Long Buried Secrets: James Dieter Book 4

by Francis Joseph Smith

  Monsieur Dobet eyed the money, then Jim. He gradually shook his head. “You rich Americans think you can come over and just throw your money around and get what you.”

  Jim counted out an additional five, one hundred euro bills. “To sweeten my apology.” He tried to hand them to Monsieur Dobet.

  He looked to Nora then Jim, then back to the office where he boss sat. “I can’t accept that,” his tone not as harsh as before.

  Jim could see the man was about to break. He counted out five more one hundred euro bills. “A two thousand euro apology.” He waved the bundle in front of Monsieur Dobet. “If you don’t want it, I’m sure the business next door will take it from me.”

  It took all of three seconds before Monsieur Dobet grabbed the bundle from Jim, folding the money in half before placing it in his pocket. “Apology accepted,” he whispered.

  Nora covered her mouth as she smiled.

  As if nothing had transpired, Monsieur Dobet took the lead. “If you will follow me I will take you on a tour of the barge.”

  Jim allowed Nora to proceed first.

  “This barge resembles a fully loaded motor home only she’s lacking the wheels,” said Nora as they walked past the kitchen or galley in boat speak, outfitted with a glass double-door refrigerator and stainless steel quad-burner stove among its many amenities.

  Monsieur Dobet took her comment as a compliment as he continued pointing out various areas of the barge. “And as you will notice,” he said haughtily, “all of our vessels meet the highest French Maritime standards in accommodation. Our corporate office recently received three stars from your American Mobile Guide for excellence. This model in particular earned extensive praise in that booklet.” Not missing a beat, he continued with the tour, one of many he had clearly provided. “This barge has two bedrooms, each with in-suite private Jacuzzi baths.”

  Monsieur Dobet offered Nora and Jim a quick glance in the area before hastily moving on.

  He continued his pitch. “As you can see, the dining areas are exquisitely paneled with American cherry wood and equipped with the latest in the Bose surround-sound entertainment equipment. And if you’ll notice the floors, we have modest oriental carpeting located throughout the barge protecting the fabulous teak wood floors.”

  Monsieur Dobet didn’t miss a beat. “If I can direct your attention over here,” he said, pointing to an elaborate digital control panel the size of a paperback book mounted on the wall. “You will notice our central air-conditioning system. It is a rarity for the European environment, but we think its a requirement that should be afforded to our, shall we say, higher echelon clientele.

  The salesman walked toward the middle of the barge with Jim and Nora in tow. “And as you can see, the top deck is also richly appointed in both teak and mahogany woods.” He concluded the tour by the barges aluminum gangway.

  Jim removed another crisp, new, fifty-euro bill from his pocket. “Thank you, Monsieur Dobet, for an excellent tour,” he said, casually slipping him the bill. “You have quite a majestic product here. I think we may want to lease her for several weeks’ time.”

  Monsieur Dobet had an uneven smile upon his face. Most people just thanked him and were on their way. “You must promise me that you will return the barge in the same condition we provide it to you.”

  Jim played along. “But of course. Nothing like the last time. Scouts Honor.”

  Monsieur Dobet smiled at him. “Our terms are simple. You will provide us with a cashier’s check for full payment in euros seven days before sailing.”

  Jim nodded. “I can pay cash if you prefer? Do you foresee that to be a problem?”

  “Cash is always accepted, sir,” he replied nattily. “When would you require the barge?”

  “In two days’ time. And we would need to pick it up in the town of Pouilly-en-Auxois.”

  “That is only 48 hours from now. I cannot possibly have the liquor and food delivered by that time. The barge would also have to be captained through 60 miles of canals, moving 24 hours a day. The logistics of such a request is too incredible. I simply cannot do it.”

  It was a fishing expedition, surely, on the part of Monsieur Dobet. The first big tip received, he now required a bit more bait. Jim had planned for as much.

