“Thanks for that one,” replied Jim. “I know we really pissed off the Hezbollah when we went for the Bormann gold and stole it from under their very noses.” He paused for several seconds. “But let’s hear the bad news.”
“Well, our targets were carrying documents that I had my people translate. Luckily I can share what I am about to tell you because it does not affect our state. According to the documents, the Swiss Government has every intention of moving the Gurlitt collection to a temporary location in Zurich in nine days. This will undoubtedly force the Russians to hedge their bets. So with the people we eliminated in Iran now out of the big picture, the Russians will be forced to bank solely on their two agents staying in the same hotel as you. They will probably try and steal from you what you in-turn steal from the museum. There is also the possibility the Russians will try and use the international courts to file a case against the Swiss for possession of stolen artwork. The court case will probably go nowhere. But as you can see, the possibility of a court case has forced the Swiss hand. They will move the art until this blows over. Out of sight, out of mind. I can tell you this, once it’s in a Zurich vault you will never get it. They will place it 200 feet underground.”
“I can’t believe it! We just finalized our plan to hit the Museum within the next eleven days. Now we have to go back to the planning stages and speed it up.”
Benny paused for a few seconds. “I still owe you. Anyway I can help, just call. You have my number.”
“Benny, as usual whenever I speak with you it is an education.”
“I will take that as a complement my friend. Besides, I don’t mind planting little seeds in your head if they are going to germinate into something beneficial.”
“This is all great info, Benny. I am going to run this past my team. I think that makes Thursday’s meeting even more important. I will see you at the Hotel Schloss Mönchstein’s bar. Remember drinks are on me.”
CHAPTER 37
After he hung up with Benny, Jim checked the time. He noted it was still a six hours’ time difference in Philadelphia. Summer, Eian, Chuck, Zhang, along with Zhang’s crew should still be working or getting close to finishing for the day.
Nora poured him a drink from the mini-bar. “We might as well celebrate Benny ridding the earth of those terrorists. Scotch on the rocks for you, sir.” She searched the well-stocked fridge until she found something to suit her own taste. “Vino for me.”
She filled her glass with a merlot ‘mini’ bottle and then raised it in toast. “Cheers, to getting that monkey off our backs.”
“Two monkeys really. They doubled as hit persons and art thieves.”
They both took a decent sip of their respective drinks.
Let’s FaceTime with the group,” said Jim.
In a matter a seconds Nora had Summer on the other line. She placed the cell phone on the glass table in front of them propped up on a book so they could see everyone. “We have news. Jim thought it best to call at this late hour to keep you abreast of what’s going on.”
Eian sat down beside Summer. “Jim, they have kidnapped me. Won’t let me out of the warehouse.”
Jim laughed aloud. “They are only following orders, Eian,” he replied. “I didn’t want you sliding any deeper into debt. But on a serious note. We are going to require your services sooner than we thought.”
“I’m ready to go right now,” he responded. “Free me, please.”
By now Chuck, Zhang and his crew had joined Summer and Eian.
“How are you on the paintings?” Jim inquired. Nora refreshed his drink then her own. She waved to everyone.
“We are actually ahead of schedule,” replied Summer, looking at her cohorts sitting around her. “We have all 50 of the high-end reproductions complete and in the drying ovens. We should have the remaining low-end reproductions complete in about four or five days. We are actually ahead of schedule.”
Jim looked to Nora. “You want me to tell them or do you what too?”
Nora smiled at him. “Let me.”
Jim clicked his glass to hers. “My lovely wife has something to say to you all.”
“Oh boy. I feel a fastball coming straight at me,” said Summer.
Nora smiled at everyone. “We have good news, and somewhat good news,” she began. “Good news is a highly placed friend of Jim’s called to tell us that he was able to avert someone trying to kill us. That is, Jim and I.”
“That would definitely be classified under the good news column,” said Chuck.
“Thanks, Chuck,” he replied. “It had to do with a job Nora, Eian, and myself had worked on last year. The Bormann gold job.”
Eian chimed in. “One less person wants me dead: only 29 to go.”
Summer looked at Eian. “Give us some time. That list may grow.”
Jim covered his face with his hands to hide his reaction. “I see you are still making friends, Eian.”
“You know me, Jim. Never one to sit idly on the sidelines. Such a lovely personality.”
Nora put a halt to the banter. “Okay. Let me please continue.”
“Floor is all yours,” said Summer.
“Now for the semi-good news. Jim’s friend also informed us that the Swiss intend on moving the Gurlitt collection within the next nine to ten days.”
A series of groans was heard on the other end of the Zoom call. Zhang could be overheard interpreting the news to his crew. Soon an argument broke out in Chinese. Zhang evidently calmed them down by offering more of his share. The argument stopped.”
Eian was first to speak. “So how can we help?”
Jim continued. “We need you to work through the next couple of nights and finish as many as possible. So the whole plan has changed. We are moving up our timetable for the museum. I potentially have someone to assist us with inside info on the move. I am meeting with him soon in Salzburg. So with that said I want you to fly Summer and Chuck back to Bern three days from now. Nora will fill you in on the details when you get here. If you still have paintings that are not done I need Zhang and his crew to continue working on what remains. He can then overnight the paintings to us. Him and his crew will continue to stay in Philadelphia at the warehouse in case we need something else completed.”
