The Case of the Stolen Art Work

by Karen Stillwagon

  “Same button for opening and closing the door,” Dee said as she pushed the button. The garage door opened and Lorelei drove her Sidekick in and parked near a newer Toyota Prius. She got out, grabbed the box that held the glass sculpture and went to the back door which opened up to the back yard and under the steps to her apartment. She stopped and looked at a large shoe collection that lined the back wall. None of the shoes had matches, just an eclectic collection of boots, tennis shoes, sandals and a few high heels.

  As she met Dee in the back yard, with the box tucked under her arm, she asked, “What’s with all the shoes?”

  Dee started laughing as Lily and Bindi chased a ball she had just thrown.

  “I always thought it funny seeing an old shoe laying by the side of the road, and always told myself little stories of how a lone shoe would end up there. And after Harry died, well, I started picking up those old shoes and giving each one a story.”

  “That is hilarious! I would love to hear those stories some time,” Lorelei laughed.

  “I have them all written down in a notebook by my desk. Keeps my imagination active,” Dee said.

  “One of these times you may just find a shoe with a foot inside of it.”

  “Now that would be a story!”

  As they started inside, Lorelei handed the box to Dee, “Can you hold this and I will get the girls dried off,” she said as she handed to box to Dee and grabbed the towel to dry Lily and Bindi off. The rain had stopped and blue sky was peeking through the clouds but the dogs were still wet from running in the grass.

  “I guess I should have waited to show you my car so you didn’t have to do the stairs,” Lorelei said as she remembered Dee didn’t feel up to walking the stairs this morning.

  “After the soak in the tub and Tylenol, I’m doing much better. And it’s best to walk the stiffness out anyway. If I sat around, I wouldn’t be able to move at all tomorrow.”

  Lorelei took the box from Dee and carried the box containing the glass sculpture upstairs.

  “Wait, I thought I left Bindi in the apartment when I left this morning,” Lorelei queried as they made their way to the living room.

  “Lily was crying at your door, and I could hear Bindi whining on the other side of the apartment door. I hope you don’t mind but I let her out so the two of them could play.”

  “Thank you,” Lorelei said, “I always hate leaving her home alone, but I wasn’t sure how long I was going to be gone, and I didn’t want her left in the car. We may have stormy weather but it’s still warm outside, and I won’t leave Bindi in a hot car.”

  “I was just making some tea, would you like some?” Dee asked from the kitchen.

  “I’d love some. I take milk in mine, no sugar.”

  “I swear we are like two peas in a pod,” Dee said coming out of the kitchen with two cups. She set Lorelei’s down on a coaster on the coffee table, next to the box and blew on her own cup, cooling it off.

  Lorelei opened the box, pulling out the Chihuly glass sculpture.

  Dee’s face went pale.

  “What’s the matter?” Lorelei asked.

  “Where did you get this?” Dee asked as she carefully took the glass sculpture from Lorelei.

  “Bought it at a pawn shop in North Bend after visiting the Hospice store. I was getting some stuff for the apartment. Why?”

  “You know what this is, don’t you?” Dee asked.

  “Yes, it’s a Chihuly. He has a glass museum in Tacoma.”

  “This sculpture was taken from Jim and Fran’s home.” Dee’s face paled further as she turned it over and looked at the bottom. “Jim commissioned this for their 15 wedding anniversary. The customary gift is crystal but he wanted to do something special. So he did glass and had this made for her. If you look closely at the bottom, you can just see the initials JF next to a 15.”

  “Well,” Lorelei let out a heavy sigh, “now we know where the stolen stuff was taken. But I didn’t see any art in there. Mostly it was tools, jewelry, guns, and household junk. How would anyone know about the art and to take it there?”

  “I’m not sure.” Dee set the sculpture down and stared at it. “How much did you pay for it?”

  “He was asking $3000, I talked him down to $1500. It’s worth much more than that.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “I wonder how he ended up with it. He was surprised I knew what it was, and he was eager to sell it after he found out I was from Washington.”

