A precious artwork has vanished – so why is the investigator finding obstacles being placed in her way?
BY ELLIE HOLMES
I FICTION
Jodee Peters stared at the wall. The space was defined by a black, rectangular line. “That was where the painting hung.” “Quite a big painting,” Jodee commented. “Heavy.”
Fairfax, the gallery manager, nodded.
“The Lavender Fields by Morris Symons was one of the finest paintings in the Jackson Collection. Are you familiar with his work, Ms Peters?”
Jodee shook her head.
“I didn’t expect you to be.”
“And why would that be exactly?”
“Why your age of course,” he said smoothly. “You’re so young.”
So young. So female. So Black.
“Symons was like a British Monet. I trust you’ve heard of Monet?”
Jodee put her head to one side, still studying the marks on the wall. “Monet? He’s the one who painted in pretty colours and mostly out of focus. Right?”
She heard Fairfax’s sharp intake of breath, could imagine him wincing.
“Why didn’t they cut it out of the frame?” she mused.
“Excuse me?”
“The easiest thing to do would be to cut the painting from the frame. The frame would be cumbersome. It would slow them down.” Jodee consulted her notes. The insurance company had valued The Lavender Fields at six million. “When did the Jacksons acquire it?” she enquired.
“Seven years ago in New York.”
“Do you have any more by the artist?”
Fairfax wrung his hands.
“Alas, no. He wasn’t a prolific painter, which makes our painting very precious.”
Our painting.
“How long have you worked for the Jacksons, Mr Fairfax?”
“Over twenty years, and I’ve been here at the gallery since it opened eleven years ago.”
“William and Andrew Jackson made their money in packaging, is that right?”
Fairfax nodded.
“And then they moved into the delivery business?” Jodee was used to seeing their distinctive green vans zipping around town.
“Yes.”
Jodee turned her attention back to the wall. “Is The Lavender Fields the most valuable painting in the gallery?”
“No. We have five others of higher value. Two Benningtons, a Pilkington and two Masons.”
“Can you show me those?”
“I can, but I’m not sure how that would help. They haven’t been stolen,” Fairfax said pointedly.
Jodee smiled. “All part of the investigation, Mr Fairfax.”
“How soon will the insurance company pay out?” he replied test
