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.