"Bring me up to date."
The two men were enjoying lunch on the Champ de Mars at the cultural icon; La Tour Eiffel. Named after the man who designed and built the tower, Gustave Eiffel.
"Quite simple, Monsieur Engelond. The project progresses on schedule."
They were seated fifty-seven meters above the ground.
"And how do we know this, precisely?" Engelond is large, impatient and overbearing.
An additional meter for the height of the kitchen stove and hence the name of the restaurant; 58 Tour Eiffel.
"Our people have been inside. Jones has set up a retail store. The second floor is a studio. Elaborate security including a 38 cubic foot commercial quality fireproof jewelry safe."
It was late spring. Bright, clear sky with temperatures in the high sixties.
"How far along is the painting?"
Engelond was uneasy about this project. Under normal conditions he would have arranged, at the minimum, three levels of insulation between himself and those involved. There, was however, an emotional element here. He had wanted to own this painting for years. Now it was within his reach. Nothing would interfere. Engelond would be on top of this operation every step of the way. The only acceptable outcome was success.
"Honnetement, it is impossible to tell. To my eye, perhaps three-quarters. The Italian's work is genius, maybe bordering on the supernatural. I can come up with no explanation for how well he duplicates the original."
"How does Jones plan to transport the painting?”
"Monsieur Jones has bought property in the Geneva business district. It is to be an art gallery. The interior is being completed as we speak. Dozens of painting have been ordered from all over Europe. A toutes fins pratiques, the operation will appear to be legitimate. When the time comes, your painting will be shipped to the gallery with six or more other works of art. Quite ingenieux, really."
"How do you suppose that he will switch the copy for the original?"
"Aucune idee! I can only say with certitude that no one will suspect. As far as anyone can tell, no crime will have been committed. This is Monsieur Jones' reputation. I have seen it with my own eyes."
"You're confident that he can pull this off?"
"Oui."
"Good. Very good. You have done well. One last small detail. When this over, I believe that we will no longer need the Italian or Mr. Jones."
"Si vous souhaitez, pourquoi if I may ask?"
"Let's say loose ends. Besides, as for Jones, I don't care for his kind."
"Peux j'assiste toute autre chose?"
"That's it for now."
"Dans ce cas, we shall speak soon, Monsieur Engelond."
"Good day, Monsieur LaVache."