The Files of Art. Inc.: The Hunt for the Weinstein-Collection Special Update (05.05.2024) (FFMMM/F)

[TayDay95]

No problem man I have complete faith in your storytelling abilities

[Caesar73]

No problem man I have complete faith in your storytelling abilities

Your trust honours me - no irony here.

[Caesar73]

[mention]GreyLord[/mention] [mention]banshee[/mention] [mention]Bandit666[/mention] [mention]wolfman[/mention] [mention]slackywacky[/mention] [mention]TayDay95[/mention] [mention]Mineira1986[/mention] [mention]Beaumains[/mention] [mention]mrjones2009[/mention] [mention]TomYi[/mention] [mention]iliketights[/mention] [mention]NotSeen[/mention]

And here it is friends, the final chapter of Part III! I thank you for all your comments!


Chapter XII:

Hotel Vier-Jahreszeiten-Breakfast Lounge around 1000 Hours

The mood at the Breakfast-Table was excellent. Everybody was in good spirits, even Anna engaged herself in conversation, a remarkable Contrast to her usual grumpy morning self.

Christine noticed the faint rope marks at Kate's wrists. Their eyes met and Kate, ever the professional observer, spotted faint rope marks at Chris´ wrists too. They exchanged a knowing smile.

Everyone turned when the Pianist's phone began playing the famous opening Bars of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. Christine looked at the screen and raised her eyebrows. “Excuse me, I have to take this.” She left the table and pressed the phone to her ear, listening. When Christine returned a few minutes later, all trace of levity was gone from her expression.

Her friends looked at her, curiously, noticing the sudden change in her friend´s demeanour. “What is it?” Anna gently asked her friend.

“This was Charlotte von Gräfenstein, Stromberg is dead. An armed intruder shot him yesterday in his cabinet office after we left. Then left von Gräfenstein bound and gagged in her rooms. She could only manage to free herself in the early hours of morning. She found Stromberg in his cabinet and called the police.”

The Silence around the table hung heavy in the air. Kate was the first to speak: “I think we all here know, who the mysterious intruder was, don´t we?”

Christine nodded. “Gräfenstein said it was the same woman who attacked her the day before yesterday.”

“The Dark Lady” Anna concluded. “She had to have the Stromberg-Estate under Surveillance; it is a fair assumption that she watched us leaving the Villa. Attacking us was out of the question, so she proceeded with the secondary Protocol.”

“What does that mean for us?” Christine thought aloud. “Kate, what would you do, if you were the lead investigator in this case?”

Kate pondered the question for a moment: “I would want to talk to all people who Stromberg met yesterday and that would mean us. I really would like to now, what our business with Stromberg had been.”

Christine turned to Robert: “You are the defence-lawyer here, what would you advise us to do? Is not talking to the Police an option?”

Before Robert could answer Kate cut in: “Definitely not. You would make it to the top of my suspect list, if you suddenly vanished in thin air or tried to avoid me. Robert?”

“I concur” the Lawyer replied. “The question isn't talking to the police or not, the question is: What will we tell them?”‎

Christine nodded. “I thought as much. What should we tell them then? Leaving out the duel and the Weinstein-Collection would be a good idea.” Anna proposed.

Kate nodded: “If someone would tell me, what transpired yesterday? You would be definitely a person of Interest and I would question you probably under caution.”

Robert interceded: “I would tell them, that we had had a meeting with Stromberg because you needed his expertise, but could not go into the details without the permission of your client. At the moment, they cannot coerce you revealing any confidential information.”

A waiter came to their table: “Excuse the intrusion, but there are two Gentlemen of the CID who want to talk to you Frau von der Marwitz.”

“I'll come at once, Robert will you come with me?”

The two left the table.

Kate and Anna exchanged a look, as Anna spoke

“That was fast, another Coffee Kate?”


Sölring-Hof, Kampen, Sylt around the same time:

Carl von Winterfeldt listened to his caller: “He gave them the autograph? …. And? … “A letter you say? …“Nuremberg?” …. Yes …. keep me informed …. Yes …. He ended the Call.

