“What happened then?”
“He lost his business and was a hair’s breadth away from federal prison time.”
“Because of you?”
“Because of me.”
“So he’s twice burned.”
“I’m sure he sees it that way.”
“Then you think he hired Simon to steal your mother’s paintings to... what? Keep you from obtaining them yourself?”
“I’m sure that’s part of it. But something tells me that wouldn’t be enough for him.”
“Then what?”
“I’m not sure, but whatever it is, it can’t be good.”
“You don’t think he’d harm them, do you?”
“I feel certain he’d have no problem doing that.”
“That’s what I’m thinking, too,” Billy said.
“Because he broke the law, and you called him on it?” Monica said. “Talk about petty.”
“You haven’t known Stone long enough yet, my dear,” Dino said. “He’s a revenge magnet.”
“This has happened before?”
“Variations on a theme,” Stone said.
“The good news is that it appears your life isn’t in danger this time,” Dino said.
“Yet,” Billy said.
Monica’s eyes widened. “Someone has tried to kill you?”
Dino shook his head. “Not one person. Many.”
“How many?”
“We stopped counting a few years ago.”
“Dino, you’re scaring her,” Stone said. “It’s not as bad as he’s making it out.”
“Have you ever been shot at?” she asked.
“Well, yes.”
“More than once?”
“Also, yes.”
“How many times?”
“At the risk of repeating myself, we stopped counting a few years ago,” Dino said.
“Would Petry try to kill you?”
“I have no doubt he’d like nothing better than to see me take my last breath. But until that happens, I’m sure he’ll be content with hurting me in other ways.”
“Like possibly doing something to your mother’s paintings?”
“It’s no secret how important they are to me. It’s one of the places he could hurt me the most.”
She stared at Stone. “Exactly what kind of law do you practice?”
“Only the good kind,” he said.
“Excuse me for butting in,” Billy said. “But I need to know how you’d like to proceed.”
“We should go to the police,” Monica said.
“Okay,” Stone said, “let’s say we do. With what we have right now, we could probably convince them to open an investigation into Simon Duchamp. And they might even turn up enough evidence to arrest him and shut down his operation.”
“Call me crazy, but isn’t that what we want?” she asked.
“It is, but it’s not all we want.”
She chewed on her lip, thinking, then said, “You’re worried that Petry will get away?”
“I am, but again not my largest concern.”
“That would be your mother’s paintings,” Dino said.
Stone nodded. “If Simon begins receiving attention from the police, Petry might act sooner than he’s currently planning.”
“And we still don’t know when that is or what he’s going to do,” Monica said.
“Correct. But we might be able to find out. Do that, and we can put them all in prison and save my mother’s paintings in the process.”
“You make it sound so easy,” Dino said.
Monica turned to him, confused. “Isn’t this one of those conversations you shouldn’t be here for?”
“In the future, if anyone asks, I was inside taking a nap,” Dino said.
Stone rubbed his chin. “I think I know of a way to learn what Simon’s been up to without tipping off that we’re onto him. As far as Petry goes, though, it would probably be best if he thinks I don’t know he’s in town. Billy, do you think your friend can deal with finding out his plan?”
“I’ll ask, but I’m sure he can.”
“What about me?” Monica asked.
“Assuming Simon was involved in setting you up and knows who you are, you can’t be anywhere near him.”
“Do you have any reason to believe Petry knows about Monica?” Billy asked.
“That doesn’t seem like the kind of business Simon would share with a client, so I doubt it.”
To Monica, Billy said, “I’ll let my friend know you’re available if he needs help.”
“Thank you.”
Chapter 39
Stone and Dino arrived at Duchamp Gallery at noon and approached one of the gallery employees.
“Welcome, gentlemen. My name is Mindy. How can I help you?”
“Is Mr. Duchamp in?” Stone asked. “I have something I’d like to discuss with him.”
“He was here earlier. Let me check if he’s still around. Can I give him your name?”
“Stone Barrington.”
“One moment, Mr. Barrington.”
She disappeared behind a wall at the back of the room and returned a minute later.
“You’re in luck. He’s in his office and asked me to bring you back.”
She led them through a gap between offset walls and into the back room of the gallery.
As they neared the office door, Stone said, “Would it be okay if my friend waited out here?”
“That shouldn’t be a problem.” The woman gestured toward a couple of couches in the corner and said to Dino, “You can have a seat over there, if you’d like, and feel free to make yourself a coffee.”
“Thanks,” Dino said, and veered off.
The woman knocked on the door, then opened it. “Mr. Barrington is here.”
She moved out of the way and Stone entered.
Simon jumped up and came around his desk, smiling broadly. “Stone, what a pleasure to see you again.” He thrust out a hand.
Stone shook it. “Good to see you, Simon.”
The art dealer returned to his seat and gestured to the guest chair. “I had no idea you were in Los Angeles.”
“Here for a business meeting.”
As Stone sat, he noticed a package wrapped in brown paper leaning against the wall behind Simon that looked exactly like the one in the photo Teddy had showed them.
“Of course, of course. A busy man such as yourself, you must constantly be on the move. May I ask, how did you know I was here?”
“I didn’t. I was in the neighborhood, saw your gallery sign, and took a chance.”
“I’m so glad you did. Did you enjoy the Cervantes exhibit in Santa Fe?”
“So much so that I bought one of her pieces.”
“Is that right? I didn’t realize. Which one?”
“Escape.”
Simon put a hand on his heart. “One of my favorites. You have a very good eye.”
“I just know what I like.”
“That’s the approach more collectors should take. I don’t mean to rush you, but I am a bit busy today. May I assume you’re here to discuss your mother’s paintings?”
“I am.”
“I see. Unfortunately, I don’t have much I can tell you at the moment, but I do anticipate news by tomorrow or possibly Saturday.”
“The good kind?”
“If I say anything more, you might get your hopes up.”
“Not even a hint?”
“Well, maybe a hint.” Simon leaned forward and lowered his voice. “I’m hearing that the paintings may be available very soon.”
“How soon is very?”
“You can’t hold me to this.”
“Of course not.”
“It’s possible they could be in your possession before the end of the weekend.”
“That’s fabulous news. How many are we talking about?”
Simon smiled excitedly. “Three.”
Stone had to force himself not to look at the package behind the art dealer. “Titles?”