Chapter 9

"Hello?"

Sitting in her father's study, Jennifer was trying to clear her calendar for the next several months. She wanted to let people know what was going on. One of those people was one of the publishers she worked with over the years. "Andrew Thomas! It's Jennifer Edwards."

"Jennifer! It's so good to hear from you. I have you on my list to call this week. What do you have going on right now? I have a couple of new pieces I need to have written, and I think you would be perfect for them."

"Actually, that's why I called. I wanted to let you know I will be a bit unreachable for the next few months. No running off to the rainforest or Africa for me right now."

"The next few months? Jennifer, what on earth is going on? Is that blasted Times confiscating all of your time? You know you have more talent than those little articles they make you do!"

"No, no. Nothing like that, Andrew." She could feel herself grinning from ear to ear as she said the words, "Actually, I am planning a wedding."

He remained incredulous, "That's not much of a story. Who are you doing that for?"

Jennifer sighed. She was probably going to be getting this response often over the next few months. "Me, Andrew. I'm the one getting married. I am planning my wedding."

Long pause. "I'm sorry, Jennifer. It's…" he paused again. "I didn't even know you were dating, my dear."

Laughing now, Jennifer answered, "No, you didn't. This whole thing has been a bit of a whirlwind. I'll have to fill you in on the details next time we have lunch."

Andrew's big brother's love for Jennifer kicked in. He sure didn't want anyone hurting her or using her. "A whirlwind? You know those kinds of things are fun for a while, but they seldom last. Who is this guy."

"Well, I think this one will last," she was a bit annoyed at the thought of having to explain herself to everyone she talked to about her wedding. Granted, even she hadn't planned to be the type to get married, but why did the idea surprise everyone else? "You have probably heard of him; he's a well-known businessman named Jonathan Hart."

This time it was Andrew's turn to laugh. "Are you kidding me? I know Jonathan very well. Actually, I should have seen that sooner. I bet you two would get along well."

"I didn't know you knew each other."

"You know that article you did for me a couple of months ago? The one on the environmental solutions to saving the rainforest…"

"Yes, of course."

"Hart Industries was one of the largest supporters to that trip."

"What?" She shook her head. Jonathan Hart had his hand in just about everything it seemed. "That's fantastic, Andrew. I can't wait to tell him."

"He's a great guy, Jennifer. I am so excited for both of you."

"Thank you, Andrew. Now, put it on your calendar, September 25, in Los Angeles. We will expect you to be there!"

"I wouldn't miss it!"

"I'm so glad. I'll get you an invitation as soon as we have them back from the printer. Talk to you soon!"

***

The morning had been full of nice houses. Some of them were lovely places. Charming, even. However, Stephen seemed to agree with Jonathan that not one of them had felt like home. They had one more for today, and then they were going to meet Max for lunch before going into the office.

Stephen was telling him about the house as they drove up the road. "This house was built in the 1920s. The designing architect was Lawrence Freeman himself. Well, that says much for the house."

"Lawrence Freeman. That's outstanding credentials. I'll give it this for sure," Jonathan said as they were driving up the tree-lined drive, "The drive-in is fantastic." They pulled up to a ranch-style brick home, parked beside the realtor's car, and got out of Jonathan's 1962 Bentley S3 custom convertible. "This has a rather homey feel."

"I agree," Stephen said, looking around at the area. "Shall we go in and see the interior?"

***

Warren continued working, leaving Stanley in the office to go through all the numbers once again. His goal was to figure out the amount of missing money. They hoped that would help narrow down their list of who instigated the mess they were now cleaning up.

As Warren began cleaning one of the paintings they had just received, he noticed an oddity he felt he needed to talk to Jonathan and Stephen about. He called Jonathan's office and left a message.

"What' cha got there, Keller?" Richard asked Warren as he hung up the phone.

"It's a woman's portrait by Davis Morrison." He answered, looking over his easel.

"Wasn't that one stolen?" Zack asked from the table behind Warren.

"Yes. In '69, from a café in Sicily. They found it, along with several others, in Serbia last month. It just arrived here last week."

"What else was in that shipment?" Richard asked.

"Several." Wondering if he could trust either man, Warren didn't want to give much information out. "I'll have to look closer."

***

Hoping to finish the day with this call, Jennifer placed the receiver in the cradle. The phone rang almost as soon as she hung it up. She considered not answering it for a moment before picking it back up and placing the warm plastic against her ear, "Edwards residents."

"That's about the sexiest thing I've heard all day."

"Jonathan! Oh, I'm so glad to hear your voice. How has your day been? Find anything else today?"

"Nothing concrete yet. Your father and I will be headed over to the restoration area in a few minutes. I just wanted to hear your voice first."

"I'm so glad you called! Hey, I learned something about you today."

"Oh? I'm sure it's only partially true…"

Jennifer giggled, "I'm sure it's all true. I was talking to one of my publishers. It turns out you have already been a supporter of mine."

"How's that?"

"Apparently, you helped fund my trip to the rainforest a few months back. Andrew…"

"Wait… Andrew Thomas? I thought you work for the Times."

"I do. I freelance for them. Which means I can also freelance for Andrew Thomas."

"That's great. You know, I think I just saw a package in my mail from him the other day. I bet that has a copy of your story in it. He's pretty good about sending the final copies to me."

"I bet it does. It was just published last week."

"Ha. Andrew Thomas. That's wonderful." He smiled, "I know what I'm going to be reading tonight."

***

Stephen looked over the painting Warren showed him. Everyone else had gone home for the day, but Warren had asked Jonathan and Stephen to come right before then so they would be the only ones in the room.

"Do you see this?" Warren knew he was asking a lot of the men. It was hardly noticeable to the naked eye. Especially an untrained eye. Stephen spotted it first.

"Is that a cut?" he asked.

"Yes. A tiny one. The thing I find odd is that these canvas fibers are frayed; however, the cut is not on the backside."

"That almost looks like there is something under there," Stephen suggested.

"Take it apart," Jonathan suggested.

"If it's truly antique, taking it off the stretchers could damage the painting," Warren warned him.

"I know. I'll be the one responsible if something happens to it. We need to see what's under there."

"I know a guy at the Getty. Maybe we should contact him."