Page 12 of Caper Crush
“I’ve actually done fraud investigation interviews as part of my job,” he says. “This is my uncle’s retirement savings. If we’re investigating this, I’m in.”
“I did art fraud investigations when I worked for Christie’s,” I say.
“Does that involve people, or is it just scouring through ancient records?” William asks.
“Does accounting fraud involve people, or is it just adding numbers?” I ask.
“We need all the help we can get,” Takashi says. “We need to work together and pool all our strengths. And we have strengths. Tony can create any disguise, Miranda is a former art detective, you’re a fraud detective, and I’m an IT master. We’re an unbeatable team.”
Except that stolen paintings aren’t usually found.
Chapter three
WilliamandIsitcross-legged on the tatamimat next to the coffee table, which periodically serves as an informal dining table in Uncle Tony’s apartment. It’s weird to be sitting next to William as if we’re old friends. We’ve known each other for years, but only in passing. We met first at my uncle’s engagement party, but I don’t remember much about that meeting. I was dating Rex at the time. Uncle Tony was so happy.
Takashi and Uncle Tony have disappeared into the kitchen because Takashi is packing a thermos of miso soup for Tony to sustain him. Cleo perches on her haunches next to me as if she is part of the discussion. Or hoping food is about to be served, although she knows not to eat from this table.
“Why is this so important to you?” I ask.
“Uncle Takashi loves that house. He wants to build a Japanese rock garden there. We were going to do it together.” William runs his hand through his hair. “He strongly supported my desire to have my own business. My dad was against it. I owe Uncle Takashi a lot.”
I nod. “Same. Both Takashi and Uncle Tony have always supported me.”
“So what’s your plan?” William asks.
“Just chat with them,” I say. “See if they know it’s missing.”
“That’s not a plan.” He leans back against the couch and stretches out his long legs.
Ugh, he looks all skeptical and haughty. I was wrong when I thought he didn’t show his emotions. I prefer Secret Service William.
“Do you have a better plan?” I ask. “It’s not like they don’t know me. I pop by periodically to see Uncle Tony. When I was a kid, I hung out at the theater all the time.”
“I know them too,” he says. “I’m the accountant for both Diane and Donald.”
I hadn’t realized that.
“Let Uncle Tony interview them. He can get more from them if we’re not there,” he says. “We have to be prepared. This may be our only shot to talk to them. When I did accounting fraud investigations, I’d interview the least important people first so I’d know more before interviewing the prime suspects.”
I absorb this. I’m always accused of reacting emotionally and being hotheaded. Maybe he’s right. I can’t mess this up.
“Fine. Tony can interview them alone,” I say. “They are probably the least likely to have stolen the paintings.”
Uncle Tony and Takashi return. I hug Uncle Tony goodbye.
“Don’t give up.” He hugs me tightly. “We don’t give up our dreams.”
“I know,” I say. “I won’t give up.”
After he leaves, I walk toward the window. Jade is not going to believe this. Outside, on Columbus Avenue, pedestrians meander and people dine as if all is completely normal.
I call Jade. “Playing Around 1:30has been stolen.”
A shocked silence greets me and then, “What?”
“It was at my uncle’s house, and now it’s disappeared. We’ve reported it to the police.”
“How is that even possible? Do the police think they’ll find it?” she asks. “You can’t be in the exhibit without that painting. It’s the transitional piece. It’s the heart of the exhibit. Every artist gets three paintings: the before painting, the transitional painting, and the after painting.”
