“I don’t suppose you’ve shared this theory with your fellow officers.”

“I didn’t think it would be wise for me to rock the boat on such an important investigation. Not at this stage of my career.”

“Leaving you no choice but to pursue the matter independently.” Gabriel paused, then added, “With the help of an old friend.”

Peel made no reply.

“Does the chief constable know that you’ve contacted me?”

“It’s possible I neglected to mention it.”

“Good lad.”

Peel smiled. “I learned from the best.”

*  *  *

The parish of Gunwalloe lay ten miles to the west on the opposite side of the Lizard Peninsula. They drove there through the gathering dusk in Gabriel’s rental car.

“Do you remember the way?” asked Peel.

“Are you deliberately trying to annoy me, or do you come by it naturally?”

“A little of both.”

They sped along the fence line of the Culdrose naval air station, then followed the nameless road that stretched from the heart of the Lizard to Gunwalloe. Beyond the hedgerows lay a patchwork quilt of dormant farmland. Then the road twisted suddenly to the left and the hedgerows fell away to reveal the sea, aflame with the last light of the setting sun.

Gabriel slowed as he entered the village. Peel pointed out the Lamb and Flag pub. “Shall we stop for a pint and a few laughs with your old friends?”

“Some other time.”

“I’ve always loved that song,” said Peel. “Especially the Bill Evans version.”

“You have good taste in music.”

“I owe it to you.”

They rolled past the Corner Market, where Dottie Cox was ringing up the day’s last customer. Across a sloping field of purple thrift and red fescue was the fishing cove. A single cottage, faintly visible in the dying twilight, stood atop the cliff.

“Do you ever miss it?” asked Peel.

“Yes, of course. But Venice has its charms.”

“Better food.”

“I’ve always had a fondness for Cornish cuisine, myself.”

“Perhaps you can spend a summer here with Chiara and the children.”

“Only if you let me borrow that beautiful sailing vessel of yours.”

“Deal.”

Gabriel turned through a gap in a wind-bent hedgerow of blackthorn. Behind it stood stately Wexford Cottage, the finest cottage in Gunwalloe. The windows were darkened, the shades tightly drawn. Adhered to the heavy wooden door was a notice declaring the premises to be an active crime scene. Detective Sergeant Timothy Peel thrust a key into the lock and led Gabriel inside.

7

Wexford Cottage

They pulled on shoe covers and latex gloves in the entrance hall and went into the sitting room. The furnishings were contemporary and sophisticated, as were the paintings hanging on the walls. Piled on the low coffee table were monographs and volumes of art history and criticism, including an essential compendium of Pablo Picasso’s enormous body of work. Self-Portrait with a Palette, painted by the artist in 1906, graced the cover.

“Ever restored him?” inquired Peel.

“Picasso?” Gabriel looked up and frowned. “Once or twice, Timothy.”

“I read not long ago that he’s the most stolen artist in the world.”

“Did you really?” asked Gabriel dubiously.

“And the most forged as well,” Peel persevered.

“That’s correct. In all likelihood there are more fake Picassos in existence than real ones.”

“But you undoubtedly can tell the difference.”

“Pablo and I are reasonably well acquainted,” said Gabriel. “And I’ve enjoyed our time together despite the fact he doesn’t think much of my craft.”

“Espionage?”

“Restoration. Picasso disapproved of it. He thought cracking and natural aging gave his paintings a sense of character.” Gabriel paused, then added, “But I digress.”

It was an invitation for Peel to get to the point. The young detective responded by indicating the moisture ring next to the book. “We found a mug of tea when we made entry into the cottage. We assume Professor Blake left it there the afternoon she was murdered.”

“And then, of course, there was the light burning in the kitchen.”

“And the dirty dishes in the sink and on the counter. All of which suggests she was in a bit of a rush when she set out for Land’s End.”

“So stipulated,” said Gabriel. “But where are we going with this?”

“Her office.”

It was in the adjoining room. Entering, Peel switched on the desk lamp. The computer was an iMac with a twenty-seven-inch display, ideal for scrutinizing photographs of paintings or old exhibition records. Gabriel reached down and nudged the mouse. The computer awakened and requested a password for admission.

“Have you cracked it?”

“Not yet.”

“Whyever not?”