Broken by Karin Fossum Read Free Book Online Page B

argued, “even from a short distance.”
    Alvar could easily tell that it was, but he did not say so.
    “I mean, it’s not as if I have to tell anyone.”
    Alvar had to smile at this so he bowed his head to conceal his reaction.
    “It’s a very fine painting indeed,” he said. “Its surface is more delicate than an oil painting’s, but you have nothing to fear. The waterfall will last.” He smiled. “The waterfall has timeless appeal.”
    Once again the man walked up close to the painting. He had reached the most important point.
    “The price?” he said softly. Alvar could see he was nervous now.
    “Thirty thousand,” Alvar replied. “Plus the usual three percent, but I’m sure you’re aware of that.”
    The man breathed a sigh of relief.
    “I can afford that,” he said. “I could actually do this.” He stood there admiring the painting a little longer. It did not lose its impact—it went on roaring—he liked the forces and the play in the torrents of water. He liked that the painting was huge, almost overwhelming, as he had never seen a watercolor of this size, and in his living room the painting would almost reach the ceiling. Everyone who entered the room would instantly be met with all this force.
    “But,” he then said, “why isn’t it primarily a good investment?”
    “For several reasons,” Alvar said. “It’s not an oil painting and it’s not a typical Fritzwold. Fritzwold’s forte is calmer landscapes than the one he has painted here. In some respects this painting is an exception to his style. As though for once he wanted to go to town. Indeed, he normally does far smaller paintings. His paintings sell quickly, but this one needs a special buyer. If you like the painting, then you will form a special bond with it and thus you will have made a good emotional investment. That’s valuable too.”
    The man exhaled and took a few steps back.
    “Yes,” he said. “I’ll go for it. Why the hell not?” He laughed and seemed instantly happy, as if he had finally come out of the shade and ended up in the sun. “But how am I going to get it into my car?” he wondered, looking at the parking bay outside the gallery. A dark blue Audi, the latest model, was parked there.
    “Mr. Krantz, who owns the gallery, will drive it to your house,” Alvar said. “He has a Blazer Chevrolet and it’ll take most paintings. However, I can’t promise you that it’ll be today. It depends on how busy he is—he does all sorts of things. If you would like I can call him and find out right now.”
    The man nodded enthusiastically even though the light in his eyes went out because now he could not wait to have the painting in all its glory up on his wall. He paced up and down restlessly while Alvar ran upstairs to the telephone.
    “Krantz,” Alvar said into the receiver, “you won’t believe this, but I’ve sold the waterfall!”
    “Really!” said an elated Krantz from the other end. “I have to hand it to you, Eide, I really do. Let me guess. It’s a man. He’s under forty. Wants to show off.”
    “Correct.”
    “Ask him if he works in advertising. Or, he might be an estate agent.”
    Alvar could not help but smile. Krantz had a good nose after all his years in the business.
    “And I’ll bet he frequents some gym or other. And I’m sure he’s the type who likes to do a line of coke or two on weekends.”
    “Is there anything else?” Alvar asked him, still smiling.
    “He prefers red wine to beer.”
    They chatted for a few minutes, and then Alvar went downstairs again.
    “He’ll deliver it tomorrow,” he said cheerfully. “That’s not too bad, is it? After all, you’ll need to make room for the painting, or do you have a big empty wall just waiting to be filled?”
    The man had to smile. “No, I don’t,” he admitted. “I have some old photos and other stuff that I need to take down.”
    “And you need to get a very strong hook,” Alvar said. “It’s a heavy painting; the