Legal Artistry Read Online Free Page A

Dieter answered, becoming curious as to what they wanted to talk about and what Gram's photo album had to do with it. Mark and Tyler seemed pleased, and smiled. Mark continued holding the album, and after they purchased a bottle of wine, Mark and Tyler left, with Mark still carrying Gram's album. It looked sort of like he didn't want to let it go.
    For that last half hour, Dieter kept wondering what Mark and Tyler could want with him, and by the time the store closed, Dieter was jumpy, his nerves getting the best of him. “It's okay,” Sean told him as he closed the door. “I'll come with you if you want."
    "Thanks, Sean, but I'll be fine. I'm just wondering what they could want."
    "They didn't tell me,” Sean said as he emptied the money from the register, carrying it to the back. “Go on and find out. Sam is taking me to dinner, and he'll be here soon. He and I can drop the deposit on our way.” Sean had a rule about two people going to the bank with deposits.
    "If you're sure."
    "Go on, you look about ready to explode."
    "Thanks, Sean,” Dieter said as he grabbed his jacket. He heard Sean chuckle from behind him as they walked to the front door and Sean let him out, locking the door once he was outside. Dieter hurried down the sidewalk, walking the short distance to where Tyler had his antique store.
    Tyler seemed to be watching for him and opened the door as he approached. Dieter had walked by the store a number of times before, but he'd never been inside. Tyler closed the door behind him. A small dog, curled up in a doggie bed, lifted its head and barked softly. “Jolie, be good,” Tyler scolded, and the miniature dachshund got up and padded toward Dieter to investigate him. He let her sniff his hand and gave her a few gentle strokes. Satisfied, she turned and went back to curl up in her bed again.
    Tyler led the way through displays of bedrooms and living rooms, the store largely dark, but a number of things still caught Dieter's eye as they made their way toward the back of the store. “Where are we going?"
    "Mark has a studio in the back of the store, and he wants to talk to you there,” Tyler answered as he led them through a door in the back room. Tyler's partner, Mark, was quite a famous artist. Dieter had seen a few of his pieces when he was at Sean's. Mark had done an amazing portrait of Sean's son, Bobby, that hung in Sean's living room. Tyler opened a large door, and the scent of paint obliterated everything else. Mark sat on a stool behind an easel, brush in hand, his attention so riveted on what he was doing that he didn't even look up when the door opened.
    Dieter looked at Tyler, about to ask what was going on, but he stopped when he saw the warm, soft look on Tyler's face. Dieter closed his mouth and stood silently, watching Mark work for a few minutes. “Oh, you're here,” Mark said once he lifted his eyes from the canvas. “I get busy and don't hear anything,” he explained as he set aside his palette. “Let me clean up a minute, and I'll be right back.” Mark picked up his supplies, hurrying out of the studio, and Dieter stepped further into the large area. Paintings and canvases leaned against the far wall. One caught Dieter's eye, and he stepped closer to take a look. Mark rejoined them a few minutes later, and Dieter stepped away from the painting, curiously looking toward Mark.
    "Dieter,” Mark started to say as he pulled a stool up to a rudimentary table that lined the side wall, “I know we were a bit mysterious when we talked earlier, but I thought this was something we should talk about privately.” Tyler pulled up a chair as well, and Mark set Dieter's grandmother's photo album in front of him. “I have a few questions for you that I hope will confirm my suspicions."
    "What is this about?” Dieter asked, placing his hand on the album. “And what does this have to do with Gram's pictures?"
    "I'll explain everything I suspect, I promise,” Mark told him, and Dieter nodded,