Artists, Thieves & Liars

Stijn De Bruyne', a talented but obscure Dutch landscape painter, escaped from Europe and the scrutiny of his unpleasant associates after World War II. He hoped to find a new life in the United States and moved west in search of the 'perfect landscapes' he was sure existed. There, he fell in love with an attractive caf owner in Wyoming who offered to sell his paintings at her place of business. But De Bruyne soon learned he couldn't dodge his past.

His former Dutch colleagues, Nazi collaborators and Jew hunters, tracked him to his love nest and forced him to accompany them back to New York City. They demanded the artist help them steal valuable art from a famous museum there and threatened to expose him to the government if he refused.

Meanwhile, the FBI had followed the collaborators since their arrival in the United States and kept abreast of their criminal exploits (small-time art thefts) as they made their way across the country. The Bureau held off in making arrests, believing the bunch planned to execute a major operation-how else to explain their extended travel-perhaps one with a payoff that would set them up for the rest of their lives. The G-men confronted De Bruyne and demanded his cooperation in bringing the gang to heel-or else.

Stijn De Bruyne, trapped between the demands of the FBI and ruthless thieves, knew if he did not play ball with either, his fate, doubtless harsh, would rest with the International Criminal Court at The Hague.