Manof Chpt 24

Chapter 24

(Gaudi's Parc Guell, pictured above)

Marina approached. She was freshly made up and wore a wide smile. Heads turned as she walked towards them. She was completely oblivious to anyone other than Carlos and Bruce.

"Hola. How is your lunch? I see you had the shellfish. It was to your taste?" But she didn't wait for an answer. She turned to the waiter and winked. He smiled broadly. "I'll have the Canelons a la barcelonesa. I just adore them."

They turned out to be a type of cannelloni stuffed with chicken livers and pork. "Hmm. This Freixenet is wonderful."

Carlos interrupted. "What do you know about da Vinci?"

"Not more than the usual. Why do you ask?"

"Senor Kellner is an investigator. He was asking me about a small da Vinci drawing that has gone missing."

"But you probably know less about his work than I do."

"Perhaps. But it seems that a small drawing that was owned by my ex wife has been stolen in France."

Was the Drawing Stolen?

"And why would you know about that? Did you steal it?" she laughed.

"Hardly. But Senor Kellner seems to think I might have mentioned that I saw it at Hautefort when I was there to someone who may know something about its disappearance."

She looked a Bruce for a moment. "If it was an original, I have heard nothing in the wind about anyone having it or wanting to sell it. Perhaps the person who took it wanted it for himself. If it has value, and I'm sure it has, it may never see the light of day again and surely it was insured."

"I am not an insurance investigator. I do investigations and I am doing this as a favor for the family."

(An intrqiguing window scene, Barcelona)

"Well," she admitted, "there are many sly, crafty and greedy people out there. If it goes up for sale some people could hear about it."

Carlos asked, "Do you think a simple line drawing would have value?"

"If it was a da Vinci, certainly. Of course, we're assuming that its authentic."

Bruce put out his cigar. "Who might be interested in having such a piece? It would be difficult to show anyone, if it was known to be stolen."

"Many people. There are collectors who keep their holdings in large safes. It is the ownership that creates the mystique." Then she added, "It could be anywhere: in France or in America by now. Don't you agree?"

Bruce thought a moment. "Yes, I'm sure you are right. I'll have to widen my search."

"Maybe not," said Rina. "There are avid collectors all around central France. In the most unlikely small villages. I can supply you with a few addresses, if you like. There is even one in Amboise where the master died."

"That would be most helpful. Thank you."

Idle Chatter After Lunch

They finished their lunch with idle chatter about the news, the weather and about business. The waiter brought a plate of Coca de Sant Joan, a yeasty cake topped with candied fruits and pine nuts. Carlos explaned that it was usually served on St John's night and was freshly baked. They all agreed that it was special.

Out on the street Rina said she would prepare a list and send it to Bruce's hotel. She returned to the shop and Carlos joined Bruce for a short walk before he had to return too.

"She's an interesting lady," Bruce observed, "and quite intelligent."

"Yes. It was with Rina that I was involved when Marie-Claude and I divorced. She has been a big help to me. Do you find her attractive?"

"Certainly. But I'm sure most men would be attracted to her."

"Yes, but still, we never married. We even live apart, still. There is always something mysterious about Rina. I can't put my finger on it. But I can't give her up either. She says there are great lovers but no truly great husbands."

The conversation turned to the architecture and politics. Gaudi had brought fresh ideas to Barcelona. Franco had destroyed the freedom of a people who needed to be free. Carlos talked about Gaudi's Parc Guell.

Gaudi's Parc Guell

"You must see it for yourself. And the Sagrada Familia started as early as 1883. It is only partially finished but it is a work of genius. It is not far from here. You can be there in ten minutes. Gaudi is buried in the crypt. He was struck down by a street car in 1926. On your way you can see Casa Mila on the Passeig de Gracia. Some people call it the Stone Quarry but for me it is the greatest contribution to Barcelona's civic architecture."

He jotted down a few other sites that should not be missed including works by Puig I Cadafalch like Casa Amattller and and Casa Terrades.

"Before you leave, you must visit the Palau de Musica. Then you can drop in and say goodbye as it faces our shop, as you probably know. And, if we do not meet again, please send my love to Marie Claude. I will always have a soft spot for her. Tell her I think about her often."

