Portobello Road, Erica

[Richard Goodfellow]

Richard spent most of his holidays at Whitby. The morning of his date with Erica, he had a decent sized breakfast, so that he wouldn't eat like a pig at the cafe, and dressed in the simplest Muggle clothing that he had; worn jeans, and a new plain tee-shirt. He didn't know how the weather would be, but he guessed it would be hot.

He Apparated to St. Mungo's and then went to his office out of habit, to check to see what was going on in his absense.

"Hey, where have you been?" Benson demanded, appearing at his door. "I think that the iron pyrite was a wrong choice, and that magnitized iron filings would do the trick, but Snape thinks that...," he rattled on.

"I'm on holiday," Richard interrupted him. "By orders of the Adminstration. I just came to check on some stuff, and I'm going to be out for the day."

"Well, while you're out, would you please see if you can find some magnitized iron filings? There aren't any at the Alley, not as far I could search out, so maybe," Benson said, not finishing his sentence. "We are so close, and I'd hate for this not to work."

"I'll see what I can do, now if you'll excuse me," Richard started, and then noticed Jerome standing silently in the doorway.

"What is it?" he asked his flatmate, while ignoring his work associate.

Jerome's face was unreadable. "Melissa's back in town," he said. "Weena Wells told me."

"Who's Melissa?" Benson asked.

An emotional vampire, Richard thought. "Someone who's been out of the country for a while," he answered, giving Benson a brief, fake smile. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have an appointment to get to."

"And if you find any ferromagnetic samples out there, could you bring some back?" Benson asked.
.....

Due to the daylight and the fact that he didn't know where the Apparation point was for the area, Richard decided to take the public transportation to get to the cafe.

He was only five minutes late getting to the cafe.
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[NPC]

Erica woke much earlier than she usually does, mostly out of anticipation and nerves than anything else. At least she did sleep and looked well-rested even if she didn’t feel like that. Throwing a dirty look at the bedside clock, she goes to the kitchen and makes tea.

She sat reading in bed for a while, waiting for her normal time to leave for the gym, which was still plenty time to finish her workout and get to Portobello Road in time.

Since she had picked out her outfit the day before, there was no last minute running around to find something or to capitulate and change clothes fourteen times before dashing out the door in a hurry because one was late.

Her workout went well and she was done a bit earlier than usual, so she took her time in the showers to relax a bit. She had chosen a pair of jeans and trainers – lots of walking on heels was not her idea of fun – a t-shirt and she had a short denim jacket on hand in case it got cold later. She pulled her hair back in a ponytail but left off the make-up except for some lip gloss.

She arrived at the shop a few minutes early and while quite busy, managed to get them a table in very short order. It only took some surreptitious flirting, which she was good at. She ordered some coffee and perused the menu while waiting for Richard.
--

[Richard Goodfellow]

As he headed to the cafe, he spotted John Bradley, who'd been a year ahead of him in school, and was now working in the Ministry.

Bradley saw him too, and waved him down. "Haven't seen you in ages," he said.

"Well, with your good health, consider yourself lucky," the Healer replied, jokingly.

"Well, yeah, you're right. Watch your pockets today - rumor has it that there's a rogue goblin out, stealing gold. And hey, I heard Melissa Robinson is back in town," he said.

"Thanks for the news," Richard replied untruthfully. "Be seeing you."

"Yeah, my wife dragged me here today - we'll probably be running into you everywhere," Bradley replied. "So later, than."

"Later," Richard nodded as he turned his back on him and went into the cafe.

It was crowded, and it took him a few moments for his eyes to adjust. The aromas of the baking and the coffees were mouth-watering. It took him a few moments to recognize the music on the over-head. It was opera - "The Love of Three Oranges". It would seem that Melissa had taken over London already.

At least it's at a cheerful part, he thought glumly.

He found Erica at the table, and sat across from her. "Sorry to be late," he said with a smile. "Have you been waiting long?" She looked like she was ready for a very casual day, and he didn't notice himself having any problem talking to her.

He flagged down a server and ordered a blueberry muffin, and a hot chocolate Milano.

"So are these originals or lithographs that we're looking for? Or what are they, exactly?" he asked Erica.

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[NPC]

Erica had the appearance of studying her menu intently, but she was watching everything carefully while she waited for Richard. Conversations flowed easily around her and everybody seemed eager to be out in the market the moment they finished resting in the café.

She also heard one or two people complaining to their friends that someone was stealing jewelry and from the little she heard, there was a goblin around.

Her coffee arrived and she pleaded a few more minutes to decide. The seat she had at the table afforded a great view through the doors to the outside and she saw Richard talking to someone outside before he came in to look for her.