He pondered the news for a moment: A duel: Stromberg had duelled Christine von der Marwitz. Winterfeldt could not supress a grin that was so typical of the Peter Stromberg he had known:

Daring, undaunted, chivalrous and noble, and von der Marwitz had beaten him in 11 Rounds, impressive but sad that Stromberg had not heeded his warning. His termination was something he regretted in some ways, but it had been necessary. And after all Stromberg had brought his doom on himself. He, von Winterfeldt, had given him every opportunity to make the sensible decision.

And Christine von der Marwitz: He was more and more intrigued by the woman. The Dossiers did not do her Justice. She had been the right choice for the finale of his “Symphony” he was surer than ever before.

Maybe it was time for another gesture of his heartfelt admiration for the artist, the woman and the warrior. He would see about that in due time. A fleeting thought crossed his mind …. May be he would challenge von der Marwitz to a duel. This remained to be seen though.

There were the reports about this man at her side: Robert von Hardenberg, another Lawyer nothing more, not a worthy opponent, he wondered what a Woman like von der Marwitz could see in him.

‎Nuremberg: Mueller´s heir would pose a challenge of a very different calibre for Christine von der Marwitz and her Team, the man was formidable – and a Sadist. His daughter in law though was a different matter ….

Von Winterfeldt smiled darkly, "I will let do him the dirty work. If von der Marwitz would run against a wall this time so be it. If not, even better. On second thought it would be even rather convenient, if von der Marwitz would eliminate Mueller´s heir: He is a liability, vain, arrogant and erratic.
‎
It was time to set the stage for the next movement of his great Symphony.

He pressed a button on his desk. Susanne von Stülpnagel entered: “Yes Sir?” Her Master replied curtly: “Take all necessary precautions for the relocation of Headquarters to the Adlernest.”

“It will be done as ordered Sir!" Susanne von Stülpnagel stood to attention. “Is there anything else?”

Von Winterfeldt pondered the question a moment or two: “Susanne, take care, that Sieglinde and the Valkyries are on alert to relocate to Nuremberg at short notice!”

“At once Sir!” His Assistant turned on her heels and left.

Von Winterfeldt was pleased. Despite Stromberg´s actions everything went still according to plan, though the Dark Lady had disappointed him: he might have to review the terms of their business relationship.

He looked as his watch.

Time for a call to his Business Partner on a certain Island in the Mediterranean.

Time for the next movement of this grand symphony.‎

The End of Part III

[TayDay95]

Curious to see how the girls will be able to avoid suspicion for Strombergs murder, and I'm still so I trigued thinking what it is exactly that has Winterfeldt so obsessed with Christine...

[slackywacky]

You know, the disadvantage of being at the end of this chapter is that I have to wait till the next chapter to continue this great tale.

I bet there will be more ropemarks (voluntarily or not) on our lead ladies and nicely stuffed mouths.
Thank you [mention]Caesar73[/mention], a great chapter yet again.

I have booked my train ticket to Nurnberg. Got nothing better to do since the Dutch got kicked out of Euro 2020.

[GreyLord]

Wrap up the old. Spring forward to the new! Slowly you turn a few more tidbits over to us all the while leaving us panting for more. Such masterful writing leaves a newbie like me in awe. Great work and may you keep turning it out for years to come.

[Mineira1986]

My thoughts on the latter chapters:

I have to say it's a little odd when there are relaxed reactions to a death in any story. I know this wasn't the first time, as I remember the journalist was sniped and the next scene was playful. It's not a complain, it's just, like I said, a little odd. (And of course, Anna and Kate together.... super sexy).

I have to agree with the man in the tower on this one. Robert and Christine are a good couple, but Christine seems to much for Robert. Even when she's allowing him to tie her up and take control, it feels to me that she's still in control of the situation. She's clearly an alpha, a dominant woman, which I love. It's just... I would love to see Robert present a good challenger for her.

Having said that, I am looking forward for the next chapters!

[Beaumains]

That was Heidelberg. Another death for the tally. With the police involved, this will surely be interesting as it is quite the job to get the girls to roam free once more. Such a murder, combined with the other assassination would be the biggest news in Germany for weeks. Good luck!

