Graves of Retribution by Lina Gardiner

Author:Lina Gardiner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BelleBooks, Inc
Published: 2019-12-09T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

REGENT MET GASTON at his office.

“Jess and Britt have been told the newest painting might be a forgery. They’re wondering if you’d be able to tell by looking at the photo you took of it.”

“Maybe,” Gaston said. “If I’d restored it rather than just framed it, I’d have been more aware of the brushstrokes. They won’t be as visible in the photo, but unless the forger is very, very good, there’ll be clues that it’s not an original Calmet painting.”

Regent retrieved the photo from the envelope he’d brought with him. Gaston had a large magnifying glass nearby, and he went to work.

“Well? What do you think?” Regent asked after he’d been waiting at least ten minutes.

Gaston lifted his head. “It’s really good. So good I almost missed it, too, but they’re right; it is a forgery.”

Regent sighed. That meant the odd stranger Jess had met had been telling the truth about the painting. She’d be happy to hear it. “Any luck with the language in the book?” Regent felt guilty asking so much of his friend.

Gaston shook his head. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before. It doesn’t even seem to have the regular syntax of a normal language, so I can’t figure out the easier words like ‘and’ or ‘the’ to be able to pick out other letters. I’m afraid I’m not going to be able to help you with it.” Gaston ran a hand over his eyes, as if just thinking about the language made his brain sore.

“I’m very grateful for your help. I knew it was a long shot. Sampson has been working on it for years and hasn’t managed to find anything either.”

Gaston frowned. “Didn’t you say you just found the book when you arrived in Paris? How could Sampson have been working on it for years?”

Oh darn. Regent had nearly given away the fact that Sampson had found the vampire scrolls. No one could know about those. They were too valuable and too dangerous—he couldn’t let anyone know of their existence.

“Thank you for the information on the painting. That’s good news.”

“It is?” Gaston looked concerned. “Not in my books. I’ll have to report it.”

“Can you keep my name out of it? I’d rather not get the Church’s ire up by being involved in something like this. I’m supposed to be doing research on old books, not finding forgeries at the Louvre.”

Gaston saluted him. “Not a problem. In fact, it’ll be a feather in my cap, having noticed it. I might get a pay hike out of it, thanks to you.”

Regent stood. “I hope you do. Are you coming over Saturday evening? Sampson will be here. He found a new bottle of brandy to try.”

“Try to keep me away,” Gaston said, turning his attention back to the photo and frowning.

Gaston was so involved with the photo, Regent didn’t think he noticed when he left the apartment. Jess didn’t like him walking the streets alone, so he’d stick to the main touristy thoroughfares to be safe.

He

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