  “Monsieur Dobet, I apologize for the short notice,” Jim said. “We would not dream of inconveniencing someone of your stature.” Jim looked around to see if they were being observed. “Maybe we could achieve some type of understanding.” He removed ten, crisp, one-hundred-euro bills from his pocket, placing them one by one into the salesman’s now open palm. “Would this tend to move things along at a more ambitious pace?”

  Monsieur Dobet withdrew a white handkerchief from his pocket, wiping the perspiration from his brow. Between the two tips, he would clear over three thousand euro’s. A first. “I will personally see to the operation, sir. You can count on me. Should you require anything else, anything at all, please let me know. Yes?”

  “If I need anything else you are the man, Monsieur Dubet,” Jim said. “And this barge has to be in Pouilly-en-Auxois in 48 hours from now.”

  “It will be waiting for you, sir,” was his reply.

  LANA WATCHED FROM HER POSITION ACROSS the canal as Jim and Nora chatted with the salesman. Why are they renting a barge? She thought to herself, snapping photo after photo of them with her iPhone. Lana now watched them walk down the gangway. She suddenly realized she required gas in order to make it back to Aarburg. Hopefully this was the Dieter’s last stop and they were heading back to the motel.

  Either way, she still had a body to dump.

  CHAPTER 57

  Aarburg

  As Jim and Nora drove into the motel parking lot, the sun had already set an hour before. It had been a long but fruitful day.

  Nora smiled at Jim. “How upset do you think they will be because of the changes?” she asked. “Ten to one, Chuck is the first to erupt.”

  Jim nodded. “Chucks a good choice, but my monies on Eian,” he said confidently. “He’s been drinking. With not much to do. A bad combo.”

  They exited the car and approached their room. They could overhear boisterous talking emanating from inside. “Sounds like they are having a bit of a party,” said Jim. He opened the room’s door, nodding to each of them as he and Nora walked in. “I hope you all had time to finish reviewing the recordings before you started the imbibing?”

  “Of course we have,” replied a grinning Chuck. “That’s when we decided to start on these nice bottles of vintage.” He pointed to four empties on the table. “The Beaujolais was excellent.” The emphasis on was excellent.

  Nora shook her head as if disappointed. “I don’t think you are taking this seriously,” she said, her voice raised. “We are robbing a museum in two days’ time. I don’t know about you, but Jim and I sure as hell don’t want to get caught.”

  The laughter subsided for the moment as Nora looked to each of them.

  Summer spoke first, keeping her tone low. “Nora, I think you may be a bit unfair in your quick judgement. We may appear to be goofing off but we are not. We reviewed all of the recordings at least 30 times. We reviewed the sewer access, the exterior of the museum, the generator, the escape route. Only then did we start on the wine to blow off some steam. Release some tension.”

  Jim patted Nora on the shoulder. “Its okay,” he said, smiling at her. He then turned to address the group. He opened a beer for himself, then one for Nora. “I’m glad you have everything ready to go. Because Nora and I have a slight change to the original plans to fly everything out the same day as the theft.”

  Eian was first to protest. “We have to escape as soon as possible, Jim. The longer we stay in the area the more likely we are to get caught.”

  Nora quickly countered. “Jim and I think it might be best to lay low for a week or so. Raise no suspicions. That’s even if the museum notices the reproductions on the wall.”

  Chuck pointed over to Eian. “The man’
s right for once,” he said. “Get out while the getting is good. This from a man with plenty of experience.”

  The room around them started to get louder with everyone pairing off to discuss what was best in their opinion.

  Jim whistled. The shrill caught them all by surprise. “Can I have the floor please?” He waited until everyone stopped speaking before he continued. “The other reasons for hanging around for a week or two are simple. We have the Russians after us, and we have a partner, Mike Dolan who thinks he’s getting everything we are working for. We might even have the Iranians after us. I don’t know about you, but I have no intention of giving anything to anyone but Benny. We will need time to come up with a plan to string everyone along. And that’s the reason why we can’t return right away.”

