THE DEAL

06 Lies

Jennie and Lisa walked into the bureau the next day, only to be met by their boss Agent Gong Yoo who waved them into his office with two fingers and a stern glare.

Both women looked at each other because that did not look good but they followed their superior's command. They met him in front of the glass doors. 

"Who's this?" Jennie inquired instantly when she saw that an elderly man was sitting in Gong Yoo's office, obviously waiting for them.

"That's the curator from the National Museum." The older FBI agent explained to them. "He claims the Hiroshi belongs to them." He gave them both an even sterner look.

Jennie knew that this only complicated their fucked up case even more. She really didn't need that but she couldn't help the eyeroll she sent Lisa who understood and gave an equally annoyed glance back. 

"Already don't like him." Lisa hushed after Gong Yoo entered his office. 

"I know..." Jennie confirmed. "Behave!" She threatened her CI with a glance before following her boss into the room.

*

"How come the museum didn't report the painting missing?" Jennie wanted to know first thing after introductions were out of the way and they were all sitting around Gong Yoo's big glass table. 

"We did report it, but it was stolen in 1967."  The curator answered quite neutrally, looking at Jennie. 

Lisa held up her hand as if she was in school but then spoke anyway without anyone actually calling on her. "I've got a question. The painting was stolen in 67 but it was not listed on the art loss registery..."

"The registery was established in 1990."

"91." Lisa shot out immediately, narrowing her eyes at the man. "And you could've refiled the claim."

"Excuse me, but... who are you?" He inquired a bit agitated that Lisa had corrected him in her more than blunt way. Jennie nudged her with her elbow to remind her of her earlier plea to behave but jumped into the conversation in order to not make things worse.

"Lisa Manoban. She's one of our art consultants." Lisa's handler explained quickly.

"Manoban? Why don't I know that name?" He wondered with clear judgment in his voice.

"It's better this way. Believe me." Jennie just replied and Lisa slumped back in her chair a little but kept her mouth shut.

"You're an expert on Hiroshi?" The curator adressed the tall blonde.

"Spent a lot of time in Japan" Lisa shot back from her slouching seat.

"I authenticated 'Girl with locket' myself when it came into our collection. It's excellent work, a bit sentimental for my taste..." The man explained with an air of  superiority.

Jennie rolled her eyes. She didn't have time to discuss art now. She needed to get the piece back. And the money. Lisa stayed silent this time.

"The painting was taken in a residential robbery." Jennie explained, hoping to speed this meeting along. She knew what the museum guy wanted but she needed him to come out with it already.

"What happened to the painting while it wasn't in our care, is not my concern. But since somebody is trying to sell stolen property, I believe it is in my interest to press charges. The painting belongs to the museum."

And there it was. Jennie took a calming breath while nodding at the guy and out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Lisa shifting in her seat uneasily. This was not at all how they had imagined this case to go.