The Best Offer Page #2

to keep me waiting 40 minutes.

It's a disgrace. A

display of bad manners.

Let me explain. I

tried to call.

- There's no excuse.

- I tried to call.

Never come near me again.

Nobody answered and I don't

have your mobile number.

I do not possess a mobile phone.

It's the lbbetson

woman on the phone.

- Tell her to go to hell.

- She's crying.

Serves her right.

She was hit by a car on

her way to meet you.

So much the worse for her.

It's no concern of mine.

She was left unconscious.

She was lying in a pool of blood

when the ambulance arrived.

Alright. Put her through.

- Yes?

- Please forgive me.

I had no intention to be

in any way disrespectful.

Nothing too serious, I hope.

No. Fortunately, they'll...

they'll let me out tomorrow.

Good. I hope you make

a speedy recovery.

Would you consent to

a new appointment?

- Please.

- Alright.

But I'm sending an assistant.

I hope it's the same one

I spoke to last time.

What do you mean?

Well, I can't explain it, but

I understood from the outset

that voice could only have

been yours, Mr. Oldman.

Truly surprising,

wouldn't you say?

We think we'll be able to

bring out the whole face,

part of her dress and the

left side of the background.

Incredible. But what made

Mr. Oldman think that?

- What period is it from?

- Too soon to say.

Perhaps Mr. Oldman will

be able to work this out

more quickly and better than us.

- It's a fake.

- How is that possible?

- It's beautiful!

- I didn't say it wasn't.

I said it wasn't authentic.

From an analysis of the

pigments and wood,

we thought it was

pre-17th century.

- Even older.

- Then it must be worth something.

It is a work by Valiante, the

female forger of the 16th century.

She copied masterpieces,

but couldn't sign them

as she was a woman,

so she marked them

with a personal code

hidden in the folds

of the drapery

or in this case, in the

gaze of the subject.

The beam of light on the

Iris is nothing if not a V.

That is Valiante.

It is worth something, but nothing

compared to the original.

- Are you Mr. Oldman's assistant?

- Yes.

I'm Fred, the caretaker.

Pleased to meet you.

- Please, come in.

- Thank you.

And Miss lbbetson?

She sends her apologies,

but overnight, she was

running a temperature.

She should have called me.

Spared myself a wasted trip.

Well, give her my best wishes.

She asked if you would

go ahead with valuation.

She's instructed me

to show you around.

Everything's at your disposal.

Come with me.

Miss lbbetson was hoping

to meet your boss.

It doesn't matter. Your

mistress didn't show up either.

Fair enough.

I suppose it'll get

the job done quicker.

Forgive the mess.

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