  Eain nodded, followed by the rest of them. “Whatever you say is best,” responded Eian, his tone changing considerably. “You and Nora lead, we follow.”

  Jim continued. “Nora and I have just returned from visiting several towns in France. Including one not far from where we sit. Pouilly-en-Auxois. Our plan is simple, to load the paintings onto the vacation barge and sail up a canal to a small airfield outside of St. Florentine, France, about 75 miles north of Pouilly-en-Auxois.” Jim turned to Eian. “St. Florentine conveniently has an airport within ½ mile of the river.”

  Eian started to protest but Jim cut him off. “It also happens to operate a single paved runway of 6,500 feet. Which coincidentally is the minimum distance you said we would require for takeoff.”

  Eain smiled at Jim. “You were paying attention when I told you what I needed. The 6,500-foot runway will do nicely. We just have to stop in Newfoundland for fuel. However, that will do. My end is covered.”

  “I’m glad to hear that,” said Nora. “One less thing to worry about.” She looked to Jim, he nodded to proceed. “Jim and I will sail the barge with the paintings and allow for any mistakes to melt away. Also if the alarm is raised every highway, railway and airport will be searched. But not the canals. Who takes a vacation barge to steal paintings? Now I’m sure you all will be disappointed but only Jim and I will be on the barge.”

  “What, we don’t rate?” joked Chuck.

  Nora smiled at him before continuing. “We obviously don’t want a large group attracting attention. So Jim and I rented a car that is already prepositioned and waiting for the four of you outside Dijon in France. After the robbery, Jim and I will drop you off and you will drive the car to St. Florentine in Burgundy. We have made reservations for a block of rooms in St. Florentine. We will provide you the address when we drop you off. You can enjoy the local restaurants and wine while we transport the paintings on the vacation barge.”

  “That part doesn’t sound half bad,” said Eian. “Of course everything is expensed to you both, correct?”

  “Eian, you are one cheap bastard,” replied Jim. “But the answer is yes. Nora and I are paying the bills.” He pointed back to Nora. “Can my lovely wife finish?”

  Eian nodded. “I concede the floor to your charming wife.”

  Nora smiled at Eian. “Thank-you, Eian, because this part concerns you. Once Jim and I arrive in St. Florentine via the barge, hopefully in four to five days, you will work your magic and fly us back to the states with the paintings. But first we will require you to drive back to the Bern Airport in four days and return the car to the airport. We rented it in France so there will be a hefty drop off charge. Then you simply fly the jet over to St. Florentine. Sounds easy but it’s going to take a lot of planning on our end.”

  “Not a problem,” Eian replied. “Been in worse situations.”

  Jim handed his wife a glass of wine in thanks and waited until she sat back down before he turned to a smiling Rahm. He seemed to fit right in with his team, sipping on a glass of wine.

  “I accomplished my end,” he said, his words a bit slurred. “Today I placed the device in the security office. If what you say is true, and all of the guards congregate in the office to play video games, it will not be a problem getting in. We are, as you Americans have a tendency of saying, good-to-go.”

  Jim nodded to Rahm. “Benny was right about you. A true professional.”

  Jim then turned to the group. “Now, who wants to pick up Dolan at the airport tomorrow?”

  CHAPTER 58

  Lana pulled in to the motel parking lot not more than five minutes after Jim and Nora. Yuri was waiting patiently in their room, the curtains pulled back just enough for him to view both the parking lot and the Dieters room.

  “They are moving something via a vacation barge,” said Lana as she walked in the room. “It’s over the border in France.”

  Yuri nodded. “I think they are getting close to hitting the museum,” he said, still eyeing their room. “I followed the woman as she walked around the museum three times, filming every possible angle. I even saw one of their crew slip behind some shrubs where the museums back-up generator is hidden.”

  “So we wait until they steal the paintings, then we steal the paintings from them.”

  “That’s the plan,” he replied. “Did you dump the body?”

  “Yes, I picked the most desolate section of woods in all of France for our friend.”

