Dear Readers,
in this thread you will find, starting today, single case files from the Database of Art Incorporated. Each Story will feature Members of the Cast of Hunt for the Weinstein-Collection. They can be read independently from the multi part Stories:
The Hunt for the Weinstein-Collection (finished):
https://tugstories.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=13456
and
The Hunt for the Lost Scrolls (ongoing):
https://tugstories.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=17729
The first case file will be an Adventure of Anna:
Late August Chelsea Manhattan New York: The Dakota
Around 0900 AM
Anna stepped into her shimmering black high Gianvito Rossi heels, eyed herself critically in the mirror and liked what she saw: The black power suit fitted her perfectly, her dark hair for practical reasons in pony tail, which fell down between her shoulder blades. She fetched her violin case with her priceless Stradivarius, Lord Dunn Raven. Nobody was allowed to touch the violin, and the Russian left it almost never out of her eyes.
At 1030 she was supposed to hold the first of a series of lectures about playing Bach´s Sonatas and Partitas for violin solo at the prestigious Julliard School, one of the best conservatories in the States and abroad. The Juilliard was legend. The Russian considered it a high honour to hold those lectures this year.
She was about to leave as the intercom system at the door of the apartment buzzed and the face of George the Concierge appeared on the screen “Yes, George, what is it?” Anna looked at her watch, she had still time but not much “Miss Anna there are three gentlemen and one lady who want to speak with you”
Anna wondered, she had no other appointment today “Where are they from George?” The concierge sounded nervous she thought, that was so unlike him “They are from a Government Agency they say and that they are not at liberty so say more, their credentials look authentic though”
The Russian´s frown deepened “Government Agency?” Aloud she said “Send them up George” and sighed. One of those days …
Anna set the violin case down on the floor and racked her brain “Government Agency?” That sounded fishy, the only reason why she was here in New York was the series of lectures she was to deliver at the Juilliard today; she was supposed to meet Kate and Castle in the evening for dinner. Kirsty and Hayley were working on a case in Chicago, so why wanted some agents talk to her out of the blue?
The sound of the buzzer broke her out her reverie. She looked at the screen: There stood indeed three men and one woman “Men in Black” shot it through Anna´s mind. The men clearly looked the part. Perfectly tailored suits, crew haircuts, dark sun glasses, the woman wore the same uniform – except that her blonde hair which was cut into a stylish bob.
“Yes?” Anna pressed the intercom “Miss Romanova?” the leader, with short black hair spoke into the microphone “we need to speak with you in an urgent matter” “Why don´t you show me some credentials first?” Anna demanded, not inclined to open the door to strangers.
The Agent flipped his badge open and held it in front of the Camera “Special Agent in Charge Gus Simmons Department of Homeland Security” Department of Homeland Security …. she had never had any dealings with the DHS but she knew, those Guys were not to be trifled with, and four of them meant: This was no social call, that meant trouble. Anna´s uneasiness grew but reluctantly she opened the door.
She stood in the doorway blocking it with her body “To what do I owe the pleasure Agent Simmons?” The Agent replied calmly in a cool professional manner “In a matter of National Security – but why don´t we continue this conversation indoors?” “I don´t think so” Anna countered, her distrust evident “and let us cut this short, I have a lecture to give at the Juilliard” her patience already wearing thin.
Simmons seemed unmoved by Anna´s reaction.
“Very well then: Miss Romanova, your name has come up in a joint investigation of different law enforcement agencies regarding violations of sanctions against Russia –and we need to conduct a formal interview at our Bureau here in New York”
“That must be a mistake” Anna shrugged – I have been in New York for just 24 Hours, hardly enough to conduct any serious crimes” she added “And if I don´t come with you willingly?” “Will you bring me in then by force?” The Russian smiled a bit coyly.
Simmons was not impressed:
“Then” Simmons explained in that cool professional manner, which Anna found more and more infuriating by the minute “We are authorized to use the appropriate measures” The Russians dark eyes seemed to drill a hole in him “Right Agent Simmons, I will come with you, I will make a call though first – if you have no objections” The DHS Agent nodded “You may do that but leave the door open”
Anna pulled her smartphone out of her jacket and opened a contact, after two rings the call was taken “Hi Espo, it´s Anna, is Kate available? No? Please tell her that the DHS wants to have a chat with me, yes, the DHS – oh and give Chris a call, she should call the German Embassy, the Ambassador –if need be” she listened to the homicide detective “Yes, thank you Espo” and ended the call. The part about the Ambassador had been pure bravado – she did not know if Chris had the Ambassador on speed dial, but it could not hurt.