Also, would Christine feel guilty for not finishing off the dark lady? That would have saved Stromberg.

[Caesar73]

That was Heidelberg. Another death for the tally. With the police involved, this will surely be interesting as it is quite the job to get the girls to roam free once more. Such a murder, combined with the other assassination would be the biggest news in Germany for weeks. Good luck!

Also, would Christine feel guilty for not finishing off the dark lady? That would have saved Stromberg.

What a lucky coincidence that our heroines have a well versed defense-lawyer at hand

Christine guilt ridden? Interessting notion I will think about that and maybe I´ll make some minor changes

[mention]Mineira1986[/mention] [mention]GreyLord[/mention] [mention]slackywacky[/mention] and [mention]TayDay95[/mention] thank your for your comments

[Caesar73]

[mention]GreyLord[/mention] [mention]Beaumains[/mention] [mention]Mineira1986[/mention] [mention]Bandit666[/mention] [mention]wolfman[/mention] [mention]mrjones2009[/mention] [mention]slackywacky[/mention] [mention]NotSeen[/mention] [mention]TayDay95[/mention] [mention]banshee[/mention] [mention]TomYi[/mention]


Dear Fans and friends,

I want to thank you all for your comments, for your encouragement or simply following this story. To thank you all, I present you the Introduction of Part IV, a new location, new and old enemies and new friends!


Part IV:

Introduction


Stein, metropolitan area Nuremberg, Reichenbach-Castle around 1200



Stein is a small town roughly seven Kilometres away from Nuremberg. Stein is famous for Reichenbach Castle, the home of the family bearing the same name. The most impressive building of the town is itself the Reichenbach-Castle. Built in the years 1903 – 1906 it features elements of Jugendstil and Historism.

Hermann Carl Reichenbach sat in his dark wood panelled study. He settled back in his sumptuous leather desk chair and turned the volume of the large TV on. The TV was positioned, flush mounted in the wall, across from his voluminous desk, so he could watch in comfort from behind his desk.

Currently on display was the midday news report. The anchor just had asked a reporter standing in front of the closed entrance gates of a large estate. ‎

“Stefan what can you tell us about the murder of Peter Stromberg?" The Journalist asked:

“What I can tell you is this: Peter Stromberg hosted a dinner-party with a small group of guests. His guests left around 2130 because Stromberg was not feeling well. At some point between 2200 and 2300 he was shot by an armed intruder. After what my sources told me, the Intruder was able to penetrate the extensive security systems of the Estate unnoticed. Stromberg´s Assistant was left tied up and gagged by the intruder in her quarters. She raised the alarm in the early hours of this morning, after she was able to free herself. When she found Mr Stromberg she called the Police.”

The Anchor asked her colleague: “Could that incident just be a robbery, which got of hand?”

“No”, the reporter said. “My sources tell me, that Mr Stromberg’s killing bore all the hallmarks of a professional assassination.”

“Do we know the identity of Stromberg´s Guests?" the anchor asks, in a curious tone.

“No, so far the Police have not disclosed the identity." the reporter confirms.

‎Reichenbach turned off the TV and pressed a button on his desk. A short time later, three sharp raps at his door came suddenly. “Enter” Reichenbach barked.

A tall dark man in a three-Piece suit entered. “What can I do for you, Sir?”

Reichenbach replied curtly, "Contact our sources at the Police of Heidelberg and find out all you can about the Stromberg-Murder. Review every document you can get, witness statements, forensics, ballistics, everything I especially want to know, who his guests were. That'll be all.”

“At once, Sir”, the Man stood to attention turned on his heels and left, leaving Reichenbach alone in his office, deep in thought.

"So Stromberg was dead. Not that I will mourn him. That bastard had been best friend of Carl von Winterfeldt. And that fact alone was enough to hate the man. But something was going on, and he must know more." He broods.‎


Hamburg: Peter Fabel´s Home, around the same time

Erster Kriminalhauptkommissar Fabel turned off the TV too. "Most interesting, that murder in Heidelberg. Peter Stromberg had been a Person of Public life, famous for is collection of historical instruments and scores, but also as a patron promoting young artists and musicians."‎

Something about that Murder made him start to wonder. "The murder had been a professional hit job. This reminded me of the Case I am currently working on: The murder of Peter Riefenstahl, the investigative Journalist.

