They searched carefully twice. There was no empty frame, missing hook, or open crate. Andrew checked behind shelves while Caroline went through Walter’s papers. Michael searched the storage boxes. Their father suggested that Walter might have sold the item and forgotten to update the list. Then Caroline found an estate invoice inside a file.
One line described a “large landscape, unknown artist, damaged frame.” Beside it, Walter had written the initials E.H. and a date nearly forty years earlier. Another note said, “Attribution uncertain.” None of them understood why that one painting had received so much attention. Andrew remembered Walter had worked with arts specialists.
A name came back to him: Martin Doyle. Martin had been one of Walter’s oldest professional contacts, though Andrew had not seen him in years. Andrew found his number in Walter’s address book and called. Martin answered after several rings. Andrew explained the cabin, the collection, and the missing inventory entry. There was a long pause. “Read that entry again,” Martin said. Andrew did. Martin became quiet. “E.H. Landscape?” he repeated. “Do not move anything. I’m coming tomorrow,” Andrew asked why. Martin answered, “Because I think I know what Walter was looking for.”