Return of Hunter S. Thompson (eBook)

Chapter 2

The Nazi Chase Continues

We travelled to the Munich Sports Club in London with the security (SAS) driver in a private car. We brought the bait with us, the Two Riders on the Beach painting by Max Lieberman. When we crossed Birdcage Walk our driver Jimmy said we were close to the Bavarian club. “Are you boys ready?” Jimmy asked. “Don’t worry about those idiots. We have reinforcements in the area that can come in to help for any emergency.”

Our first problem was the sign on the door of the German club said “Closed. Private engagement.”

We politely knocked on the door and were told in person the place was closed.

“You don’t understand,” Hunter said. “We are guests making a surprise visit. Reimer will be upset if you don’t let us in.”

“Let me check that package or box you are carrying,” the doorman said.

“That’s a problem,” Hunter said. “Maybe your English aint so good. This is the surprise as part of our surprise visit. Get it?”

“Sir, there’s no reason to be rude.”

“Yeah, and there aint no reason to be stupid either,” Hunter blasted back. “Just get Reimer.”

“What’s the commotion about,” the new man at the door asked.

“We are here to see Reimer, that’s all.”

“I’m Reimer. Come in. How can I help you, sir?”

“We need to talk privately,” I said. “This concerns a matter of some urgency.”

We entered a drawing room off the foyer and were met by a second man.

“I’m Frank Reimer. This is brother Helmuth. What do you need from us?”

“Our business associate in America told us—I’m Fabian and this is cousin Philly Boudreaux—that we could hire security help in London for our art business. So, basically, Otto Von Krupp, now Otto Brown, told us to contact the Reimers in London for security services.”

“What kind of security services are you talking about?” Frank Reimer asked.

“For international art trade. Otto said you were reliable,” I said.

“I’m not sure I know Otto,” Helmuth said.

“Well you know the family. His brother Klaus Von Krupp was a pretty famous rocket scientist. A Munich man.”

“Yes, yes, of course,” Frank said.

“What is the surprise?”

“This is a down payment and a showing of good faith. It is a painting which comes directly from Otto Von Krupp, who is located in America. He said this painting would convince you to help us with security demands in the upcoming months as we develop our relationship with Otto’s partners.

“Please don’t ask who they are,” I said. “If I did know I would not be allowed to tell you. That is the nature of this business. It is private. It is confidential. Basically, all transactions of sale or trade are secret. It has to be that way.”

“This painting from Otto is beautiful. Please thank him from both of us,” Frank Reimer said.

“I’m sure we can provide security for you. Travel is not a problem. We are between contracts for security services with financial firms, so we are able to assist,” Helmuth spoke up..

“How many men do you need?” Frank asked. “We have a large pool to draw on.”

“I will inquire with our contact who speaks directly to Otto. In a recent meeting in Florida where valuable art was present on a yacht Otto had a security group of at least twenty men. Some of these get togethers involve masterworks of very high value. Much of Otto’s art is modern and much of ours is more traditional. Our principals are attempting to make multiple trades in a volume never seen before.”

“I see,” Frank Reimer said.

“That makes sense,” brother Helmuth chimed in.

“Otto represents a syndicate that acquired art during the war when the prices were low because of the depression,” I said. “Now they would like to trade the modern art for the classics. We represent several private investors from Europe, and our business is based in Switzerland, although you can probably tell from our accents that we’re Cajun boys from Louisiana.

“We will soon know where this next event will be. We saw Otto’s inventory at our last meeting in Florida. At the next get together we will be taking several valuable works packed as prize cargo on a new 707 jet which can cross the Atlantic Ocean without refueling.”

“We will cross that ocean or any other ocean as long as my people are fairly compensated,” Frank Reimer said.

“We will work that out with no problem. Otto has vouched for you and your men.”

“His donation of the painting is probably worth six figures, so we are serious,” Hunter said.

“We’re not doubting your ability to fund this project,” Helmuth said. “We just need to make sure we are doing right by our people. The Reimers always look out for their people.”

“All of our agreements need to be approved by a selected representative for our client group. This year it is Count Felix von Kramm who approves all contracts. He is outside in the car.”

“Sure, by all means, have him come in,” Frank Reimer said.

We gave the high sign to Jimmy McAleese that it was okay to send Mr. Holmes in to close the deal.

“Reimer brothers,” I said, “this is Felix Von Kramm of Europe.”

“Yes, I am Von Kramm. My presence here tonight means you will work with us on security for our upcoming event.”

“We look forward to this new business alliance with your group,” Frank Reimer said.

“My job is to make sure your men are up to the task. We need to review training and weaponry. This is going to require heavy arms in place. We can discuss details as soon as the site selection is complete.”

“Originally, it looked like New York State would provide the most convenient location, but there was a problem with the authorities in that state,” Hunter said.

“Last November our New York secured site for art sales was raided by government agents because the organized crime families of America were all there for a meeting of the mob. You may have heard about it.

“So, we won’t be going to Appalachian, New York ever again,” Hunter said.

“Our security forces provided by New York Protection Inc. got greedy and invited the wrong group. We won’t use their services again. This is why we took Otto’s recommendation to find a more private security group,” Count Felix explained.

“Now, we are trying to get clearance to meet in more business-friendly Bermuda,” Count Felix said.

“It is an honor to meet you, sir, Count Von Kramm,” the brothers Reimers said in unison.

“Call me Felix. I used to be a Count, but now I’m not. I now live in Switzerland for privacy and tax reasons.”

“We understand. All these governments want too much information. Even in our small security business the governments want to know too much that is private,” Frank Reimer said. “Who do they think they are? Maybe we should move to Switzerland too.”

“Good idea,” Hunter said. “What are you waiting for? It is the best place for privacy with your funds and your business.”

“I think we have an agreement men. I will be provided with the event schedule soon and then get the necessary info to your group. We’ll talk soon. It looks like we are one week out, so do any training you need to do. I’m sure you have all the necessary weapons you need. We will load all weapons on the jet in protected cargo containers on the plane behind the seats. They will not be put in the lower hold of the airliner. If being trapped in the baggage compartment of a plane is bad for people, then it can’t be good for guns,” Count Von Kramm said.

“We agree,” the Reimers said, again in unison. “It is refreshing to meet a business person who appreciates the value of high-quality care for weapons,” Helmuth Reimer said.

Of course, we didn’t tell the Reimers that SAS troops would be located behind their weapons. They would believe the back of the plane was full of prized art, not British commandos.

We left the Munich Sports Club with our plan set in action. Now we hoped it would be just a matter of time before the Trawniki Conspiracy would meet its fate.

As we rode back to our current sleeping quarters at the Mayfair Hotel (a respectable venue for art dealers), Hunter was clearly bothered by something Holmes said to the Reimers.

“I was racking my brain and then I realized the Count was really the King of Bohemia who attempted to pull the wool over your eyes,” Hunter said.

“Very good, Hunter,” Holmes said.

“You remember a Scandal in Bohemia,” Holmes said. “I always liked the character in that disguise, Count Felix. I always thought he deserved another shot with the disguise.”

“The big difference this time is I think the disguise and acting were believable,” Hunter said.

“I think you are right. The Reimers took the bait and they are all in,” Holmes said. “What was that New York organized crime business?”

“Last year it was a scandal in America, not Bohemia. I just took it to the house, as they say,” Hunter said.

“He does that a lot,” I said. “He wings it. Hunter is the ultimate wingman.”

“I admire that trait,” Holmes said. “It is an essential survival technique.”

“Yes, and...