Manof Chpt38

Chapter 38

Karl Hellstrom turned his sleek car off the main road at Thiviers. He had been there many times before. From there, along the dusty secondary roads it was a short ride to Brantome and then only a few kilometers to nearby Bourdeilles. Karl parked between the hotel and the river. He paused to admire the waterfall and proceeded to the hotel terrace. He ordered a Hennessey VSOP cognac and drank in the aroma.

He was there less than twenty minutes when the man he was to meet arrived. It was exactly four o'clock. Karl was pleased. What displeased him was that the lawyer, Maitre Emile Picard, was not alone. Karl rose, shook the lawyer's hand and was introduced to Dr. Raymond Biot. None of the men was smiling.

Karl Was Surprised but Relieved...

Picard explained that Dr. Biot was 'au courant' with the subject at hand. Karl was surprised but relieved at the same time.
Over their drinks, Karl explained that he was visited by a certain Mr. Bruce Kellner. This was not news to the others who confided in Karl that they too were visited by Kellner.

"But," started Picard, "There is no way he can connect any one of us with any other. We have never all met before but I wanted you to hear what Dr. Biot has to say. We can either do nothing or decide the best course of action at another time."

Biot moved closer to the table. His huge frame made him still appear far away. He spoke in guarded tone. "Mr Kellner came to see me by coincidence. I knew of his work and he knew of mine. He's a clever man and not without experience and success. He knew that I was familiar with the, so called, da Vinci. He asked if I would listen for rumors or gossip about the small work in the art community. He had no suspicions."

"Yes, I understand," said Picard. " But he had visited me that same day. He's floundering, tilting at wind mills. He's asking only those who have seen the painting. He even visited the good doctor, here."

"Then what about me?" Karl asked. He was getting increasingly nervous. "I was actually at the chateau once and did see the work but I told Kellner that. He didn't seem to know."

The men toyed with their glasses; reordered and stared into space.
Finally, Picard broke the silence. "It seems to me that I was on his list of visitors because I have acted on behalf of members of the family in the past…"

…"and I," said Biot, "am someone who Mr. Kellner thought, might be able to get the word out, so to speak."

"So what about me? Why would he drive all the way to Amboise to see me?"

Wanting to See Where Leonardo Lived

"Very simply, my friend, because he wanted to see where Leonardo lived and you're reputation precedes you. You are known for your interest in da Vinci which makes you important to mister Kellner." Picard seemed pleased with himself.

Karl Hellstrom was not sold but he played with his empty glass and thought out loud. "Then it is all a coincidence. He knows nothing and doesn't even suspect anything. He's groping. Who else has he seen?"

Picard thought. "He was in Barcelona. He saw Carlos Diaz and he spent a night with Marina Alvarez."

Karl rose suddenly. "What. He did what?" Then he looked around, rather embarrassed and sat down again. "I told you when this all started that she would be trouble. Now I think he walked into something."

Dr Biot maintained his cool. "We are assured that she knows nothing of this. It's all just a coincidence. We have to just go on with our business as if our friend will do his investigation and find nothing. This will all blow over."

"Then what happened this morning was for nothing."

Picard looked wide-eyed. "What exactly happened this morning?"

Hellstrom's head dropped. "Not much. Just that Mr. Kellner and the countess had a little run-in on the road."

Picard erupted. "You are a stupid animal. What did you do? We agreed that nothing would be done without the agreement of everyone and that nothing would happen to the countess."

"They were forced onto the shoulder of the road by a passing car."

"On whose instructions?"

"Cetainly not mine," said Biot.

"Nor on mine. You are placing all of us in jeopardy over that silly drawing. It would be ironic if, when this is all over, we find that the drawing wasn't even authentic. I don't…"

Biot Interrupts Softly

Biot interrupted softly. "It could be authentic. But even if it's just old, it will have a certain value." He was perspiring profusely. "Even the rest of the group agrees. We've been through this before."

Hellstrom contended that there had been little or no damage and that Kellner was none the wiser. But he also promised that something like that would not occur again.
Picard knew of Hellstrom's fear and he was not sure that it was only a one time scare. The man would have to be watched more closely and now he himself would have to tell the others."

The meeting broke up. Hellstrom left with his tail between his legs. Picard's fury was still building and Biot was perspiring even more.
After the others left, Karl called his office. Then he called his home. The mechanic answered.

"Did everything go as planned?"

"Oui Monsieur."

"Where are they now?"

