Chapter 5: The Yellow House
Location: The Netherlands
Key Date: Thursday, 22nd July, 1999
Laughing probably wasn't the wisest thing Lorne could have done but the absurdity of being accused of stealing a painting had the honest reaction out of him before he could contain it.
"You're joking right?" he said. Looking at Smit and seeing the other man's very straight face, his amusement abruptly dropped away. "Okay – not joking."
"No," Janssen De Jong took over, looking to the police inspector and getting a nod of approval to explain. "Some time on Friday evening one of our Van Gogh canvasses was stolen from the Museum."
"And you think it was me?" Lorne was honestly incredulous. "If I stole something why would I come back here?
"Perhaps to divert suspicion," Smit shrugged. "You spent most of the morning here on Thursday and returned again in the afternoon of the same day," he catalogued impersonally.
"Me and about a thousand other people," Evan pointed out logically.
"Yes but unlike them, you arrived here from Copenhagen where another work was recently stolen," Smit revealed. "And were you not in St. Petersburg before that?"
"Something was stolen from there too?" Lorne asked worriedly.
"You know very well it was Mr Lorne," Smit shot back.
"Ah ... no ... I don't," Evan returned. "Listen, I can see why this might all seem neat and tidy from your point of view but you've got the wrong guy. I didn't steal anything."
"I'm sure all thieves say the same thing on being caught," Smit noted mockingly.
"Since I'm not a thief that hardly applies to me!" Evan retorted irritably. He took a moment to calm himself before continuing. "If you can tell me when these paintings were stolen I'm sure I can provide an alibi for where I was at the time."
"That might be a problem," De Jong said uncomfortably. "We don't know exactly when our painting was stolen."
"Someone ripped a canvas off the wall and you didn't notice?" Evan's brow rose sharply. "How is that possible?"
"You do a good job of professing ignorance Mr Lorne," Smit laughed harshly, "but we have evidence that places you at the scene here in Amsterdam. I am sure in time more evidence will be found linking you to the other crimes."
Evan realised the Dutch inspector wasn't open to considering that he didn't have his man. "Do I need a lawyer here?" he asked mildly.
"You will need to come to the station for further questioning Mr Lorne," Smit advised. "We will allow you to call for legal representation at that time."
"Fine," Lorne scowled, more angry than worried at the turn of events. "My sister – Elaine Lorne – is somewhere in the museum. I need to let her know where I'm going."
"I will have someone locate her and inform her of the situation," De Jong said, not unkindly.
"Thank you," Evan nodded to the curator gratefully before turning to Smit again. "Okay – let's get this over with," he suggested, moving to the door.
oOo
At Lijnbaansgracht 219 police station, ironically only a block away from the American Hotel, Lorne was led towards the rear of the building. Sitting in a small, non descript room he noted the large 'mirror' on his side that fairly screamed that people where watching from the other side ... well, if police shows on TV were at all accurate.
"Mr Lorne," Smit returned to the room with another man in tow. Where Smit was short and stocky with classic Dutch features this man was tall, slim and cultured, dark haired and pale skinned, looking very at home in the expensive suit he was wearing.
"Anton Lefèvre, National Central Bureau, Interpol," he introduced himself in a pleasant voice as he took a seat across from Evan, placing a thick file on the table in front of him. "Thank you for joining us Mr Lorne."
"I didn't realise I had a choice," Evan replied a little sarcastically, trying not to worry that Interpol was involved. From his understanding they were all about supporting any organisation involved in preventing international crime ... which had him thinking he was about to have a very bad day.
"There is always a choice," Lefèvre replied, his dark eyes blank as he observed Lorne emotionlessly. "Of course, some choices present a more difficult road than others. Which path you choose remains to be seen."
"Since I haven't done anything wrong I'm gonna go with the truth and getting to the bottom of this," Evan's tone was purposeful and determined.
"I rather expected you'd say that," Lefèvre noted, appearing amused. "Perhaps you could start by telling us about the missing Van Gogh?"
"From what I understand you don't even know when it went missing," Evan pointed out. "I've only been here 3 days – how do you know it wasn't stolen before I arrived?"
"We have our reasons," the Interpol agent replied. "The painting Mr Lorne ... tell us about the painting."
"How about you just pretend for a minute that you've got the wrong guy," Evan suggested blandly, "and tell me what exactly went missing?"
"Very well," Lefèvre sighed, exchanging a glance with Smit who'd been silent so far. "Inspectuer?"
"The Yellow House," Smit revealed.
