“There are quite a few people out there whose full-time occupation is recovering looted art. Most of the time, the art is hiding in plain sight. Look at the Gurlitt collection in Munich. Everyone around knew about Hildebrand Gurlitt for years, including the German government. But no one said a word. What is really needed is for violating countries to start fessing up.”

“That’s not going to happen,” McAdams said.

“I agree with you,” Merritt said. “The Vichy government looted thousands of pieces. Most of the paintings never made it back to their rightful owners. It’s rumored that billions of dollars of art is languishing in the basement of the Louvre. The museum can’t display it for obvious reasons. They won’t even admit they have it. And France was an Allied country. You’d think it would rush to do the proper thing. But where money is concerned, ethics fly out the window.”

“Politics and art,” McAdams said. “In the case of Soviet art, they’re one and the same.”

Decker nodded. “Does the name John Jeffrey Latham mean anything to you, Mr. Merritt?”

The dealer appeared to give the questions some thought. “No, I don’t think it does. Who is he?”

“How about Angeline Moreau?”

“Neither name is familiar. Who are they?”

“Could either one be a client?”

“Spell them for me, please?” When Decker complied, Merritt sat down at his computer and typed on the keyboard. “Not on my current list. What do they have to do with your case?”

“Supposedly, Latham was an expert on Soviet art,” McAdams said.

A long silence. “You used the past tense,” Merritt said.

“Our case has branched out from stolen Tiffany.” Decker gave him a brief and startling recap. “We know the theft isn’t big enough to warrant two bestial murders.”

“That’s . . .” His face was white. “Just horrible.”

“That’s why we need any help we can get.”

“I can’t help you at all. Nor do I think that I want to get involved.”

“A few more questions then we’re out of your hair,” Decker said. “Just give us some direction. What would be worth murdering over?”

“Murder is not my area of expertise, Detective.”

“But art is. What, in your opinion, what art is worth murdering over?”

“That question is obscene.”

“So is homicide. Help me out.”

Merritt sighed. “There are tens of thousands of priceless masterpieces out there.”

“I’ll narrow it down for you. What kind of Russian art work could lead to murder?”

“Oh dear . . .” He sighed. “Since we’ve been talking about Nazi looting . . . I suppose if you had the crates that contained the original Amber Room . . . well, it’s something that would be very near and dear to many a Russian heart.”

Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21