The Russian folded her arms under her breasts, radiating defiance “Can we now get this over with Agent Simmons?” Simmons nodded “There will be some security protocols to adhere to, and I advise you to follow them, they are for your own safety”
“If you would clarify, I am just a bit slow on the uptake” Anna countered
“We have a warrant for your Violin” Simmons replied calmly “You are to hand it over” “The hell I will” Anna was definitely not pleased “Nobody touches that Instrument” her body language made it clear she was poised to strike.
“I can assure you we will treat your instrument utmost care Miss Romanova” the blonde Agent next to Simmons spoke for the first time, his accent betrayed the fact, he came from the South.
“You better be” Anna huffed obviously less than mollified “If this Violin has only one scratch, I will sue the government to hell and back again – after I have broken the fingers of the one responsible” the violinist eye´s blazed with fire now.
With utmost care she took the case and handed it to the blonde agent “I will hold you personally responsible” and turned to Simmons “What next?” she almost spat.
“The regulations state, we will have to conduct a body search first” Simmons stated “Agent Briscoe?” he ordered the female Agent, who stepped forward, Anna heaved a sigh and turned her back to the Agent arms above her head.
Briscoe searched her quickly and professionally, though her hands rested on Anna´s breast longer than necessary, the Russian fumed inwardly “In what mess I have myself gotten into?”
“She is clean” Briscoe informed her superior brightly “Very well” Simmons nodded and turned to Anna, who had turned around and stared furiously at him “Follow the instructions of Agent Briscoe, and don´t forget this is for your safety
“Somehow I doubt that” Anna muttered.
One of the other agents had opened the trolley in the meantime. “Arms front Miss Romanova” Briscoe ordered her, with a sigh Anna complied. With the bondage mittens the agent rendered her hands useless, the Russian was familiar “I didn´t know the American Government has dealings with a criminal” she quipped, the mittens looked very much like those Elizabeth Crawford used. Next her wrists were shackled together with broad heavy manacles, which were heavily padded, so they were quite comfortable.
“Lift your Arms up” the Agent advised her and produced a heavy belt which was fastened around Anna´s waist, the Russian was deep in thought, so she registered too late that the belt, featured a crotch strap, and the Agent pulled it tight, way too tight.
“That hurt you bitch” Anna finally lost her temper and made a move at the agent, ramming her bound hands in Briscoe´s stomach with such force, that the agent toppled over– but the Russian was grabbed from behind “Calm yourself and nobody needs to get hurt” “The hell I will” the Russian fumed, continuing to struggle, bringing down her left heel down on the right foot of the agent keeping her – the man grunted in pain, but did not let go.
Too late Anna registered another movement behind her a large foam ball was pressed against her lips. Anna fought like a wild cat, but could only postpone the inevitable. One of her assailants pulled the strap tight behind her head and the heavily padded panel gag was pressed tightly against her lower face. Anna cursed into her gag as the gag was pulled tight, very tight. But only a barely audible mumble could be heard.
“Calm down” it was the Southern Gent who spoke again “We have no intention to hurt you” Anna did not know why, but she stopped struggling. Her world became black as a heavily padded sleep mask blinded her. Ears buds in her ears cut every noise out. She was panting heavily.
But that was not the end; some sort of mask – made of Kevlar? - was pressed on her face and fastened behind her head, it covered her face completely. A heavily padded hood was pulled over her head, it was padded especially across her mouth, her eyes and her ears. She felt that her manacled wrists were fastened to the belt around her waist. Anna cursed into her gag again.
Agent Simmons calm voice broke into the silence “Miss Romanova, please calm down, we will escort you down to the garage now. We will take care that you don´t fall” White noise cancelled any sound out. She felt that two persons took her firmly but gently by her upper arms and leaded her down the floor.
Anna s mind was racing “What is this all about?” She felt that they entered the elevator. In the parking garage she was helped into a dark van, “Arms up” Briscoe commanded said. Once Anna did as instructed the agent pulled straps from over each Anna´s shoulders and clipped them into a central buckle that was on one of five straps.
