CHAPTER EIGHTEEN #3
Frau Bruker spoke up, “We questioned the doorman, Herr Abdullah and Frau Beringer, who was on reception at that time. They both said they saw two suited men enter the hotel at that time, but neither appear on the CCTV.”
“There’s a security technology conference going on at the events centre across the square…it’s not a big leap to suggest someone was using highly sophisticated new tech to mess with the camera feed,” Jack suggested.
“With the leaps in technology we are seeing, yes, that is technically possible, but our security staff is highly trained and we have strong protections on our server. No breach is indicated in the data logs,” Frau Bruker stated.
“I have never seen anything like this before. It is very worrying,” Vogel admitted. “I hope we can trust in mutual confidentiality in this matter,” he added.
“Yeah, of course.” I reassured.
“Have you spoken to anyone at the conference to see if cloaking tech is being showcased?” Jack asked.
Frau Bruker paused and sent Herr Vogel a look, before saying, ”Forgive me. But the security technology conference is a major client of this hotel, and so we are not at liberty to comment at all about the event.”
“If you cannot offer any insight into what lead up to the break-in, the Adler Kandinski can only apologize and compensate you both for your losses.” Herr Vogel then gestured toward the door as he said,
“Mr. Boyd, Mr. Linden, I will accompany you up to the suite so you can identify if anything was stolen.” The abrupt ending to the meeting confused me. Without another word we were led out of the security room.
“I need you both to fill out some paperwork, a list of destroyed personal items, and their cost will suffice. It will be sent to our insurance company and they’ll work out the total compensation package for your losses and inconvenience.
I understand the personal needs of our celebrity and high-value guests, but you may wish to call the police to deal with this matter,” the hotel manager suggested.
“So, you never called the Police?” Jack asked, the icepack still pressed to his cheek.
“We are not legally obligated to inform the authorities. This is a hotel security matter. I will of course inform them if you require,” Vogel said as we exited the staff only doorway and strode past the front desk.
Vogel’s tight body language told me that he did not want the Police coming to his hotel.
Of course, in the age of social media the news of an incident at the Adler Kandinski Hotel would be online in the blink of an eye.
“A moment,” Herr Vogel said as a staff member approached him and asked a question.
I reached for Jack’s hand as we waited for the elevator to return to the lobby.
We both understood the deal. If we informed the local police the story would be leaked—but not necessarily as an accurate story, just like the attack in Paris, which was still keeping conspiracy theorists entertained.
I was in the midst of a fast-track divorce, and so a secret tryst in Berlin with my fuckably hot co-star was tabloid gold.
The uncontrolled story would put the studio lawyers into meltdown for the second time during this press tour.
I absently watched the numbers counting down as the elevator descended.
If we reported the break-in to the police we would need to make statements.
Personally, I didn’t want to spend my short vacation time at a Berlin Police station.
I leaned closer to Jack and in a private voice I said, “I gotta tell Roz what happened. Something like this will never stay hidden.”
“Yeah, all it takes is one staff member who wants to earn a little extra moolah!” Jack was right. We could only trust each other.
A thought sprung to my mind and l leaned in and whispered, “Does the CIA still have a station here in Berlin, cos…doesn’t this all sounds like hardcore counterintelligence shit!”
“They don’t have a spying station like during the Cold War, but as far as I’m aware the CIA has a department at the US Embassy with a handful of key personnel. I think all country embassies have a few spooks on staff, and Berlin is still an active hub for espionage!” Jack informed. Interesting!
The elevator arrived, guests stepped out, and then Herr Vogel re-joined us and gestured for us to enter first. He pulled a keycard out of his waistcoat pocket and inserted it into the control panel to activate it, and then he selected the fourth floor.
Not even that security feature had worked when it was simple to clone, or steal a keycard.
“Herr Vogel, there was a guest, a Mr. Jorgen. He booked in at the same time as us and there was a mix up with the rooms. I promised to give him an autograph for his daughter, would you be able to ensure he gets it?” I lied.
“I am sure that you understand that guest privacy is paramount?” he said, “Albert informed me of the booking mix up, but Mr. Jorgen is no longer a guest. He didn’t stay; in fact, he left last night.”
“Oh!” both Jack and I said in unison. So, my gut feeling was right. Jorgen, if that was even his real name, hadn’t stuck around after completing his mission.
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