Riefenstahl was also shot by a professional contract killer. I hate to admit, however, Christine von der Marwitz had been right the killer had not left a shred of evidence. The assessment of Captain Beckett had also been proven correct. The shooting distance had been 500 Meters and single shot had been fired."

He rested his elbows on the desk and laced his fingers together, "Now 10 days later another professional assassination. I do not believe in coincidences. Too many facts converge here, for it to be just chance"

Fabel dialled a number: “Hallo Nicole, it's me. I have a job for you. Can you get the lead investigators of the Stromberg-Case in Heidelberg at the phone, please? Tell them, there might be a connection to our case.”‎

[GreyLord]

This promotes the feeling that a net is beginning to tighten but the Man in the High Castle may have taken than into account. Very complex. Very fascinating.

[slackywacky]

All roads lead to Rome, or should that be all leads roam to Stein? (I know, not a great joke)

Good chapter. Don't think I have ever been to Stein. Impressive building used in an impressive story.

[Caesar73]

All roads lead to Rome, or should that be all leads roam to Stein? (I know, not a great joke)

Good chapter. Don't think I have ever been to Stein. Impressive building used in an impressive story.

This castle is indeed in Stein I just changed the name of the Family who owns it. I chose the name Reichenbach on purpose - if you are a fan of classic detective stories you may recognize the name, one more hint: Baker Street 221 B

[Beaumains]

You appear to love the name Peter, this is already the third, and then let them be killed off. Is this accidental or some wicked joke?

You set a nice scene for the next town. Let's see how many will get tied now!

Christine guilt ridden? Interessting notion I will think about that and maybe I´ll make some minor changes

Do whatever you want. It's your story, but my instinct would say that not having killed someone when you had the chance, causing another death could create some sense of guilt.

[TayDay95]

Sounds as though more players are entering this ever-changing game, it is nice to see that there are consequences erupting from Strombergs death, I wonder how the girls will be able to operate with, as my good friend [mention]GreyLord[/mention] put it, the net that is tightening around this whole situation.

[Caesar73]

You appear to love the name Peter, this is already the third, and then let them be killed off. Is this accidental or some wicked joke?

You set a nice scene for the next town. Let's see how many will get tied now!

Nope, no wicked joke

But you are right, that is Peter the Third

I did not notice, that I used the name three times. If I were a disciple of Sigmund Freud I would say my subconsiousness was speaking: My father´s name is Peter

For two Peters there is a simple reason: Peter Fabel I borrowed from a series of crime novels situated in Hamburg and Peter Stromberg is the villain in chief played by Curd Jürgens in the James Bond Movie "The spy who loved me"

You are a shrewd observer [mention]Beaumains[/mention], my compliments!

[Caesar73]

Update:

Hi folks, the next update will follow tomorrow - probably between 0600 and 0700 Hours MEST

I made good progress on Part VI. The first four Chapters are nearly complete.

[Caesar73]

[mention]GreyLord[/mention] [mention]Beaumains[/mention] [mention]Bandit666[/mention] [mention]slackywacky[/mention] [mention]wolfman[/mention] [mention]mrjones2009[/mention] [mention]banshee[/mention] [mention]NotSeen[/mention] [mention]TomYi[/mention][mention]TayDay95[/mention] [mention]Mineira1986[/mention] [mention]Mineira1986[/mention]

A voice from the Grave:

Chapter I:



From: Peter Stromberg

To: Christine von der Marwitz

Dear Christine von der Marwitz,


I apologize beforehand for this personal form of address. Normally I'm not so informal, but if you read this letter, I think, I have earned the right to address you in this personal way. You will have bested me in our duel and now exist a bond between us that is stronger than friendship.

I will try to aid you in your search in any way I can. The next stage of your quest for the Weinstein-Collection will lead you to Nuremberg. There you will have to contact Hermann Carl Reichenbach.

