“Publish it, of course,” said Zeke. “It’s time everyone learned who the real D. Shammas is. Rufus included.”

“Do you actually think that’s a good idea? Once the collectors find out they’ve been fooled, they’ll probably want to sue the living daylights out of your whole family,” I said. “And just think what Angelica Velvet will say! Or does she already know? Zeke, was that why she was arguing with you in the ballroom earlier?”

“Angelica believed in my grandmother’s work when nobody else did. She has an eye for talent, there’s no denying that. But she’s gotten greedy, and out of touch. She freaked when she found out about my little publishing project. Said I’d ruin her. What Angelica doesn’t know is this: the art world will forgive nearly any crime, so long as the work is interesting. Forgeries can be recast as masterworks, and vice versa. It’s all a matter of perception. It took me a long time to come to terms with what my grandmother did, but I see her in a different light now. I believe, with my poetical skill, I can help others do the same.”

“Will the art world forgive you for stealing your grandmother’s statue?” retorted George. “We know you’re the ones who took it.”

“George!” I chided. “We don’t know that. I told you, Diana only said that the statue was hers, not that she took it.”

“I didn’t take the statue. Even though it was rightfully mine,” said Diana quietly.

“Of course you didn’t steal it. But who promised it to you?” Bess asked sweetly, trying to coax Diana out of her shell.

“Mona Pearl did. When we were still collaborators. I don’t know what we are now.”

“But didn’t that statue belong to the Duchess? It’s one of her creations, right?” Bess asked.

“Mona Pearl made it herself, actually,” the Duchess explained. “That summer she stayed with me. She was trying to prove that she could be just as good a forger as I was. I tried to convince her to focus on her own work instead of copying other people’s.”

“The Duchess isn’t the only artist in this family,” replied Zeke, chuckling. “She’s just the only one to achieve major art world recognition. Not as herself, of course. When I received her invitation, I knew she wanted to change that. But giving away the paintings isn’t enough. Grandmother, if you want to be recognized as the great artist you are, you have to tell the truth.”

“But Zeke, don’t you think people will be angry when they find out they spent all that money on fakes?” I asked.

“Art lovers appreciate any story that brings a little intrigue to their day,” Zeke said. “Forged paintings and vanishing statues are very intriguing. And the whole story is even better: a mysterious artist turns out to be local philanthropist and collector Duchess Strickland! Rufus Le Crous may not be a pleasant man, but he’s an excellent writer. If anyone can spin a good yarn from this situation, it’s him.”