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“That’s e thought We soon found out otherwise” Matthe a ragged breath “The office door was open We let ourselves in Cai Wen was lying on the floor Half his head had been bloay, and blood was everywhere There was never any doubt he was dead And the only ones at the scene were the three of us—all Aet away—fast We had fareed never to discuss it again”

Sloane was processing this night happened to reverse your decision”

“The FBI

happened Several ’s Dead or Alive appeared on the US art scene—both presumably authentic One was up for auction at Sotheby’s The other showed up in Christie’s catalog before they learned about the discrepancy and pulled it”

“I re about this in the paper,” Sloane said, her eyes narrowing “Although I didn’t pay much attention at the time I had no idea any of this affected you I take it the Christie’s painting was the forgery”

“Right The Sotheby’s painting was authenticated”

“And which was the painting you sold?”

“You tell s They changed hands nu, sales went undocumented That’s all too typical inwe sold to Cai Wen was genuine Or if that’s what got hi was authentic and that we had nothing to do with the murder” Matthew rubbed the back of his neck “The FBI’s investigation is co interviewed by an agent with the Art Crime Team I’m up first Tomorrow”

“Do they know about the murder?”

“Murders are rare in Hong Kong—then and now So I doubt it slipped by the involved, I don’t know”

Sloane placed her hand over her father’s “Tell them the truth”

“It’s not that simple”

“Why not?” Sloane’s forehead creased “You’re not going to be prosecuted for aPlus, you didn’t do it”

“But I knoho did”

Sloane went very still “You’d better explain”