If you found persuading me to help you difficult, I can guarantee you that “persuading” Hermann Carl Reichenbach will pose a much greater, even more dangerous challenge. In many ways Hermann Carl resembles his father, and not the best sides of his character. Hermann Carl is very much his father that is without the qualities his father possessed, despite his flaws of character.

Hermann Carl is hungry for power, he is a cruel man. But much worse than this, he is a sadist to the core, who likes nothing more than torturing and tormenting his victims, just for sport.

Beyond all else, he despises strong independent women, even more if they are beautiful. Women like you, dear Christine and your true friends Anna Romanova and Kate Beckett. Breaking and destroying such women satisfies him beyond belief.

You know, Carl von Winterfeldt has many flaws, but, he uses force only as means to an end, to be used only when necessary. Hermann Carl enjoys force brutality, sweat, tears. He lusts for blood.

Be extremely careful when you have to deal with him. There is only one way, you will be able to force Hermann Carl to help you. He accepts the raw language of power only. Anything else he disregards as weakness.

Stay on your guard at all times. You must show no sign of weakness, or Hermann Carl will exploit it to your disadvantage. Do not meet him at his Castle Reichenbach. Meet him in a public place and be prepared for anything. Your life may depend on it.

You may ask me, who is Hermann Carl´s father? Hermann Carl is Hermann Mueller´s Son. Between Hermann-Carl and Carl von Winterfeldt there is no love lost. Be warned Hermann Mueller made Carl, not Hermann Carl the guardian of the Weinstein-Collection.

Hermann Carl sees himself as the rightful heir who was betrayed by his father and by Carl. This hate consumes him. He hates Carl but even more he hates people like you and your friends, Christine, who seeks justice and fight for freedom.

Hermann Carl is a Nazi to the Core, make no mistake. But to achieve your goal there is no other way, you must confront Hermann Carl. Be prepared and show no fear!

You are not alone. I had not the honour to meet Anna Romanova and Kate Beckett and from what I know I judge them as formidable and courageous as yourself.

As dangerous as Hermann Carl is, there is another danger, I must warn you off Christine.

Carl is a collector of things he regards as unique. He covets above all else beautiful objects which are unique. If he has set his mind on acquiring such an object he will do anything to obtain it, at no cost what so ever.

And I fear the latest “object” he covets is you. You fit the bill perfectly as woman and as artist. Carl regards himself as a true artist, he probably sees you as a kindred soul. I would be not surprised, if he is obsessed with you and he wants to possess you. Carl will not stop, he will use whatever means are necessary to possess you. Please bear this in mind, whatever you do.

I have committed many sins, but there is one thing, that gives me hope: That if anybody can bring down Carl it is you, you and your very remarkable friends. Trust them.

Your friend

Peter Stromberg.


The words of the late Peter Stromberg reverberated in Christine´s Suite at the Le Meridien Grand Hotel in the Centre of Nuremberg, as Christine had finished reading Stromberg´s Letter aloud.

Kate and Anna looked at their friend, waited for a reaction. When Christine spoke, it was obvious that she had still come to terms with all they had heard.

“The easiest Part is the last Part of the letter. That Carl von Winterfeldt is obsessed with me, is not new. Stromberg's letter confirms something we already guessed. This does not change anything. Or do you disagree, Kate, Anna? What are your thoughts?”

Both shrugged. It was Kate who spoke first: “You said it yourself: von Winterfeldt´s Obsession was rather obvious from the start. We only forgot that, because of all everything else happening. So nothing new there.”

Anna nodded. “It is the first part of the letter, which is a game changer. That Hermann Mueller´s son is alive. This is the first proof, that Mueller really survived the war. How old is Hermann Carl now?”

Christine looked at the Papers in her hand: There was the letter, which Stromberg had written a USB-Data-Stick and a folder.

“We will have to sift through this material. Today I´m way too tired to do that. Kate and Anna nodded. “Tomorrow well will have to do research and prepare, which means get some equipment.”

“We will have to confront Hermann Carl Reichenbach, and I fear that P 320´s and my Katana will not suffice. So the first thing tomorrow we will have to make a list of the weapons and specialist equipment we will need." Christine said thoughtfully, before yawning, ‎“I think, we will have a night cap and then call it a day.”

