Told of Widmaier-Picasso's finding by telephone, Costco's senior vice president for e-commerce, Ginnie Roeglin, abruptly ended the conversation.
Later she released a statement saying: "To the best of our knowledge, Maya Picasso has not reviewed the certificates of authenticity bearing her signature for two Picasso pieces that we have sold. Our sources continue to assure us that the certificates as well as the art are genuine."
It was not clear exactly what Picassos Roeglin was referring to -- the ones viewed by the artist's daughter on Tuesday and Friday, or others sold through Costco. Calls to her later were not returned.
Her statement said that Costco was still investigating "to resolve the questions" raised by Widmaier-Picasso's remarks and that any Picassos sold by the store chain could be returned for a full refund.
Calls to Jim Sinegal, Costco's chief executive, were not returned Friday.
Widmaier-Picasso, who has authenticated works for Sotheby's and Christie's, says she keeps a detailed record on every photographic certificate she issues. She staples a sticker to the back of each one, marked with one or more of her fingerprints, she says, and keeps a record of which fingers were used in each case.
Art scholars have occasionally dissented from her attributions and deattributions, although rarely publicly. But in any case, Widmaier-Picasso has challenged certificates of authenticity bearing her name that she was shown this week in digital form.
She has not seen a photograph of the one provided to Knickerbocker. Costco declined again Friday to provide an image of the certificate, and Knickerbocker did not return phone calls. Repeated knocks on the door of his Spanish-style house in Newport Beach went unanswered late Friday morning.
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