Zhang nodded. “We will do as you say, Jim.”
“All right then. See you in about 72 hours.”
CHAPTER 38
Jim and Nora woke the next morning with a new vigor most likely attributed to the information Benny provided concerning the Russian interlopers staying in the same hotel. It was one late night call they didn’t mind receiving. His call did make them realize one thing: the word was truly on the street. But how long would it take to reach the proper authorities?
They had no idea the Russians, beside having their own agents trail them, had contracted with al Qaeda and Hezbollah to possibly kill them. That was a wake-up. With Benny and his agents eliminating the two assassins in Iran, that left the Russians and Mike Dolan to deal with. At least that they knew about. It’s always good to know who your enemies are. Especially when you’re competing for the same products. In this case, very expensive artwork.
Jim had a meeting scheduled with Benny later in the day in Salzburg. That left a few hours for him and Nora to toy with the Russians before he had to depart for the airport. Maybe test their mettle.
Jim rang down to the Valet and asked them to have their car ready in 15 minutes.
He then let the system work its magic.
CHAPTER 39
Bern, Switzerland
Yuri and Lana Velismo had made the most of their time at the Hotel Weiss. They spoiled themselves for the first two days with several in-room meals and a couples massages. They even spent time in the hotels luxurious spa where Lana tried to talk Yuri into his first pedicure. Of course he declined, preferring to sit in the sauna while Lana had her toes done.
But now it was time to get to work. They had a schedule to keep.
They wasted no time i
n discretely spreading around some of the euro’s they had converted into Swiss Francs. First, the room service captain, then the concierge, the valet, and finally the head of the cleaning staff. All were employed in job functions notoriously underpaid and each appreciated the padded envelopes containing 500 Swiss Francs that Yuri had provided them. Soon enough they had Jim and Nora’s daily itinerary, car description and license plate, and even their dinner reservations. They were even notified when Jim or Nora walked past the front desk.
Surely it was money well spent.
YURI’s CELL PHONE rang to the Rolling Stones song, I can’t get no satisfaction. It was the Valet. He called to inform Yuri that the Dieters had requested their car be delivered in front of the hotel in 15 minutes. Yuri thanked him and requested the same of their car.
Their first solid lead. It’s time to see what they are up too, thought Yuri. He yelled to Lana who was still in the shower. “Lana, they are on the move. Let’s cut it short.”
JIM AND NORA WALKED arm-in-arm past the front desk, each dressed smartly as if attending a business meeting.
The front desk clerk smiled, “Guten Morgan,” she said, Good Morning in German. The hotel staff appreciated its guests taking the extra step to dress to impress. The Hotel Weiss had a reputation of stuffiness to uphold after all.
They were quickly followed by Yuri and Lana dressed in a more relaxed ensemble of jeans, tee shirts, and sneaks. Lana’s long brown hair was still damp, having rushed her shower and having little time to use the blow dryer. The front desk clerk nodded to them as he was now busy checking in a guest.
Both couples stood out front of the hotel, at a distance, awaiting their respective vehicles. Lana casually eyed Nora, knowing that she was a winner of a Pulitzer Prize for her writing; but could she shoot someone in cold blood or fight a man in hand-to-hand combat? Yuri likewise observed Jim. He knew him to be an ex-Navy SEAL and most likely a worthy advisory.
Only time would tell.
Jim and Nora’s car came out of the hotels underground garage first. The valet left the engine running as he ran around to the passenger side door and opened it for Nora. She smiled at him in thanks.
Jim looked to Nora in the passenger seat. “That has to be them,” he said. “I detected a Russian accent as they spoke between themselves.”
“Should we wait until their car comes out of the garage,” said Nora, a big grin evident upon her face. “Possibly give them a fighting chance?”
“Look at you. Are you starting to enjoy this?”
“A little excitement never hurt anyone.”
Jim eyed the car as it came out the garage. He drove slowly for an additional three blocks, eyeing them in his cars rear view mirror, waiting until they were seated in their car. “Okay, its go time. Let’s take them on a little sight-seeing tour.”
LANA ONCE AGAIN ASSUMED the driving duties. Yuri was relegated to the passenger seat. “Hold on,” she said, the car accelerating forward in a desire to catch up. “I see them about three blocks ahead.”
Yuri pulled up the city map on his cell phone, hoping to get an idea of where they were going. “Looks like they are heading out of the city.”
JIM HAD NO DESIRE to lose his tail. He spotted them only two blocks behind them. “Okay, first turn coming up.” He made a right hand turn, went one block, and then made another, and another until he came full circle.
Nora had pulled up the Bern city map on her phone. “Okay, make a left at the next light and then merge onto Schanzlistrasse, it goes right in front of the Casino.”
Jim turned as requested, watching in his rear mirror for his tail to do the same. “Right behind us. What’s next?”