"They were in Blois when I left them. There was almost no trace."

(Click here for the next chapter)


	Chapter 38 Karl Hellstrom turned his sleek car off the main road at Thiviers. He had been there many times before. From there, along the dusty secondary roads it was a short ride to Brantome and then only a few kilometers to nearby Bourdeilles. Karl parked between the hotel and the river. He paused to admire the waterfall and proceeded to the hotel terrace. He ordered a Hennessey VSOP cognac and drank in the aroma. He was there less than twenty minutes when the man he was to meet arrived. It was exactly four o'clock. Karl was pleased. What displeased him was that the lawyer, Maitre Emile Picard, was not alone. Karl rose, shook the lawyer's hand and was introduced to Dr. Raymond Biot. None of the men was smiling. Karl Was Surprised but Relieved... Picard explained that Dr. Biot was 'au courant' with the subject at hand. Karl was surprised but relieved at the same time. Over their drinks, Karl explained that he was visited by a certain Mr. Bruce Kellner. This was not news to the others who confided in Karl that they too were visited by Kellner. "But," started Picard, "There is no way he can connect any one of us with any other. We have never all met before but I wanted you to hear what Dr. Biot has to say. We can either do nothing or decide the best course of action at another time." Biot moved closer to the table. His huge frame made him still appear far away. He spoke in guarded tone. "Mr Kellner came to see me by coincidence. I knew of his work and he knew of mine. He's a clever man and not without experience and success. He knew that I was familiar with the, so called, da Vinci. He asked if I would listen for rumors or gossip about the small work in the art community. He had no suspicions." "Yes, I understand," said Picard. " But he had visited me that same day. He's floundering, tilting at wind mills. He's asking only those who have seen the painting. He even visited the good doctor, here." "Then what about me?" Karl asked. He was getting increasingly nervous. "I was actually at the chateau once and did see the work but I told Kellner that. He didn't seem to know." The men toyed with their glasses; reordered and stared into space. Finally, Picard broke the silence. "It seems to me that I was on his list of visitors because I have acted on behalf of members of the family in the past…" …"and I," said Biot, "am someone who Mr. Kellner thought, might be able to get the word out, so to speak." "So what about me? Why would he drive all the way to Amboise to see me?" Wanting to See Where Leonardo Lived "Very simply, my friend, because he wanted to see where Leonardo lived and you're reputation precedes you. You are known for your interest in da Vinci which makes you important to mister Kellner." Picard seemed pleased with himself. Karl Hellstrom was not sold but he played with his empty glass and thought out loud. "Then it is all a coincidence. He knows nothing and doesn't even suspect anything. He's groping. Who else has he seen?" Picard thought. "He was in Barcelona. He saw Carlos Diaz and he spent a night with Marina Alvarez." Karl rose suddenly. "What. He did what?" Then he looked around, rather embarrassed and sat down again. "I told you when this all started that she would be trouble. Now I think he walked into something." Dr Biot maintained his cool. "We are assured that she knows nothing of this. It's all just a coincidence. We have to just go on with our business as if our friend will do his investigation and find nothing. This will all blow over." "Then what happened this morning was for nothing." Picard looked wide-eyed. "What exactly happened this morning?" Hellstrom's head dropped. "Not much. Just that Mr. Kellner and the countess had a little run-in on the road." Picard erupted. "You are a stupid animal. What did you do? We agreed that nothing would be done without the agreement of everyone and that nothing would happen to the countess." "They were forced onto the shoulder of the road by a passing car." "On whose instructions?" "Cetainly not mine," said Biot. "Nor on mine. You are placing all of us in jeopardy over that silly drawing. It would be ironic if, when this is all over, we find that the drawing wasn't even authentic. I don't…" Biot Interrupts Softly Biot interrupted softly. "It could be authentic. But even if it's just old, it will have a certain value." He was perspiring profusely. "Even the rest of the group agrees. We've been through this before." Hellstrom contended that there had been little or no damage and that Kellner was none the wiser. But he also promised that something like that would not occur again. Picard knew of Hellstrom's fear and he was not sure that it was only a one time scare. The man would have to be watched more closely and now he himself would have to tell the others." The meeting broke up. Hellstrom left with his tail between his legs. Picard's fury was still building and Biot was perspiring even more. After the others left, Karl called his office. Then he called his home. The mechanic answered. "Did everything go as planned?" "Oui Monsieur." "Where are they now?" "They were in Blois when I left them. There was almost no trace." (Click here for the next chapter)