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Helena leads us out of the conference room and toward the secure lift, and the four of us descend one floor before Simon peels off to collect the supporting file. Helena stops at a restricted storage room and enters a code before opening the door, and the temperature drops immediately once we're inside.

The painting is already positioned on a viewing easel under controlled light, removed from its usual storage rack for inspection. The Reinhardt is darker in person than it appears in photographs, deep blue and charcoal tones surrounding the woman at the window.

Blaire steps closer, and her entire posture changes. Whatever irritation she carried out of the meeting disappears behind concentration. She sets her bag on the inspection table and leans in without touching the frame.

"The varnish is cleaner than I expected," she says.

"It was treated three years ago," Helena replies.

Blaire studies the lower edge.

"Was anything done to the frame?"

"Minor stabilization," Helena says.

"No structural replacement."

Blaire looks toward her.

"Can I see the condition report from before the treatment?"

"I'll have Simon bring it."

"I'd like both versions if possible."

"I'll get them."

Helena steps out, which leaves Blaire and me alone with the painting for about five seconds before she notices. She straightens slowly and looks at me.

"You really don't need to stand here for this."

"I know."

"Then why are you?"

"Because I wanted to see it."

She gives me a look.

"The painting?"

I hold her gaze.

"That too."

Her mouth tightens, and there is no smile in it, no softness. Good. At least she is not pretending. She turns back toward the painting.

"You're subtle."

"I've been accused of worse."

"I'm sure."

The dry edge of her voice catches something familiar in me, not enough to mistake this for the way we used to be, but enough to remind me. I move closer to the inspection table. Blaire pulls on a pair of cotton gloves and reaches for a magnifier.

"Don't touch the lower left edge," she says.

"I wasn't planning to."