Though Theo tries to keep his portrait “bestowals” private, word begins spreading around Broadway about a curious, anonymous benefactor.

To avoid attention, Theo buys portraits only when the shop is empty or leaves quiet instructions for Shep. Shep then removes selected portraits later, wraps them in brown paper, and hands them to Theo as discreetly as possible. Shep, Asher Glissen, and Tony all promise confidentiality once they understand Theo’s purpose.

Even with these precautions, Theo’s generosity cannot remain entirely unnoticed because the portraits reappear across the city in meaningful settings. Most return to prominent places in local homes, while others are placed publicly or ceremonially.

A portrait of a softball coach ends up in a high school trophy case, and a portrait of a little boy is mailed overseas to his father serving in Syria. A portrait of an old woman is placed in her husband’s casket at his death.

By special permission, Theo sends an unframed portrait to a death row inmate: it depicts the woman who fostered him as a teenager and wrote to him until shortly before her passing, underscoring the emotional reach of Theo’s quiet mission.