Once she got home, with tears still in her eyes, Charlotte took the painting off the wall. She tenderly brushed away the dust that had collected on the gilded frame over the years. Turning it over, she examined every inch, seeking whatever secret Paul had urgently wanted her to uncover. But the aged canvas revealed nothing out of the ordinary to her unschooled eye.
Still, her husband’s dying plea echoed in her mind. Charlotte resolved to dig deeper, no matter what it took. She phoned the local museum, recounting her plight to an art historian who kindly offered his expertise. Soon he arrived to collect the painting, moved by Charlotte’s story. Though the amateur artwork was no historic masterpiece, the historian couldn’t resist this curious mystery. He would utilize all his technical skills and knowledge usually reserved for priceless pieces to unlock its long-hidden secrets.