The Prize

by Vanessa Fewings

  But I knew Tobias.

  All I’d seen had provided me with a window into his soul and I loved everything about him.

  Everything.

  My thoughts drifted to St. Joan of Arc and I sent her a silent message into the ether: we did it.

  Adrenaline still raged through my veins when we pulled the van up outside the Manhattan home. It took us just less than an hour to cover each painting with cloth to conceal them and then carry them carefully into the house. The drones were boxed up one by one, and Tobias and I brought them in too and secured them once more behind the steel door in his work space.

  Tobias stood back and watched as I spent a moment with each painting, admiring the canvases and reminiscing about the memories each one brought, allowing my heart to contemplate us pulling this off.

  “Zara?” Tobias grabbed my attention and his gaze moved over to our fake Mona Lisa. “Want me to do the honors?”

  I gave a wary nod and pulled my gaze from the painting as though Lisa Gherardini Giocondo herself was staring back at me, aware of her fate. “Make sure she’s the right one.”

  “Over there.” He pointed to the canvas he’d pulled out from his rucksack. “Never tell anyone how we got her out.”

  “We didn’t have any choice.” I made my way over to the real painting, the other Mona Lisa that had remained hidden all these years and looked so similar to the one in the Louvre, and leaned in to study her. “What a find, Tobias.”

  “You’re going to need to forgive yourself for stealing her.”

  I gave a tight smile. “Collateral damage.”

  “Indeed.”

  “Let’s find who really owns her.”

  “Don’t get addicted to the rush, Zara. It’s a slippery road.”

  “I’ll get us a drink.” I headed up the ramp.

  Within the kitchen, I placed the kettle onto the stove and pulled out two mugs ready to make some decaf tea. I clicked on the gas and popped a tea bag into each mug.

  My body ached and adrenaline still bubbled beneath the surface. I wanted to get those paintings to The Wilder as fast as possible where they could be guarded by state-of-the-art technology. I was glad it was over—

  My body froze as a wave of terror drenched me in sweat. I was going to just stand by and allow it to happen. What if he’d done it already? I flew out of there, raced into the foyer, and jolted when I made it to the bottom of the stairs and saw Tobias heading along the landing.

  I bolted up the stairs after him. Tobias continued into the master bedroom. I caught up with him in time to see him pulling off his shoes and falling back onto the bed.

  He lay there with his clothes on and his hands resting behind his head and yawning. “Let’s go to bed.”

  “Where is she? The Mona Lisa?”

  “You’ll never see her again, Zara.”

  “Tell me you didn’t burn her.”

  He pushed himself up onto his elbows. “No.”

  “Then how?”

  He patted the bed. “Sit down.”

  “Tobias?”

  “I didn’t want you to think of me as the person who’d destroyed her. Didn’t want you looking at me that way.” He gave a shrug. “I delegated.”

  “Who to?”

  “Jade.”

  “What if she misunderstands? What if she destroys the wrong one?”

  He sprung up off the bed. “She wouldn’t do that.”

  I read doubt in him, I was sure of it, and turned on my heels and bolted along the hallway and down the staircase, through the foyer and all the way into his workshop.

  I yelled when I saw the authentic Mona Lisa was gone. All of the paintings were gone.

  Tobias caught up and followed my stare.

  “Where are they?” I burst out.

  “Here.” He hurried through and quickly made it to the chrome door at the back. “Open the door, Jade.”

  Barging past him I needed to see them all before I took my next breath. They were all stacked neatly, and there at the end lying on a flat board was the authentic portrait of the Mona Lisa. Approaching her, I peered down at the painting, needing reassurance there was no foul play going on here, no smoke and mirrors, no betrayal that I’d been too dazed to catch.

  Tobias wrapped his arms around me. “See, everything’s okay.”

  A chill washed over me as I turned to look up at him. “How is it to be done?”

  “I thought this was what you wanted?” He frowned. “Having her do the honors lets us both off the hook.”

  That was true at least, but all I could think of was how beautiful that painting was, how mesmerizing, how profound an existence.

  Running from the house, knowing the others—the ones we couldn’t carry—were burning up.

  I shoved Tobias aside and ran back into the main workshop. “Jade.”

  “Jesus, Zara.” Tobias was right behind me. “I thought this was what you wanted.”

  I jolted to a stop when I got to the kitchen and saw Jade hovering over the stove before the kettle. Tobias bumped into my back and I staggered forward toward the central island, and my gaze saw the painting lying flat on the granite. She was fine. The painting was in one piece and Jade hadn’t destroyed her.

  Jade’s long arm lifted the kettle and tipped boiling hot water into a mug and filled it to the brim.

  “She couldn’t do it, either,” I muttered.

  “That’s sweet of you, Jade,” Tobias said. “She’s making you tea. Wow, that’s a new one. Usually she needs an order for something like this. Next time leave enough room for milk, Jade.”

  “Okay, good.” I sat on the bar stool and Tobias sat beside me.

  I threw him a reassured smile and he threw one back.

