The Case of Grandpa's Painting Chapter One: Art Detective

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."