Page 119 of Stuart Woods' Smolder

As Stone poured drinks for each of them, Monica said, “So?”

“So what?” Dino asked.

“Simon Duchamp just called Stone.”

“What did he want?”

“That’s what I’m trying to find out.”

“He said there might be three paintings by my mother on the market soon,” Stone said.

“Your mother?” Monica said. “You don’t think…”

“That the pictures he’s trying to sell me have been recently stolen?”

Monica nodded.

“If Stone doesn’t, I do,” Dino said.

“I do, too,” Stone said.

Monica frowned. “But if I’m right about the thefts, there are only two missing paintings.”

“So far. You might want to tell your friend at Vitale to warn any clients that have one of my mother’s pieces of the potential threat.”

“Good idea.” Monica placed the call, then after several seconds, whispered, “Voicemail. She must be asleep.” She left a message explaining the possibility of an upcoming heist.

When she hung up, Stone said, “Is there anyone else you can call?”

“No one who will listen to me.”

“So, are we all thinking Simon Duchamp is part of the ring?” Dino said.

“Either that or he’s the front they use to sell everything,” Stone said.

“Either way, he must know what’s going on.”

“That he must.”

Monica stood, then seemed to think better of it and sat again, frustrated.

“What’s wrong?” Stone asked.

“Part of me wants to pay Duchamp a visit right now and find out what he knows. The other part thinks doing so won’t accomplish anything because he’ll act innocent and claim he has no idea what I’m talking about.”

“I’d listen to the second part,” Dino said.

“Dino’s right,” Stone said. “Three people are dead already. If he is involved and we confront him, he may try to add a few more to that total.”

“Four people,” Dino said. “Don’t forget the guy from the fire last night.”

Monica blanched. “Then what do we do? Call the police?”

“We could,” Stone said. “But all we have now is a suspicion. Law enforcement hasn’t even connected all the potential thefts. What we need is something concrete linking Duchamp to at least one of the crimes.”

“I’m open to suggestions.”

Stone and Dino shared a look, then Stone said, “What we need is the assistance of an expert.”

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