The Da Vinci Deception (42 page)

“You miss Stephanie?”

“I love her very much.”

“Did you spend much of the money?”

He laughed. “That's the funny part of it. I cleared five thousand on the bonds, and twenty thousand when I fenced the bills I printed. Later, when I was in prison, I added up all that I spent and it came out that I cleared less than seven thousand dollars.”

“What will you do when this is over?”

“I haven't thought about it.” He gently pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her and, with their lips together, picked her up and carried her into his bedroom. He put her on the bed and leaned over her.

“One good kiss deserves another,” he said tenderly.

When Jonas and Seumas arrived in Chipping Camden, darkness was replacing the last orange light in a sky where clouds had gathered to usher out the day's sunlight. There was a cool briskness to the air. Jonas claimed his room at the King's Arms Hotel, dined in a rare, modest way, then went to the bar. It was a congenial room with stone walls, thick oak beams, and a fire that gave off a glow like the sun that slipped from the sky a few hours earlier. He took a chair near the fire and pulled another alongside. The waiter brought a snifter of Remy Martin VSOP.

Doan Chamberlin arrived punctually at nine. He wore a blue blazer with gold buttons over a turtleneck shirt. He smelled of aftershave. Jonas knew he had been to a party or was going to one. He wasn't dressed for a discussion of old and valuable art. Chamberlin ordered a gin and bitters.

After a brief exchange, neither spoke. Jonas seemed intent on letting the tension build. Chamberlin interrupted the awkward silence. “I've given thought to our conversation at Collyer's, and I've reached some distressing conclusions. I find it abominable that my private affairs have been poked into, and I am distressed even more by my conviction that you have done this in order to influence my decision regarding the Leonardo manuscript.”

“You'll affirm the authenticity because you'll find the page is genuine. The evidence is overwhelming. But I don't want an adverse opinion because of someone's warped sense of idealism. Discovery of the Leonardos will be controversial from the moment it is announced, and if your committee is divided, the arguments will fester and ultimately impact on the value of my discovery.”

“Are you asking me to deliver a unanimous vote?”

Jonas swirled the brandy against the sides of the glass, then inhaled the fumes. “I was surprised you had no recollection of David Latcham, particularly in view of the fact you lived together.”

“My wife would find that quite ridiculous.”

“I'm not suggesting Latcham shared your home in Mayfair. Has Mrs. Chamberlin been to your house here in Chipping Camden?”

“Damn you, Kalem. What do you know about David?”

“David Latcham is a graduate of Columbia University and completed his advanced studies at Yale. He's very ambitious and an outstanding art historian.” Jonas stared through his thick lenses at Chamberlin. “David Latcham was your lover.”

“He was my protégé,” Chamberlin countered. “When I discovered how extremely brilliant he was, I took him on as a collaborator. It's a common practice, you know.”

“It was the publisher's advance that permitted Latcham to research and write your book. I assume you edited the manuscript to add touches of your style.”

Chamberlin nervously rubbed his hands. Jonas noticed how small they were and how precisely the nails were manicured and polished. “When did you learn about David?”

“He once worked for me. After Columbia and before Yale. He never liked New York, preferred London. Occasionally he wrote. In one of his letters he told me of his association with you. His last letter was postmarked from Reigate.”

“He used me to advance his career.”

“You've never forgiven him for walking out on you.”

Chamberlin finished his gin and bitters. “It's over. Would you rake it all up?”

“David is out of your life, yet you continue to spend weekends in Chipping Camden. Is that because you discovered another young man of equal ability and promise?”

Chamberlin bit on his lips. “What do you want from me?”

“You are the senior member of the committee. You have considerable influence.”

“Gilsanon deals in scientific measurements. There are no abstractions to his findings. He will consider that your technical report is prejudiced, that it can serve only as a guide. But even should Gilsanon and Knowles grant a positive decision, Robin Mackworth-Young will insist on corroboration. For the money it'll fetch, any buyer will.”

“I have no damned intention of selling the drawings to the Royal Library. They are free to bid along with everyone else, and if they want additional proof, that's their prerogative.”

“What of Freebury?” Chamberlin asked. “I've seen him go mawkish over a new discovery, then waver and be indecisive.”

“He concerns me. Freebury will know it is genuine, but be opposed on the principle that it will have too great a value. He believes art is for the masses.”

“Edgar is idealistic, but he's no fool. His professional integrity is at stake. My integrity is also on the line. If we authenticate it, your discovery will have a value I couldn't begin to estimate.”

