False Impression

“Change of plan,” said Tina. “It’s just been announced by the FAA that all aircraft across America have been grounded until further notice and no incoming flights will be allowed to land, so by now the Van Gogh will be on its way back to Heathrow.”

“Then I’ll need to call Victoria immediately,” said Anna, “and tell her to instruct Ruth Parish to return the painting to Wentworth Hall.”

“Agreed,” said Tina, “but I’ve just realized that Fenston has lost something even more important than the Monet.”

“What could be more important to him than the Monet?” asked Anna.

“His contract with Victoria, and all the other paperwork that proves he owns the Van Gogh along with the rest of the Wentworth estate should she fail to clear the debt.”

“But didn’t you keep backups?” asked Anna.

Tina hesitated. “Yes,” she said, “in a safe in Fenston’s office.”

“But don’t forget that Victoria will also be in possession of all the relevant documents.”

Tina paused again. “Not if she was willing to destroy them.”

“Victoria would never agree to that,” said Anna.

“Why don’t you phone her and find out? If she did feel able to, it would give you more than enough time to sell the Van Gogh and clear the debt with Fenston, before he could do anything about it.”

“There’s only one problem.”

“What’s that?” asked Tina.

“I don’t have her number. Her file is in my office, and I’ve lost everything, including my cell phone and Palm Pilot, even my wallet.”

“I’m sure international directories can solve that problem,” suggested Tina. “Why don’t you dry yourself and put on a bathrobe? We can sort out some clothes later.”

“Thank you,” said Anna, gripping her by the hand.

“You might not thank me when you find out what you’re having for lunch. Mind you, I wasn’t expecting a guest, so you’ll have to make do with leftover Chinese.”

“Sounds great,” said Anna, as she stepped out of the bath and grabbed a towel, wrapping it tightly around her.

“See you in a couple of minutes,” said Tina, “by which time the microwave should have completely finished off my gourmet offering.” She turned to leave.

“Tina, can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“Why do you continue to work for Fenston, when you obviously detest the man as much as I do?”

Tina hesitated. “Anything but that,” she eventually replied. She closed the door quietly behind her.

14

RUTH PARISH PICKED up her outside line.

“Hi, Ruth,” said a familiar voice, about to deliver an unfamiliar message. “It’s Ken Lane over at United, just to let you know that our flight 107, bound for New York, has been ordered to turn back, and we’re expecting it to touch down at Heathrow in about an hour.”

“But why?” asked Ruth.

“Details are a bit sketchy at the moment,” Ken admitted, “but reports coming out of JFK suggest there’s been a terrorist attack on the Twin Towers. All U.S. airports have been ordered to ground their planes, and won’t be allowing any incoming flights until further notice.”

“When did all this happen?”

“Around one thirty our time. You must have been at lunch. You can get an update on any news station. They’re all carrying it.”