  “So he was willing to sell it to someone who wouldn’t show it off around here.”

  “What do we do now?” Lorelei asked as she set the piece back on the coffee table.

  “I guess the smartest thing would be to call the police, but that isn’t going to tell us who broke in.”

  “I have an idea,” Lorelei got up and started pacing. “I have a ‘date’,”. She help up her hands and made quotation marks in the air, “with the cop tomorrow morning.”

  “A breakfast date? Isn’t that a bit unusual?”

  “I’m meeting him and his parents at the Pancake Mill. You can’t really call that a date.”

  “How did you manage that?”

  “It’s complicated,” Lorelei said as she walked to the large bay windows to look out toward the ocean.

  Dee let out a cough, trying to hide her laughter. She went into the kitchen and after a moment brought out two more cups of tea. She handed one to Lorelei before she sat in one the chairs at the large bay window, keeping her composure. Lorelei took a seat in the chair opposite her and blew on the tea.

  “I promise not to laugh anymore,” Dee said from over the top of her cup, still trying to hide her smile.

  “When he was playing Black Jack, I was with him, trying to get pictures. I felt less obvious since I was with someone. When he finished playing, he said he was meeting his parents at the restaurant. When they showed up, they wanted to know if I would like to join him. I felt it would be rude to say no. Plus, I was hungry.”

  “And I had dinner here waiting so we could go over those photos.”

  “I know, but, well, I… I don’t know what I was thinking. Maybe if it was just him, but his parents asked me to join them. His parents! I was intrigued. I wanted to know more about him. And to be honest, I had a good time, other than his mom drank a little too much, but his dad was charming.”

  “And now you are having breakfast with them tomorrow.”

  “His mom invited me again! What was I supposed to do? Say no? Maybe they didn’t want to be alone with him.” Lorelei blurted out.

  “Did they give you that impression?” Dee asked.

  “No,” Lorelei mumbled. “They were genuine and we all had a nice visit.”

  “So, what’s your big plan then, with the cop?” Dee decided to let Lorelei off the hook about her breakfast date.

  “I thought maybe I could talk to him afterwards. And if it goes well I can invite him here so you and I can talk to him, and show him the Chihuly.”

  “What do you think he can tell us that we don’t already know?” Dee set her cup down on the table between them.

  “If I knew that I wouldn’t have to ask him questions about it.”

  “I’m not sure, but if you feel he would be able to help, I’m all up for it.” She grabbed her tea and took another sip.

  CHAPTER TEN

  LORELEI WOKE UP early, took a shower and got ready for her breakfast date. It wasn’t a date, she told herself, but she went through her clothes that had migrated from the bed to the top of her dresser. She put them away as she was deciding what to wear. She wanted to make a better second impression than she had at the casino, where she was in jeans and a sweatshirt, but she didn’t have much in the way of a snazzy wardrobe. Something else to put on her list of things to buy; new clothes.

  She opted for her standard Levi’s and a lavender angora sweater. She went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. There wasn’t much she could do with her long hair, maybe it was time to get it cut, and in a s
tyle that was easy to care for. She’d ask Dee if she knew of a salon that could help her out. Getting all the weight cut off would not only make it easier to work with but also relieve the tension from her neck.

  She found her eyeliner and her mascara, applied them both and was happy with the effect, accenting her green eyes. She found a clip and pulled her hair back from around her temples back so it wouldn’t get in the way of eating. Satisfied she left the bathroom and went to find some shoes. She had a pair of boots with three inch heals that would finish off her ensemble.

  Bindi was waiting for her at the door.

  “Let’s go out, and get you a bit of exercise.” She found a ball and took it with her to throw around in the yard.

  Bindi bounced after the ball and brought it back for her person to throw for her again. She never tired of this game. The farther her person threw it, the more she got to run. After the fifth time, Bindi brought it back, sat, and waited for it to be thrown again. She heard a door open and ran to greet Lily as Dee made her way over with two cups of coffee in hand.