“And well deserved,” Jonas added firmly. “When it becomes known you have played a role in its authentication, your fortunes will greatly improve.”

“Are you suggesting I will receive financial reward for a favorable opinion?”

“I suggest the announcement will cause a vast amount of publicity and you will be a part of it. Your lecture fees will increase and more of your books will be sold.” Jonas allowed his words to sink in.

“If you believe the work is genuine, why are you taking this extraordinary measure to meet me in secret and threaten to expose my personal life?”

“For two reasons. Freebury must vote his professional opinion, and I want an early declaration. I must have a decision in days. Not months.”

“Why so impatient? Would a few weeks matter?”

“I've invested enough time, and the time has been costly. I want accreditation
now.
” Jonas added emphasis by rapping the table with the flat of his hand.

After an uncomfortable silence, Chamberlin got to his feet. “I'll do what I can. My report will go to Pimm and you will hear directly from him. Now I must go.”

Jonas watched him make his way past the bar. He signaled for the waiter and ordered three fingers of brandy. Again he inhaled the rich fumes and sipped from the large bowl. He reviewed his brief encounter with Doan Chamberlin, asking himself if he had been forceful without provoking the proud art scholar into a vengeful attitude. He had been careful to solicit Chamberlin's influence with Freebury and steer him away from a rash judgment based on misguided idealism. And he had asked for an early decision. He was pleased with his performance. He drained his glass and set off for his room.

As he passed through a square-shaped hall he was handed an envelope by the hotel manager. The paper was thick and expensive. The flap was engraved and when he drew the envelope close, he saw, represented in Korean characters, the unmistakable name of Madame Sun. The paper was scented and gave off the familiar spice and floral fragrance he recalled from their first meeting. He read the brief note:

Madame Sun's signature was rendered in a single, bold Korean character.

“Wally, I've been trying to get you all afternoon. Have you heard from Oxby?”

“I'm happy to say I haven't.”

“Don't be too sure of that. He called to learn how to contact you. Told me that Kalem arrived in London on Thursday. Jack's got his own information network, and when the fat man hit Heathrow, Jack knew in thirty minutes.”

“I know he's in London. What's he up to?”

“Oxby said he'd fill me in later . . . that it was important to make contact with you.”

“He doesn't stand on ceremony. He knows where to find me. We've had another one of those unfortunate accidents.”

“Good Christ. Who this time?”

“Giorgio Burri.” Deats gave a brief accounting. “You'll have a report in a couple of days.”

“You're sure he was murdered?” Heston asked.

“It's too much of a coincidence. First Sarah Evans, now Burri. Both accidents?”

“But what's so damned important, Wally? Two people are dead.”

“We'll find that out after we defuse Waters.”

“I think Oxby wants to be there when that happens.”

“Our plans are complete. We're moving on Tuesday morning with or without Oxby.”

“Do me a favor, Wally? Don't play the hero again. I'd like to catch some salmon with you this autumn.”

Jonas had carefully chosen an obscure site for his meeting with Chamberlin. He was baffled, but more angered, that Madame Sun had been able to follow him. His initial reaction was to ignore the note. But he relented and climbed the stairs and found his way to Room 16. He was admitted by a smiling James Sun.

“You've come early, Mr. Kalem.”

Madame Sun was dressed in a tailored suit and cream-colored silk blouse. She seemed taller than on their first meeting, but still diminutive. She greeted him graciously, saying, “It has been several weeks since we met. Much has happened.”

Jonas was determined to make the meeting brief and declined the invitation to sit. “Why have you followed me? You knew how to arrange for a meeting in London.”

“You must understand our determination. We made arrangements to learn when you were at Collyer's to present the Leonardo. But you drove directly to the country and James followed you. I have just come from Brussels to meet you.”

“For what purpose?” Jonas demanded.

“The page from the manuscript contains a rendering of the
Mona Lisa.
It becomes the first-known study of the lady ever to be found. We want it.”

Among the members of the committee the logical source for a leak was Gilsanon & Knowles. Gilsanon said he would put his crew to work immediately and a crew might be a dozen workers. “How did you learn this?”

“It matters only that we know,” Madame Sun said with finality. “We have been able to put a value on your discovery.”

“The value will be determined by the auction. It will be entered at Collyer's winter sale in February.”

Madame Sun did not respond immediately. She turned to her son and nodded. James handed her a folder and took up a position by her side. Slowly her fingers leafed through the half-dozen pages, then, her eyes wide and staring, she spoke in a reverential manner.