*Author's Note: The usual disclaimers apply. Special thanks goes to Ermintrude for being a fantastic beta and for all her time and patience with this-and also to Lynda for some excellent brainstorming. Hope you enjoy :)

New FF: A Dangerous Vintage-Ending and Epilogue

Financial Action Task Force Headquarters

Esslingen, Germany

Friday, October 12, 2013

11:45 PM

"Thank you again for your cooperation, Herr Swann," Inspector Acker said. "Without your assistance in this matter, we may have never discovered what was happening here."

"Yeah, well—I'm glad to hear that it helped." Auggie rubbed the back of his neck. "Incidentally—"

"Yes?" Acker raised his eyebrows.

"Well, you know—about the way that I came across that information—I mean, considering that I did help you out—do you think that maybe—"

"Yes, I know what you're saying," the inspector replied. "I think that considering the information you provided, we can afford to overlook your indiscretion this time."

Augie looked relieved. "Thanks—I really appreciate that."

"Not a problem." The inspector paused, looking at the man sternly. "In the future, however, we would prefer that you stick to the more conventional wine distributors—no more trying to cut corners. Do you understand?"

Auggie nodded. "Oh yeah—I understand. Believe me; from now on I'm going to play it completely straight."

A brief smile. "I am glad to hear it, Herr Swann."

"What about Wissinger and Schadel?" Lee wanted to know.

"We're still compiling evidence at this time." Acker replied. "However, we should have no trouble in connecting them, Rhinehassen and Sea-Port into the smuggling operation. It also appears that gold may have not been their only export."

I bet, Amanda thought—remembering all of the vehicles she'd seen going in and out of that place. "Do we know how the Neiderrad Café ties in?"

"Obviously it was being used as a front organization for the smuggling ring—though as I said we're still uncovering all of the details," Acker said. "The bearded gentleman you helped to apprehend is none other Helmut Woidke. He is listed as the manager of the café, along with Aqib Malik."

"Malik?" Lee repeated. "Isn't he an explosives expert?"

Acker nodded. "That's the one, yes. And according to your agency he has ties to extremist cells throughout the Middle East. We don't yet have Malik in custody, but we expect to quite soon. You may rest assured that they all will be put away for a very long time."

"Let us know if there's anything more we can do to help." Lee said.

"I certainly will, Herr Stetson—and again, thank you—thank you all."

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Saturday, October 13, 2013

9:20 AM

There would be no going in to work today, Anneliese thought—not for her. She sat on her sofa, her feet tucked under her, coffee cup in hand. Thunder rumbled ominously outside but she took no notice, her eyes fastened to the television screen—to the image of Herr Malik, his hands cuffed behind him as he was escorted from the restaurant, a coat over his head, and hustled into a nearby police car.

"Aqib Malik was arrested early this morning at the Neiderrad Café," the voiceover intoned. "It is believed that both Malik and Helmut Woidke have been using the café as a front for an international smuggling ring. Woidke was taken into custody late last night."

A smuggling ring. Anneliese felt cold inside as she thought back to all the strange meetings—all of the times she'd turned tourists and local customers away.

'….terminate….no witnesses.' Again those words ran through her head, sending a chill through her body. She should have realized there was something strange about that—something wrong—perhaps she should have contacted someone earlier. If someone had been harmed because of her inaction—she didn't even want to think.

Would someone be contacting her in connection with this? It was very possible—even though she was only a low level employee; her name was bound to turn up sooner or later.

"Here." Franzie came in from the kitchen, handing her a small plate. "Some brötchen with jam and butter for breakfast—just the way you like them."

"Thank you." Anneliese smiled as she took the plate. "They look delicious."

Franzie smiled. "It's no trouble. I baked them up fresh this morning—I thought that we could both use a treat today." She sat on the sofa beside Anneliese. "So, are they still talking about the café?"

Anneliese nodded as she picked up one of the bread rolls and tore off a piece, popping it in her mouth. "It's all they've been talking about so far."

Franzie shrugged. "Slow news day."

"Inquiries are still ongoing at this time," the newscaster's voice said. "Interpol is asking for the public's assistance in tracking down anyone else who may be involved in this operation. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Interpol or their local police station."

Anyone with any information. Anneliese took another sip of her coffee, her thoughts racing. Maybe she didn't have much that she could tell them, but if something she knew could possibly help, perhaps it would be worth it.

She reached over to the coffee table, grabbing her phone.

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Das Speisekammer Restaurant

5:30 PM

"Welcome!" Auggie greeted Lee and Amanda as they stepped in the front door. "Come right this way—I've reserved the very best table for you."

Amanda smiled. "Thank you very much, Auggie."

"Well believe me—this is my way of thanking you." Auggie replied as he seated them and handed them each a menu. "What can I get you to drink?"

"Anything you'd recommend?" Lee asked.

"The Domaine Austertag 2012 Fronholz Riesling from Alsace is excellent," Auggie replied. "It was given 96 out of 100 by Food and Wine Magazine."

"We'll have that to start then," Amanda said.

"I'll be right out with a bottle," Auggie said. "And don't worry about the price, okay? The meal is all on me." He disappeared in the kitchen.

"Well it seems like this place really is doing very well," Amanda said. "It's absolutely packed in here tonight."

"Yeah, it looks that way." Lee agreed as he glanced around.

"So maybe Auggie has finally turned over a new leaf, do you think?" Lee said nothing in reply. "Come on, Lee—I think after all this he deserves the benefit of a doubt."

"After all this? You mean getting himself involved with an illegal vineyard and smuggling operation? Sneaking out and getting himself kidnapped?"

"Be fair—without all of this we never would have discovered that any of this was going on."