The two men shook hands and went their separate ways.

(Click here for Chapter 25)


	Chapter 24 (Gaudi's Parc Guell, pictured above) Marina approached. She was freshly made up and wore a wide smile. Heads turned as she walked towards them. She was completely oblivious to anyone other than Carlos and Bruce. "Hola. How is your lunch? I see you had the shellfish. It was to your taste?" But she didn't wait for an answer. She turned to the waiter and winked. He smiled broadly. "I'll have the Canelons a la barcelonesa. I just adore them." They turned out to be a type of cannelloni stuffed with chicken livers and pork. "Hmm. This Freixenet is wonderful." Carlos interrupted. "What do you know about da Vinci?" "Not more than the usual. Why do you ask?" "Senor Kellner is an investigator. He was asking me about a small da Vinci drawing that has gone missing." "But you probably know less about his work than I do." "Perhaps. But it seems that a small drawing that was owned by my ex wife has been stolen in France." Was the Drawing Stolen? "And why would you know about that? Did you steal it?" she laughed. "Hardly. But Senor Kellner seems to think I might have mentioned that I saw it at Hautefort when I was there to someone who may know something about its disappearance." She looked a Bruce for a moment. "If it was an original, I have heard nothing in the wind about anyone having it or wanting to sell it. Perhaps the person who took it wanted it for himself. If it has value, and I'm sure it has, it may never see the light of day again and surely it was insured." "I am not an insurance investigator. I do investigations and I am doing this as a favor for the family." (An intrqiguing window scene, Barcelona) "Well," she admitted, "there are many sly, crafty and greedy people out there. If it goes up for sale some people could hear about it." Carlos asked, "Do you think a simple line drawing would have value?" "If it was a da Vinci, certainly. Of course, we're assuming that its authentic." Bruce put out his cigar. "Who might be interested in having such a piece? It would be difficult to show anyone, if it was known to be stolen." "Many people. There are collectors who keep their holdings in large safes. It is the ownership that creates the mystique." Then she added, "It could be anywhere: in France or in America by now. Don't you agree?" Bruce thought a moment. "Yes, I'm sure you are right. I'll have to widen my search." "Maybe not," said Rina. "There are avid collectors all around central France. In the most unlikely small villages. I can supply you with a few addresses, if you like. There is even one in Amboise where the master died." "That would be most helpful. Thank you." Idle Chatter After Lunch They finished their lunch with idle chatter about the news, the weather and about business. The waiter brought a plate of Coca de Sant Joan, a yeasty cake topped with candied fruits and pine nuts. Carlos explaned that it was usually served on St John's night and was freshly baked. They all agreed that it was special. Out on the street Rina said she would prepare a list and send it to Bruce's hotel. She returned to the shop and Carlos joined Bruce for a short walk before he had to return too. "She's an interesting lady," Bruce observed, "and quite intelligent." "Yes. It was with Rina that I was involved when Marie-Claude and I divorced. She has been a big help to me. Do you find her attractive?" "Certainly. But I'm sure most men would be attracted to her." "Yes, but still, we never married. We even live apart, still. There is always something mysterious about Rina. I can't put my finger on it. But I can't give her up either. She says there are great lovers but no truly great husbands." The conversation turned to the architecture and politics. Gaudi had brought fresh ideas to Barcelona. Franco had destroyed the freedom of a people who needed to be free. Carlos talked about Gaudi's Parc Guell. Gaudi's Parc Guell "You must see it for yourself. And the Sagrada Familia started as early as 1883. It is only partially finished but it is a work of genius. It is not far from here. You can be there in ten minutes. Gaudi is buried in the crypt. He was struck down by a street car in 1926. On your way you can see Casa Mila on the Passeig de Gracia. Some people call it the Stone Quarry but for me it is the greatest contribution to Barcelona's civic architecture." He jotted down a few other sites that should not be missed including works by Puig I Cadafalch like Casa Amattller and and Casa Terrades. "Before you leave, you must visit the Palau de Musica. Then you can drop in and say goodbye as it faces our shop, as you probably know. And, if we do not meet again, please send my love to Marie Claude. I will always have a soft spot for her. Tell her I think about her often." The two men shook hands and went their separate ways. (Click here for Chapter 25)