  “I saw you playing and thought I would come visit before you head off,” she said, handing one of the cups to Lorelei.

  “What are your plans for the day?” Lorelei asked as she threw the ball one more time before taking the offered cup. Bindi and Lily chased the ball. Bindi got to it first, then ran around the yard with it in her mouth while Lily chased her.

  “Going to feed the cat, clean his cat box, then come back and probably do some gardening. There isn’t much to do in the garden, but I do like to keep the weeds pulled, and it gives me something to do to keep my mind off current events.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” Lorelei said she watched the dogs play.

  “Lily needed another dog to play with. I do my best to keep her occupied but sometimes she just needs a more rambunctious playmate,” Dee said after a few moments.

  “Did you ever think of getting another dog?” Lorelei blew on her coffee before taking a sip. The flavor burst in her mouth, her head anxious for the boost of caffeine.

  “One dog is enough for me,” Dee said. “The couple that rented the apartment last had a cat. He would sit on the fence and tease poor Lily. She would whimper and cry and the cat ignored her.”

  “I think Bindi is a better match.”

  At Bindi’s name, she came running up, with Lily behind her, tongue hanging out. Dee picked up the ball this time and threw it. She wasn’t able to throw as far as Lorelei. Bindi overshot where the ball had landed allowing Lily to get it first. Now Lily ran around the yard and Bindi bounced around her, barking, trying to get the ball.

  “Why don’t you leave Bindi with me while you are out? The weather is better and the two can play in the yard.”

  “What are your thoughts of getting a doggy door put in, in the apartment?” Lorelei asked.

  “I’ve thought about it since most people I rent to have a pet, If you know how to install one, go for it. I’m all for pets, as long as the owners know that when I re-rent the apartment, it needs to be clean so no one knows a pet was there previously.”

  “I’m guessing the people you rent to have their dogs as a family member so you would never know they were there.”

  “As luck would have it, you are right,” Dee laughed.

  Lorelei turned her wrist, looked at her FitBit to check the time.

  “I need to get my purse and head out.” She finished her coffee, handed the cup back to Dee, and made her way back upstairs. Bindi stopped chasing Lily and watched her climb the stairs. She turned back and started chasing Lily again.

  Lorelei came back down with a light blazer, a couple chew toys, and another ball.

  “I thought this might keep them occupied.” Lorelei tossed the toys out, one at a time and watched both dogs chase after them. Bindi picked up the other ball and chased Lily as they continued to run.

  “I’m guessing both will be worn out and asleep by the time you get back,” Dee laughed . She picked up the two empty cups that she had set on the small bench by the door. “You go have fun, and let me know what happens.”

  “I’m going to breakfast, it’s not like I’ll be gone until bedtime!”

  “You never know,” Dee said, teasing Lorelei a bit.

  “I’ll go have fun and I will be back early. I will call if he decides he wants to come over right away. Don’t want to spring that on you.” Lorelei gave Dee a quick hug before making her way to her car.

  She made it to the Pancake Mill, which was just off Highway 101, less than a mile from the casino. She parked and looked around at the other cars in the parking lot. She didn’t know what kind of car Michael drove or if he was even here yet. She got out, locked up, and headed for restaurant. There were chairs lining the walls where people were sitting, waiting for a table. The place seemed to be popular. She spotted Michael sitting in a chair furthest away from the door. There was an empty chair next to him. As she made her way to him, he looked up from his phone and sent a brilliant smile her direction.

  “I wasn’t sure if you were going to be here or not,” he said as he stood when she approached. He leaned down, and brushed his lips on her cheek.

  “I must admit, this is out of the ordinary for me,” she said as she took the empty chair next to his.

  “As it is for me.” He sat back down and put his phone in a pocket inside his jacket. “My parents will be late. Apparently they had a big dinner group last night and it went on for longer than expected.”

  “That’s okay, I don’t have anywhere I need to be anytime soon.”

