The Case of Grandpa's PaintingChapter One: Art Detective | |
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It's tough to find a good
gig with a degree in art history. Leave out the fancy art museums--which
aren't likely to hire someone like me--and you got two choices. Teach a
bunch of squirrelly kids why they should look at dusty old paintings and
sculptures, or go freelance.
So I set up my own
shop--A. Pintura, Art Detective. It wasn't big business, but enough clients
came my way to keep me in macaroni and cheese. I kept waiting for my big
break--a chance to track down the Mona Lisa, if anyone ever got close enough
to it to steal it. Till then, I had to settle for nickel and dime cases--identifying
moldy old family portraits from Grandma's attic after the funeral. That's
why I didn't get too excited when Ruby told me a Miss Fiona Featherduster
was here to see me.
"You got time
for her, Pintura?" Ruby asked sarcastically.
"I haven't finished
my morning coffee yet," I said. "But send her in anyway."