"I know of it," Lorne said thoughtfully, recalling vaguely the sandy yellow tones and blue sky of Van Gogh's depiction of the French house he'd lived in for a time in the late 1880's. "I don't remember seeing it at the Museum though."
"You wouldn't have," Smit returned. "It was not on display."
"Ah," Evan nodded, some of the prior comments finally making sense. "You don't know exactly when it was stolen because it was taken from storage, right?"
"Correct," Lefèvre smiled. "As were the other works stolen most recently from Statens Museum in Copenhagen, the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, the National Gallery in Budapest, and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. That is an interesting point of commonality to note, but even more so is the fact that you personally visited each museum before the works went missing and you were still at each location when each robbery most likely took place."
"From where I'm sitting that just makes me the worst case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time ever," Evan retorted. Inside though he'd felt his stomach drop when the Uffizi Gallery had been included in the tally of sites that had been hit. Even he could see that was a worrying chain of coincidences at best.
"Or perhaps it makes you our primary suspect," Anton Lefèvre countered.
"The inspector here mentioned evidence linking me to this latest robbery," Lorne ignored that last part. "Do I get to see this evidence?"
"Ah ... yes," Lefèvre smiled in a way that had Evan feeling very worried even though he knew himself to be innocent. Opening the file he removed a single sheet of paper enclosed in a protective plastic envelope. Wordlessly he placed it on the table, rotating it so that Evan could see it.
"Fuck," the curse slipped out as Lorne looked at the evidence in disbelief. It was a sketch he'd done of the Van Gogh Museum the afternoon of their first day in the city. It showed the main building and the wing still under construction. He hadn't signed that specific sketch but clearly the one he'd done after it had been signed because the faint outline had been brought out very simply. The "E Lorne" he'd jokingly scrawled on a sketch for Elaine was easily readable. "Okay, clearly I can't deny that I drew this but I'd have to be the dumbest thief on the planet to leave it at the scene of the crime!"
"It was not found at the scene," Smit admitted. "We received an anonymous tip to check the storage rooms at the museum. This sketch, clearly showing the entrance compromised by the construction of the exhibition wing, was offered with the tip as evidence."
"So you've got nothing linking to me directly to the crime at all," Evan pointed out, eyes still on the drawing. "For all you know the real thief sent that to put you on the wrong track." He'd carried his sketch book around for most of the past two months, completing a number of very similar sketches at every Museum or Gallery he'd been to. Maybe this particular drawing had fallen from the book while he'd been sketching – he did tend to get very focussed when he was drawing. And maybe he was just deluding himself that something more sinister wasn't at work here.
"We have enough to hold you for further questioning Mr Lorne," Lefèvre replied, shifting his chair back and standing. "I suggest you think about telling us the truth ... because there is some connection between you and these crimes. I know it." With that he turned and left the room.
"This way," Smit motioned for Evan to get up as well. Another silent journey through the station and Lorne found himself being shown into a holding cell.
"This is just great," he muttered, looking around distastefully and thanking his very tarnished lucky stars that at least he was alone for the time being. Smit said nothing, obviously intending to just leave Evan there. "Wait ... what about my phone call?" Lorne demanded.
"Your sister is waiting at reception," Smit admitted. "You may speak to her."
Evan watched the man walk away, standing at the bars of his new accommodation before beginning to pace around the small enclosure.
"Evan!" Elaine was led into the area, moving straight to the bars and reaching for his hands.
"Elaine," Evan squeezed her hands before letting her go, meeting her eyes intently. "I need you to go to the American Embassy, tell them my situation and get them to recommend a lawyer here in the city."
"They can't hold you like this!" Elaine was upset and trying not to show it. Being called to the curator's office at the Museum had been worrying enough but finding out that her brother was being held for questioning over the theft of a famous Van Gogh painting had sent fear chasing around her system.
"They can ... for a few more hours yet," Evan corrected. "It's okay Lainee ... I'm fine. We just need to show them I'm not responsible as quickly as possible so I can get out of here."
"I can't believe this is happening," Elaine exclaimed, close to tears, "and on your birthday too!"
"I don't think it would have gone down any better any other day Sis," Evan pointed out gently. "Now I need you to focus okay ... go and talk to the embassy folks. Can you do that for me?"
"Of course," Elaine pulled herself together, nodding. "I'll be back," she promised.
"I'm not going anywhere," Evan noted ruefully, watching her hurry away.
oOo
The embassy sent someone to the station to talk to Lorne, an American official who reassured Evan that they were looking into his case and instructed him to cooperate fully with the Dutch police.
Elaine returned as well, looking calmer and reiterating that she was making sure he got the help he needed.
"You'll be out of here in no time," she promised at the end of her second allowed visit.
