Manof Chpt35

Chapter 35

(Above, an aerial view of Hautefort Castle)

Early the next morning, just as the sun was coming up, Karl Hellstrom, fully dressed, was talking on the phone.

"Georges," he yelled into the receiver, "I will not be in today. Perhaps tomorrow. I must see someone on business. If I'm not back by noon tomorrow, I'll call again."

On the other end of the phone, the small gallery assistant simply replied, "Yes, monsieur. I understand monsieur." He knew not to ask questions.

Karl Hellstrom adjusted his tie, walked heavily to the door and peered at the garage. The lights were already on and a newly rebuilt '49 Jaguar MK was purring quietly outside. He spoke for a few minutes to the mechanic, giving him some instructions. The mechanic nodded, pocketed some written instructions and watched Hellstrom drive off.

Hoping to Arrive by 4 p.m.

He headed south-east on the narrow back roads. At Chenenceau he switched to the larger road leading to Voirson. There he would hook up with the main highway south to a city he admired and visited often. In a few hours if the traffic was on his side he would be able to stop in Limoges. He wanted to be at his destination by 4 p.m. He was determined not to be late.

His mind went back to the dinner of the previous night. He had wanted to ask Bruce Kellner where he had gotten his name but had failed to do so. Perhaps it was just a coincidence and Bruce had come into his shop by accident since they both had an interest in da Vinci and Karl was well known in Amboise.

The conversation may have naturally led to the investigator's request for information about the world of buying and selling art in that region. But he still had to know who gave him his name.

Hellstrom had made his fortune during the dying days of the war when German officers were looking for buyers of the Art they had confiscated or stolen. Karl had ready cash made from the black market food transactions during those dying days of the war. The Germans were pulling out and trying to amass enough to escape to South America.

The first painting offered to him was a Renoir. It had been taken from a museum and Karl saw the opportunity. He could buy it for a fraction of its worth and make a nice profit. Soon, other paintings were offered. The profits were enormous and Hellstrom realized if he waited to sell the acquisitions they would increase in value. He would eventually sell them where money was readily available.

To Switzerland...America, and Surely France

He would take them to Switzerland; perhaps to America and surely to France where much of the art had originated. People would ransom their heritage and bring their great works home. Here there were dealers, lawyers, businessmen, all looking to buy or trade and being in France would allow Karl to be near Leonardo, his first love.

He contacted a lawyer friend in Helsinki, who knew a lawyer in France who knew a lawyer in Switzerland who in turn, knew another lawyer who represented great financial interests some said included the Rothschilds. These meetings led him to Spain and a beautiful young lady who was in some way connected to a member of the dethroned Royal Family. This lady was cunning, beautiful, charming and interested in doing business.

It was only when Karl met Marie Claude that the puzzle pieces fit together. She had been married to the young lady's lover and business partner. Her name was Marina Alvarez, and Carlos Diaz was her partner. It was a small world. The clues could lead him to a pot of gold.

The 4 p.m. meeting would bring him one step closer to that pot; to that gold. Karl Hellstrom had a taste for gold and what it could buy.

He turned south towards Limoges. That would be a perfect place to stop for lunch.

(Click here for the next chapter)


	Chapter 35 (Above, an aerial view of Hautefort Castle) Early the next morning, just as the sun was coming up, Karl Hellstrom, fully dressed, was talking on the phone. "Georges," he yelled into the receiver, "I will not be in today. Perhaps tomorrow. I must see someone on business. If I'm not back by noon tomorrow, I'll call again." On the other end of the phone, the small gallery assistant simply replied, "Yes, monsieur. I understand monsieur." He knew not to ask questions. Karl Hellstrom adjusted his tie, walked heavily to the door and peered at the garage. The lights were already on and a newly rebuilt '49 Jaguar MK was purring quietly outside. He spoke for a few minutes to the mechanic, giving him some instructions. The mechanic nodded, pocketed some written instructions and watched Hellstrom drive off. Hoping to Arrive by 4 p.m. He headed south-east on the narrow back roads. At Chenenceau he switched to the larger road leading to Voirson. There he would hook up with the main highway south to a city he admired and visited often. In a few hours if the traffic was on his side he would be able to stop in Limoges. He wanted to be at his destination by 4 p.m. He was determined not to be late. His mind went back to the dinner of the previous night. He had wanted to ask Bruce Kellner where he had gotten his name but had failed to do so. Perhaps it was just a coincidence and Bruce had come into his shop by accident since they both had an interest in da Vinci and Karl was well known in Amboise. The conversation may have naturally led to the investigator's request for information about the world of buying and selling art in that region. But he still had to know who gave him his name. Hellstrom had made his fortune during the dying days of the war when German officers were looking for buyers of the Art they had confiscated or stolen. Karl had ready cash made from the black market food transactions during those dying days of the war. The Germans were pulling out and trying to amass enough to escape to South America. The first painting offered to him was a Renoir. It had been taken from a museum and Karl saw the opportunity. He could buy it for a fraction of its worth and make a nice profit. Soon, other paintings were offered. The profits were enormous and Hellstrom realized if he waited to sell the acquisitions they would increase in value. He would eventually sell them where money was readily available. To Switzerland...America, and Surely France He would take them to Switzerland; perhaps to America and surely to France where much of the art had originated. People would ransom their heritage and bring their great works home. Here there were dealers, lawyers, businessmen, all looking to buy or trade and being in France would allow Karl to be near Leonardo, his first love. He contacted a lawyer friend in Helsinki, who knew a lawyer in France who knew a lawyer in Switzerland who in turn, knew another lawyer who represented great financial interests some said included the Rothschilds. These meetings led him to Spain and a beautiful young lady who was in some way connected to a member of the dethroned Royal Family. This lady was cunning, beautiful, charming and interested in doing business. It was only when Karl met Marie Claude that the puzzle pieces fit together. She had been married to the young lady's lover and business partner. Her name was Marina Alvarez, and Carlos Diaz was her partner. It was a small world. The clues could lead him to a pot of gold. The 4 p.m. meeting would bring him one step closer to that pot; to that gold. Karl Hellstrom had a taste for gold and what it could buy. He turned south towards Limoges. That would be a perfect place to stop for lunch. (Click here for the next chapter)