The Connoisseur
by Jenean McBrearty
Sorry about lunch, Jocelyn texted, a scheduler’s work is never done.
One minute later Trey rang in. “Don’t tell me another crate o’ crap got delivered—oh, I forgot Acme Auction deals in art.”
“Artisan Auction, Trey. And Mason Arlington is very successful.”
“Okay. People like it, but is it art?”
“It’s not exactly Elvis on velvet, Baby. I’m looking at an original Gilletto and the opening bid is twenty-five grand.”
“I’m making meat loaf for dinner. Reheatable whenever you show up.” He used his I’m-impressed voice, not knowing she was grinning. She’d never heard of Gilletto.
“I’ll be home a little after 7. Bye.” She pulled the info sheets from the plastic envelope taped to the side of the crate near the THIS SIDE UP stencil.
“Let’s see what you’re made of Ed,” she said removing the canvasses from the crate and leaning them against the wall in a row. She stood three feet from the shelf and surveyed Lot No. 156, matching paintings with titles:
“Nothing special except this one.” She inspected the Borghese portrait closely. Gilletto was no Da Vinci, but he’d captured enigmatic. She checked the Purchase Order for the Seller Name: NICHOLAS BORGHESE. No doubt a relative of Olivad, but how close? The P.O. was marked ESTATE SALE. Somebody was dead. BUYER ESTIMATE: Opening Bid–$25.00.