The seat seemed to have been specially designed to restrain people as these first two straps were followed into the central buckle by another strap from each side of her chest and a thankfully heavily padded strap from between her legs. Briscoe then tightened all of the straps to hold Anna in place.
“That bitch surely enjoys this Anna fumed. And they drove on.
Anna quickly lost count of time. She was in her own world of silence and darkness. The hood was stifling, the mask covering her face more than uncomfortable. The crotch strap cut into her. Surprisingly enough the shackles were very comfortable. Those around her ankles were bolted to the floor.
DHS Bureau New York, later:
How long the drive took the Russian did not know. “I must have dozed off” Anna jolted as the van halted. The shackles around her ankles were loosened and she was helped outside.
The manacles around her ankles were replaced with another model, so that she could make small steps. Anna was led down a long corridor. Another elevator, another floor, they entered another room. She felt that she was pressed down, gently but firmly on a padded chair. A complex harness of straps held her firmly in place. Her Ankles were cuffed together again.
Someone pulled off her right heel and then her left. Her big toes were cuffed together, and fastened to a ring on the floor which felt cold unter her soles. She protested into her gag “Your heels are considered a weapon Miss Romanova” a cool voice rang into her ears “You will get them back” Anna fumed, her beloved Gianvito Rossi heels were dear to her.
Then silence again. She was alone. Time passed agonizingly slow. While the floor under her soles was cold, the overall temperature of the room was warm, even hot. Anna had already begun to sweat, while the cold crept slowly through the thin nylon of her hose. Since her toes were connected to the floor, she could not even keep her feet of the floor.
The Russian was not scared, but furious. She tested her bonds “I am stuck”. Her handlers were professionals – that was much clear. And her only hope was that Kate could sort things out – or Chris, she sighed. The gag hurt and under the mask it was incredibly hot, she continued to struggle.
Later:
Anna sensed that one or two persons had entered the room. She felt that the hood was removed. Someone fumbled at the straps of the dammed mask, the sleep mask came off. It took a while till Anna´s eyes had adjusted to the sudden brightness:
She sat in some sort of interrogation room, which could have been anywhere between Moscow and New York. Across her at a table sat agent Simmons and a female agent she had not seen before.
Simmons regarded her with a long calculating look of clinical interest “Miss Romanova I apologize for the inconveniences – but they are necessary” “Liar” Anna stared angrily back at him “I take it, you are thirsty?” Anna nodded “Right”, Simmons turned to the female agent who stood and came back with a large plastic bottle of water with a long drinking straw.
The female agent loosened the straps which held Anna fast on the chair so she could lean forward, eased the heavy panel gag gently out of her mouth. Anna forgot all etiquette as she bowed down and sucked the water greedily through the straw that was embarrassing she knew, but she had to drink.
When she had finished she stared Simmons straight in the eye “Why don´t you tell me, what this is all about?” Her voice was still a bit hoarse, but firm.
“All in due time Miss Romanova” Simmons returned calmly “If you cooperate, this will go much faster” Anna fumed, but kept her silence. Simmons sensed the tension- he opened his tablet “Let us begin with something easy “Your name is Anna Alexandrovna Romanova, born in Sankt Petersburg?”
“For you: Grand Duchesse” Anna replied calmly, her anger lurking under the surface “You should check your sources”
The agent was unfazed, calmly he asked question after question, covering Anna´s biography from her birth to passing her A-levels.
The agent closed his tablet “We will continue this conversation, when you had some rest” Agent Brown applied the gag, the dreaded mask, the earbuds and the hood again and left Anna again in her own world.
This had been only the first round, that much was clear “But all I can do, is sit and wait” Anna sighed. Her feet were icy cold by now, she shuddered but could move her feet not an inch, just flex her toes, the dammed crotch strap irritating her. The sensory deprivation was most unnerving, which those SOB´s knew, but she would not give in.
In her mind she went over the conversation all over again, but found she had held her ground. She estimated that another hour had passed, when the hood, the mask and the buds and the gag were removed again
“Agent Simmons, before we continue: I need the loo, or I make a mess here right on the floor” Anna stated flatly. For a moment it seemed as if Simmons was inclined to take her up on her offer, then the Agent nodded
“Right, Agent Baker, escort the Grand Duchess to the Loo” If Anna had hoped she would be left ungagged she was disappointed. Back in went the gag and the sleep mask and the ear buds. The straps which held her down on the chair were loosened and the toe cuffs removed. She got some bathing sandals for her feet at least.
