Brushstroke For Murder

By Newman Skyles

"Brushstroke for Murder: Chief Jacques LaRoche and artist Drew Knight team up to solve a baffling art heist turned homicide. As they unravel clues hidden in masterpieces, they confront danger and deception, racing against time to catch a cunning killer before the final stroke of death is painted."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Newman Skyles
• Release date: Feb 20, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224258703

Newman Skyles

退休生活在佛罗里达州

Book preview

Artwork by an unknown artist

The audio version is narrated by a digital voice

Preface

In the world of art and intrigue, where the beauty of creativity converges with the shadows of deception, we find ourselves immersed in a narrative that transcends canvas and color. This is the story of stolen masterpieces, a tale that unfurls against the backdrop of renowned art galleries and clandestine dealings.

The Preface to this Odyssey invites you into a realm where the strokes of genius are marred by the actions of an art thief—a phantom figure who, under the cover of darkness, orchestrates the brazen heist of famous artworks. The narrative unfolds with the gravity of lost masterpieces, each canvas a silent witness to a crime that challenges the boundaries between creativity and criminality.

As you delve into the ensuing pages, prepare to navigate the labyrinth of the art world, where the stolen works transcend their physical absence to become enigmatic pieces in a puzzle of mystery and intrigue. The theft, as audacious as it is cunning, sets the stage for a riveting chase, pitting the pursuit of justice against the elusive tactics of an art thief who operates in the shadows.

The stolen masterpieces, each a testament to human creativity, become the focal point of a narrative that explores the value of art beyond its monetary worth. Join the journey into the heart of this captivating tale, where the quest for restitution becomes a symphony of investigation, emotions, and the timeless resonance of artistic expression.

The prelude to this story serves as a gateway into a world where the stolen artworks hold secrets, and pursuing the elusive thief becomes a journey that intertwines the realms of aesthetics and criminality. Welcome to a narrative where the strokes of a stolen brush echo louder than the silence of an empty gallery.

The canvas is set, the stolen masterpieces beckon, and pursuing the art thief is about to unfold—a tale that transcends the boundaries between the tangible and the ephemeral, between the strokes of creation and the shadows of theft.

Brushstroke for Murder

by Newman Skyles

Chapter 1

The Seine: Paris’ Liquid Poetry

On a breathtakingly cool night in the heart of Paris, a fine drizzle descended like a delicate veil over the city, adding a touch of mystique to the atmosphere. The Musée d’Orsay, an architectural marvel along the Seine River, cast its distinct shadows under the relentless play of moonlight, unveiling the opulence of this renowned French museum.

Amidst this nocturnal symphony, a silhouette emerged, a shadowy figure with purpose, racing across rooftops, a large bag slung over its back. Arriving at the skylight of the museum, the figure, now clearer in view, exhibited a cautious demeanor. With deliberate precision, the enigmatic shadow removed the skylight, revealing the contents of the bag laid beside it. What unfolded was a meticulous orchestration — a powerful drone, adorned with a top-of-the-line laser and a small fisheye lens. The controls emerged, and the trio of drone, laser, and lens underwent thorough testing. An aluminum hook, signaling intent, was affixed to the drone.

Satisfied with the preparations, the drone ascended gracefully, moving towards the open skylight. Through the lens attached to the drone, the passageways of the museum unfolded as it glided with a subtle hum through the architectural corridors.

The drone’s journey reached its pinnacle before Vincent van Gogh’s masterpiece, Starry Night Over the Rhône, crafted in 1888 and holding an estimated value of $100 million. The aluminum hook delicately secured the artwork as the laser embarked on its task, all executed under the watchful eye of the unidentified orchestrator. With the laser’s meticulous work completed, the painting ascended with the drone, retracing its steps toward the skyline opening.

A triumphant smile played across the shadow’s face at realizing the artwork’s substantial value—a successful catch on this captivating night. Yet, unsatisfied, the figure sent the drone back through the skylight; another prize beckoned from the depths of the museum, ensuring that the night’s endeavors were far from reaching their conclusion.

As the drone continued its nocturnal journey through the labyrinthine corridors of the Musée d’Orsay, a subtle hum resonated in the air, signaling its purposeful movement towards a second prize. Each calculated move added to the suspense, creating an air of anticipation in the silent halls.

Finally, the drone stopped, hovering before a masterpiece of echoing American artistic heritage. The iconic painting, Whistler’s Mother by James McNeill, crafted in 1871, stood as a testament to artistic brilliance and cultural significance. The dim glow of the museum’s ambient lighting cast a soft aura around the painting, emphasizing its profound presence.

The drone, now in the company of another artistic gem, seemed poised for another daring endeavor. The intricate details of Whistler’s Mother unfolded under the drone’s lens, capturing the nuances of the brushstrokes and the emotion encapsulated in the timeless work of art. The figure controlling the drone, still shrouded in mystery, was observed with keen interest as the scene unfolded before them.

With the same precision and finesse displayed in the retrieval of Starry Night Over the Rhône, the drone’s aluminum hook delicately approached the painting. The air was charged with anticipation as the laser, once again, embarked on its delicate task under the watchful eye of the controlling figure.

As the drone secured Whistler’s Mother, the profound silence of the museum bore witness to this audacious heist. The figure’s satisfaction was palpable, knowing that each stroke of the brush held a value beyond measure. The drone retraced its path, gracefully making its way back towards the skyline opening, carrying with it yet another masterpiece.