No time turned out to be a serious under estimate. Evan ended up being a guest of Lijnbaansgracht 219 overnight. He spent the hours of darkness interchanging between pacing the tiny room and sitting with his back against the wall glaring at the bars.
Twelve hours after he'd passed through them the doors opened to reveal the last person he would have expected to see.
Captain Andrew Rider ... Canadian air force pilot, fellow ex F-18 rookie and one of Evan's closest friends.
"Drew?" Evan jumped up from the floor, standing back from the cell door as the police woman accompanying his friend unlocked and opened it.
"Ready to blow this joint?" Drew asked with a grin. Out of uniform, dressed in a similar style to Lorne himself, Drew still managed to look commanding.
"What do you think?" Evan shot back, moving quickly through the door, following the official with Drew walking silently beside him.
"Captain Lorne," Inspector Smit greeted Evan, his expression open and respectful where before it had been only suspicious. "Our apologies for detaining you in this manner."
"You finally worked out I'm not the dumbest thief on the planet?" Evan quipped sarcastically.
"The evidence against you is circumstantial at best," Smit admitted. "We would not have been able to hold you in any case, and given your military record, brought to our attention by Captain Rider, we are willing to recount your presence at the time of the theft as merely a coincidence."
"Lucky me," Lorne sighed before relenting. "I appreciate that Inspector. Maybe in your place I'd have been a little suspicious too."
"Before you leave, if you would complete a statement and sign it," Smit requested, "it would put an end to this unfortunate incident."
Agreeing, Evan moved to follow him across the room.
"I'll see you outside buddy," Drew promised.
Evan nodded, sitting down to dictate events from his point of view. It didn't take long ... ten minutes later he was done and finishing a read through to make sure it was accurate before signing it.
"Captain?" Evan looked up from signing his statement to see Anton Lefèvre standing silently a few paces away, his expression questioning.
"Air force," Lorne said simply.
"You should have mentioned that," Lefèvre remonstrated.
"Why, would it have made a difference?" Evan shot back, handing over his completed paperwork and then getting up to head for the exit.
"Yes," the Interpol agent admitted, falling into step beside him.
"What – you think servicemen can't be thieves as well?" Lorne was being sarcastic, again probably not smart but after the last 24 hours he wasn't in the best of moods.
"Perhaps, but it is unlikely," Lefèvre shrugged philosophically.
"Well then next time I'm arrested for a crime I didn't commit I'll be sure to bring it up right at the onset." They'd arrived at the front door and Evan gave the Frenchman a considering look. "You never told me what was stolen from the other galleries."
"The Birth of Venus, Fishing Boats, Portrait of a Lady in Blue, and Christ as the Suffering Redeemer," Anton reeled off the names in quick succession. "In order of when they were taken."
"Monet's Fishing Boats?" Evan asked in surprise.
"Yes," Lefèvre confirmed.
"I wanted to see it," Evan commented. "They were readying it for shipment to New York."
"Another common theme between the robberies," Anton nodded. "There is little doubt each is connected."
"Well, whoever they are they've got good taste in art," Lorne noted.
"Or they know what will fetch a high price," the Interpol officer suggested.
"There is that too," Evan agreed. "I won't say it's been a pleasure," he concluded, pushing open the door and leaving the station without another word.
If he'd looked back he would have seen Lefèvre watching his retreat with a thoughtful and somewhat calculating expression.
oOo
"I'm a little surprised you didn't tell them you were military as soon as you worked out what was going on," Drew commented. He'd checked into the hotel as soon as they'd returned from the station and given Evan his 'space' for the remainder of the day. Now it was early evening - the three of them were sitting at a secluded table in the hotel restaurant and Drew had decided if Evan wasn't going to volunteer anything about his current mood he'd have to force it out of him. "I was all set to do some serious arguing but it only took them accessing your military record to do a complete turnaround. You could have done that the first hour you were there."
"Yeah, well I forgot," Evan dismissed.
"You ... forgot?" Drew shot Elaine a puzzled look.
"He's pretending to be Mr Evan Lorne right now," Elaine commented with a faint smile.
"What, because of what happened to John?" Drew didn't pull his punches.
"I'm tired," Evan got up abruptly, not wanting to have an open discussion on his state of mind. "Drew – thanks for coming. I'll see you both in the morning." Leaning down, Evan gave his sister a quick kiss goodnight before leaving her with his friend.
Elaine sat watching her brother walk away before turning a worried gaze to Drew.
"You were right," Drew acknowledged, reaching across the table to cover her hand with his. "He's got 'mid life crisis' written all over him."
