Chapter 33

Jean left the villa just a little bit sadder. It had not been a positive experience for Pablo. Jean had disturbed the little man with the big black eyes. He'd have to find a way to make up for this discretion.

Perhaps, by establishing, once and for all that the portrait in New York was truly the original, would be the way. He had been on a wild goose chase. Now he could report to Bruce that there was a copy. He had found it and Picasso had declared it a copy at best.

The next day, Jean headed his black Mercedes north in the direction of Culoz and the chateau Beon. He arrived home with mixed feelings.
It was a good time to call New York. Bruce was not home. He left a message.

From Robert Haas's Diary
The day that Jean had been traveling South was the day Bruce Kellner had contacted me. I was surprised to hear from him after so many years, and it took a moment to jar my memory.
After the usual niceties, he asked about the Picasso portrait of Gertrude.

"Our research tells us that you were involved with someone making a copy of that famous painting. Is that true?"

"Yes," I said with surprise. I never expected that anyone would bring up that incident so many years later. "Gertrude was a friend. She asked me to introduce her to Marevna Vorobiev, a Russian painter and neighbor of mine, who made a living copying paintings for rich patrons. But why the sudden interest?"
"Well," Bruce began, "the painting was bequeathed to the Metropolitan."

DIARY… NEW ENTRY
Bruce called me today. He asked about the copy. I thought. That's so long ago...over twenty five years. "Let me think," I told him.
"Take your time," Kellner said, "it's very important."
I suddenly remembered something. "Tell me," I started, "does the painting in your possession have a red letter x on the back of the frame"?
"Yes," said Bruce. "As a matter of fact it does."
"Good. Then you must have the original. The copy has no such mark."
"But I haven't actually seen the other one. Do you know where it is?"
"Actually, no. I thought Gertrude had it in Bilignin or Culoz. Surely when she last returned to Paris, she would have brought it with her. Unless, that is, she left it there thinking she would return. Have you asked Alice? She'd know."

"One of our investigators went to see her. I'm waiting for his report. But the painting they received in New York was accompanied by a lawyer's attestation. And it was shipped from Alice's home."

Where Is the Original?

"Then you must have the original," I protested. "There's very little more I can tell you about it. But I must add that Picasso did know of the copy. It was very much like the original. Marevna was VERY good. Even Picasso couldn't tell them apart from a distance. I wasn't at Gertrude's when Diego and Marevna delivered the paintings, but I was there that night when Picasso saw the copy for the first time. It was remarkably like the original. She was that good."

"Well, you've been a big help. I'm becoming more and more confident that we do have the original and it will all end well. Thank you very much for your help".
I thought of the dilemma they were in. I wanted to know the outcome too. "Would you, as a favor, let me know how it turns out?"
"Certainly", he replied. "It will be my pleasure. I may even call you again for information".

That's what I remember of the conversation…
R.B.Haas.

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