“They have a Bear Garden for brown bears and a Cathedral from the 1400’s. Which one?”
“Definitely the Cathedral. We can take the heathens to church.”
“Oh, I like that. Make a left at the Casinoplatz and two blocks up on your right you will see the church spires.”
“Then I’m going to pull in and park.”
FROM ONE BLOCK BEHIND, Lana tailed Jim’s car.
“Where are they going, Yuri? Talk to me.”
Yuri consulted his cell phone map of Bern. “Looks like either the Cathedral or the Bear Park.”
“He’s pulling over into the Cathedral parking lot.”
“Follow him,” said Yuri. “Just maintain a little distance. I don’t think they made us yet.”
Lana waited as Jim approached the parking attendant before driving closer.
JIM TURNED INTO THE PARKING lot for the Cathedral, driving up to the parking attendant’s booth. “This country is expensive. Twenty-five francs to park? What’s that, like $30 back in the states?
“Something like that,” Nora replied. “I have an idea. Pay the attendant fifty francs. Tell him you are paying for the car behind us.”
“Oh, I like that. Good one.”
He handed the attendant a fifty-franc note and told him what he wanted to do. At first the attendant was confused, but he soon understood Jims intent.
The lot was relatively empty, with the early morning crowds that were normally associated with tour buses had yet to show. They found a space by the front of the lot and parked. Quickly exiting their car, they moved at a fast pace into the cathedral.
“HURRY UP,” SAID YURI. They are already walking into the cathedral.”
Lana pulled up to the Parking Attendants booth. Yuri already had twenty-five francs ready for her to pay for parking.
The attendant merely waved them in. “The car before you already paid for your parking,” he said, a big grin noticeable on his face. “Never have come across that before. Very nice people.”
“We’ve been made,” said Lana and Yuri at the same time.
They parked a few spots over from Jim and Nora’s car. They soon joined them in the cathedral.
WHEN JIM AND NORA first entered the cathedral, and were out of view from the parking lot, they ran up the steps to the balcony with the intent of watching their Russian tails come in.
Soon enough, Lana and Yuri came walking in. They stood just below Jim and Nora, scanning the relatively empty cathedral. They quickly decided it was best to separate. Jim and Nora watched as Yuri opened the confessional doors on the right hand side, Lana on the left hand side.
Jim tapped Nora on the arm, a smirk upon his face. “Let’s get out of here.”
“This is too much,” was her reply.
“Not if they decide to start shooting it won’t be.”
They walked back down the steps, pausing at the front door. Nora picked up a hardback book that was for sale in the rear of the church. She eyed Lana and Yuri as they walked up the aisle, now by the front of the cathedral, a good 50 meters away.
“Shall I?” she said, ready to drop the book on the floor.
“Go for it,” replied Jim.
Two seconds later the sound of the hardback book echoed throughout the silent cathedral.
It had the desired effect as Lana and Yuri both turned to the sound in time to watch Jim and Nora exit.
Lana pointed to the back. Yuri nodded and started running. In a matter of seconds both were exiting the cathedral.
Jim and Nora drove towards the rear of the parking lot, exiting just as Lana and Yuri ran to their car.
“Wait until they catch up,” said Nora looking back, making sure they were spotted.
“Okay they have us,” she said. Nora watched as they were now only a block behind them. “The days too early to end our fun. What do you say we try something else?”
She consulted the map on her phone, looking for something of interest. “Oh this will be a good one.”
“For whom?” responded Jim. “Us or them?”
“Oh, definitely us,” she chuckled. “Okay, in one block you are going to pull in to a Police Station parking lot,” pointing to a small parking lot off to his left.
“Are you sure about this? A police station?”
“Trust me. I‘m going to w
alk in and only ask for directions. But you never know, maybe something else will materialize. Most importantly, the Russians won’t have a clue as to why I’m in there. Make them think a bit.”
Jim could only smile. “Smart and beautiful,” he said.
“We are so rare,” was her response.
YURI SAW THEM first. “Off to your left. Pull in,” he commanded. “Is that a Police Station? Why are they going into a Police Station?”
“Who cares, just take notes.” Lana backed their car into an empty spot five rows from Jim’s car.
Yuri used his notepad and annotated the time and place. “Looks like just the woman is going in.”
In a minute or two Nora came walking out. For a moment it almost looked like she smiled in their direction.
Lana banged her hands on the cars steering wheel. “Did you see her? They are treating this as though it’s some type of game.”
They eyed Jim’s car for several moments, Nora still standing at the passenger side door. In another minute or so, a police officer walked out of the station. Nora pointed to Lana and Yuri’s car. He waved in acknowledgement and now approached the Russians car.
“What’s going on, Yuri?” said Lana as the officer drew near. “Somethings not right.”
Yuri tried to ignore the approaching officer, fumbling on his phone.
A tapping sound on Yuri’s passenger side window caught them both by surprise. He turned to see the officer indicating for him to roll down his window.
“Yes, officer,” Yuri said in English, “Can I help you with something? I hope we didn’t do anything wrong?”
Long Buried Secrets: James Dieter Book 4 Page 13