The Molehill: Malicious Conspiracy of International Intrigue, Betrayal, Mayhem and Murder

By Kurt Hafner

‘The Molehill’ is a dramatic International thriller and the sequel to ‘Spider’s Web’ with many of the favorite characters plus newcomers continuing the fight against organized crime.

Rolf and Sabine’s business is again under attack from a ruthless predator and his subversive activities, bribery, intimidation, threats, strong arm tactics and murder.

The actions zigzag between Switzerland, England, Germany, Italy, Florida, New York and Colorado. A secret Crossbow Assassin, a flight attendant in mortal danger further add to the kaleidoscope of the unfolding drama.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Dec 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798823084895

Kurt Hafner

Kurt Hafner Kurt was born, educated and trained in his native Switzerland where he demonstrated creativity and imagination from an early age - His first romanticised novel of ‘Two School Boys Stalking Wildlife’ was published shortly after his 16th birthday. His career as a Senior Manager with global responsibilities for one of UK’s premier companies flourished including the Chairmanship of a Europe wide trade association. He became recognized as an authority in his field of hospitality, contributed to publications and lectured at universities in England, Switzerland and France. Kurt now runs his own business from his home in Surrey where he provides a specialist consultancy service to premium clients - Kurt and his wife Mary have been married for almost fifty years, enjoy the company of their dogs and take great delight in their three daughters and their families who live nearby. This is Kurt’s first dramatic thriller – and the prelude to future novels of intrigue and mystery.

Book preview

© 2023 Kurt Hafner. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or

transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse  12/05/2023

ISBN: 979-8-8230-8490-1 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-8230-8491-8 (hc)

ISBN: 979-8-8230-8489-5 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

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this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views

expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the

views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Synopsis

The ‘Molehill’ is a dramatic international thriller and the sequel to ‘Spider’s Web’ with many of the favourite characters plus newcomers continuing their fight against organized crime, vile threats, intrigue, and betrayal.

Rolf and Sabine Brenner’s flourishing business in UK, Germany, Switzerland and the United States comes under attack once more after several years of peace and quiet following what had come to be known as ‘The Spider’s Web Incident’.

A predator, Milton Adams is the mysterious owner of an enormous business empire which had grown through his ruthless tactics of subversive activities, bribery, intimidation, threats, strong arm tactics and murder.

His new head quarter is located in a remote valley in the Central Swiss mountains which can only be reached through secret passages and caves. Milton calls his giant fortified chalet ‘The Earie’ due to the way that he compares himself with an Eagle soaring way above in the sky, watching his prey, ready to swoop with his talons out to grab whatever he desires.

Rolf and Sabine Brenner’s organization in England, Germany, Switzerland and the United States are on Milton’s radar and his ruthless tactics soon result in murder, mayhem and destruction. A secret cross bow assassin, a flight attendant in mortal danger further add to a kaleidoscope of the unfolding drama.

The actions zigzag between Switzerland, Germany, England, Italy, Florida, New York and Colorado and ultimately culminate in a dramatic, explosive conclusion to the Molehill incident.

Reflections about The Author

Having ‘sneaked’ an initial copy of ‘The Molehill’ I immediately found myself engrossed in intrigue, launched in the centre of the Swiss Alps, speedily moving on, via leafy Hampshire, to a criminal environment in Hamburg – then via London Heathrow Airport on to Denver and Southwest Florida. From there, back to the UK and then, by Concorde to New York and Manhattan. Returning once again to Europe, to Bologna Italy and finally back once more to the US, to Colorado!

Phew, what a whirlwind kaleidoscope of locations and subsequent events all accurately and lovingly described!

Add to this a plethora of different characters, ranging from young business entrepreneurs to a predatory villain, The Swiss Secret Service, British Intelligence, a young female military commander, a Norlands Nanny, a sinister Monk, characters in mortal danger including an airline Flight Attendant, the individual thoughts and feelings of the various characters …… all leading to a very ‘Explosive’ conclusion to a brilliant story.

