The Impossible Crime
Sebastian paced back and forth, waiting for John to change into a suit. Finally john emerged from the bedroom and slipped his gold detective’s shield into place.
‘’See you later, boy,” John said, patting Sebastian on the head.
What did John mean, see you later? What good was only half of a detective team? Sebastian darted for the door with john.
“Stay!” John commanded sharply. He slipped out.
Sebastian glowered at the closed door. Well, he’d just wait until John was on his way, then he’d go. He pawed at the TV remote control.
“- is chaotic here at the art museum,” the reporter said. where we have just witness the theft of a Delavois that has only recently been uncovered. It had been missing since World War II, when it was allegedly stolen from a private collection in Paris by invading forces.
The camera moved about the room, showing two other paintings on the walls. A noisy group of men and women dressed in evening clothes milled about, talking to uniformed police officers.
“We are going to roll the tape again and let you see exactly what happened, as it happened,’’ the reporter said.
Sebastian eased back on his haunches, watching. Maybe he could spot a clue.
The word tape appeared at the bottom of the screen as the mayor cut a red ribbon that stretched across the entrance to the room.
the crowd applauded, then moved past two police officers, one either side of the entry. Sebastian recognized Officer Bridges and Officer Byers from his own precinct. the small room was a surprising change from the rest of the stark white museum.
Red wallpaper with felt roses covered the walls.
A fancy brocade love seat and matching chairs, along with a marble coffee table and a chandelier with crystal teardrops, helped make the room look eighteenth-century French. Three paintings that looked about thirty-six by forty-eight inches each were framed in gilded wood.
as the film rolled, Amanda Chandler told how Paris had been invaded during World War II and valuable art carried from the city, some of it hidden away in caves in the French countryside.
“many works of art were stolen. Other pieces were hidden away by their owners. The intention was to bring the art from hiding after the war. But some paintings and sculptures were never recovered.” she said. “There is much speculation about their whereabouts.”
Amanda Chandler turned to a grim-looking man in a tuxedo. “Museum director Olen Hatchett is with me. When will the exhibit open to the public?” She asked.
“Tomorrow,” he replied. “We’re thrilled about all three paintings, but we’re particularly excited to be the first in the United States to exhibit the lost Dalavois. Francois Depaigne, the owner of the paintings, is accompanying them on the tour. Professor Raphael Diehl, the world’s foremost Delavois expert, had planned to tour. Professor Raphael Diehl, the world’s foremost Delavois expert, had planned to examine the painting in Atlanta. But now he’s decided to see it here instead and is en route at this very moment. Unfortunately, it seems that bad weather has delayed his flight. When he authenticates the paining, there will probably be a frenzy of bidding by art dealers. And it will all happen here!”
A little circle appeared on the screen around a short, round mam with more hair on his face than on top of his head. Writing on the screen identified him as Francois Depaigne. “Herr Otto Stratmeyer,
the exhibit designer, and art patrons and collectors from all over the world are among our guests tonight,” Mr. Hatchett continued as the circle surrounded a tall, wiry man with a shock of brown hair that looked like the bristles of a brush.
“It’s quite a triumph for us to have this rare exhibit,” Mr. Hatchett said. “Now if you’ll excuse me…” He snapped his fingers at a sour-faced man with a tray. “Keep the hors d’oeuvres coming!”
The man with the tray nodded, but when Hatchett had turned his attention elsewhere, the man scowled at his back.
“that was Olen Hatchtt, director of the museum where this fantastic exhibit of newly found art is on display,” Amanda Chandler said. As the camera moved through the crowd, she said, “We’re looking now at Mrs.Lovee Laripe, who until this recent art discovery owned the most envied private collection in the art world. It’s rumored that she has offered one hundred million to Monsieur Depaigne for the three painting.”
As the people crowed each other, struggling for the best view, the paintings were obscured from sight. “let’s make our waybthough the crowd and talk to Mrs., Lariope and Monsieur Depaigne”
suddenly the screen went black. there was a distinct, loud thud, a few gasps, and muffled screams and scuffling sounds.