The Da Vinci Deception Read Free Page A

I added a number of promising artists to our staff and found them commissions for serious work. Their murals and paintings are displayed throughout this country and abroad. I’ll show you the scope of our work.”
    Jonas touched the controls of an electronic switcher and a television screen rose from a nearby credenza. Images appeared and Jonas described the client, the assignment, the art, and the artist.
    â€œVery impressive, every one,” Stiehl said. “I wish I had half the talent of any of your artists.”
    â€œYour abilities surpass all that you have seen.”
    â€œI’ve never painted an original painting that was worth a damn, or a dime.”
    â€œWhat you can do so exquisitely is worth infinitely more. But you require direction.” He paused and twirled the cigar between two fingers then took several puffs and blew the smoke toward the ceiling. Then he added, “My direction.”
    Jonas touched another button and on the screen appeared the photograph of a municipal bond certificate issued by the city of Paterson, New Jersey. “Recognize that, Curtis?”
    â€œOf course, but what in hell does that have to do with your direction?” Stiehl’s irritation clearly showed.
    â€œAnd what of these, Curtis?” In clear focus was a fifty-dollar bill. Then a hundred-dollar bill flashed onto the screen. Two of the hundred-dollar bills Stiehl had received in the envelope sealed with red wax were identical to the one on the screen.
    â€œVery clever, Mr. Kalem. Where did you find those notes?”
    â€œI can’t divulge all my secrets. Suffice to say I have gone to considerable lengths to learn all I can about you. And most especially about your true potential.”
    Stiehl was confused. Jonas was slapping one cheek with an old indictment and caressing the other with his praise.
    â€œThere is more.” Now there was a photograph of a modest white frame house on the screen. “You will recognize your home. The one where you were living at the time of your arrest. I understand a small army of treasury agents tore up the house searching for a set of printing
plates they suspected you made to counterfeit the fifty- and hundred-dollar notes we saw on the previous slides.”
    â€œThey found nothing.”
    â€œQuite true. Your wife remarried and the property was finally sold a little more than a year ago. I bought it.”
    â€œYou bought my house? Why?”
    â€œLet’s say it was speculation. The real-estate market had been quite bullish and I decided to remodel the home and put it back on the market. But I had another reason. I had a hunch I might find something the agents had overlooked.”
    Again the picture changed. On the screen was a photograph showing two sets of engraving plates. “Setting them beneath the metal insulation strip in the front door was brilliant. A metal detector would be confused by the strip and it was otherwise a much too obvious hiding place for those precious plates. The agents were anxious to search inside the house and, not finding them, literally tore the gardens and garage apart.”
    With another touch of the controls the screen disappeared.
    â€œMy little show is over and you have learned what I know of you. I have come to know that your skill with the pen is at the genius level and so I want you to work under my direct supervision.
    â€œDoing what? U.S. Savings Bonds?”
    â€œNo need for a sharp tongue. I have a very challenging assignment for you.” The huge body struggled free of the chair and walked toward a table directly under the wide-spreading chandelier. “Come with me, Curtis.”
    From leather folders Jonas extracted a dozen sheets. Ceremoniously he placed each on the table.
    â€œThese lithographs are from the collection of Leonardo da Vinci’s anatomical drawings preserved in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle. There is great beauty here and I believe these drawings