"You'll talk to him?" Elaine pleaded.
"Tomorrow," Drew promised.
oOo
Drew was all set to live up to that promise until Evan side tracked him, waking him up with a phone call early the next morning.
"I need to talk to you," Evan said "I'm down in the lobby," and then hung up before Drew could reply.
Frowning, Drew looked at the clock. "06:00! This better be good," he muttered, jumping out of bed.
Five minutes later he was showered, dressed and on his way downstairs. Spotting his friend pacing around near the doors, he headed straight over.
"Evan," he said as the other man turned to greet him.
"Drew," Lorne greeted him with a smile and a slap on the shoulder. "Let's walk."
"Okay," Drew fell into step beside him. "Could you maybe be a little less mysterious though? Because seriously, you're starting to freak me out."
"Sorry," Evan said lightly. "After I left last night - sorry about that by the way - I started thinking," he paused for a moment, "no, actually I was already thinking during that long night in jail. Anyway, something occurred to me," he turned a serious gaze to his friend. "It's not a fluke they suspected me Drew ... I was set up."
"Okay ... explain it to me," Drew invited. Evan had expected a measure of disbelief rather than quiet acceptance and it threw him for a moment.
"Ah ... sure," he paused to collect his thoughts, leading them around the corner from the hotel to the nearest canal bridge. "Let's just talk about the Van Gogh first. The Danish police had a tip off that something had been stolen from storage ... it came with a sketch of the outside of the museum. My sketch. The one I completed only three days before."
"How'd they get it?" Drew asked, resting his arms on the railing and looking at the water flowing below.
"That is the question isn't it?" Lorne agreed. "It's possible and I don't know how but maybe the sketch fell out of my book somehow and whoever's behind this is an opportunist who took the chance to head the police off in the wrong direction."
"But you don't think that's what happened," Drew concluded.
"No," Evan said simply. "I've been going over it in my head ... the times I didn't have the book with me, all the people who might have seen my work. It's a long list ... too long. I don't exactly lock my sketch book up but I really don't think anyone could have gotten close enough to just pick up that particular sketch - not without some careful planning. Somebody knew I've been sketching the outsides of art galleries. They knew I'm travelling around Europe visiting all the big ones. And they're setting it up to make me seem like the most likely suspect. Right about now I bet they're patting themselves on the back thinking I've been detained and they're off the hook."
"Instead you're the one who's off the hook," Drew pointed out, turning and resting his back against the bridge.
"For now," Evan agreed. "Who knows what 'evidence' they've left for the other crimes that points to me. I could get back to Italy and find myself arrested again."
"So what do you want to do about it?" Drew asked.
"Apart from find them and beat the crap out of them for ruining my holiday?" Lorne smirked, letting his friend know he was joking ... mostly. "I don't know. I don't see what I can do."
"We could turn the tables on the thieves," Drew suggested. "Use them using you against them."
"And how do you propose we do that?" Evan retorted, crossing his arms over his chest. "I'd like to think I'm more observant than the average Joe and I couldn't tell you who to suspect. I've talked to lots of people – at the galleries, on the train, at hotels I stayed at. Never noticed anyone paying me more attention than they should have."
"Yeah, well you've had a lot on your mind," Drew pointed out, getting close to the topic he'd promised Elaine he'd talk to Evan about.
"Maybe," Lorne excused his lack of picking up any real clues reluctantly. He didn't want to go there ... not even for Drew.
"Where were you heading next?" Drew asked.
"The Musée des Beaux-Arts in Belgium," Lorne replied, his French pronunciation perfect. Drew would have picked him up on it if it wasn't, being bilingual in French and English like many of his countrymen.
"Okay, so we go there as planned," Drew proposed. "You do your usual art appreciation gig while I pretend not to know you. That way I can stake you out and see if anyone's paying undue attention to you."
"You're inviting yourself along?" Lorne asked with a frown. "What about work?"
"Turns out you're not the only one who can get an extended leave of absence," Drew said lightly. "I'm good for as long as it takes to sort this out."
"Thank you," Evan said simply.
"You'll owe me one," Drew pointed out with a grin. "And believe me, one day I'll collect."
"Fair enough," Lorne agreed. "Let's head back to the hotel before Elaine wakes up and finds us both gone."
"Are you going to tell her your theory?" Drew asked.
"Ah ... I guess I'll have to, unless I can convince her to go home," Evan replied.
"Yeah, good luck with that!" Drew shot back.
Authors Note:
So, no new "must see" work for Lorne this chapter. If you're interested in seeing all the stolen works though I've added a page to my website - you can access it from the same link on my profile page. Thanks for reading!