Bab 130: Chapter 130: Jewelry
Upon returning to the security company, Hardy was briefed by Henry about the latest developments. Victor and Gray had been investigating in France, where they uncovered significant information about Debrand Hill, who had previously been the curator of the Saint-Pale Museum. Hill had been notorious for assisting the Germans in seizing art during the occupation, making him a despised figure in his hometown.
In Saint-Pale, the investigation revealed that Hill had left behind a reputation for brutality. Local residents recounted how he had looted artworks and wreaked havoc on their homes. His nephew, Louet, had moved to Bordeaux to work at a winery after Hill's activities had ostracized him from his community.
Gray and Victor then shifted their focus to Hill's nephew, Louet, who was working at the Red Leaf Winery in Bordeaux. The winery, though relatively unknown, had an unusual history: it was purchased by an American lawyer who had later hired Louet. Gray and Victor discovered that the American lawyer was a man named Jack Goodwin, who had bought the winery just as it was about to be auctioned.
Henry's team, following these leads, traced Jack Goodwin to the A of Spades Winery in Napa Valley, California. They learned that Goodwin had arrived in the U.S. in 1944, claiming to be a French refugee. He had quickly obtained American citizenship and acquired the Napa Valley winery. Shortly after, he purchased the Red Leaf Winery in Bordeaux, which had been abandoned post-war.
The investigation raised suspicions about Goodwin's true identity and his possible connection to Debrand Hill. Henry decided to send a team to Napa Valley to investigate further. Disguised as wine merchants, they visited the A of Spades Winery and met with Jack Goodwin. Henry confirmed Goodwin's identity as Debrand Hill from a photograph, despite the old man's attempts to deny it.
Later, Hill was abducted from the winery. When he was brought to a dark room and confronted, Hill initially denied his identity, but the masked interrogators showed him a photo of his past. Faced with the threat of being handed over to the French authorities, who would likely execute him, Hill offered to reveal the location of his valuables to secure his survival.
Hill admitted to having a safe at Wells Fargo Bank in San Francisco containing valuable jewelry. He provided the access code for the safe, though he knew that the masked men could find it themselves if necessary. His confession was a desperate attempt to save his life.
That afternoon, Hardy received a suitcase filled with jewelry from the safe. The contents included exquisite pieces: diamond necklaces, emerald pendants, and various gemstones. The high value and prestigious brands of the jewelry—such as Van Cleef & Arpels and Boucheron—were evident.
Henry explained that Hill had acquired the jewelry during his art collection activities. When fleeing to the U.S., he sold some pieces to fund his escape and establish a new identity as Jack Goodwin. He used the rest of the jewelry to purchase the wineries in Bordeaux and Napa Valley.
Hardy examined the jewelry, estimating its worth to be between two to three million dollars. He instructed Henry to continue interrogating Hill, emphasizing that the true prize—the remaining art treasures—was still to be uncovered.
Bab 131: Chapter 131: To Make a Fortune by Making a Fortune
The masked man reentered the interrogation room, where Hill had been bound to a chair for hours. Hill, desperate, pleaded, "Mr. Robber, you've got the jewelry. Can you let me go now?"
The masked man regarded Hill with suspicion. "I'm curious about something. You spent money to buy a winery in Napa Valley, but why did you also acquire an almost abandoned winery in Bordeaux?"
Hill hesitated. "I'm a wine merchant. Bordeaux is renowned for its wine. I planned to produce quality wine there and sell it in the U.S., making a profit."
"Is that all?" The masked man's tone was skeptical.
"What else could there be?" Hill asked, confused.
The masked man's eyes narrowed. "It's rumored you assisted the Germans in collecting antique artworks before you left France. As Germany faced defeat, you must have hidden some of these artworks. Is that correct, Mr. Hill?"
Hill's face turned pale. The masked man had uncovered his deepest secret. "I—"
The masked man cut him off. "Don't rush to deny it. If you lie, it will only make things harder for you. Think carefully before you speak. And I'm not finished."
Hill swallowed hard, knowing he had little choice.
"You first bought a winery in the U.S., then a year later sent a lawyer to France to purchase the , Red Leaf Winery which had been abandoned. The family who owned it was killed by the Germans. You knew the winery would be auctioned off. You bought it not for the winery itself but for what might be hidden inside, correct?"
Hill's expression was grim. The masked man's deductions were spot-on. Hill reluctantly admitted, "Yes, the Red Leaf Winery does contain a collection of antique artworks."
Hill had helped the Germans collect art, and as the war drew to a close, the Germans had become less focused on these artworks. Before the Normandy invasion, Hill was instructed to hide the remaining pieces. He chose the Red Leaf Winery, which had a large, remote area and an unfinished natural wine cellar. After the family was killed, he hid the artworks in the cave, sealed it with stones, and covered the entrance with weeds and vines. No one had discovered it since.
The masked man produced a hand-drawn map of the winery. "Point out the location of the cave. Don't try to lie; you won't leave until we find what's hidden."
Hill, seeing the preparations, knew he had no choice. He pointed to a spot on the map southwest of the winery, indicating a path leading up to the right cliff between two hills.
The map was sent to Hardy, who reviewed it while considering the next steps. "Henry, draw up a contract for Hill to transfer ownership of both wineries to us. You will handle the formalities in France and secretly search for the hidden treasures."
Henry complied promptly, traveling to France and meeting with Gray and Victor in Bordeaux. They introduced themselves to Salt, the current manager of the winery, and informed him that the winery had been sold to a new owner. Salt, indifferent to the change in ownership, continued his duties without concern.
Victor, tasked with assessing the staff, made sure no one with suspicious ties remained. Henry and his team soon located the cave based on Hill's detailed directions. After several days of clearing the area, they successfully accessed the hidden cache.
Inside the cave, Henry was astonished by the treasure trove. "Is this the dragon's treasure?"
The cave was filled with a vast array of items: ancient books, carpets, antique furniture, clocks, ornaments, stone carvings, bronze statues, stamp albums, silver candlesticks, plates, and weapons. Numerous large boxes contained oil paintings, prints, and sketches.
Henry was thrilled. "I struck it rich this time."
He telegrammed Hardy with the good news. Hardy, pleased with the discovery, devised a plan to transport the valuable items safely back to the U.S. He arranged for the antique artworks to be hidden among containers of red wine, which were shipped from Bordeaux to New York.
With the help of the old godfather's connections, the containers cleared New York Customs without issue and were transported to Los Angeles. Henry and his team returned, and the artworks were stored in Hardy's warehouse. The collection included over 400 antiques, more than 1,000 ancient books, rare stamp albums, 17 statues, and dozens of sketches and oil paintings by masters like Monet, Gauguin, Renoir, Picasso, and Chagall.
Hardy was impressed by the haul, knowing its immense value. The wealth acquired was extraordinary, surpassing even his expectations.
He rewarded his team generously, ensuring they received substantial bonuses. Victor, who had been nervous about his future, was relieved when Hardy decided to forgive his past mistakes and offered him a chance to work under his protection. Victor accepted eagerly, recognizing the stability and opportunities Hardy offered.
Hardy reflected on the operation's success. The jewelry, the wineries, and the priceless art had all contributed to a remarkable gain. As for Debrand Hill, after escaping France, he had vanished without a trace.
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