In the Eye of the Beholder by Jeffrey Archer

Author:Jeffrey Archer
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780312362645
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

“I would be delighted to do so,” said Gian Lorenzo, as the head waiter placed a chocolate trifle in front of Paolo’s wife, with a bowl of créme fraîche on the side.

“Excellent,” said Paolo, “let’s keep in touch.”

Gian Lorenzo smiled and shook his old friend by the hand. He well remembered the last occasion Paolo had made such an offer.

But then some people consider such suggestions nothing more than polite conversation. Gian Lorenzo turned to Angelina and bowed low before walking back across the restaurant to rejoin the Contessa.

“Time for us to leave, I fear,” said Gian Lorenzo, glancing at his watch, “especially if I’m to catch the first plane to Rome in the morning.”

“Did you manage to sell my Canaletto to your friend?” asked the Contessa, as she rose from her place.

“No,” replied Gian Lorenzo, as he waved in the direction of Paolo’s table, “but he did suggest that we keep in touch.”

“And will you?”

“That might be quite difficult,” admitted Gian Lorenzo, “as he didn’t give me his number, and I have a feeling Signor and Signora Castelli will not be listed in the Yellow Pages.”

Gian Lorenzo took the first flight back to Rome the following morning. The Canaletto was to follow him at a more leisurely pace. No sooner had he set foot in the gallery than his secretary rushed out of the office, spilling out the words, “Paolo Castelli has already called twice this morning. He apologized for not giving you his number,” she added, “and wondered if you would be kind enough to phone him, just as soon as you get in.”

Gian Lorenzo walked calmly into his office, sat down at his desk and composed himself. He then tapped out the number his secretary had placed in front of him. The call was first answered by a butler, who transferred him to a seeretary, before he was finally connected to Paolo.

“After you left last night, my little angel spoke of nothing else,” began Paolo. “She has never forgotten her visit to the Contessa’s home, where she first saw her magnificent art collection. She wondered if the reason you were meeting with the Contessa was—”

“I don’t think it would be wise to discuss this matter over the phone,” said Gian Lorenzo, whose father had also taught him that deals are rarely made on the telephone, but almost always face to face. One needs the client to view the picture, and then you allow them to hang it on a wall in their home for several days. There is a crucial moment when the buyer considers the painting already belongs to them. Not until then do you start to negotiate the price.

“Then you’ll have to return to Venice,” said Paolo matter-of-factly. “I’ll send the private jet.”

Gian Lorenzo flew to Venice the following Friday. A Rolls-Royce was parked on the runway, waiting to take him to the Villa Rosa.

A butler greeted Gian Lorenzo at the front door before escorting him up a large marble staircase to a suite of

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