“In what year did your father regain ownership of the apartment?”
"The year 1952".
“Ten years,” said Gabriel. “And the Van Gogh is still there?”
“Right where my grandfather hid it, under the planks in the library.”
"Incredible".
“That"s right,” she replied. “The painting stayed in the Weinberg family for more than a century, through war and m******e. Now you"re asking me to give it up."
“Not giving up,” Gabriel replied.
"Then how is it?"
"I just…". He paused, looking for the right word. “I need to rent it.”
“Rent the painting? How long?"
“I cannot say in advance. Maybe a month. Maybe six months. Or a year or so.”
"For what purpose?"
Gabriel was not willing to answer her questions. He picked up the bottle cap and scratched the torn wrapper with his fingernails.
“Do you know how
