“Of course, love,” came back the immediate reply. The barmaid opened the cash register and handed Anna two pound coins. Daylight robbery, Anna wanted to tell her, but she didn’t have time to argue.
“The phone’s just beyond the restaurant, to your right.”
Anna dialed a number that she could never forget. The phone rang only twice before a voice announced, “Good afternoon, Sotheby’s.”
Anna fed a coin into the slot, and said, “Mark Poltimore, please.”
“I’ll put you through.”
“Mark Poltimore.”
“Mark, it’s Anna, Anna Petrescu.”
“Anna, what a pleasant surprise. We’ve all been anxious about you. Where were you on Tuesday?”
“Amsterdam,” she replied.
“Thank God for that,” said Mark. “Terrible business. And Fenston?”
“Not in the building at the time,” said Anna, “and that’s why I’m calling. He wants your opinion on a Van Gogh.”
“Authenticity or price?” asked Mark. “Because when it comes to provenance, I bow to your superior judgment.”
“There’s no discussion on its provenance,” said Anna, “but I would like a second opinion on its value.”
“Is it one we would know?”
“Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear,” said Anna.
“The Wentworth Self-Portrait?” queried Mark. “I’ve known the family all my life and had no idea they were considering selling the painting.”
“I didn’t say they were,” said Anna without offering further explanation.
“Are you able to bring the painting in for inspection?” asked Mark.
“I’d like to, but I don’t have secure enough transport. I was hoping you might be able to help.”
“Where is it now?” asked Mark.
“In a bonded warehouse at Heathrow.”
“That’s easy enough,” said Mark. “We have a daily pickup from Heathrow. Would tomorrow afternoon be convenient?”
“Today, if possible,” said Anna. “You know what my boss is like.”
“Hold on. I’ll just need to find out if they’ve already left.” The line went silent, although Anna could hear her heart thumping. She placed the second pound coin in the slot—the last thing she needed was to be cut off. Mark came back on the line. “You’re in luck. Our handler is picking up some other items for us around four. How does that suit you?”
“Fine, but could you do me another favor and ask them to call Ruth Parish at Art Locations, just before the van is due to arrive?”
“Sure. And how long do we have to value the piece?”
“Forty-eight hours.”
“You’d come to Sotheby’s first if you ever considered selling the Self-Portrait, wouldn’t you, Anna?”
“Of course.”
“I can’t wait to see it,” said Mark.