"I'm just not sure we could do anything else that's more ethically sound that would make this much difference to the books," says Lutek quietly and when Lutek offers his thoughts, it's usually well-thought through thoughts. Which means I should probably pay attention to them.
Everyone nods solemnly.
"The art of being unethical to get what you want is a wide spectrum," says Carlos. "You're thinking of using a dainty brush, to fill the subtle highlights perhaps. But plenty of people use a roller or just throw the paint at the canvas and get away with it. I have. Many times."
"That was a very profound metaphor, Carlos," says Jeanette, by which she means, "A rare moment of lucidity."
It absolutely was, though I'm not sure I like what he's encouraging.
Carlos then ruins it by saying, "After I intercepted an assassination attempt in Paris on Princess Margaret, she asked how she could ever thank me enough. I suggested a tumble on the four-poster. Never had a royal notch on my bedpost, you see."
"You did not bang Princess Margaret," says Elly.
"I did. Several times in fact. She was a beautiful lady. And particularly energetic for a woman in her fifties."
"I...literally don't know how to process that information," says Mistral.
"There's nothingtoprocess," says Elly. "It didn't happen."
Carlos sniffs. "It did. I've got a record of all the details." He taps his temple.
"Okay, so," says Mistral. "Moving on. You were all in the middle of trying to convince Ed he should write more letters and he was in the middle of probably saying 'no'."
"But he can't," says Jeanette.
"I can and I have. More than once."
"But Theodore's said he'll now consider a buy out."
I straighten from my hands-in-pocket slouch. "What? When?"
"Just today," says Elly. "It's one of the reasons why we're here."
Lutek says, "Bess, or all of us, need to either raise enough of a deposit, or have a record of a continuous high income to get a bank to lend the money. Probably both."
"And the income being generated off the back of the letters is allowing that to happen," says Jeanette. "Don't you see?"
I do see. It doesn't make me any more comfortable or okay with doing what needs to be done, however.
"We need to keep the financial momentum," says Elly.
"My love." Jeanette places a hand on my arm. "We wouldn't ask you if we felt there was any other way. You do know that, right?"
Elly adds, "Ed, she couldn't have made it clearer she's willing to do anything to secure the art community's future. Your conscience can rest easy."
Nobody says anything after that. They just look at me. The desperation and hope on their faces is very loud in the quiet evening air.
"Look," I say on a sigh. "I will consider, and let me stressconsider, doing it if I am sure Bess is still sincere about that approach."
"That's good," says Lutek.
"Well, go on and ask her, then," says Elly.
I reluctantly take out my phone and thumb a message to her:
Just bumped into Elly. She says Theo might be up for a buyout. Are you still needing a 'whatever it takes' approach?
Then pocket it again.
