Page 14 (2/2)

"I agree with you, Photon," she said quietly "And if we're right, it nature certainly fits He always signed his work in a very distinctive manner And his technique was also quite unique A very ti method that required layer upon layer of paint"

"Wow," Nick said "A genuine Thomas Upsall Who would have believed it? Wait until this news hits the art world"

She gave hinize the artist"

"Nope, can't say that I do"

"Me, either" Arizona looked hopeful "This Tho?"

"He produced s in the nineteen-fifties," Octavia said "His pictures were not very popular at the time, but in the past few years they have become extremely collectible There isn't a lot of his work around because he destroyed a great quantity of it during the last year of his life He died in the otten"

"What do you think this thing's worth?" Arizona asked

Octavia looked at the painting over her shoulder "If, and I stress the word if, it is a genuine Upsall, it could easily fetch a couple hundred thousand at auction Maybe two hundred and fifty"

They all stared at her

Virgil exhaled deeply "A couple hundred thousand dollars?"

"Yes Thehotter" Octavia gave the look and held up one hand "But to be on the safe side, I'd like to get a second opinion froue of mine who specializes in mid-twentieth-century abstract art She works in a museum in Seattle Unfortunately, she's on vacation until next week"

"Think we can get her to take a look at the picture when she returns?" Arizona asked

"Yes, for a fee," Octavia said "She consults She s up the question of what to do with it until we can get your colleague here to exail said "Now that we know it's worth two hundred grand orit here"

"I could take it home with me," Arizona replied "My security is top of the line But the spies up at the institute keep a round-the-clock watch onfroet curious Don't want to draw any attention right nohile we're at such a critical point in Project Log Book"

"I've got a security systeallery," Octavia said slowly "I suppose I could store the Upsall in reed "It should be fine in your back room Not like Eclipse Bay is home to a lot of sophisticated art thieves"