Broken by Karin Fossum Read Free Book Online Page A

important that you like the painting, that it gives you something unique. Always follow your heart,' he said, 'don't intellectualise the process. Remember it's a relationship for life, it might even be passed on to the next generation.'
    'It's huge at any rate,' said the younger man, 'it's bound to create a stir.'
    Right, Alvar thought to himself. He wants attention, possibly from the guests, who would enter his living room and see the roaring waterfall, clap their hands with excitement, as they toasted their host's exquisite and dramatic taste.
    'Surely it's possible to buy with your head as well your heart,' he ventured, giving Alvar a challenging look. His eyes were blue and sharp.
    'Indeed it is,' nodded Alvar. 'But the fact is that this painting is not primarily a good investment.'
    The young man fell silent for a moment and his brows contracted while he thought hard. His eyes, however, could not bear to leave the colossal water masses on the wall.
    'So why isn't it a good investment?' he demanded to know. His voice had acquired a sulking touch, he hated that things were not going his way. He had taken a fancy to the painting now and it felt like his living room would be nothing without this work of art.
    'It will most certainly increase in value,' Alvar stated, 'but not to the same extent as other paintings. Partly because it is not an oil painting,' he continued. 'It's an aquarelle and it has been painted using an opaque technique.'
    The man was taken aback, but did not want to admit to his ignorance when it came to the visual arts.
    'I see.' He hesitated. 'I was wondering why the painting was behind glass.'
    'Plexiglass,' Alvar said. 'Regular glass would have been too heavy. And watercolours need more protection than oils.'
    'Watercolours?' He gave Alvar a confused look.
    'They're sun-resistant,' Alvar said quickly, 'but the painting ought to hang on a wall which is never exposed to direct sunlight.'
    Once again the man visualised his living room, as if to check out the light conditions.
    'A picture with glass is difficult to hang,' Alvar said calmly, 'precisely because of the glass. I'm only telling you this now so that you have all the information.'
    The man had fallen silent. He squirmed a little and seemed troubled at his own indecisiveness.
    'Why didn't he paint it in oil?' he asked as if Alvar would know.
    'Fritzwold has always worked with a range of techniques,' he explained patiently. 'Many artists do. And this is a very successful piece of work, in my opinion.'
    The waterfall continued to cascade in front of them. Suddenly the man started to walk backwards. He walked almost as far as the opposite wall.
    'You can't tell that it's not oil,' he 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 per cent, 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 the fact that the painting was huge, almost overwhelming, as he had never seen a watercolour 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?' He had wanted to make a