“Sounds like a plan to me” Anna agreed. Kate nodded. Anna grinned mischievously: "What about some of the fabulous Frankenwein and the Room Service?"

It had been a long day on the road, Christine reflected:

They had left Heidelberg in the morning. The day before, the Police wanted not only Statements from Christine and Robert, but from Kate and Anna as well. The investigators had been polite, but it had been rather obvious that they had strong suspicions that Christine and her friends did not tell them all they knew.

They had contacted Christine later in the day again, after they had had a call from Hamburg. Their old friend, Erster Kriminalhauptkommissar Peter Fabel had obviously had watched the news too and contacted his colleagues in Heidelberg.

At last all statements had been taken. They had returned to their Hotel. Robert would not accompany them to Nuremberg, because he had cases in court which needed his attention and because Christine did not want to drag him any further in this dangerous adventure.

Robert was displeased at first, but accepted Christine´s point of view in the end. They had had together a dinner at the hotel and then Christine and Robert had bade Anna and Kate an early farewell.

When they met for Breakfast in the morning, Robert had already left, but Christine was relaxed and in good spirits and kept her silence about her night, resisting all of Anna's attempts to get more details politely but firm and with a smile, which was all Kate Beckett, seasoned investigator that she was, needed to know to draw her conclusions.

They had checked out around 10:00 and left for Nuremberg. The drive to the old and venerable city had been tiresome, lot of traffic jams, lots of road works. Christine and Anna had taken turns driving. In the end they had arrived at Nuremberg at 1700 Hours, had a short dinner and then retired to their suites.

Christine called the room service for said night cap. Among other things an exquisite Grappa and three Glasses, when the service had left, Christine filled the three glasses with the golden shimmering liquid. Kate, Anna and she raised their glasses.

“To a true cavalier and gentleman!” she toasted. “To a true cavalier and gentleman!” her friends called back, they all drank in Silence then set their glasses aside.

[TayDay95]

Woah, I'm more worried for the girls going up against Reichenbach than von Winterfeldt.

But hey, any chance to fuck up a Nazi...

[slackywacky]

Hermann Carl sounds like a nasty piece of work. I hope the ladies will be careful, although I suspect they might end up in his clutches, or at least one of them will. Nice chapter.

[Caesar73]

Hermann Carl sounds like a nasty piece of work. I hope the ladies will be careful, although I suspect they might end up in his clutches, or at least one of them will. Nice chapter.

Thanks [mention]slackywacky[/mention] You are right: Reichenbach Senior is a nasty piece of work, you will get a glimpse of what he is capable of in the second Chapter.

[GreyLord]

... I suspect they might end up in his clutches, or at least one of them will. Nice chapter

Yes, [mention]slackywacky[/mention] is probably right. For sure, it is a nice chapter. Somehow, I feel that the girls might not fare as well under the control of Hermann Carl as they did in their previous encounters with the minions of the Man in the High Castle.

[Caesar73]

Yes, @slackywacky is probably right. For sure, it is a nice chapter. Somehow, I feel that the girls might not fare as well under the control of Hermann Carl as they did in their previous encounters with the minions of the Man in the High Castle.

Yes, Reichenbach will pose a real challenge as Stromberg wrote. Any mistake, any small weakness may have dire consequences, that is for sure [mention]GreyLord[/mention]. What Reichenbach is capable of you will learn on Saturday.

[banshee]

I had to left the site for some days but there's nothing better than coming back and finding out that there's so many updates on this story. I liked the ending of part III and even if there was some discussion about the tone and stuff I think that was a minuscule flaw if anything. I really like how the story and characters are developing and I can't wait to see how the story continues.

[Beaumains]

That is much suspense for one chapter. You paint a very odd picture of Germany's ultra wealthy. All seem to tend to unusual hobbies, and Reichenbach may be the worst of the bunch. Somehow, I suspect at least one if the girls has to suffer from his cruelty. Poor Dark Lady, she will likely look a sweet kindergarten teacher compared to this new antagonist.