  “Well hopefully the wolves get to him before any hikers. At least they might enjoy the bastard.”

  “I wonder when he was supposed to check-in with Sergei?”

  Yuri suddenly closed the curtain. “Who cares? The bastard is dead. Now lets get some rest. Dieter and his crew are drinking and planning tonight. Hopefully we can do the same.”

  CHAPTER 59

  Lana and Yuri had risen by 7am, resuming their lookout duties and monitoring the Dieters room. The previous night they had waited until everyone had departed the Dieters room and the lights went out before they decided it best to rest.

  All was quiet until around 2pm when Jim Dieter left the room.

  “My turn. Jim Dieter is on the move. Toss me the keys.”

  Lana quickly tossed the keys as he walked to the door.

  “You stay here and monitor their room.”

  IT WAS JIM’S THIRD visit to the airport in four days. He was starting to feel the effects of the endless pace he had set for himself. Between that and the small party they had the night before.

  He noticed Mike Dolan right away in his flashy light blue suit. He had a new big goon standing smartly beside him in a tight black tee shirt and jeans.

  “You took your sweet time in getting here,” said Dolan to Jim as he exited the van to help with their luggage.

  Jim looked to his watch and smiled. “I’m five minutes late,” he said. “So shoot me.”

  “Don’t tempt me. You should have been early,” he replied, his voice rising. “You should have been here waiting when we walked the hell out. It’s called manners.”

  “Well we’ve been a little busy Your Highness.”

  “Just get me to my room. You can fill me in on your plans as you drive us to the Hotel. And tell me everything.”

  BY THE TIME THEY pulled up to the Hotel Weiss, Jim had relayed most of his teams plan. Dolan seemed satisfied with what they had accomplished up to this point.

  But of course, he already had his people watching their every move.

  Jim turned to Dolan. “I arranged for you and your, ah, associate to have suites at the best hotel in town.”

  “You and your team aren’t staying here?” replied Dolan.

  “Can’t afford it,” said Jim. “Can’t waste too much of your money.”

  Dolan shot him a mischievous smile.

  The parking valet approached Jim’s side of the van. “These two gentlemen are staying here,” he said to the man. “But you can have someone take their bags.”

  The parking valet said something in German into his walkie-talkie. In seconds, two porters were unloading Dolan and his goon’s bags.

  Before Dolan departed Jim called him over, out of earshot of his goon. “We are hitting the museum tonight,” Jim said
.

  Dolan had a puzzled look on his face. “On the drive from the airport you said the job was in three days.”

  “That was for the benefit of your goon to hear, not you. I think he might be a stooge for somebody other than yourself.”

  Dolan was taken back by the accusation. “He’s been with me for years. I trust him with my life.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t trust him with anything of value for the foreseeable future. That is, if you want to live.”

  “Are you threatening me?”

  “No, just stating a simple fact.”

  Dolan stood leaning in the passenger side window. “All right. For the moment, we will play it your way. I guess we will meet up in two days? With my goods?”

  “You will be my first call,” he said, flashing a smile. “After I call you, I will provide you with an address and directions for the paintings. Plan on a three to four hour drive to the location. I need you and your buddy to rent a car from the hotels front desk. I already made arrangements for you so they just require your payment.”

  “So until tomorrow,” replied Dolan. “Then I wish you nothing but good luck.”

  “We’re going to need it,” Jim said before driving away.

  As he pointed the van towards the highway, he smiled to himself. “In your dreams, Dolan,” he said aloud. “In your dreams.”

  YURI WATCHED AS JIM DROPPED off Dolan at the Hotel Weiss. He was well acquainted with Dolan from Russian informants in the states. Now, with Dolans arrival, he was sure Dieter and his crew were in their final stages of their theft. Dolan was the last piece of the puzzle.

  At a safe distance, he now followed Jim back to the motel. He called Lana from his cell. “Dolan has arrived and is in the Hotel Weiss. I think they are close to making their move.”