Erica looked Richard over as he approached and nodded in approval. It seemed that the newer generations of wizarding folk had no problem dressing in ways to blend in with Muggles. She smiled up at him as he sat down. “No, not long, my coffee is still hot,” she teased as she picked up the cup to take a sip.

When Richard placed his order, Erica added hers (raspberry and white chocolate muffin and more coffee). “Have you had a good week?” she asked him as she leaned back in the chair, taking another sip of coffee.

She pulled the pictures and descriptions from a jacket pocket and handed it over to Richard. “From what I understand from Simone, it’s originals and not reproductions. She doesn’t strike me as the kind of woman that would go for anything other than the real deal.”

When their order arrives, she smiles eagerly. “I have been waiting all week to have one of these,” she said with a grin. “Of course it’s not enough for breakfast, but it will do for now. I can’t eat that much after a workout or it goes straight to my hips,” she added with a rueful smile.
--

[Richard Goodfellow]

Richard's attention was caught for a brief moment by a woman who had long straight blonde hair. She was outside the window, and for a blink of an eye, he thought she was Melissa. He gave a brief frown as he sipped his drink.

Walnuts! So much for relaxing today, he ruefully thought.

He focused his attention on Erica and looked at her. He appreciated her simple outfit and fresh, make-up free face, and he smiled again.

"It's been an interesting week. I've been on forced holiday - "use it or lose it" - so I've been making myself a nuisance of myself all over the countryside," he joked.

He carefully took the pictures from her hands and studied them. "I looked up some stuff about the artists. I understand that Kinkade no longer sells originals, so what's out there is getting up in the high-price department. I could be wrong about that, of course. Not selling the originals, I meant. I'm sure that the people at the art shop could tell us.

"Cscada - am I pronouncing that correctly? - still does originals, but they're pretty spendy too.

"Are you sure that the robbery wasn't just a red herring to snag these two paintings in particular? They might be hanging up at someone's vacation villa, with some other stolen artworks, especially if everything else was less valuable."

He caught the reference to her working out: He recognized it as a flirtting line, one that he'd heard a number of times, a bit of light banter for conversation.

And he knew his lines well: "They do a fine job of baking these - imported from France, just for this cafe's outlets. So, where do you work out?"
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[NPC]

“Oh, my,” Erica said with mock gravity. “To be forced to take the week off must be a terrible thing.” Her cheeks dimple with a smile. “Are you enjoying it at least?” she asked. “Merrick sent in all the paperwork for the current project, so we will probably hear if we have a go ahead on Monday. Then it’s a few weeks of intense activity, followed by more planning for the project after that.”

“Well, I understood from Simone that she saved up quite a bit before getting the pieces, so my guess is she got them from a private sale or estate maybe?” Erica knew very little of matters pertaining to buying original art.

“Hmm,” she muses for a moment. That would be something her team would do, so it should have been the first option they should have looked at. “It could very well be something like that, but I want to at least make an effort before telling her that the artworks are completely gone.” She drank from the cup in front of her.

Erica smiled. Richard knew how this went, he was following the “script” and she hoped it would put him at ease. The previous times their conversations didn’t quite make sense so she was glad they had a starting point. “Well, these muffins are delightful.”

She smiles at Richard. “Well, there’s a small gym near my house that I go to. Not too many members and its never crowded.” She also spent quite a bit for the privilege to go to that gym, but he didn’t need to know that.

“So, are we going to browse the arty sections to see what we can scare up?” she asked about halfway through the muffin. “Or are there some shops in the area that would be of better help in our quest?”
--

[Richard Goodfellow]

Her dimpled smile reminded him of someone else, but he forgot it while replying to her question. "I am enjoying it very much. I slept in a lot at first, caught up on some reading, did a few things I'd been putting off, and basically rested. But I still feel guilty, taking the time off, when there's so much to do at the hospital.

"Sounds like you're really going to be busy for the next while," he said, while sipping his drink, and toying with the mug.

"If she got the Kinkade from a gallery before he became famous, it might have been quite affordable. And would be far more valuable, as he wouldn't have any copies of them about. It seems as though all the ones he's done since starting his mass market business have at least an hundred prints, all numbered and signed, and framed.

"As for the other artist, I'm not familiar with him, and didn't find anything worth reporting," he said with a small frown as he put the empty cup down.

He briefly imagined her going through an exercise work-out, what she'd be wearing, and quickly brought the subject back to the present time. (After all, that's what the flirt line was all about.)

"There's an art shoppe down the street that Merrick and I visited the other night, that has some Thomas Kinkade stuff it in. I thought we'd start there, and then, maybe they'd have some ideas of where there might be stalls selling seconds of the stuff.

If the thieves wanted to simply unload the stuff, not knowing the values of the paintings, that might be a lead, especially if they think that, since the Kinkade wouldn't be in a catalogue, that it's a cheap knock-off.*"

He finished his muffin, glad that he'd had something to eat before. There would be street stalls of uncommon foodstuffs to enjoy later.