  “I know it has to happen,” I whispered. “It’s just that I’m not ready. I mean, you created her and that means something.” I gazed down at the canvas. “She’s the first painting by an AI and this is a landmark event. Perhaps that alone should be taken into consideration. Maybe what I’ve viewed as an abomination all this time should be seen as a technical achievement.”

  Jade lifted the mug with one of her metal arms and carried it toward us. She’d failed to add milk this time but I didn’t mind, not really. She floated above the granite counter and hovered a few feet above the painting—and tipped boiling hot tea over Mona Lisa’s canvas, merging and melting the colors, and we flew backward to avoid the splash.

  “What the fuck!” yelled Tobias.

  Jade paused midtip, seemingly assessing his reaction.

  My chin quivered. “In the car, I told Jade on the way to rescue you, I needed her to destroy it.”

  “Still.” Tobias gestured his shock.

  Slowly, I turned to face him. “I told Jade the story of my dad doing this very same thing when he discovered a fake. She remembered.”

  His gaze moved to the painting. “She did the right thing.”

  I read that from him, no regret, no sadness, merely his acceptance and I breathed out a breath of relief, realizing we had fought for her, given her a second chance and somehow, someway fate had intercepted.

  “Fancy a nice cup of tea?” Tobias asked as he neared me, wrapping his arms around me and giving me the biggest hug.

  I nuzzled in to him and breathed out a long sigh. “Let’s go to bed.”

  We turned and hand in hand headed off to the bedroom together.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Two days later

  EVEN THOUGH I’D been in that underground chamber of Cloisters when Elliot Burell had confessed all the evil he’d unleashed, hearing his sinister rant pouring into the conference room at The Wilder Museum sent a chill down my spine.

  Tobias and I had flown back to LA last night and he’d used his remarkable resources to ship the art collection to this hilltop gallery without det
ection.

  Behind us upon an easel and covered in a veil of black silk ready to be revealed was a jewel in the crown of the art world. Knowing she was in this room with us felt surreal.

  Burell’s words were being replayed for Abby Reynolds, Adley Huntly and Special Agent Pearson, along with Tobias’s lawyer Reynard Linde. They swapped wary glances with each other at Burell’s confession. He was admitting on that tape to stealing my father’s artwork and the monstrous act of taking down Tobias’s plane. He’d shown pride at being the cruelest warlord and admitted illegal acts against humanity.

  Tobias raised the remote and stopped it. “This was recorded in New York so it’s admissible in court. As you can hear, that’s my voice and Zara’s.”

  Reynard looked up at him with pride. “We’ll prosecute to the max.”

  Tobias gave a nod. “Hopefully this will shut down the family’s foreign affairs and cease the murder of the innocent...” His words trailed off with the ease of a man who knew he’d achieved the remarkable.

  The pathway to peace was within our grasp after years of agony, and all because of him.

  Special Agent Pearson piped up. “We received an anonymous tip related to Burell’s dealings in the Middle East. The intel is with the Pentagon. Someone from the inside accessed all his data and forwarded it to us. His days of warring are over.”

  “Well, that is good news,” said Tobias and he reached out beneath the desk and squeezed my hand.

  “And that other matter?” I asked. “His son keeping an endangered animal?”

  “Who keeps a Bengal tiger as a pet?” asked Abby. “Haven’t they watched those TV shows where the bloody thing turns on them?”

  Agent Pearson agreed with a nod. “Eli Burell has received a $25,000 fine and will be getting jail time.”

  I let out a slow steady breath. “Noodle.”

  “I’m sorry?” Adley gave me an inquisitive look.

  “That’s what he calls his tiger,” I said remembering it had been a gift for Paige though I left that detail out.

  “And don’t forget that assault charge on Ms. Leighton,” said Abby. “I witnessed Eli Burell’s attack on her and I’m ready to testify. Add a few more years to his sentence.”

  Tobias’s hand became rigid in mine and he stared at me in horror.

  “Abby was right,” I told him. “She stopped him from hurting me.”

  Tobias’s grip tightened on my hand. “I hear the Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum also got its paintings back?”

  “Also?” Abby narrowed her gaze on Tobias.

  “Didn’t you hear? The Wilder Museum received a shipment of paintings just this morning and they are from the Romanov collection. My experts confirm the provenance rests with Ms. Leighton. If anyone has questions, please address them through Reynard. The Wilder will not be making a statement. The issue is over.”

  “Weren’t these the paintings discovered at the Burells’ house in Arizona?” asked Abby.

  I sat up straight. “Elliot Burell denied his paintings were connected to the Romanov collection. I believe you’ll hear that in his transcript.”

  “Where did they come from, then?” asked Abby.

  “I’m looking into it,” said Tobias.

  “And of course, I will be paying back the entire insurance payout as the paintings were not destroyed in a fire as first thought.”

  “Ms. Leighton,” said Reynard, “with your permission?” On my nod he continued. “We wish to discuss the subject of Icon.”

  “I was wondering when we were getting to that.” Abby’s tone was sarcastic.

  “My client Icon,” said Reynard with a controlled cadence, “who will continue to remain anonymous, has a gift for you. Mr. Huntly, as an act of good faith this gift will be proof he was at all times working for a higher purpose.”

  “This is going to be good.” Abby flashed a glance at Agent Pearson. “It doesn’t work like that. Right?”

