CHAPTER 34

The white Air France jet gently touched down at Lyon Airport. Bruce deplaned first from his first class seat and headed for the special customs office where he sat patiently, waiting for his crated painting to arrive. By the time it was safely delivered, Ron, his traveling partner had arrived to oversee the large box being loaded into the rented van.

A police escort led the way to the entrance of the east-bound superhighway. The occupants hardly talked. Bruce was deep in thought, going over the pieces of the puzzle. He now knew it was only a matter of time until he would see both paintings side by side and find out once and for all which one was the original. As the van followed the road out of Culoz, the visual memories started coming back.

Bruce Remembered the First Time

Bruce remembered the first time he had gone to Jean's imposing chateau. The van followed the Chateau wall and stopped at the same side door he remembered. This time it was a servant who answered. There had been some improvements. Even the garden was manicured and tailored by professionals.

"You have people to help you, I see".
"Yes", she confided. "After Jean's mother died, the bank and the lawyers administered everything. But that's all settled now."
"Hello Bruce", Jean called from the mahogany staircase. He extended his hand which Bruce shook warmly.

"So wonderful to see you, even if it's not really a social visit."
"But there will be some time for us to chat. We can't work all the time. Will you have a drink"?
"Yes, but I must first get a colleague settled. He's the security agent with me to protect the picture."
"Ask him to come in." He turned to an older man wearing an apron. "Jacques, see to monsieur's bags and put the wooden crate in the library. We'll have a little lunch. Will you ask your colleague to join us"?

Picasso Insists the Painting Is a Copy

After the introductions, Ron went out to the garden with Noriko. Bruce and Jean drank Pernod and chatted about the painting.
"Picasso insists that the painting I showed him was a copy. There was no red mark on the back and Alice insists that the marked one was the one he saw being carted for shipment from Alice's apartment. What is in this box is probably the original. How did you ever get the museum to allow you to bring it over?"

Bruce put down his glass and began to unwrap the painting he had brought with him.

"There is some doubt of the authenticity, as we both know. I reported to the curator in New York that you had discovered a second painting and the doubt raised forced them to ask Picasso himself to tell us which one is really his".

"But," I argued, "I already showed Picasso the copy in my possession. He was furious. He practically threw me out of the house. Besides, you have the one with the red mark. Mine has no such mark. Yours must be the original."

Bruce nodded. "One would think so. But we must be certain. I'd like to see Picasso and show him both paintings."
"It might take some urging to get him to see us. He was not happy about my last visit."
"What do you propose?" Bruce asked.
"I'll think about it. But in the meantime, how about another Pernod?"
Bruce smiled. "Yes," he said, as Jean refilled his glass. "Not
much we can do today anyway."
"Let's see both pictures together. This is very exciting," said Jean. "Noriko, come look at this."

Looking at the Two Paintings Side by Side

The four people sat in the protected garden as Ron unpacked the painting. He placed them side by side. Bruce and Jean rose and looked at the two paintings close up.
"Amazing" exclaimed Jean. "They are identical."
Bruce frowned". That's what I feared. Our job would be easier if they were different. At least the one I brought today has the red x on it."

"But, Picasso said the one I brought him was a fake," said Jean, "and they're so similar, so exact."
"Precisely," said Bruce. "So similar they fooled Picasso too, when they were first hung".
"Well," said Jean, "the only thing to do is show them to Pablo. We can leave in the morning."

Together at Clos Poncet

That night, Jean, Noriko and Bruce went for a walk. They soon found themselves at the Clos Poncet, where Gertrude and Alice once lived. The building was now in a state of disrepair.
Jean told Bruce, "The city of Culoz just purchased the property. It will be used as a day care."
"I'm sure Gertrude would be pleased. It's still beautiful and the grounds are lovely," Bruce suggested.

(Jean, Noriko and Bruce soon found themselves at Clos Poncet, Gertrude Stein's home in Culoz, France during World War II)

"Do you know that this mountain behind the house was overrun by the French Resistance during the war?" Jean asked, proudly.
"Yes, I heard that was the case."
"Well, the question always came up, who was protecting Gertrude?" Jean smiled.

"You think it was the Maquis, the Resistance?"
Jean nodded. "There's no question about it. Gertrude was very observant and living right in the middle of the Germans. She could supply information."

Jean continued.

"It really is a wonderful old house, but too big for two people. It does sadly need repairs". Then he mused, "If only the walls could talk. Gertrude lived out the final years of the war here. There was a time when she was forced to accept German officers billeted with her. Of course, they never knew about her. She stayed in her room."

An Amazing Woman

They stood examining the small chateau.
"She was an amazing woman," Bruce said.
"Remarkable," from Noriko. "I'm sorry I never met her".
"She was very stubborn," Jean said.
"Yes", said Bruce. Gertrude, it seems, usually got her way."

"And now", Jean interrupted, "The copy was here all those years until my grandmother gave it to Mme. Butz. It is up to us to see that her last wish about the portrait is carried out. We'll see Picasso and find the truth."

(Jean d'Aiguy and Noriko)

"Yes", from Bruce. "We'll leave in the morning."
"But first", said Noriko, "I have a special surprise for dinner. I am going to make a Japanese meal."

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