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DIAMONDS FROM THE WORLD War Two death camps, how to sell them?
Jonathan was holding the report he just received from his former boss, Winston Churchill. It was a follow-up of what they recently discussed on the phone after exchanging Christmas greetings. It was a subject that Churchill was adamant about during the last months of the war when the concentration, or as he called them, extermination camps were discovered. Millions more in stolen artifacts, art, gold and, especially diamonds were still missing. This Jonathan agreed, but what was surprising was Churchill’s report on missing diamonds. It may be a coincidence, but maybe not...
He quickly went to Alex’s room and knocked softly hoping he was alone and not asleep yet.
“Please come in Sir,” Alex replied as Sue Lee quietly shut the adjoining door.
“I say, how did you know it was me?”Jonathan said while entering his room.
“You’re the only one who knocks first, everyone else just enters; however, it must be important, please sit.”
“I do have information, but first, where you ever involved with diamonds? If my question violates an American intelligence code, perhaps, I can rephrase the question.”
Alex chuckled knowing Jonathan's security authorization was most likely higher than any clearance he had.
Alex, paused after reading Churchills letter before saying one word, "Jewels? “
“I beg your pardon, did you say Jewels?”
“Yes, he was in the ALIU, especially since he was a Jeweler, specializing in diamonds.”
“You saying he was in the Art Lotting Investigation Unite?”
Jonathan knew their American allies set up an Art recovery unit within the Office of Strategic Services a branch of the American Intelligence to seek out looted Art.
“What made you think of him?”
“Just an odd thought, I was sent to Paris to a find a Gestapo agent running from prosecution. We had an altercation so to speak. He was wounded. I arrived at the hospital the following morning just as Jewels was leaving, He flashed his ID card said he was there to interrogate the prisoner but found him dead. It was part of his job, of course, I never questioned it, but now?”
“Think back, what did you see that was unusual or out of place?” Jonathan knew his friend had a deep hate for Nazis due to the death of his parents after being sent to Auschwitz. That alone could cloud up one’s thinking. However, Alex was trained at Camp Ritchie in Maryland, an elite group specializing in counter intelligence. Jonathan waited to give Alex a moment to gather his thoughts.
“He was alone, no guard, normally during interrogation. The ALIUs requires an armed soldier to be present. You see. They're not actual soldiers. The army wanted them, mainly for their civilian expertise.”
“And his specialty was diamonds, fascinating. What more can you tell me about the Agent, and do ask Sue Lee to join us? It must be very uncomfortable standing behind that door. And Jane, you to come out of the hall. I don’t want you waking the household unless everyone else is out there with you?”
“Well, you could have invited us. You know we are all concerned about Alex”s welfare?”Lucie said as she came through the door with Elizabeth, and Jane just as Sue Lee stepped into the room through the adjoining door. Is this what you call a slumber party I’ll see if Connie is still in the kitchen, and have her send up some refreshments?”
“I'm here, Miss Jane, Connie said looking up from the main floor at the open wraparound balcony that led to each bedroom. Do you need chairs too?”
“Naw, we can sit on the floor; I’ll grab some pillows off the beds.”
"Here; I brought a few from my room, My isn’t this exciting!” Clara said flowing along in her new fancy black robe that exaggerated the pink, yellow bird design, a Christmas present from Elizabeth.
Sue Lee noticed the look on Alex’s face, he was befuddled while everyone settled into his room. She glanced over at Jonathan, did he plan this all along with Clara and the rest of the gang. They all had been huddling in a corner early this evening while she entertained Alex and Dr. Rupert. That’s another thing, Jonathan insisted that Alex stayed in their home not aboard the La Vie where the doctor was staying?
Everyone knew Alex had no family, was this Jonathan’s way of welcoming him into his extended family, if so, he’s an incorrigible romantic. “What a nice thing to do for an injured friend on Christmas Eve, have a slumber party in his room.”