Chapter 27

"Mr. Owens," she smiled, "I believe you know Dr Michaud."
"Yes," he replied with some haste, "And I have read his report about the Picasso portrait."
After the meeting was over and Betty and Dr. Michaud left, Robert Owens daubed his moist forehead.

He turned is swivel chair towards the window and gazed out at the trees. He pondered his next move. He could, he calculated, just have the painting cleaned and hung. He could call a meeting of the trustees and seek guidance. He could consult the lawyer representing Mr. Allan Stein, the donor and nephew of the late Gertrude Stein.

An Old Friend, Retired Detective Bruce Kellner

Or he could contact his old friend, retired detective Bruce Kellner. It was not a difficult decision. It was not unusual not to notify the trustees in such a case. It was not unusual to keep the possible truth from the donor. He could not, in all honesty, hang the portrait. Bruce Kellner was his only answer. An investigation could be done quietly. The report of Dr Michaud raised only possibilities of the painting's authenticity. Owens rationalized that proof was of the most urgency. Bruce had spent some years in Paris and had met some important people in the art world.
He reached for the phone.

"Kellner, here," a voice replied.
"Hello Bruce. Bob Owens here. Are you free to come to my office."
"Sure Bob. Is it urgent?
"It might be."
"How about 5 PM?" Bruce said, consulting his agenda.
"Five it is," from Bob. "I look forward to your visit." Owen meant his last remark.

He and Bruce had been personal friends for many years. He had always enjoyed the younger man's joviality, his dedication to his work, his diligence and his candor.

The director reread the Michaud report and circled some key words. If this were true, the museum would have acquired a fake Picasso and that would render it valueless.

Bruce Had Never Let Him Down

The two friends met for an hour. Bruce pointed out that he was not an expert on art, but he knew how to run an investigation and he knew people connected to Picasso. He would start immediately. He took with him a file marked "Stein...Gertrude & Leo. The name Alice B Toklas was penciled in below. There was no discussion about a fee. The two men trusted each other. Bruce had never let him down in the past.

That evening, while most people relaxed or dined out or attended the theatre, Bruce Kellner studied Dr Michaud's report, examined a photograph of the Stein portrait and consulted two files. On the file taken from Kellner's personal filing cabinet was the name Jean d'Aiguy.
After reading both files, Owens picked up the microphone of his Dictaphone. He hesitated, then flicked on the switch and spoke:

To Mr. Jean d'Aiguy, care of Chateau Béon, 01350 Culoz, France

Dear Jean:
I trust you are well… Sorry I couldn't get over to France this year. I assure you the absence of our visit was my loss and I hope I will have the chance to rectify this absence in the near future… Life in New York is hectic and the thoughts of your lovely chateau and the sight of your charming wife makes it more difficult to endure....The prospects for the future can be discussed at another time...today I write because I need your help...as you know, the death of Miss Gertrude Stein came as a shock to those who knew her...no doubt you know that your grandmother knew her… they admired each other ... Today, it has come to my attention that a portrait of Miss Stein, painted by Pablo Picasso was donated by Miss Stein's heirs...It appears that there is some question about the painting's authenticity...the museum is looking for answers and, should you be able to help us, an investigation will be your prime consideration...I enclose the report written by the museums authentication investigator, Dr. Jean Michaud, an old acquaintance of yours.

You will agree, no doubt that if Dr. Michaud raises questions of the painting's legitimacy, it is a question that begs answers...I also enclose the addresses of some of the people who might be able to lend light to the problem...

...Miss Stolow...kindly include the addresses of the following...they are on file.
1. Alice B Toklas (Paris)
2. Pablo Picasso (via Jaime Sabartes, Paris or Cannes)
3. Francoise Gilot (via Mr. Emile Gilot...Neuilly)
4. David-Henry Kanweiller (Dealer...Paris)

...Finally...please try to locate addresses or phone numbers, or both of
1. Michael Stein Family (California)
2 Robert B Haas (Canada... Montreal, Contact McGill Univ.)

3. Mr. Leo Stein ...not sure where...Possibly Fiesole, Italy, near Florence...
4. Maitre Robert Beaude (Lyon)
...I may think of others in the morning.
...please have the letter for Mr. d'Aiguy on my desk by noon...remember too that there is a time difference between here and Europe...

Bruce Kellner was a stickler for detail. He placed the Stein file in his briefcase. There was much there to be examined. He would read it late into the night.

The Contents of the Second File

The second file told the story of Gertrude and Alice and the people in her life. It told about the relationship she had with Picasso, Hemingway and countless others while she was in Paris. There was a booklet showing some of her valued paintings. It did include the portrait by Picasso but that didn't help much, especially since it was black and white. Kellner was a sleuth, not an art connaisseur.

As he read, he made notes and listed names. He did know a fair amount about the relationship between Gertrude and Jean d'Aiguy's family. He would add a personal note to his letter to Chateau Beon. He also noted that Leo Stein had died almost a year to the day after Gertrude. As he lay in bed trying to sleep, his mind turned to his friend Jean and Noriko, his vivacious young wife.

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