The mysterious orchestrator, a connoisseur of artful larceny, reveled in the night’s successful endeavors. The drone, now laden with cultural treasures, soared through the Parisian night, leaving behind a museum marked not only by its architectural brilliance but also by the audacious tales of stolen masterpieces.

Jean Pierre, a young and passionate soul, embarked on his first night as a security guard at the illustrious Musée d’Orsay. The hallowed halls echoed with the weight of history and the brilliance of artistic expression. A dreamer at heart, Jean’s journey into the world of art began at the Paris College of Art on Rue Fénelon, a path he pursued with fervor.

However, pursuing his artistic dreams came at a cost—a hefty €27,200 per year in fees, a price that forced Jean to agree with practicality. Selling his soul to the demands of financial responsibility, he took on a part-time job to ease the exorbitant burden of college expenses. Tonight marked a new chapter for Jean, balancing his artistic aspirations with the practicalities of life.

As he patrolled the museum’s corridors, adorned with the masterpieces that fueled his passion, Jean’s gaze lingered on Le Déjeuner sur l’Herbe by Édouard Manet. The painting, a testament to artistic rebellion and brilliance, held him in a hypnotic trance. Each stroke of the brush seemed to beckon him into a world where creativity knew no bounds.

Lost in contemplating art, Jean’s reverie was suddenly shattered by an unfamiliar hum. The rhythmic sound resonated through the hallway, pulling him back to the present. Intrigued and curious, he followed the hum, his steps echoing in the silent museum.

As Jean approached the source of the mysterious sound, the humming became more distinct. The anticipation and curiosity danced in his eyes as he ventured further, unaware that the night held secrets beyond the canvases on the walls. The D’Orsay, a haven of artistic treasures, now harbored an unexpected twist in the tale—a twist that Jean Pierre, the aspiring artist turned security guard, was about to unravel.

Jean’s footsteps quickened as he followed the enigmatic hum, his senses heightened by the mystery unfolding around him. As he approached the vacant space on the wall, a disconcerting sight awaited him. A plaque revealed the absence of the renowned Starry Night Over the Rhône by Vincent van Gogh, a revelation that sent a shock through Jean’s artistic soul. No one had informed him of this disappearance.

Panic surged through him, propelling him to run toward the humming sound. The echoes of his hurried steps reverberated through the corridor as he turned corners and maneuvered through the dimly lit museum. The urgency in his movements mirrored the unexpected chaos that had disrupted the tranquility of the night.

Abruptly halting in his tracks, Jean found himself face to face with an otherworldly scene. Down the hall, a painting floated suspended in mid-air, tethered to an unconventional companion—an unidentified drone. The painting held captive in this airborne dance, painted a surreal picture against the backdrop of the museum’s classical elegance.

Jean’s bewilderment deepened as he watched the painting ascend rapidly towards an opening in the ceiling. Determination flickered in his eyes as he sprinted towards the mesmerizing spectacle, the drone carrying the artwork eluding his grasp. Halfway to the floating masterpiece, he witnessed it ascend with increasing speed, disappearing through the opening in the ceiling. Jean, now standing in the aftermath of the surreal encounter, pondered the implications of this unexpected turn of events. The D’Orsay, once a sanctuary of artistic treasures, had become a stage for a heist.

Jean stood in disbelief, grappling with the surreal disappearance of Starry Night Over the Rhône. As the realization sunk in, he couldn’t ignore the certainty that what he witnessed ascending through the ceiling was not the work of Vincent van Gogh, but Whistler’s Mother by James McNeill.

The urgency of the situation propelled Jean into action. His gaze darted around the hallway, searching for the means to alert the museum’s security to this unprecedented breach. Spotting the alarm designated for security emergencies related to the artwork, he rushed towards it with resolve.

Jean’s hands swiftly reached for the alarm, his mind racing with the responsibility that now rested on his shoulders. He hesitated for a moment, considering the magnitude of what he was about to do. With a deep breath, he pressed the alarm, unleashing its shrill sound that would resonate through the museum’s corridors.

The alarm’s wail cut through the silence, signaling an emergency that went beyond routine security protocols. Jean, now the unwitting protagonist in a night of unexpected twists, awaited the response that would unfold in the wake of his decision. The echoes of the alarm seemed to reverberate with the urgency of restoring order to the disrupted serenity of the Musée d’Orsay.

In the chaos of blaring alarms, the shadowy figure moved with practiced efficiency. Tools that facilitated the daring heist were swiftly returned to the bag, leaving no trace behind. Clutching the two invaluable paintings, Starry Night Over the Rhône and Whistler’s Mother, the figure hastened across the museum’s rooftop.

Reaching the edge, the shadow revealed a Forklift Basket strategically positioned for a swift escape. With seamless precision, the button on the control panel was pressed, prompting the basket to descend. In a calculated move, the shadow leaped onto the descending platform, holding the stolen masterpieces close.

As the basket descended, the figure wasted no time. Swiftly navigating the ground, the shadow entered a waiting truck, its engine humming in readiness. The vehicle, now harboring the mysterious figure and the stolen artworks, accelerated away from the scene, disappearing into the night.

The Musée d’Orsay, shrouded in the aftermath of the audacious heist, was left with the echoes of the blaring alarm and the vacant spaces on its walls. The shadow, now a phantom in the night, had successfully executed a daring escape, leaving the museum to grapple with the void created by the loss of cultural treasures that had once adorned its hallowed halls.