  “No plans for the day?” he asked.

  “I’m not sure,” she said.

  “Michael Smith?” the hostess called out. They both stood at the sound of his name and followed the hostess to a corner booth at the front of the restaurant. She took a seat across from him. He looked out the window which gave him access to the parking lot.

  “Can I get some coffee started for you while you wait for the rest of your party?” she asked.

  “I’d like that, and with lots of cream,” Lorelei said.

  “And I’ll have the same, along with some water.”

  “Would you like water as well?” the hostess asked Lorelei.

  “I would, that would be great.”

  “I’ll have your waitress bring it right over.” She left, leaving them alone.

  “You dress up nicely,” Michael said.

  “Thank you, so do you.” Lorelei felt heat rising to her cheeks.

  “Didn’t mean to embarrass you,” he said.

  “You didn’t. As I said, I’m just new to this.”

  “You cannot tell me you haven’t been on a date before,” he said, leaning back in his chair.

  “Not in a very long time.”

  “That surprises me.”

  “Oh, I’ve been asked out. I just had too much going on with school and then moving around, trying to find the ideal place to live.”

  “And you think this is the ideal place?” Michael laughed.

  “This was my home when I was little. We moved away when I was about ten. This place has the ocean, beautiful beaches, rivers and lakes, and it’s not too far to drive if I need to go to a larger city. Only a two hour drive way,” she said. “Plus, I inherited my grandparents house right on the bluff, overlooking the light house.”

  The waitress brought them coffee and water. She set down a bowl of individual creamers between them. “You’re waiting for someone else to arrive?” she asked.

  “Yes, there are two more coming,” Michael said as he reached for the creamers. He grabbed three and started emptying them into his coffee. Lorelei grabbed four and did the same.

  “Can I ask you a question?” Lorelei asked as she stirred her coffee.

  “Sure.”

  “I think I bought a stolen piece of art work from a pawn shop. How should I handle it?”

  “I guess it depends. What makes you think it was stolen?” He set his spoon down, took a drink, and waited for her to
continue.

  Lorelei let out a deep breath, finding the courage to tell him what happened that morning when she found Dee on the beach.

  “When I took Dee Brown home from the hospital, I knew something was wrong. She asked me to stay with her that night,” she started.

  “And you hadn’t met her before?” he asked.

  “Apparently I had when I was little, and she knew my parents. I haven’t seen her in over fifteen years, but she trusted me. She said anyone who would leave their dog with them when they ran off to find help was a good person.”

  “I guess that makes sense.”

  “So, I stayed with her and she told me what had happened.” Lorelei picked up her spoon and absent-mindedly stirred her coffee again. “She said there was someone in the house she was watching. She didn’t tell anyone because the man was wearing some kind of uniform and she didn’t know who she could trust. We went back the next day to feed the cat and to look around. She noticed two painting were missing, but didn’t think anything else had been taken.”

  “Why didn’t she call us then?”

  “Because she thought it was a cop. She’s not so sure now. And I went to town yesterday to get stuff for my new apartment, which is above Dee’s garage, and walked into a pawn shop. I saw a Chihuly glass sculpture hidden behind some other stuff behind the counter and asked the man about it.”

  “A Chihuly?” Michael asked, “what’s a Chihuly?”

  “And that is the response I am thinking the man at the pawn shop would expect. Dale Chihuly is a well known glass artist with his own museum up in Tacoma. I’ve been to that museum many times with my parents, we even had some of his art. I recognized it and inquired about it. He seemed surprised I knew what it was. When I explained that I was from Washington area he agreed to sell it. I think it’s because he thought since I wasn’t from around here, not one would see it.”

  “Do you have this piece?” Michael asked, giving her his full attention now.

  “I took it to Dee’s to show her. She said it was stolen from the house she’s watching. She turned it over and showed me the initials on the bottom. Jim bought it for Fran on their 15th wedding anniversary. She showed me the JF15 inscribed on the bottom.”