Virginia Winters

Painting of Sorrow Virginia Winters

Sarah Downing, a newly-minted Ph. D. in art history, in Kingston, Ontario, receives an assignment to conserve a copy of a Caravaggio. While writing the description, her thoughts turn to the imminent release from prison of her brutal ex-husband Jimmy. She had testified against Jimmy and disappeared into the American Witness Protection Program(WitSec).

Sarah is convinced the Caravaggio is original. When an accident in the studio reveals a second copy, Sarah suspects the Director of the museum, Gregory Lang and her boss, Veronica Houstead, of planning to sell the original. She is determined to save it from the black market in stolen art.

When Jimmy shows up on her street, Sarah is forced to call the Witness Protection Service and run once again but she can't leave the painting to be sold. She hides it and flies to Italy to find the owner, Simon Wolfe. During the time in Italy they fall in love, but Sarah doesn't reveal all her secrets to him. Back in Kingston, the painting has disappeared. Simon is furious, and Sarah runs away from him, north to hide until she can reach WitSec. When she does, they have lost her file. Meanwhile, Jimmy is hunting for her.

What will happen to Sarah when Jimmy and Gregory partner to find the painting? What role will Veronica play? What about Simon and their fragile love? And will the Caravaggio survive?