Now to the big question….Am I surprised …. not in the least!

Having known Kurt Hafner for over 50 years I have long come to ‘expect the unexpected’, a sense of positivity like no other, creativity and ‘bucket loads’ of surprises! But then when one considers his Swiss ancestry with his Mother’s side abounding in pride with a background of Head Masters, Teachers, Authors, Philosophers, Broadcasters and Journalists and, his Father’s side Nationally known Hotel Owners, International experts in Hospitality, Culinary expertise, and a nationally known Professor of Zoology ‘to boot’, it is hardly surprising!

Kurt’s description of Countries, locations, of people’s feelings and characteristics in five languages, of food and beverages are a true reflection of his love of people, his sense of adventure and his international global experience which leaves little need for consideration of my question … Am I surprised?

Enjoy this masterpiece and, as you do, reflect on its many elements of experience and authenticity, as indeed have I.

Mike (or Michael if you prefer) Street OBE

About this book

All the many personalities and characters featured in this book are completely fictional and bare no relationship to any living person or those previously alive either in the United Kingdom or abroad.

A background of operating on a global basis has provided me with the pleasure and experience of enjoying the service of premium companies, top quality brands and their people at many different levels which I have great pleasure to positively reflect in this novel with my thanks and compliments on their degree of excellence.

However all the involvement of these organisations, brands and their people in whatever capacity in this novel are complete inventions, pure creations and complete fictions of my imagination.

Dedication

This sequel to ‘Spider’s Web’ is dedicated to my lovely wife

Mary, who’s patience, sparkling personality and support,

allowed me to enter my world of mystery and fantasy.

At the same time it is also dedicated to our three daughters: -

Clare

Emma

Mary-Anne

Whose lively families, ideas, support and creativity have encouraged

me to escape into my realm of magic, mystery and surprise.

Finally it is my great pleasure to pay a massive tribute to Sanibel Beach

Club II, where all of us have enjoyed our three weeks for over 25

years and where ‘Spider’s web’ was created with this wonderful resort

featured in many chapters of the book and its sequel ‘The Molehill.

Calendar of Events

The Cast In Order of Appearance

Chapter 1

The Secret Valley: Switzerland

The peace of the late afternoon was shattered as the thunder of another avalanche reverberated around the valley and the surrounding peaks of the central massive in the heart of the Swiss Mountains.

Sergeant Rita Liechti adjusted her climbing gear and shouted, Bruno, for heaven’s sake stop your playlist; adjust your helmet and microphone pronto.

All set, Sarge, Corporal Bruno Hintermann saluted and followed his leader towards their dangerous and precarious climb.

Morning had started early for the two Swiss Secret Service officers, following the briefing by Colonel Peter Burki about their mission of reaching the secret observation post and to be in position well before the early rays of the sun painted the distant panorama of snowy peaks in pink for a while.

Their target of observation would be the impressive chalet-style building that dominated the meadow on the other side of the valley. It was perched against the dense pine forest which rose steeply, then made way to the forbidding and overhanging rock face of cliffs, crevices, and gullies reaching to the snowfield and finally the peaks that surrounded this mysterious valley.

They were to identify any suspicious movements, persons, and activities, and note anything unusual of what had been identified as the secret headquarter of an evil organisation and a predatory, ruthless owner of an enormous commercial and criminal empire.

It had turned into a glorious day on the luscious meadow, where a herd of brown cows peacefully grazed. The rustic alp hut, which overlooked the meadow, was adorned by an array of traditional cowbells, ranging from the very large and heavy ones for the lead cows to progressively smaller ones for the heifers and the calves. As the last rays of the sun gradually moved up the hillside, a massive Bernese mountain dog sat at the door of the stable, alert and imperiously surveying his domain.

