"No. I've made a generous offer each year for the past three years. They refused every time. I even left the last offer open, letting them put in whatever figure they wished, and still, they were not interested. I never thought men could be so unreasonable," he said angrily.

I could see that the idea of his money not being able to buy something was poignantly irritating to him. "Is that not contradictory to what you said about wealth sweetening life? After all, you said this is your passion, what keeps you going," I said, baiting him.

"That's where you're mistaken, my friend. It is precisely my wealth that will bring the portrait back into my possession."

"How's that?"

"I'm going to contract someone to steal it. My life will be sweetened, and the vehicle is still money, there are no two ways about it. Never underestimate the potential of kinetic money," he said laughing.

"How much would it cost to have it stolen?"

"I would go as high as two million American dollars."

"That's a lot of money," I said, trying to match his cool demeanor.

"That depends on your frame of reference," he said, fixing his eyes on me. "It's a reasonable price for a part of your own identity. You'd do the same thing in my place. It's just as you told my wife at dinner, you'd like to go back to Istanbul if you had the money. Do you remember saying that?"

"Of course I remember, and I would go back if I had the money. I'd go back to Bulgaria as well. I understand what you're saying, what I don't get is your point."

"The point is, that you must seize an opportunity when it comes because it can last you several lifetimes. My situation with Bando at Latsei is a good example."

Poppy's episode with Joubert was a good example too. "That's all well and good, but the world is a different place today. Those opportunities are harder to come by."

Samas shook his head slowly from side to side. "Opportunity is everywhere Evan. It could be in this room with us right now. It could even be on the wall behind you," he said, staring at me.

I turned to look at the blank spot. "Are you suggesting that I steal it for you?"