The lost painting.
Oliver, Norman, Shane, Charlie and Rita discover a mysterious and ancient lost painting. During their journey to France in Paris, the postal detective tries to reconcile Shane with her mother. As the POstables go to the Louvre Museum to deliver their package, Oliver O'Toole makes a surprising discovery. This fictional story is inspired by the Masterpiece episode and historical facts. The characters belong to the talented Marta Williamson.
Chapter 1: Lost in the past.
Monday, April 3, 2023. Dead Letter Office.
"It's going to be a quiet day, we have only sortings today." Charlie said with a smile.
"Nothing is certain dear Charlie. God only knows what trial or task awaits us today." Oliver added with a smile
It was then that a creaking sound was heard.
"What is it?" Shane asks.
"There's only one way to find out." Norman said with a smile.
He ran, climbed on the treadmill and slid down.
"There you go. It's a package. It was stuck !"
"Norman, you're a hero!" Rita exclaimed.
"Excellent, Norman. Let's take a look at this." Oliver added, taking the package and a magnifying glass.
"There is no address on the package, nor any name. Only to whom it may concern. The sender must certainly be from Denver. We can open the package I think, Oliver."Shane pointed out.
The postal detective carefully opened the package.
"Wow! It's a painting!" Charlie exclaimed.
"This painting looks pretty old, probably 16th century." Rita said.
"There's nothing extraordinary about this painting. It's just a bunch of people stealing eggs from an angry hawk's nest." Norman added.
"Wait, I can read the initials H.B. right here on the bottom right of the corner. That's a clue." Oliver said.
"My God! That's amazing! I can't believe that's this one!" Shane said.
"Shane, what is it?" Rita asked her friend.
"It's the lost Bosch painting." Shane replied.
A few moments later.
"Bosch , the company?" Norman asks.
" I studied it in an art history class in college. Hieronymus Bosch was a cleric and painter of the Flemish Renaissance. Most of his paintings have religious themes and are packed with fantasy creatures. This earned him the nickname 'the painter of devils'. He was known for painting triptychs, in groups of three paintings." Shane explains.
"Ah, like Danny Barrett's paintings, past, presen and future that we delivered to his father, Henry." Norman added.
"Exactly, Norman. And I imagine this painting is one of Bosch's triptychs. But how is this painting surprising ? " The postal detective asked as Shane takes her computer.
"Bosh titled one of his triptychs" The Pilgrim of Life",that deals with the seven deadly sins. Look at that ! Both the left and right panels exist. The first panel on the left, with the paintings The Ship of fools in Paris, The Allegory, in New Haven, Connecticut. And finally the right panel, the Death of the Miser, in Washington. The central part disappeared in 1502. And it is this painting! The hawk here represents anger." Shane explains.
"Wow, that painting must cost a fortune!" Charlie exclaimed.
"It's amazing, to find such a wonder, here at the Dead Letter Office!" Rita exclaimed.
"You think the artist's spirit must be haunting this painting?" Norman asked.
"Let's keep a cool head. We found a masterpiece lost over 500 years ago. The question is who should we deliver it to?" Oliver asked.
"I was thinking the Netherlands, but first why not the Louvre Museum in Paris?
"Shane, are you saying that because you want to go there?" The postal detective asks.
"I've always wanted to go to the Louvre! Besides, without that painting, it's not possible to understand the meaning of the artist's message in the first painting." She replied, pursing her lip.
"You can be very persuasive, Miss McInerney."
"Do you mind if I stay here while you're away, so I can keep the office?" Charlie asks.
"No problem, thank you for your dedication Charlie." Oliver smiles
"Okay. Le'ts go to Paris !" Norman exclaimed as he took his field kit.
Everyone laughed.
O'Toole family home.
Joe and Sharon are having dinner at Oliver and Shane's house.
"It's cool to go to Paris. I'm sure you'll love it!" Joe exclaimed !
"We can't wait, the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, the Seine, the Louvre!" Shane exclaimed .
"I'm coming with you!" Sharon added, with a smile.
"No, sorry mom, it's for work, you can't come with us." Shane said.
"But I'm going as a tourist. You do your work and I stroll around the city. What's the point of being retired if you can't even travel. And besides, I speak a little French. Sharon said
"Wow, really?" Shane said, a little angry.
"Of course. Bonjour, comment allez-vous ? [Hello, how are you?]" Sharon said
" It's very impressive, Sharon, very impressive." Joe added.
" 🎶April in Paris, chestnuts in blossom. Holiday tables under the trees. April in Paris, this is a feeling. No one can ever reprise. I never knew the charm of spring🎶. " Sharon sings as she goes to clear the table.
" Look at this ! She's crazy in love with that city." Shane whispered.
" Honey, love is full of mysteries." Oliver said.
To be continued.
Author's note: Thank you for reading this first chapter. Have a great day POstables :)