Chapter 15

The following evening, Stone and the Eagles enjoyed an excellent steak dinner, then headed to the exhibit at Duchamp Gallery.

The place was packed with people dressed in everything from Prada dresses and Armani suits to ripped Levi's and BlackPink T-shirts. Stone spotted three well-known actors who had vacation homes in the area, and an aging pop star now famous for judging TV singing shows.

"The artist is local," Susannah said. "Ivonne Cervantes. Have you heard of her?"

"I haven't," Stone admitted.

"Then you're in for a treat."

There were more than thirty paintings on display, most of them mounted to the walls, with a few scattered throughout the space, hanging from the ceiling on wires.

Susannah guided them to the nearest piece, a stunning photo-realistic portrait of an older Hispanic woman defiantly staring forward, over an abstract background of multicolored rays.

Susannah was right. Cervantes's work was stunning.

A woman approached, smiling broadly. She had long salt-and-pepper hair that fell well below her shoulders and looked like a younger version of the woman in the painting.

"Ed, Susannah, I'm so glad you could make it."

She gave them each a kiss on the cheek.

"Wouldn't have missed it for the world," Susannah said. "Stone, I'd like to introduce you to Ivonne Cervantes. Ivonne, this is our friend Stone Barrington."

"A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Barrington."

"Please, call me Stone. And the pleasure is all mine, Ms. Cervantes. Your work is exquisite."

"You are too kind. And if I'm to call you Stone, then you must call me Ivonne."

"Ivonne, then." He gestured to the painting "I take it she's a relative."

She smiled. "My mother."

"Speaking of mothers," Susannah said. "You may be familiar with Stone's."

"Oh? And who is she?"

"Matilda Stone," Stone said.

"My God. I love her work."

"As do I."

"I attended an exhibit in New York that included several pieces of hers. They drew me in instantly."

"She would have appreciated that. For me, each is more than just the painting itself. They're memories of her and my father and our lives together. Which makes them priceless as far as I'm concerned."

"Do you own many yourself?"

"Not nearly as many as I'd like." He looked back at the painting on the wall near them. "I must say, your work shares the same qualities as hers."

Ivonne tucked her arm through his. "For that, you get a guided tour. And, please, don't feel the need to hold back on compliments."

She took Stone and the Eagles around the gallery, giving insights into each painting they passed.

They were about halfway through the exhibit when a man approached, smiling broadly. "And who do we have here?"

He couldn't have been more than five and a half feet tall, and was dressed in a vibrant blue suit, matching blue tie, and black shirt. His thick-framed glasses were also blue, and his spiked graying hair seemed glued in place.

"These are my good friends Susannah and Ed Eagle, and their friend Stone Barrington," Ivonne said. She motioned to the man. "This is Simon Duchamp, owner of the gallery."

Simon flashed a set of bright white teeth. "Isn't Ivonne's work marvelous?" Without waiting for an answer, he leaned forward and stage-whispered, "We've already sold six. So, if there's one you're interested in, I wouldn't wait too long."

"Oh, Simon, stop with the hard sell," Ivonne said, though the news clearly pleased her.

"Are you collectors?" Simon asked.

"We have several works by local artists in our home," Ed said. "Including two by Ivonne."

"I love hearing that. And you, Mr. Barrington?"

"I am."

"His mother was Matilda Stone," Ivonne says.

Simon's expression seemed to momentarily freeze, then his eyes brightened as if he were impressed. "My, my. That's wonderful. Such a talent. Do you have any of her paintings?"

"Over a dozen."

"How remarkable. Would you ever consider selling any? If so, I know I wouldn't have any problem finding a buyer."

"Not even if I was down to my last penny. But if you ever hear of one coming on the market, I would be very interested. I take pleasure in finding them and adding to my collection." Stone pulled out a business card and handed it to Simon.

"If that happens, you'll be my first call." Simon slipped the card into his pocket. "Now, if you'll excuse us. Ivonne, there's someone you should meet."

"Do you mind continuing on your own?" Ivonne asked.

"We've already monopolized you more than we should have," Stone said.

"Nonsense. I enjoyed every second."

"Lunch next week?" Susannah asked her.

"Absolutely." Ivonne gave them a quick wave and followed Simon into the crowd.

Ed excused himself to use the restroom, and Stone and Susannah moved to the next painting, joining two women who were already admiring it. Both had dark hair, one with hers cut just above her shoulders, and the other with hers falling halfway down her back. The former looked familiar to Stone, but he couldn't place where he'd seen her.

"Donna?" Susannah said.

The woman with shorter hair looked over. "Susannah."

They hugged.

"It's good to see you out," Susannah said.

She introduced her to Stone as Donna Otero, and upon hearing the name, he realized she was one of the people who'd left Ed's office the day before.

Donna introduced the other woman with her as her cousin, Monica Reyes.

Monica's dark eyes lingered on Stone's as she said, "Nice to meet you."

"And I you," he said, his gaze lingering in the same way.

"Do you live in Santa Fe, Stone?" Donna asked.

"I used to have a house here, but my home has always been in New York."

"What do you do there?"

"He's a partner at one of the most prestigious law firms in the city," Susannah said.

"We like to think the most," Stone said.

Donna's face brightened. "You're the one interested in my father's property, aren't you?"

"Well…"

"Sorry. I didn't mean to blindside you. Ed told my brother that he'd shown the property to someone he knew from New York who might be interested in buying it. He never mentioned a name."

"Interested, yes, but no promises an offer will be forthcoming."

"I understand. But you should know we are…What's the term?"

"Motivated sellers?" Monica offered.

"That's it."

"Don't let Ed know you told me that, or he'll give you a stern talking to," Stone said.

"Don't let Ed know what?" Ed said, rejoining them.

Donna mimed sealing her lips, then whispered to Stone, "Remember, motivated."