Art and Murder by Don Easton Read Free Book Online

stammered, not wanting to promote murder but at the same time not wanting to appear weak and hinder his chance of being accepted.
    â€œYou’re not sure?”
    â€œWithout knowing the full circumstances,” Kerin explained. “An unknown person … perhaps the Ringmaster should be consulted before any drastic action is taken. Time may be needed to find out who he is.”
    â€œTime is not an option they have. Still, I agree that the Ringmaster should be consulted.”
    â€œIn Canada …,” said Kerin, becoming increasingly worried as the possibility of a more serious concern entered his mind. “I know the police there are allowed to portray themselves as criminals. Are you afraid that the person he brought is police?”
    â€œNo, no, don’t worry.” Roche smiled. “The stranger is only a pimp. Quite … dispensable.” He got to his feet. “I’ll be back in ten minutes,” he said, then left while thumbing his phone.
    * * *
    The Ringmaster continued to watch. Who was Roche talking to? Kerin appears nervous … looking across the park. The man on the far side in a blue windbreaker is watching him. Kerin is tapping his watch….
    The Ringmaster studied the man in the windbreaker. A droopy moustache, and it’s twitching. Looks like a tarantula dancing on his lip, mused the Ringmaster before refocusing on Kerin. He’s getting up….
    * * *
    Kerin stepped into the public washroom. He glanced under the cubicle doors and saw that he was alone. Roche had told him that he was not to make any phone calls before meeting the Ringmaster, but he took out his phone and called his boss, Yves Charbonneau, to quickly outline what was happening in Canada.
    â€œI didn’t think they were involved with drugs,” Yves said.
    â€œRoche said it’s a venture he got into on his own. Forget the drugs. Two men in Canada might be murdered!”
    â€œWho cares if two criminals in Canada are murdered? Focus on what you are doing.”
    â€œCriminals or not, shouldn’t we try to stop it? How will it look in court if I am questioned and say we did nothing to prevent it?”
    â€œYeah, yeah, okay,” grumbled Yves. “I’m having lunch with a friend at the moment. When I return to the office I will contact Interpol. It’s not like anyone could stop it, but you’re right, it will look better if we appear to make an effort.”
    * * *
    The Ringmaster answered Roche’s call and listened as he explained the situation in Canada, then asked, “Are you sure the man with Clive is a pimp?”
    â€œYes. Klaus, Clive, and Liam were abusing the whore when the pimp showed up with another whore and beat Klaus with a shotgun.”
    â€œKlaus,” the Ringmaster muttered. “I shouldn’t be surprised. I’m glad the pimp beat him. Why was he with the other two?”
    â€œThe whore was a present for Liam. He is getting married next week and Klaus thought it would promote a better relationship by —”
    â€œDon’t give me that shit. Klaus is an ass. The whore was for him as much as anyone. I know what he likes to do to women.”
    â€œSo what should I tell Anton to do?”
    â€œI can’t believe the timing,” the Ringmaster grumbled. “Years spent tracking down a rumour … then finding out the rumour was true.”
    â€œThe ship sales from Vancouver in three weeks,” Roche said.
    â€œYou needn’t remind me. I’ve been counting the days … and now this. What if the pimp is caught by the police and tells them about the drugs? Or worse yet, decides to gather a few friends and come back and steal everything? For my Pierrot to fall into the hands of a pimp is too disgusting to contemplate. What will he do? Hang it in some brothel?”
    â€œThe painting’s well hidden,” said Roche.
    â€œDo you trust Anton not to talk under torture? Look what the pimp