Out With the Old….In With the Forged

Abby and Alex

By Elise and Rose

Alex finished dressing and went down the hall to towards kitchen. The large apartment fit all of their furniture with room to spare. He and Abby unpacked the last boxes on Friday leaving them the weekend to make love…with time for food and rest thrown in here and there.

He stepped into the kitchen and grinned at the sight. Still in her robe and her hair towel dried, Abby stood at the counter spooning scrambled eggs onto their plates. Alex behind her and slid his arms around her waist. Pulled her to his chest and kissed the back of her neck. "That was the best shower. We should start every morning that way."

Leaning back against him she sighed content. This was the best she had felt in a long time. The apartment was huge and the view from the upper floor of the Crowe Center was fantastic. So far Australia was heaven on earth. "Mmmm I agree handsome. I'm adding that to our morning regimen."

Abby turned in his arms wrapping hers around his waist. "Number one on the list, shower together. I'm going to have to go shopping though I forgot my hair dryer and such won't work here." She gave him a warm happy smile as she nuzzled his cheek.

He kissed her cheek then reached behind her to snatch a piece of bacon from one of the plates. "Okay, after you finish work today, we'll go out. I think there's a small list of things we still need."

Alex picked up their plates and set them on the table. "You aren't the only one with 'bacon', honey," He grinned. "I'm going to Coffs harbor to meet with the real estate agent. He's got a few office spaces for me to look at."

She smiled, glad to see the gleam in his eyes. Alex was excited about starting over here too. It all just seemed to be falling into place for them. "That's great. I hope you find the perfect space. Make sure it's roomy I have a feeling once you're reputation as a private investigator gets out you'll have to hire help."

After breakfast, they cleared the table. Alex pulled Abby to him, opened the tie on her robe and slipped his hands inside to smooth over her body. He kissed her deeply. "Have a good first day."

Melting to him she wrapped her arms round him as they kissed. Yes, this was the way to start every single day the rest of her life. A bit breathless when the kiss broke she looked into his lovely multi hued eyes. "I will now. I'll be thinking about getting another kiss like that when you get home."

"I'll call you at lunch. Maybe you'll have time for a kiss then." He grinned and kissed her again before leaving. The drive to Coffs Harbor was only about twenty minutes. Alex hoped one of the office spaces would be what he needed. He couldn't wait to open the new agency.

Abby got dressed and walked down the stairs to her office with a smile on her face. Settling at the desk as she flipped on the computer Abby glanced around. She was living her dream.

It was around eleven am when the receptionist buzzed saying there was a detective from New York there to speak to her. Getting up she shut her office and walked out to the main entrance to meet the detective.

The dark haired woman looked all business. Abby walked over offering her hand. "Hello, I'm Abagail Hennessey. What brings you all the way from the States, Detective?"

Mickela offered a polite smile as she extended her hand. "A painting, Miss Hennessey. Is there somewhere we can talk? I have a few questions I'd like to ask."

Abby nodded. "Of course, we can chat in my office." Abby led her back to the office. After getting them coffee she settled behind her desk and looked across at the detective. "I haven't been with the center very long but I'll help in any way I can."

Mickela stood across from the desk and nodded. "I would appreciate that, Miss Hennessey." She glanced briefly around the office for signs of personal effects. A police officer’s habit of obtaining as much information as possible. Most people weren’t as forthcoming as they could be.

"I have reason to believe this gallery recently received recovered a painting by a local Australian artist. Ira Crowe. An untitled piece. Impressionist interpretation of a mask." She pulled out a photograph of the painting and showed it to Abby. "Do you recognize this painting, Miss Hennessey?"

Taking the photo Abby recognized it immediately. It was one of the pieces that she walks past to go up to the loft. "Yes, it's one of our pieces on exhibit now."

Mickela took back the photo and replaced it inside her file. "That piece is a suspected forgery. It hung in an exhibit at the Augustine Gallery in New York. It was stolen from the gallery before it could be authenticated."

That struck her but Abby tried not to look quite as shocked as she felt. So that's what Eddie was doing there. She just happen to be a bonus find. "Augustine Gallery? I was a restoration specialist there before I took this post. When do you think the painting was switched?"

Mickela took in the slight changes in Abby’s reaction. Something was off. "I did not say the painting was switched. I said it had been stolen. Did you have contact with the painting during the time you worked in the gallery, Miss Hennessey?"

In the back of her mind she swore and her knees knocked. Pulling it together she calmed and thought back. "No, I don't believe this painting came though my department at all." Turning to her computer she pulled up the history of the piece in question. "According to the history this piece arrived here four weeks ago."

That was a week after she stopped seeing Eddie everywhere. "All the paper work for acquisition look to be in order. The head of the Augustine Gallery, Mr. Rosin signed everything."

Mickela knew Abby worked at the Augustine Gallery. She knew when the painting made its way to Australia. She also knew that no paperwork was officially releasing the painting had been signed. "Miss Hennessey, you were offered this position and subsequently relocated here from New York. That was approximately one month ago, correct?’

Abby thought quickly about her answer. "I've been here for about a week. I was offered the position the week before that. Mr. Rosin himself gave me the offer."

The timing of events raised Mickela’s suspicion. "Miss Hennessey, before leaving New York, you filed a harassment complaint against Edward Bower. Had you ever seen or heard of him prior to the alleged altercation?"

Abby sat back and picked up a rubber band from the desk top pulling it between her fingers. Shaking her head she looked at the detective. "Yes. Alex, my boyfriend, and I were having lunch at Bosco's. He approached our table then and stayed until Alex asked him to go."

