Confession Chapter 65

Lee Wadsworth's eyes focus on empty air. "The Stellus Foundation grant. Stellus said it would fund artists to create meaningful work. I wanted to sculpt the changes in this city, the rising of towers, and other symbols of power. I would have portrayed the forces behind growth and progress, but Stellus wasn't interested. They didn't want to be seen as promoting the causes of the elite. Funny, right? The Stellus family has been on the list of the richest 400 ever since there's been a list. But they wanted to project concern for the common man. Ha! They wouldn't have known a common man if they tripped over one. But they thought Victoria Masterson's work would fit the image they wanted. So they chose her. It was their bad luck that she couldn't finish delivering for them."

"You were upset when you didn't get the grant," Kate says. "You filed a protest."

"Upset, yeah I was upset. My family was upset. My late uncle filed the protest. The Wadsworths were part of building this city – a big part. The family wanted my work to make the world acknowledge that. But that wasn't what Stellus wanted. So I moved on."

"And how did you do that?" Castle questions.

"I take commissions. I portray the builders and shakers of this city and this state as the powerful forces that they are," Wadsworth explains.

Castle points to Wadsworth's work in process. "That looks a little like Victor Baron."

"It is Victor Baron, at his most forceful and effective," Lee declares.

"And after some serious dieting," Castle mutters. "I would assume your clients have to pay well."

Lee smiles triumphantly. "Better than a Stellus Foundation or any other grant ever would."

Castle nods. "Then I hope you got your money from Baron in advance. He's known for stiffing people all over town."

"I think that will be all for now, Mr. Wadsworth," Kate says as the sculptor sputters. "I'll contact you if we need any further information." Kate turns smartly to leave. After giving Wadsworth a little wave, Castle follows.

"That didn't get us much," Kate says, descending the stone steps from the Wadsworth Mansion's front door.

"Oh I don't know," Castle responds. "It was worth the trip to see the look on Wadsworth's face when I mentioned what a deadbeat Baron is."

"But it doesn't get us any closer to solving Victoria Masterson's murder. Who's next on your list?" Kate asks.

"Susan Alyne. She's supposed to be a painter. I haven't had a chance to get anything else on her yet. But she might…." Castle pulls out his phone. "Google. Susan Alyne. Susan Alyne. Here we go! She's listed as showing at the Altair Gallery. I've never heard of it, but it's in the East Village, the really old section. Must be part of the continuing trend toward urban renewal."

Kate grabs her unit's key from her pocket. "All right, Castle, let's go to the East Village."

The Altair Gallery's over-smiling host greets Castle as he and Kate come through the door. "Welcome to Altair. Mr. Castle! I recognize you from your reading at Strand. Very exciting! And this must be the inimitable Detective Beckett. Are you out on the town together?"

"Something like that," Castle says.

"I'm Gary Lamell, curator and general manager of our little gallery. What can I show you today?"

Castle regards Lamell's carefully fitted suit and artsy Ascot. The look is a bit over the top but may play well to tourists. "Actually, I'm interested in the work of Susan Alyne. I understand you show her paintings."

Lamell's head bobs. "An excellent choice! Ms. Alyne truly embodies the spirit of Altair. Please, come this way." He gestures for Castle and Kate to follow as he rapidly covers the space to a far wall.

A group of large paintings that look like renderings of a planetarium show greet Castle's eyes. "Exceptional starscapes."

"Oh yes!" Lamell enthusiastically agrees. "Altair's mission is to deliver the wonder of outer space in a way that inner space can grasp and experience. Ms. Alyne's paintings exemplify that quest." He points to a painting where the stars seem to flow out of the canvas. "This is The Soul of the Heavens. Isn't it magnificent?""

"It is indeed," Castle says, feeling a strange connection to the painting. "I would truly love discussing it, and all of Ms. Alyne's work with her. Does she ever come to the gallery?"

"Yes, she does. She enjoys soaking in the creativity of our other artists as well as meeting those such as yourself who appreciate her work. In fact," Lamell consults a stylized wall clock, "she should be here in about an hour. I'd be happy to show you some of the other work here while you wait."

Castle claps his hands together. "Outstanding!"

"And if you have any literature about Susan Alyne's work and her history as a painter, I'd love to see it," Kate says.

"Oh yes! We have excellent profiles on all of our artists. I can get you one on Ms Alyne now before we continue with your Altair experience," Lamell offers.

Kate gives him a sweet smile. "That would be very nice."

Susan Alyne is tall for a woman, topping Beckett by at least an inch. Long brown hair flows down her back and a starburst pendant graces her neck. She shares the wooden bench opposite her paintings with Kate and Castle. "Yes, that's true, Mr. Castle, I did apply for the Stellus Foundation grant. Just the name Stellus seemed beautifully suited to my work. But my point of view wasn't what their board had in mind. I must have applied for at least 20 other grants in my early years, and that was often the case. Some evaluation committees feel that Van Gogh was the beginning and the end of starry nights and are not interested in further exploration. But I have my following. Ms. Beckett, as you may have read in the profile Gary gave you, I'm big with science and sci-fi fans. I do a lot of starfield lithographs. That way people can appreciate my work at a price they can afford."

Castle stares up at the painting still drawing him in. "Yes, I can see how that would work."

"Do you know any of the other artists who applied?" Kate asks.

"Yes, I know Sylvia Chen. Our work appeals to some of the same crowd. And I worked with Vicky Masterson a little. She did two space-themed art activities. I helped out with those. But I haven't seen her in at least a year. Wait! Is that why you're here? Vicky Masterson's death?"

"We are investigating Ms. Masterson's murder," Kate admits.

"But," Castle hurriedly inserts, "I do love your art." He points at the painting that fascinates him. "Especially that piece. I'd like to buy it."

"It's $7000, Mr. Castle," Susan says.

"I know. I saw the price. If Mr. Lamell can have it shipped to my home, I can pay for it before I leave. But now that we have that settled," Castle continues, "can you think of anyone who would have wanted to kill Victoria Masterson?"

Susan taps her fingers along the side of the bench. "I'm sorry, I can't. During the time I worked with Vicky, everyone seemed to love her. I can't imagine why someone would want to do something like that."

"So far, we've heard that from everyone who worked with her," Kate says. "But someone did."

"Well, whoever it is, I hope you find them," Susan declares.