He waited for a break in the restaurant crowd, and then asked Erica, "Well, ready to start the search?"

----------------

* Rembrandts! El Greco’s! Toulouse-Letrec’os!
Painted last week on the banks of the Thames!

lyrics from song in "Bedknobs and Broomsticks"

[NPC]

Erica smiles as Richard tells of his holiday. “Well, it sounds like you’re having a grand time. I hope it gives you new vigor to do your work at the hospital.” Her words are heartfelt.

A sigh escapes her. “As much as I enjoy the work, the pace of it sometimes gets the better of me,” she admits.

“I guess she got the Kinkade from an agent or gallery, it could even be a print. I didn’t know he was so prolific in his reproduction of original work.” She sounds perplexed as to why someone would want so many of the same work out in the market.

“I want to at least make some effort to help her get the works back – if someone took them to hang in their villa, then that is too bad.” Erica sounded for all the world like she can’t fathom why people steal.

“Sounds like a plan,” she agreed. “They might know something that we can pass on to Simone.” She nods as Richard continues. “They probably didn’t know what they have on their hands. Sloppy kind of thief if you ask me,” she said a little dismissively.

Erica popped the last bit of muffin in her mouth and chased it with the last swallow of coffee. “I’m ready when you are,” she said with a smile.
--

[Richard Goodfellow]

He returned her smile with a wry one of his own. "The whole idea of a holiday is to relax. And I had planned on taking one - sometime," he said a bit defensively.

He nodded in agreement of her remark about her work - it wasn't much different with his.

"Kinkade seems to be all over the map, and owns gallaries that sell nothing but his stuff - Prints, Christmas ornaments, knick-knacks. They're in the Sunday newspaper ads in the States. A lot of people like his stuff, and if he didn't make prints, well, there wouldn't be as many people who could afford to buy it, so he'd make less money," he said with a shrug. He imagined what Professor Snape would do if there was ever a Kinkade picture brought in, and then imagined a Cscada, and then had some trouble wiping the images from his brain.

He caught the thread of the conversation again when she said, "It sounds like a plan." What sounds like a plan? he wondered.

He nodded and stood up. "Well, let's head over to the gallery across the street," he said, as he opened the door for her.

[NPC]

Erica grinned at Richard. "Relaxation eludes most people, but when we get to do it, we relax with conviction and exuberance. At least that's what my mother used to say," she explains.

"Well, I think producing "art" to make a quick buck is a little tacky, though I guess the pictures can be nice. Bit chocolate box for my tastes, but Simone likes it." She shrugs. "I like a variety of art, so if it catches my eye and I think its nice then I'll consider buying it. But I'd say my tastes run more towards bolder color use and textures..."

"So, if the art shop / gallery can't help, then its off to the art and antique section of the market?" She gives a sly smile. "And after that... shopping for things we don't need and can't help but like."

Erica got up, left some money on the table for her coffee and muffin and headed out the door, smiling at Richard as he held it open for her. She paused outside for him to catch up and they headed down the street and across the road to the shop Richard had mentioned.

Once inside she looked around, taking in the Mugglish versions of magical creatures. "You guys did see these things, right?" she asked, peering at one of the statuettes.
--

[Richard Goodfellow]

"'Relax with conviction and exuberance' - sounds like a lot of work," he said half-jokingly.

He didn't have much of an opinion of the Kinkade paintings.

"There's a lot of people who like his stuff; I have my preferences of landscapes of places I've been to, but his are too unreal. I guess it might be called 'romantic', and there might be one or two that I might like - after all, it's not all vine-covered cottages.

"But is there a way to contact your friend, to find out if we're suppose to be looking for originals or prints? And if prints, what number in the series? We might end up finding some one's Uncle Fredrick's copy, and not hers. The more we know, the better questions to ask the art shop people."

He smiled and shrugged at her suggestion of shopping for fun. "Oddly enough, I've been given a shopping list of things to bring back to St. Mungo's, including ferromagnetic samples, and anything from South Africa, toy animals of New Zealand, Star Wars toys, a music box that plays tunes from Star Wars, plastic jewelry and something that a Puffskein might like to play with."

He returned her smile as she went out the door. Nice smile, he thought.

Inside the shop, he looked at the stuff that he and Merrick thought was Squib produced. "We did, but it's not doing anything. None of it is spelled or enchanted, so it's just art for art's sake, it would seem. I don't recognize the name of the 'artist', and I doubt if it's the real name anyway."

He pointed to the Kinkade corner. "There's the book that might have more information on the painting; it looks like the shop clerks are all with other customers right now."

[NPC]

Erica laughed. “I didn’t say was going to make sense,” she teased.