  “Actually,” said Adley, “it does appear that Icon was restoring art to those who it was stolen from. These are our findings back at Huntly Pierre.”

  Abby looked exasperated. “Still, these were crimes and any illegal act must be prosecuted.”

  Adley reached over and rested his hand on Abby’s. “All the paintings are with their owners who hold full provenance.”

  “What about the families who believed they were theirs?” she added.

  “They were in possession of stolen property,” said Agent Pearson. “No charges will be pressed as it appears many of them had no idea of the illegal holding. Not in the States, anyway.”

  “Are you even a bit curious?” Adley used his chin to point to the painting behind the veil upon the stand.

  Abby rolled her eyes. “Go on, then. I know Adley’s itching to see what this is.”

  Tobias pushed himself to his feet. “I’m honored to have worked with Ms. Leighton. Here is what her expertise uncovered.” He whisked off the veil—

  It was the other Mona Lisa.

  The same one we’d rescued from Burell’s hands.

  My thoughts flashed back to the portrait Tobias had created and then unwittingly destroyed by Jade and it felt right to have witnessed it and seen for myself it was done. This authentic painting felt like a rush of fresh air, and I soaked in this moment as my gaze wandered over her knowing eyes and wistful smile.

  “Is she real?” asked Agent Pearson.

  “We believe so. We’re hoping Adley can confirm this?” Tobias grinned at him. “Maybe you can track down her provenance and find out who owns her.”

  “We’d be honored,” said Adley, standing to make his way over to the portrait. “Well, I’ll be.”

  “Where did you find her?” asked Abby.

  “We came upon her during a hunt for another painting,” I told her.

  “This will make history,” whispered Agent Pearson.

  Adley gave me a reassuring smile. “Come back to work, Zara. Start back as soon as possible.”

  I did my best to ignore Tobias’s stare that fixed on me.

  “Thank you, Adley, that means the world to me,” I said. “I’ll give your offer serious consideration.”

  “Make sure you guys get to see the Terra-Cotta Army exhibit,” Tobias offered. “Before you fly back.”

  “We’ve already had the pleasure of seeing it,” Adley told him. “Quite something. Very impressive achievement getting it here.”

  “I have an amazing team.” Tobias winked my way.

  “I’m glad everything is resolved.” Adley’s frown softened. “Things were a little touchy there for a while.”

  Tobias faced the Mona Lisa. “A greater purpose was hailing us and we responded to the call. She’s one of history’s greatest finds.”

  “And the dealer who had her?” asked Abby, throwing me a wary glance. “He’s just willing to give her up for the sake of letting her go to her true owner?”

  “He came around,” said Tobias.

  And with this painting having been obtained illegally by Elliot Burell, he’d have no recourse to complain. I prayed the person he’d stolen it from was still alive and could experience being reunited with such a treasure. We hoped whoever once owned her or inherited her would share Mona Lisa with the world.

  With the meeting wrapping up I held back to watch Abby secure the painting into the specialized carrier provided for them.

  She handled it carefully. “We’ll accept Mr. Wilder’s offer of a security escort to accompany us to London. He’s also offered for us to fly on his jet.”

  “I’m glad.” I helped her seal the carrier.

  She threw me a glance. “So many unscrupulous thieves out there ready to run off with a masterpiece.”

  “It’s over. I promise.”

  She gave me a knowing look. “Has Icon really given up his heroic
deeds?”

  “According to his lawyer, yes.”

  “I’m pretty good at sussing people up, Zara. You surprise me.”

  “Really? How?”

  “I thought you were a wallflower when I first met you. Assertive, yes, but not someone who would face off with the likes of Elliot Burell.”

  “Life presents challenges and we can either step up and face them or face the consequences.”

  She leaned in and whispered, “‘If the meaning to life had a taste you would be it.’”

  I jolted back and stared at her.

  “I listened to the recordings from the wire put on you,” she said softly. “That’s what Wilder told you in the ballroom while you were slow dancing.”

  My face burned like fire that she’d heard him say it.

  “I want a man who talks to me like that.” She shook her head. “That was pretty smooth.”

  “He was joking.” My fingers traced along my necklace and settled on the emerald.

  “No, Zara, he wasn’t. That man’s infatuated with you. I can see why. You know who you remind me of? You’re like a modern-day Joan of Arc. That painting really does deserve to be with you. I hope she turns up too.”

  I held her gaze to hold the lie that Joan was already with me again and right now she was in Tobias’s home waiting for me.

  She looked wistful. “You’re not coming back to London, are you?”

  “I never did thank you for saving me from Eli in The Plaza.”

  “That was nothing.”

  “It was brave and you seriously kicked his bodyguard’s butt.”

  She laughed. “You sound American already.”

  I smiled at her fondly.

  “Come here.” She pulled me into a hug. “I’m going to miss you. You’re one to watch on the art scene. Something tells me you’re going to be a leader in this profession.”

  Tobias appeared in the doorway. “Ready?”

  I gave him a nod and turned to Abby. “Say hi to everyone for me.”

  “I will.” Abby looked over at Wilder. “Look after her.”