Firmly but gently she was led by the agent. They stopped before a door. Anna was led inside. She felt that the belt around her waist was loosened and sighed as the crotch strap was removed.
Someone pulled her trousers, her hose and panties down and sat her unceremoniously on a cold steel toilet. Obviously she was supposed to do her business. The Russian felt, that her face turned beetle red. With a lukewarm wash cloth the agent cleaned her up, after the deed was done and adjusted her clothing - including the crotch strap.
15 Minutes later Anna sat again across the two agents. It costed Anna some effort to keep her cool, to answer Simmons questions calmly. This time he focussed on her years at the conservatory at Vienna, when she had met Chris for the first time.
Obviously the man had done his homework: He pressed her about her training with Russian Special Forces, the founding of Art Incorporated “You are doing well Grand Duchesse” Simmons reassured her “If you stay cooperative we can clear this up in no time” Anna just stared back, before she was gagged and restrained fully again.
By now she was tired – very much. She did not know how much time had passed. Her feet were chunks of ice now, the toe cuffs hurt. Anna felt sweaty and dishevelled – and she was hungry. Except the occasional drink of water, she had gotten nothing since breakfast. The heating in the room had gone up, so she sweated profusely, her jaws hurt like hell. Anna was miserable.
To keep her mind occupied she began to play Paganini´s Caprices in head, moving her body in rhythm with the music as much as her restraints allowed that, which was not much.
“What is she doing?” Simmons asked the woman next to him in the control room “Playing the violin I guess” she answered “She is trying to keep her mind occupied”
“You can do that?” Simmons asked curiously “Without an instrument?” “A musician of her calibre can” came the swift reply “Why don´t you continue Agent Simmons?” she is ready for the final round now – and don´t overdo it”
Anna had just reached the Capriccio in b-minor, when she felt another presence in the room. After the mask, the gag, the hood and the buds had been removed – “been there done that” she thought - Anna stared flatly at Simmons “Let us get over with quickly, I am fed up with your tiresome questions” The Russian sounded tired Simmons thought and felt a little bit sorry about he was about to do now, but just a little. Business was business – and he had his orders.
“Right, Grand Duchesse Romanova let us get things wrapped up – let us talk about your involvement in the Hunt for the Weinstein-Collection” Anna became tense as he Agent poised his first questions. He was obviously very well informed.
With forced calm Anna asked his questions, she wanted to get this over with – and quickly. The agent was obviously very interested in the incidents, when Anna had acted as sniper: In Nuremberg and in Vienna and in the Alps.
“You wounded one man in Nuremberg, in Vienna several more, probably you killed somebody, you shot several people at the Adlernest and during the attack” Simmons concluded.
“Yes, I did” Anna returned with forced calm “I did what was necessary” and added in a dangerous low voice “And I dare say that is none of your dammed business Mister, none of this happened on American soil, so you have none, zero, zilch reason to hold me here”
Simmons cold smile was like an icy cold shower:
“That is where you are sadly mistaken Miss Romanova – or should I call you Red Sparrow?
Anna´s face grew white.
“It is the business of DHS and therefore my business when we have reason to believe the person in question is an asset of the FSB and acting on behalf of a foreign power, in your case as a contract killer” Simmons continued
“We have credible evidence, that you use your profession as violinist as cover to work for the FSB – in fact there are grounds to believe, the money for your Stradivarius came from the Russian intelligence services – so I fear you won´t see your violin ever again, and you will simply vanish from the earth – you know, I am sure the CIA will find a nice cosy cell where you can rot – and keep playing the violin in your head – when you are not interrogated.
While he had spoken, Anna had grown more and more tense. The longer the agent had spoken the more trouble Anna had to keep her temperament in check. When Simmons told her she would not see her violin again, she lost finally her temper. Wouldn´t she have been so tightly restrained she would have jumped over the table. Anna erupted in a volley of curses:
Instinctively she fell into her mother language as she cursed and screamed at Simmons like a mad woman, straining with all her might against the bonds.
“You must calm down Grand Duchess” she heard a soft voice – and it was not Simmons. “The hell I will” Anna spat. Simmons pressed a button and another two agents charged into the room holding Anna down, will Brown applied the restraints again,
She barely registered that she was restrained fully again, that she was alone in her world of darkness and pain again. Her pulse raced. Only slowly she calmed down.