Mickela pulled out a copy of the report Abby filed and nodded as she read over it. "Yes, I am aware of that, Miss Hennessey. Did you have any knowledge or contact with Edward Bower prior to seeing him in New York?"

It wouldn't be a lie, Abagail Hennessey never knew Eddie Bower. "No, I have not."

Nodding slightly, Mickela continued to carefully watch the changes in body language as Abby replied to her questions. There was no doubt in Mickela’s mind that Abagail Hennessey was hiding the complete truth. Mickela looked down at her notepad as she scribbled a bit of information. She looked up, her voice casual. "Are you familiar with the name Angela Hudson?"

Abby's mind screamed in panic as she thought for a moment. "I believe I read an article once that said she was hoped to be an influence in the art world. In Miami, I think it was." And the ignorant ass that wrote the article also said her work lacked luster. If only he knew.

She had to get out of these questions. At least until she could talk to Alex. "Would you like to see the painting we have on display, Detective?"

Mickela exhaled slightly. She was here to ask questions, not answer them. Whenever a person being asked questions attempts to divert from interrogation, it is a strong indication of guilt. "Do you know the names Michael Lott or Donovan Laseter?"

Abby wound and unwound the rubber band casually as she nodded. "Donovan Laseter is a big name in the Miami art circles. I don't know a Michael Lott."

She nodded and closed up her notebook. Tucked her pen in her pocket and noted the tension in Abby’s body as she manipulated the rubber band. "I’d like to see the painting now, please. Miss Hennessey." She offered a soft grin.

Abby returned the grin and stood putting the rubber band in her jacket pocket. "Sure it's right around the corner here."

Walking out of the office a million things flew through her mind. One of them was that she felt as if she were being set up. Stopping in front of the unframed painting she smiled. "Here we are. Ira's Mask." Abby tried to keep her calm and friendly voice. "Would you like me to move it to one of the tables?"

She looked over the painting carefully. "No, that wont be necessary." Mickela had other plans. She offered her hand. "Thank you for your time, Miss Hennessey. I'll contact you if I have any further questions."

Taking her hand firmly Abby nodded. "You're welcome. My office is always open, detective."

Mickela nodded. "Thank you. Mr. Monroe will be contacting you within the hour."

"Mr. Monroe? Is he investigating the painting as well?"

"No, Miss Hennessey." Mickela shook her head gently. She'd intentionally held back complete explanation in order to gauge Abby's reaction. "Mr. Monroe. Curator of the Greestone Gallery, in Coffs Harbor. He'll be contacting you in regards to sending an expert to view the painting."

Abby nodded. "Oh yes, I remember his number being passed on as a contact. I'll make sure the painting is available to him."

"I'd appreciate that, Miss Hennessey. If the painting can not be authenticated and is proven to be a forgery, it will be removed from this gallery and housed in Greenstone for further investigation." She grinned politely. "Have a good day, Miss Hennessey." Mickela turned and left. On the drive back to Egan's house, she went over the information. She knew for certain Abagail Hennessey would be receiving another visit from her.

As soon as she heard the bell on the center's door signal that the detective had left Abby turned to the painting. She searched it closely, every line, the shades of color. Gasping she saw it. Tiny letters an A and H one over the other hidden in the black line. It was only discernable in just the right ray of light. And of course the placement of the painting provided that.

Walking up to the front desk she smiled. "Robin, there is some interest in Ira's Mask. Would you have Jacob remove it from the exhibit and into the holding room."

When the woman smiled back and nodded Abby went back to her office and printed out the file on the painting. All the authentication certifications are there. If this is Laseter he's gotten more sophisticated. Looking at the clock she saw it was near lunch, pulling out her cell she called Alex.

Alex turned to the real estate agent and excused himself while he took the call. He stepped onto the balcony and answered. "Ross."

The sound of his voice eased her nerves a bit. "Hi, honey. Are you having any luck?"

He smiled and leaned on the rail. "Yeah actually. The place I'm in right now seems perfect. A little more than I wanted to fork out for rent, but it's a nice place, lots of space, good area, and right on the water. I'm looking out at the harbor right now."

Smiling softly she could picture him. With his feet propped on a desk leaned back sipping on coffee as he looked out over the water. "Then snag it before someone else does. You deserve the best."

The best yes, right now that wasn't her. She sighed their life had just taken a turn for the better. "Handsome, sign the papers and come home. I need you."

He grinned. "I need you too honey, but I've got three more places to look at. Can't play time wait until after work?"

Abby smiled in spite of it all she loved Alex dearly. "I love you too." Pulling the rubber band from her pocket she pulled it between her fingers. "Honey, a detective from New York came by about one of the paintings that the center acquired just before hiring me."

Alex sighed. He didn't like the sound of that. "What did he say?"

Abby made sure her door was closed moved to the small sofa behind her. "She said it had been stolen from the Augustine around a month ago. She asked if I had contact with it and asked if I knew Laseter and someone named Michael Lott. She even had the assult report against Eddie i had filed."

Curling her legs under her she hugged a pillow. "Alex something is not right. She said the Augustine never authenticated the painting. Yet I have a history with documentation."

With a sigh she debated about tell him her discovery but then thought she shouldn't say anything over the phone.

Something in the back of his mind told him all the good in the last month was just too good to be true. He glanced over at the real estate agent patiently waiting for him. "Alright Abby," He sighed. "I'll be home in about a half hour."