A Masterpiece of Revenge (16 page)

The insurers would most likely refuse to pay anything close to the original amount. If they paid any amount at all, it would only be to avoid a trial whose outcome in any case would be disastrous to the reputation of the director of the Oxford Institute for Art Research.

How would Caldwell explain to Quentin Van Nieuwpoort why the insurers were refusing to pay? Would she tell him that not only was their Lorrain a fake, but that Vermeille's certificate had been obtained through extortion?

Vermeille's thoughts drifted away from revenge. He felt more at peace than he had in months. Anger had been his mooring. Now it was setting him loose.

What had happened had changed him. He would be less self-righteous, more humane, less proud, more understanding.

When Caldwell turned her head toward him one last time, Vermeille gave her a look of genuine warmth and recognition — the look that once she had so desperately sought from him.

Then he rose from his chair and walked out of the room. Sunlight was streaming through the windows.