As they reached the bunker, the view was crystal-clear from the location of the secret lookout. Sergeant Rita was in regular contact with HQ to report any details they noticed at the mysterious building and lavish surroundings on the opposite side of the valley.

Their lookout was ideal and consisted of a bunker that had been constructed in the late thirties as part of the Swiss Army’s defences in advance of the sudden start of World War II. The benefit of their observation post was that it was underground, with the exception of the lookout slots, which allowed them to scrutinize any movements within a wide range of vision. Visible recognition was substantially supported by the latest systems of radar, sound recognition, and devices to intercept electronic communications.

Later on, as the shadows grew longer and a calm atmosphere descended onto the valley, Rita asked, Any news from Armin and Sarah, Bruno?

Nothing, ma’am, and yes, they should have arrived by now for a secure handover, well before we start our descent.

They’re late, Rita said.

Bruno shrugged. You know Armin.

Rita chewed her lip. Armin, yeah, but Sarah? She’s never late.

Bruno put a blade of grass between his lips. You think perhaps it is sinister?

I don’t know what to think, Rita said. I just don’t like it.

In the meantime, Iife across the valley appeared to follow the normal pattern, except there were two black helicopters parked to the right of the building and attended by what appeared to be engineers, flight crew, and other assistants who were loading goods into the choppers.

Rita scanned the top floor of the building and tried to catch a glimpse of any movement happening behind the panoramic windows of the strange chalet that overlooked the valley. She spotted an outline of a tall figure, but even with the most sophisticated electronic devices at her disposal, she was unable to identify any further details, presumably because of the cunning way in which the large panoramic window had been coated.

Just then, Rita called out, What on earth, Bruno?

Yeah, Rita, that dog pulling wheels of cheese on a cart; how mad?

And now all the cattle are ready to move. Bruno, report to the colonel; something’s afoot.

Colonel Peter Burki was briefing his elite troops about the forthcoming raid. Yes, he would be informed. By the way, they confirmed that Armin and Sarah had left well on time to arrive for the handover and to start their watch on schedule.

Bruno, watch out, those choppers are ready.

Then an alert, Yes, Colonel, Bruno is watching them; yes, sir. Certainly, Colonel, we are on the way. She hung up.

Bruno, action stations; you need to secure all the electronics except the surveillance devices. Colonel wants us to close and lock up immediately, then start our descent. Meet Armin and Sarah Manser for a secure handover. They are on the way but have obviously been delayed; we will probably meet them halfway. So, Bruno, let’s move pronto.

"Yes, Sergeant. Subito. At your service."

Delays to reaching their location were not unusual, of course, because of the precarious terrain through forest, across an ice field, up a steep incline, and finally through the dangerous rock face including a fierce waterfall and occasional loose boulders.

The two of them quickly and efficiently began closing down all the instruments except for the recording systems and securing all the locking devices on the bunker. Before they finished, they were alerted by commotions that kept them glued to their instruments of observation, until the unthinkable happened.

Chapter 2

Rolf Brenner Limited:

Hampshire England

Spring had come early as Rolf and Sabine Brenner were powering along the leafy country lane. It was 0630 on a glorious morning; the sun was just breaking through the trees, and they enjoyed the early chorus of the many birds that populated the lush undergrowth of this forest.

Sabine looked splendid in her designer leggings and fashionable top that accentuated her slim but shapely figure. She felt well and healthy, was bronzed after her holiday in Switzerland, and was already looking forward to the board meeting later that day.

Rolf was also in great shape. He accelerated down a hill, pedalling with increasing energy and enjoying the speed of his specially adapted four-wheel vehicle that had been designed to improve his general mobility after a dreadful accident in Florida eighteen months previously. His initial recovery had been quite miraculous, but thereafter followed many months of fighting the paralysis that had initially crippled him. He was now gradually getting better.

Shortly after his accident, their life was disrupted by a protagonist whose objective was to damage their business, to discredit their share value, and then buy the company and all subsidiaries for a