The woman in the observation room turned to Simmons, tersely “That is enough Special Agent Simmons that is not what we agreed on, you should have told me beforehand - let her calm down and bring her to my apartment in 30 minutes – be gentle with her, this had been a tough day for her Agent Simmons do you get me?”
Simmons nodded
Anna did not know how much time had passed - she only reacted, when the straps which held her to the chair were removed, as were the toe cuffs and the ankle cuffs, which were replaced by the manacles, which allowed her to make slow steps. Some Slippers were pulled on her feet. Gently she was grabbed by the upper arms and led out of the room.
She just shuffled along. She was immensely tired, all fight had left her. They entered an elevator, the cool air became warmer. Anna and her escort stopped before a door. Someone removed the slippers from her feet and led her in another room. The lush carpet felt soft under her nyloned soles “I am so tired” – they halted. Her Ankles were shackled together again her toes cuffed again – the other person left.
Obviously her ear buds had been set on listening modus again. She could hear birds, the sounds of a water fountain. Time passed. The door opened. The clicks of High Heels came nearer.
Came to a halt behind her; gently the stifling hood was removed. The face mask too. The air felt cool and fresh on her face, she sighed into her gag. The buds came free. Someone fumbled at the strap of her sleep mask - when it came free, Anna had to blink several times till her eyes had adjusted: She was in a comfortable suite of sorts. Finally she could here clearly again.
A woman stepped into her sight: “Hello Anna” she spoke softly
She would never forget the look on Anna´s face: Confusion at first, disbelief – and then anger, no, rage, in quick succession - the heavy gag muffled Anna´s curses effectively – Kate Beckett was relieved that her friend was gagged and tied up – but she understood her reaction. So she waited till Anna had calmed down somewhat and just glared at the detective, panting heavily.
Kate looked Anna deep in the eyes “I understand you Anna, and I must apologize, things got a little out of hand …”
“Let me untie you” very gently Kate removed the shackles around Anna´s ankles, then the belt, then the mittens – and at last the manacles around her wrists but left the gag in place. Anna rubbed her wrists as someone knocked at the door: It was Agent Simmons in his hands Anna´s violin case and her high heels. “Put them there” Kate bade him.
Then things happened very quickly. Still gagged Anna strode purposely towards Simmons and slapped him squarely in the face. The sound reverberated in the room. She glared at him “Bastard” The gag muffled her speech, but the meaning was clear.
To his credit Simmons took the slap in stride. He held Anna´s gaze and nodded at Kate “Call me if you need anything” He bowed slightly to Anna “Grand Duchesse” and left.
Anna began to fumble at the gag “Let me help you” Kate told her calmly. Anna glared at her still, but allowed her to remove the gag, she coughed and the detective returned quickly with a glass of water.
The Russian drank greedily and then looked her friend directly in the eye “I could kill you right now Kate Beckett” she whispered “I missed my lecture at the Julliard, got tied up, gagged the whole day … and then I am accused of being a Russian asset and the Lord-Dunn-Raven confiscated – that shook me to the core … you how much I despise the current Tsar in the Kremlin, you know, that instrument is a part of me, it´s my soul.
Kate nodded, “I know, but Anna, there was a good reason: There was a threat against you, which we took very seriously, and you wouldn´t have never left the apartment, you would have gone after the Assassin on your own – and we couldn´t have that, and so we came up with the Arrest …
Kate looked at bit sheepishly at her feet “I apologize for that, I really do I did not know that Simmons would go that far – I just told him to be creative – obviously he got carried away…and as for the Julliard: You can continue your lectures the day after tomorrow, I cleared that up …”
Kate looked her friend straight in the eye “Anna, I am sorry, very sorry”
Anna did not say something for a while before she answered - calmer now, but not appeased
“You must do a lot more to appease me, way more Kate Beckett – and a long hot shower would be a good start … and then we will see …I hope you have something to eat, I am famished ….”
“But before I have to look after my violin” she walked over to the violin case and opened it with utmost care. A warm sensation filled her as she looked down on the Instrument. Tenderly she stroked above the wood, like a lover caressing the skin of his love. It felt warm under fingertips.
Everything was alright know.