Free Offerings by Richard Smolev

to her. Peter’s bullish determination to hold onto the Leger at whatever cost to Mack and Sarah exposed a blind selfishness she’d never seen in him. What Leslie learned about Franklin’s Courbet made it obvious—visible—Drake would have to look elsewhere to start getting back on its feet.
    Kate felt her BlackBerry vibrate once again in her pocket. It was Leslie asking if Kate needed anything more. She responded with a simple thank you . There was no point saying anything more.
    Chloe approached Kate with a cup of tea in her hand. “It will be raining shortly. The weather will keep the patrons away. If you’d enjoy the company, I’d be happy to help you.”
    “Thank you. I really never thanked you enough for your generosity in seeing me. Especially on such short notice. I truly do appreciate your kindness.” She didn’t need to be at the airport for several hours. She might as well finish the job that brought her here. It would be impolite to Chloe to do otherwise.
    Chloe waved her hand. “It was nothing. I rummaged through the basement and found some old boxes, that’s all. It’s the least I can do. Other families have had similar requests and I’m only too pleased to help. If I play even the tiniest role in reuniting a family with a painting that’s rightfully part of its heritage, I would feel I’d done a great service.”
    Kate returned the boxes she had examined to the basement at Chloe’s direction, making room at the table where she had been working. Chloe brought another chair. Each woman sat in front of a box, each with a cup of tea. “These smells remind me of my grandfather. I still can smell his pipe smoke on the papers.” Chloe held a folder to her nose and closed her eyes, as if in a dream. “For what name am I searching?”
    The question embarrassed Kate. She somewhat naively hoped she simply would be given access to the gallery’s records.
    Chloe presumed her faulty English was the reason Kate hadn’t responded. “I apologize. I don’t use English often enough. Is there a family name I should be looking for? On whose behalf are you researching the painting’s provenance?”
    “The current owner has requested privacy,” Kate lied.
    “Privacy? I’ve never heard of such a request.” Chloe’s voice rose in amazement. Her reaction was so spontaneous, so genuine, it took Kate a moment to recover. She hoped above all else Chloe didn’t press for more details. “I’ve been asked to look through these papers before under similar circumstances. In each case, the family wanted its interest in the painting under question as widely known as possible. I trust your client has posted its inquiry in one of the Internet sites devoted to reuniting families with stolen art. If they haven’t, I can give you details.”
    “That won’t be necessary. Thank you.”
    Chloe looked incredulous, but didn’t press for details. “This gallery has been selling the finest quality art out of the same building since the eighteen fifties. We have records going back to the beginning. Switzerland wasn’t drawn into either world war, of course, so the records never have been disturbed.”
    Chloe held a receipt in her hand, but not for a painting by Courbet. Kate sensed she looked puzzled, that she hadn’t fully accepted Kate’s explanation that the family she had made up as her client wanted privacy. “I apologize. I shouldn’t have spoken out of turn. I presumed you were searching on behalf of a particular family. I obviously don’t understand the purpose of your visit. Perhaps the painting’s current owner wants to know its provenance. It’s not my place to pry. However, if I am not searching for a particular family name, am I looking for a specific painting?”
    “I believe it was named Le Dent de Midi , after the peak in the Alps.” Kate felt chastised.
    Chloe shrugged, as if to say with her body what she’d just said in words, that it wasn’t her place to do more than be a gracious host.