At End's Gate

DETECTIVE WORK

The next day the kids woke up prepared to commence with their plan. They went and had their breakfast with their parents. They acted normal as usual. Their father was rather in a good mood as if what happened the previous night didn't happen at all. "Paige sweetheart, I'm sorry I over exaggerated yesterday," David said with a smile.

"It's fine daddy. What I did yesterday was reckless," Paige replied with a smile as well.

"Just don't do something as reckless as that again."

"Okay."

The kids left for school. They told each other to have normal conversations in their cars because their parents might be listening in. Paige wasn't even settled during her lesson. She couldn't wait for it to end. Luckily the lesson wasn't for the whole day because after lunch was a period for study. After the lesson she went to the library to fake an hour of study. When she was sure that people were distracted she left using the back door. Erin followed her." Where are you going love?"

Paige turned to face him." I'm not feeling well so I'm leaving now."

"You're going to your folks? Won't they flip that you left early?"

"I'm not going home. I'm probably gonna drive for a while and rest in the park."

"Okay. Tomorrow then."

"Tomorrow."

After driving a few miles Paige connected her phone to the microchip link. She called her brothers," Are you boys ready?"

"Yes," they replied in unison from their different locations.

Blake entered their house. His mom had just arrived from work." Hello sweetie. You came a bit early today?"

"We finished early today and I couldn't wait for James. He had a debate meeting."

"Ho. Okay. Who dropped you off?" Claire asked.

"Coal."

"Okay. Do you need anything?"

"No. Oh ummm mom."

"Yes sweetie."

"I do have a question. I know I'm not the most artistic person but I wanted to ask more about the painting Paige showed us," Blake said looking at his mom's facial expression.

"Okay," Claire said.

She didn't seem agitated. She seemed rather calm which confused James and Paige who were observing through the chip.

"Okay. The painting showed men playing what seemed to be a game and the others were bleeding. During war times people would fight for colonies which made a lot of people lose their lives."

"Ho okay. Why isn't the identity of the painter known?" Blake asked.

"It's because the painting was found in a deserted location just after the war."

"But there wasn't any clue to who painted it?"

"No. People barely took it seriously. They actually thought the painter died during the time. I'll tell your daddy to research more. Wow the sudden interest in art. It must have been a really fascinating painting."

"Yes mom. It's different in a good way. It's cool I guess," he said as he stood up. "I'm now going to call Chelsea. I want to invite her over for a study date."

Claire laughed," Oh that's why, you want to impress a smart girl."

"Hahaha. Yes," he said climbing up the stairs.

Blake went into his room. He took out his phone. He locked his door and went out to the balcony and climbed up the roof to make sure his mom wouldn't listen in on his conversation." She's good but she is hiding something," he commented to his siblings.

"What do you mean? She was quite sincere," James said.

"Yeah. That's what I thought," Paige added.

"Trust me. I can tell a lying face because I make it most of the time. Paige it's your time to shine," Blake said.

Paige entered the Art Museum. She wanted to not act obvious. She looked at several different paintings. She then turned to where the painting was. She saw the painting and below it was a piece of paper written an explanation as to why the identity of the painter wasn't written. The description suited their mother's explanation. Paige was confused. She went to Mr White's office." Hello sir," she greeted Edgar.

"Hello my child. You came early today. Is all well?"

"I'm fine. I usually come early every Friday because I finish school early. I saw that there is now a description below the painting I asked about yesterday."

"Yes. I thought it was wise to give an explanation as to why the identity of the painter is not there."

"That's very good. The description says the painter died during the war period. Why is it that the painting material still looks quite good?" Paige asked.

"It's because we refine the parts that look depreciated."

"Oh. Okay. Thank you for placing the description. I also saw a painting by Kyle Bunch. It's also fascinating."

"Is it the one with the dove?" Edgar asked.

"Yes it is." They talked about the other painting for a while before Paige bid farewell.

She left." That was a good cover up," James commented.

"Thanks it's now your turn."

James hadn't found anything at the school as well as the city library so he went to the national archives. He entered the building. He showed the painting to the supervisor. The supervisor analyzed the painting and determined the period of manufacture using a machine that resembled a scanner. The man told James that the painting was made in a time that was distant but not during the war period. It was give or take made ten years ago." Can you tell me who made it?" James asked.

"Unfortunately no. This painting is not in the city's database. Most probably someone from out there brought the painting."

"Okay. Why would he or she leave the painting without leaving any identification?"

"That's rather peculiar," the man said. "I don't think you should make a big deal out of it."

"Oh. Okay. Thank you for your assistance," James said as he walked towards the door.

"You're welcome."

James left the building.

" So what now?" Paige asked.

"What did you say the old Museum guide's name was."

"Mr Michaels," she answered.

"We're going to visit."

"No. It's not fair. You're the ones having fun whilst I'm stuck on cover duty," Blake complained.

"Sorry bro," James said.

Paige and James met up at Mr Michaels house. They knocked at the man's door. They were let in when they identified themselves.

"What brings you here Paige my dear?" Mr Michaels asked.

"Oh I heard you had a minor accident. I wanted to check up on you," she said with a smile.

"That's very thoughtful but you wouldn't just bring your brother to just check up on me."

"Actually sir we did have a question." James said.

"Okay."

"I saw a painting in the museum but the painter wasn't identified. Did you ever receive paintings without the identity of the artist?" Paige asked.

"No. Each painting I know was properly described in the database. Wait apparently I'm getting old. I did have such a case and it happened the day before I hurt myself. I saw an amazing painting by the door. It seemed as if someone had left it there. I hung it intending to research more about it."

"Thank you for your help." James said with a grateful look.

The two left and went back home.

Hope you enjoyed the detective work. Have a blessed day.