the war they had amassed a fortune in the department store business and real estate. The fact is that they did ship valuable art to England before fleeing France, that some of their possessions were on loan to British institutions until after the war and that not everything made it to Great Britain. Some of their valuables were confiscated by the Nazis as war plunder."
"And, let me guess. The Vatican returned the painting to Connor's aunt who in turn consigned it to auction."
"Correct."
"Okay, last part. How to get the money from the aunt to Millie?"
"To be perfectly honest I don't know, nor do I think I would understand, the fine points of transferring the money. But, this is what I do know. Connor's father, well, our father, was some sort of genius when it came to laundering money. According to Elisabeth, that's Connor's mother, dear old dad once cleaned a billion dollars for the Russian mob. And, according to legend, in a record amount of time. I imagine that my brother may have picked up a thing or two from father."
I reached over and pulled four rolls of quarters from the glove compartment. Kelly and I got out of the car, broke open the rolls of quarters and fed them into the New York Times vending machine on 7th Avenue. I pulled the two remaining papers out of the box leaving it empty. Kelly took an envelope from her purse, addressed to 'Newspaper Vendor' and taped it to the inside wall.
The envelope contained a note that read as follows:
Dear Mr. New York Times Vendor,
A short while ago I found myself in your fair city stripped of all possessions and money. I 'borrowed' the newspapers from your box and sold them. In turn, I used the proceeds to finance an antique buying spree.
I have just placed forty dollars into the box. To compensate you for your trouble, included are two box seat tickets to a Yankee's game next week. If you prefer the Mets, feel free to call me.
I am in your debt. As you may have surmised, I am an antiques dealer. If there is any way that I can be of assistance in the future, do not hesitate to call me.
Sincerely yours,
As which point I signed the note and included my contact information.
Kelly put her arms around my neck, stood on her toes, gave a quick kiss and said, "That was awfully sweet Picker."
"Yeah, I guess so."
"Let's go home."