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“Gabriel.”

“Yes?”

“You bought an original Monet when Monet was still alive?”

“Obviously.”

I put my laptop down.

Very carefully.

Then cover my face with both hands.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“April.”

“I’m just trying to process the fact that you casually purchased a painting by one of the most famous artists in history and then shoved it into a hole in your wall.”

“It is hiding a safe. That’s a very important job.”

“That is not the point!”

“I didn’t particularly care for it.”

I make a noise that I suspect is not entirely human.

Gabriel smiles. The bastard is enjoying this.

“Okay,” I say, picking up the laptop again. “We’re going to look up what some of his paintings have sold for.”

I find an article about an auction. Show him the numbers.

Gabriel goes still. Then leans closer. “Surely that’s a mistake.”

“Nope.”

“For one painting?”

“Yep.”

“I believe I paid a thousand francs for it. Good heavens.”

I grin.

“Welcome to the twenty-first century, Rocky.”

He shakes his head.

“People have become quite mad.”

“Possibly. But your ugly little painting might be worth more than this entire house.”

“I did not say it was ugly, only that it was difficult to determine what it is.”

I stare at him.