Read Online London Art Chase by Natalie Grant - Free Book Online Page A

Julia said.
    â€œWhat will you do about my cello?” the cellist demanded.
    â€œI understand you’re upset,” the director said. “But if your instrument is unharmed—”
    â€œAs I’ve been trying to tell you, we won’t know whether it is harmed until the instrument is played, and not just a note or two, but when the instrument is truly warmed up and being used as it’s meant to be used. Then I’ll know if there are any damages.”
    â€œSomeone stole a Renoir!” Maddie blurted. “We saw him take it right off the wall.”
    Everyone stopped and stared. Even Miss Julia looked a little shocked.
    â€œYou may have thought you saw . . .” the director began.
    â€œI don’t have time to sit here while these children make excuses for themselves,” the cellist said. “My concert is in five minutes and I need to warm up my cello.”
    â€œPerhaps I can take your contact information?” the director asked Miss Julia. “Just in case?”
    â€œOf course,” Miss Julia said. She jotted a few lines on the director’s notepad and passed it back to him.
    â€œThank you.” The director stood and ushered the cellist toward the door. “Feel free to reach out if you need anything, and I’ll be happy to connect you with Miss Julia and the girls. And now, I believe it’s almost time for that concert of yours. I think I’ll come down to hear you play.”
    â€œBut what about the robbery?” Maddie asked.
    The director waited until the cellist was out of the office and then gave Maddie his not-so-patient smile. “If there was a robbery in this museum, you can rest assured I’d be the first to hear about it.”
    â€œBut—”
    The director talked right over Maddie. “And if you think you see a crime, the best thing to do is to tell a security guard or a bobby about it. What if he’d been a real thief? What would you have done if you’d caught him?” the director asked.
    â€œPinned him to the ground and called for help!” Lulu announced.
    Miss Julia shot her a warning look. “We’ll be more careful in the future, won’t we, girls?”
    â€œYes,” they each said in turn.
    The word felt bitter in Maddie’s mouth. It wasn’t fair that no one was listening to her when she’d only been trying to help. She shouldn’t have been running—she knew that—but if she’d caught the thief, no one would be worried about the running, would they? They’d just be grateful she’d stopped the robbery. And of all the paintings, it had to be “Sun-Splattered Afternoon.” It was such a beautiful painting, one that stood out from all the rest. Now it might be lost forever. The thought made her stomach twist up in knots all over again.
    â€œIt’s time to go, girls. We should let the director get to the concert,” Miss Julia said. “Thank you again for your help, sir.”
    â€œAnytime,” he said. “It looks to me like the girls have learned their lesson.”
    â€œWe have,” Mia said, and elbowed Maddie.
    Maddie nodded but didn’t say anything. She knew the moment she opened her mouth, she’d start explaining herself all over again. No matter how much she said, it was clear no one would listen to her about the thief. If she wanted to stop him, it appeared she was on her own.



FOURTEEN
    J ust as they reentered the main hall, the conductor clicked his baton against the music stand, and the musicians all played a few notes to ensure they were in tune. Maddie listened for the cello—would it be off-key?
    â€œCello sounds fine to me,” Mia said.
    â€œI hope it is,” Maddie said. “I feel awful about knocking it over. I never would have done that on purpose.”
    â€œIn my opinion, she kind of overreacted,” Mia said. “She could have been a little more understanding.”
    â€œI