Chapter 2: Chapter 2
“He creates a painting in Bramer’s style—but with minor variations. Those will corroborate his story that it is a very early work, from when the artist was only beginning to develop the characteristics that would make him famous.”
Tapping his teeth with a thumbnail, Lou wondered where he would fit into whatever plan Gideon had in mind to stop the man. Not that I’m about to offer. But…“Can’t you get the buyer to testify against him, once they’ve had the painting appraised and find out it’s not the real thing?”
Gideon smiled dryly. “You’d think so. But he has a good gimmick to keep that from happening. He admits—” Gideon made finger quotes, “—to the buyer that he obtained the painting illegally, then suggests they shouldn’t publicize they have it because the real owner will come after them.”
“Meaning, they shouldn’t get it appraised—especially forensically, which involves carbon dating or X-rays, among other things. And these people are stillwilling to buy it from him? Damn.”
“There are quite a few under-the-table collectors out there who are more interested in knowing theyhave an original piece of art—no matter how they obtained it—than they are in showing it off to one and all. If that wasn’t the case, a great many forgers would be out of business. Haven’t you wanted something so badly you’d do anything short of murder to get your hands on it?”
“Not really. But then, I’m not into collecting things. Sure, maybe I’d like to own a seventy-two inch flat-screen TV, but not if I had to buy it off the back of a truck, which, essentially is what these people are doing, but on a much grander scale.”
“Precisely.”
“How are you going to stop him? By the way, who is he?”
“He calls himself Nathaniel Herriot.”
“The way you phrased that, I presume it’s not his real name.”
“No. His birth name is Nate Hanks.”
“Doesn’t have quite the same ring,” Lou commented with a grin. “If you know that, you must know more about him than the fact he’s running a con using forged art.”
“Not much, I’m afraid.” Gideon glanced at his watch and said, “I have an appointment I have to keep. Would you be willing to continue our discussion tomorrow?”
“I…Yeah, sure. Why not. When and where?”
“Say seven tomorrow night at my hotel. They have a decent bar-restaurant on the premises.”
“It might help if you told me which hotel,” Lou pointed out.
“Ah. Yes. The ART. We can meet in the FIRE lounge and take it from there.”
“You chose the place because of the name?” Lou asked with amusement.
“Not really. It’s close to the museum…and to downtown.” Gideon pushed away from the table. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I’ll see you tomorrow evening?”
“Yes. It was…interesting meeting you.”
Gideon smiled as he stood, saying, “You as well.” He turned, walking quickly out of the bar.
That was intriguing, to say the least. Not that I plan on getting involved in whatever he’s planning. I’d like to find out what it is, though. My nosy gene must be kicking in. Lou chuckled, went back to the bar to pay for the beer he’d had before Gideon arrived, then took off for home. 2
Quint looked up when Lou came into the Robbery-Homicide squad room the next morning. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Didn’t expect to be here, but I need to talk to the lieutenant, if he’s around.”
“Uh-oh. Something wrong?”
Lou grabbed the chair by Quint’s desk, swinging it around to straddle it. “You tell me. I ran into Gideon Monahan last night. Or rather, he hunted me down.”
“Okay. For a reason, I take it. I never met the man. What’s he like?”
“Dedicated to what he does. Has a one-track mind on the subject of stolen art and forgers—or at least that’s all he talked about.” Lou smiled wryly. “Although I have to admit, I prompted him to tell me about it.”
Quint nodded. “You’re good at getting people to open up. Would I be wrong in supposing he wants your help?”
“We didn’t get that far, but since he’s talked with Harber about me, from what he said, I think he does. I told him it wasn’t an option. I’m a cop, first and foremost.”
“Even cops moonlight at times. You know that.”
“Yeah, but…” Lou scowled. “It was the way he put it. It came across like he talked with Harber about me as if I was something to be traded around.”
“Sounds like diplomacy isn’t Monahan’s strong suit.” Quint chuckled. “So you’re going to give Harber a piece of your mind?”
Lou shrugged. “Or at least find out why he’s willing to let me work with Monahan. From what Monahan told me about the guy he’s after, he doesn’t sound all that dangerous. He seems more like a con man than anything else.”
“That’s still a crime, Lou. And if he’s taking his victims for a lot of money, he needs to be stopped.”
“Rich people with too much cash and no common sense,” Lou said sourly. “Before you say they’re still being ripped off, I know that.”
“I wonder why he talked to Harber. From what I understand, Monahan has his own people.”
Lou snorted. “He calls them operatives. That’s a good question, though.” He smirked. “I’m so fantastic at going undercover that he couldn’t pass up the chance to get his hands on me?”
“It’s your sexy smile and—”
“He’s straight. He made that clear from the get-go.” Lou eyed Quint. “Sexy smile?”
Laughing, Quint said, “Thought that would get you. Okay, now that you’ve calmed down some, go talk to Harber.”
With a nod—not certain he’d calmed down—Lou went to the lieutenant’s door and knocked.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone