"Who's Da Vinci?"

by Delbert R. Gardner

About the Author: A veteran of World War II, Dr. Delbert R. Gardner (www.gardnercastle.com) taught English literature and creative writing at Keuka College. Recent publications include stories in From Sac: Outsider, Unbridled II, and Lamplight and poetry in Tales of the Talisman, Star*Line, Goblin Fruit, and four Rhysling Award anthologies, among others.

Excerpt

In the back seat of the speeding taxicab rode two passengers: one a large muscular man lounging back in the seat, the other a thin, nervous-looking man perched forward on the seat with three paintings upright on his knees. The attitudes of the two men reflected the fact that one was in charge and the other did not know where they were going—or when he would return, if ever, from the trip.

“What have I let myself in for?” thought Jed Pinto, as he tried to keep his paintings from being damaged by the jouncing of the cab. Was he really on his way to see a wealthy art-lover who was interested in becoming his patron? He had thought so when he entered the cab at the invitation of his companion.

“My boss will love your paintings,” was the burly man’s promise as they had left Jed’s luggage shop.

But now after riding for most of an hour, Jed was not at all sure he was about to gain a patron. On the contrary, he felt that he might lose something—and he hoped it was only material possessions. For one thing, his companion’s manner had changed from one of affability while in Jed’s luggage shop to one of cool reserve in the taxi. Jed began to regret the big man’s interest in his hobby of painting.

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