"Yeah—yeah, I guess you're right." Lee let out a sigh. "It's just—I mean—I'm trying to, but trust doesn't exactly come easy when Auggie is involved."

"Excuse me." A man's voice. Lee and Amanda looked up to see the owner Larry Ellison standing there. "Do you mind if I join you for a moment?"

"Not at all," Amanda said. "Please, take a seat."

Larry smiled. "Thank you." He pulled out a chair and sat down. "It's Lee and Amanda Stetson, isn't it?"

"That's right," Lee said.

"Auggie told me that you two were relatives," Larry hesitated, lowering his voice slightly. "Only I get the feeling that's not the whole story—is it?"

Lee and Amanda exchanged a glance. "No, we're not biologically related," Amanda began. "Let's just say that we've known Mr. Swann for quite some time."

"I sort of figured you had," Larry said. "Tell me something. This—issue that he's been having. Is it completely resolved now? Everything over."

"His role in it is basically over, yes." Lee replied. "Actually, he was pretty helpful."

Larry nodded. "That's good. I have a feeling that I know what it was about—I really don't need details." Another pause. "Can I be straight with you?"

"Sure," Lee said.

"Thanks," he said. "Listen—I know that Auggie is far from perfect. And I know that he's made some big mistakes in his past—and even in his present."

"You knew all of that?" Amanda asked.

"Quite a bit of it, yeah," Larry replied. "You see, when I made the decision to go into this venture with him I did a little checking into his past."

"But you still decided to keep him on," Lee said, and Larry gave a nod. "Why is that?"

"Mainly because I believe in second chances," Larry told him. "Lord knows, people have given me enough of them. And despite everything he's done a good job with this place—at the end of the day I really believe that he's trying to improve. And trying does count for something." At that moment Auggie came towards their table with a bottle and glasses. Larry rose to his feet. "I've got to go in the back and work on the accounts now—do me a favor and don't tell him what we talked about, okay?"

"Don't worry, we won't say a word." Amanda told him.

"Appreciate it," Larry smiled. "Anything else you folks need, just let me know. And please—enjoy your meal and the rest of your stay in Frankfurt."

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"That was a wonderful meal," Amanda said as they left the restaurant, strolling hand in hand along the sidewalk. It was a pleasant night, clear and crisp—two buskers on the corner were strumming acoustic guitars. "I hope that Auggie will keep doing as well as he is—right now it looks pretty good for him."

"Yeah, it does," Lee squeezed his wife's hand. Hopefully it would stay that way, he added silently. People could surprise you sometimes—even people like Auggie. "Hey, did you ever call Jenna back after that text?"

Amanda nodded. "I left her a message—we seem to be playing telephone tag these days. She's been so busy lately."

"Don't worry—I'm sure we'll hear back from her soon," Lee said. "Listen, we've got a day and a half until our flight leaves—what do you say we enjoy the rest of our time here in Frankfurt?"

"What did you have in mind?" Amanda asked.

"Well, maybe we can take a nice stroll along Berger Strasse—take in some shops and maybe a nice café or two," Lee replied. "There's also that new Japanese restaurant I keep hearing about. And The Palmengarten is always nice to visit. Sound good?"

"Sounds wonderful, Mr. Stetson." Amanda smiled. Lee bent his head down and their lips met in a kiss.

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Monday, October 15, 2013

Frankfurt Airport

3:00 PM

"We've just pulled into the airport, sweetheart." Amanda spoke into her cell phone. "Yes, we will. I'll call you again when we get home, okay? I love you. Your father sends his love too. Okay, talk to you later." She hung up the phone just as the taxi came to a stop at the curb.

"Who was that, Jenna?" Auggie asked.

Amanda nodded. "I was just touching base with her. It's really nice of you to see us off at the airport, Auggie."

"Really, it's no problem." Auggie paid the fare and lifted the suitcases out of the cab. "Besides, I owe you. If you hadn't come along when you did, I don't know where I'd be now." At that moment his cell phone gave three sharp beeps—taking it out of his pocket he looked down at it. "I can't stay too long, though—I have a little errand to run."

Lee took the suitcases from Auggie, placing them on a cart. "What is it—more restaurant business?"

"Pretty much," Auggie replied. "There's a new food distributor I've been hearing about lately—according to my sources, they're supposed to provide quality food at cut-rate prices."

"That sounds a little suspicious," Lee said. "Have you ever heard of these people before?"

"Well, no—not exactly." Auggie scratched his head. "But new distributors pop up all the time—might not hurt to check them out."

"Auggie," Amanda spoke warningly. "This is how you got in trouble this last time, remember?"

"Amanda, come on—it's not exactly the same thing," Auggie said. "I mean, what are the odds that these people are smugglers too, right? Anyway, sometimes you've gotta take risks in this business to pull in some profit. Right, Lee?"

"Don't 'right Lee' me," Lee's voice rose slightly. "And if you get in trouble again, we won't pull you out this time—you got me?"

"Hey, it's just a meeting? It couldn't—" Auggie's voice broke off as he saw the expression on Lee and Amanda's faces. He let out a sigh. "Yeah, you have a point—it sounds too good to be true, anyway. Think I'll cancel the meeting."

"Good idea." Amanda gave him a brief hug. "Take care, Auggie."

"You too—have a safe trip back to Arlington." Auggie waved to them as he hailed a taxi. Lee and Amanda stood, watching as he stepped into the cab and the car drove away.

"Think he'll be all right?" Amanda asked.

"Hopefully," Lee replied, giving his wife's hand a gentle squeeze. "Time will tell, though—it usually does. Come on, Mrs. Stetson—let's go back home."

The End