She made a gagging noise. “There’s romantic and then there is over romanticized drivel that is overpriced.” She gave a small apologetic smile. “Don’t mind me, I’m just a bit too opinionated on that issue.”

Erica grimaced. “I knew I should have spoken to you before this trip. Merrick can be so absentminded sometimes or just oblivious. He’s the one that spoke to Simone about most of this stuff, I didn’t ask too many questions since the loss of her stuff wasn’t pleasant to talk about. Now I see I should have.” She looked up at Richard. “I guess the best we can do is ask the gallery if they have heard of pieces becoming available? Show the pictures and ask them to keep an eye out?”

She laughed. “Well, the South African stuff shouldn’t be too hard to find. This is London, there are thousands upon thousands of them around and lots of them sell stuff at markets. As for the Star Wars stuff… I’m sure we’ll find something appropriate.” She paused to think a moment. “I hope.”

Erica can’t help but grin. “What do Puffskeins play with?” she asked with perfect innocence.

She was really enjoying the day so far. Richard was talking to her and didn’t seem a bit confused like he did at Merrick’s party.

Erica nodded as Richard explained. “Well, I guess the Muggles take it for fantasy and the fevered imaginings of some strange people. Not what I would buy, but then I’ve seen some of the real things and well, I wouldn’t want some of them around.”

She wandered over to the Kinkade goods and looked through the catalogue. “I guess someone here will know something that could be of help. If not, then I suppose I’ll have to come back in the week with the right information.”
--

[Richard Goodfellow]

Richard snorted softly as Merrick's name came up. If he does his homework for his jobs as well as he did for this 'mission', he's in a lot of trouble, Richard thought.

"Well, with the photos, at least we can see if they do have prints out, and get an idea of what size they'd be, or if they're no longer on the market," he said. "And maybe they can tell us if there's an original that just came on the market. I'd think that prints were rather commonly traded.

"Maybe there's a map there of what areas of the market sell what."

He grimaced. "The Puffskeins I know of like dust bunnies and boogers. I have no idea what else, but I'm to know it when I see it."

They went through the catalouges of the artists, looking for copies of the photos of the two art works. Richard found a business card for the presumed Squib artist and pocketed it. He might need the information later, although he couldn't imagine why.

After getting what information that they could about the two paintings and the location of other contemporary galleries , they were back out on the street. The place was full of people, stalls, tables and noise. The traffic seemed to flow in one direction, and they joined in, maps in hands, drifting down the way.

.

[NPC]

Erica glanced at Richard when he snorted, but didn’t ask why. Probably something Merrick said to him before today and she said something that sparked the amusing thought.

“I suppose that will work,” she agreed, “I just hope we can make some headway today.” She flashed him a smile. “Thanks again for helping out,” she added as they waited for the sales person to speak to them.

“I have a lot of dust bunnies you can have for free,” she said with a grin, “but boogers you’ll have to find somewhere else.” She punched his arm lightly then turned to the salesperson with a smile. “Hey, we have a couple of questions about some Kinkade works that might have become available recently. Maybe one like this?” she asked as she placed the picture on the counter.

After getting pointed at the catalogues and browsing through it for a while they had some information. She glanced at Richard with a raised eyebrow as he pocketed the business card.

Maps in hand they follow the flow of traffic through the market towards the art sections.
--

[Richard Goodfellow]

“No problem,” he said in reply to her thanks. He looked around the art gallery again – perhaps he’d come back later and get the Horn Dance painting. There was something compelling about it, and having it Charmed into the hospital network would be easy.

He took the punch in the arm with a mock “ouch”. “Oh, it finds plenty of dust bunnies around the place, and it’s usually getting its daily requirement of boogers in the children’s waiting area.”

Richard had a general idea of where to start looking for the supposed Squib artist.

And as they went out the door, he steered them in the direction of the next gallery that sold contemporary paintings, and, on the way, a few places to stop at on the hunt.

The map showed a leather stall on the side of the street, one of the Saturday-only spots. “I need to talk to someone here,” he told Erica. A Jamaican with dreadlocks was tending the place.

“Hey, Goodfellow! Long time, no see!” he said in a strong accent.

Richard noticed a suede leather jerkin, dyed a soft burgundy, hanging behind him. “You’re right, Geoff, it has been. Say, could you let me see that? I have an anniversary coming up, and I think that my mum would like that. But first, do you know anything about the name on this card? Or have you heard anything about a Thomas Kinkade theft or a Cscada? I know I’m not pronouncing that right.

“Erica, would you mind if we charmed a couple of copies of the pictures? Geoff might be able to find a lead or something.”

While they were talking, as shop assistant came over to Erica. “Hey, did you hear about the gold grubbing goblin?” the teenage boy asked as he tried not to stare at her, but failed to keep his eyes in his head.
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