Chapter 29

He certainly didn't wake up smiling. It was 6:30 and he had a meeting in Allantown at 8. The drive was without incident and the meeting should have been avoided. Promptly at 11:55 Bruce Kellner returned to his cluttered office. Miss Stolow, always out of breath, followed him into his office, talking all the time.

"Your daughter called...twice...someone from the FBI...your tailor...your coat is ready...I found all the addresses except Mr. Leo Stein who died in 1947...
"I know, said Bruce. Sorry."
...there were two other calls...both said they would call back...your mail is on your desk...and I must remind you have an appointment at 2 PM with the Morgan Bank...concerning...she consulted her notes...concerning some missing jewelry...they called to confirm...the letter you asked for is on your desk."

Bruce was already proofreading it.

"Thank you," Miss Stolow. You can go to lunch now. I'll be here until 1:45. The Morgan Bank is within walking distance."

Writing a Note on the d'Aiguy Letter

Bruce didn't hear the door close. He was writing a note on the d'Aiguy letter. Jean, he added, I may want to talk to your mother. I do not know her married name and if she is still in California.
I hear that Leo Stein is dead. You can start with Picasso or Jaime Sabartes in Paris. I will start with Dr Robert Haas, whom I met at your home. He seemed to know more than anyone about Gertrude's collection. You, on the other hand can also talk to Alice who is still in Paris.
He scribbled the few addresses he knew and walked over to the telex machine.
"Modern science," he thought out loud. "Faster than a speeding bullet..."

In Culoz, Jean put in a call to a colleague in Paris. He requested a meeting with Picasso or Jaime Sabartes, whoever was available. He gave a list of other instructions and drove his Citroen to the Lyon airport.
While waiting for his flight he called Robert Beaude. He was both Gertrude's and his lawyer.

A Call to Robert Beaude

"Hello," he said," this is Jean d'Aiguy. How are you and Claude?"
"Fine. Fine, mon ami. To what do I owe this call; business or pleasure?"
"Business, I'm afraid. I'm at the airport and I only have a few minutes."
"How can I help you ?"

Jean got right to the point. "I understand you took an affidavit from Alice Toklas and Mr. Allan Stein as to veracity of a painting they were sending to the Metropolitan Museum in New York."

"Yes, that is so but I did not see these people at the same time. Each signed a sworn statement that the painting was from the Gertrude Stein collection. I did see the painting when a young man and lady from the Museum in New York came to Miss Toklas' apartment and crated it. I thought it was indeed very beautiful, n'est- ce-pas ?"

"I don't know. I haven't seen it. I'm inquiring because the Museum people want to know just how it was authenticated. Thanks for the information. I think I will speak to Picasso and Miss Toklas in person."
"Good idea. Let me know what you discover. Sorry I cannot be more helpful," from Maitre Beaude."
"That's perfectly alright. It was still good talking to you. Regards from Noriko."

"Ah, oui. Tell her we send our love. Perhaps when you return, you can stay longer. We have not seen you in months."

"Perhaps. I'll try," from Jean as he looked at his watch." I must run. A bientot."

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