Imperfect Strangers

CHAPTER 46

They got into the car. Sandy took out the legal folder, ripped open the envelope, and turned on the dome light. He read quickly.

"Jesus Christ!" he said. "He's done more than relate what happened; he's completely reversed our positions. Listen to this: 'Mr. Kinsolving then told me that if I didn't murder his wife, he would kill my wife, Helena, and see that I was blamed. It was only under the greatest duress that I acceded to his wishes. I was very frightened of Mr. Kinsolving.'"

"It doesn't surprise me," Cara said.

"He's me and I'm him. The police would have a field day with this."

"I'm glad we got hold of it," Cara said. "If Peter had accidentally died and Keyes had opened that, well, I don't know what would have happened."

"Do you suppose he made more than one copy?"

Cara looked at the document. "This is an original signature, and it's notarized. I don't think he'd have gone to that trouble twice; he'd have felt safe, knowing this was in Keyes's safe."

Sandy looked at his watch. "We're due in Keller's office."

"Let's go."

Sandy pushed in the car's cigarette lighter, waited for it to heat, then set fire to the document. He got out of the car and held the flaming paper over a steel waste basket until it was nearly consumed, then dropped it into the basket, watching it turn to ash. Then he took Cara's hand and headed for the elevators.

Harry Keller turned out to be extraordinarily handsome- thick gray hair, dark eyes, a tall, trim figure, and a gorgeously tailored blue suit. He made them comfortable, then turned to Sandy. "Tell me how I can help you, Mr. Kinsolving."

"I'll be as concise as I can," Sandy said. "An art dealer named Peter Martindale sold two pictures to a man named Lars Larsen, the owner of a vineyard I recently purchased. The pictures were part of the property I bought, and I have been reliably informed that the larger of the two, allegedly a John Wylie oil, is not genuine."

"What is the value of the painting?" Keller asked.

"Larsen paid Martindale forty thousand dollars for it, and the dealer says the picture is now worth seventy-five."

"It would be, if it were genuine," Cara said.

"Ms. Mason, do you have some expertise in this field?"

"One of my degrees is in art history, and I was married to Peter Martindale, until recently. I worked in the gallery with him."

"In your opinion, is Mr. Martindale of such a moral makeup that he would perpetrate a fraud?"

"Indeed, yes."

"Would you testify to that effect in a court of law?"

"I would, if you think it would help."

The lawyer turned back to Sandy. "Mr. Kinsolving, what would you like to do about this?"

"As the current owner of the picture, I'd like to sue Martindale. Larsen has indicated he'd be happy to join me in the suit."

"Mmmm. The usual procedure would be for you to sue Larsen and Martindale, but if Larsen's willing, we could do it that way. What would you hope to accomplish in a lawsuit?"

"I want the current value of the painting, if it were genuine; I want Martindale to pay all of my legal bills in the suit."

"That seems reasonable, and, assuming we can get independent corroboration of the falsity of the painting, I believe we could accomplish that. In fact, I think we should be able to accomplish that in a settlement. Mr. Martindale has his reputation to think of, after all."

"I'm not much concerned about Mr. Martindale's reputation," Sandy said. "In fact, I think I would be performing a sort of public service if this incident became public knowledge."

Keller smiled slightly. "I suppose that in the normal course of events, the news might get out. Have you considered criminal fraud charges?"

"I don't want to send the man to jail. I think the spotlight of public attention on this incident would serve to teach him his lesson, not to mention the money it will cost him."

"Just as well," Keller said. "Unless we could establish that this is a common practice of Martindale's, the courts would rather see such a matter settled in a civil case."

"Will you represent me in this matter?" Sandy asked.

"I will be happy to. I own a number of pictures myself, and although I have never bought any from Mr. Martindale, I wouldn't like to see him get away with this. I will require a retainer of ten thousand dollars to proceed, and if we get it back from Martindale, I will, of course, refund your retainer."

"I'll have Sam Warren get you a check tomorrow," Sandy said. "How soon can we file suit?"

"I'd like to send an expert up to look at the picture and any documentation you have. Once he concurs in the painting's lack of authenticity, I'll file immediately. Shouldn't be more than a few days, I should think."

"What are our chances of achieving restitution?" Sandy asked.

"Does Mr. Martindale have any substantial assets?" the lawyer asked.

Cara spoke up. "He owns a large apartment, the gallery building, and a considerable stock of valuable pictures," she said. "I should know; I paid for most of it."

"Then our chances are very good," Keller said. "Where is the picture now?"

"In the main house at the vineyard," Sandy said, writing down the address."

"Is tomorrow too soon for my expert?"

"Not at all; we look forward to seeing him. By the way, the painter Saul Winner has said he'd be happy to testify."

"Does Mr. Winner have any axe to grind with Mr. Martindale?"

"I'm afraid so," Cara said.

"Well, let's stick to detached observers," Keller said.

"Can you ask your man to render an opinion on how good a forgery the picture is?" Cara asked. "It would be wonderful if he thought it so bad that no knowledgeable dealer could possibly mistake it for the real thing."

"A good point," Keller said, "and should we go to trial I would enjoy asking Mr. Martindale about his opinion of his own judgment. He is unlikely to want to destroy his own reputation in court, but then if he claims expertise, he makes himself out to be a con man."

Sandy and Cara laughed aloud.

"I want to be there to see that," Cara said.

Keller spoke up again. "I really do think you should consider what sort of a settlement you might accept from Martindale," he said. "He certainly won't want to go to trial."

"I'd accept what I've already told you," Sandy said, "plus a public admission that he deliberately sold a forgery, perhaps a nice ad in the San Francisco papers."

"He'd want confidentiality of the terms of a settlement," Keller said.

"I won't agree to that," Sandy replied.

Keller smiled. "You're a hard man, Mr. Kinsolving; one after my own heart."