wittman

As the door flies open and Danish police barrel in, Wittman shields the painting with his body.

At the heart of Wittman's job is what he calls "befriending and betraying. "

Flores had offered Wittman one of the gems of medieval Flemish art, The Temptation of Saint Anthony, by Pieter Bruegel the Elder.

The Swedish police do not arrest the men right away. They want to catch them selling Wittman the stolen Rembrandt.

"After I flash him the money, Kadhum leaves the hotel room and goes downstairs, " says Wittman.

Wittman is always part of a team.

Wittman calls this "the moment of acceptance. "

The Minnesota Timberwolves sent seven officials, including coach Randy Wittman, to watch draft prospect O.

Three years ago, a little painting caused big trouble for undercover agent Bob Wittman.

"You ever take it out of the frame? " asks Wittman.

Wittman's room is wired, and there's a miniature camera hidden in a lamp.

Wittman waits in his room for a phone call.

Others aren't given that option by the thieves, says Wittman.

To find out who she is, they call on a local curator, as well as Bob Wittman and his FBI Art Crime Team.

"I played an undercover art expert for a European organized crime group in America, " Wittman explains.

It's Kadhum who's jumpy, while Wittman pats him down to make sure he isn't carrying a gun or a knife.

As Wittman checks the money he has brought from the States to buy the Rembrandt, $250, 000 in cash, his cell phone rings.

Studenmund declined to comment. Mr. Meyer, Ms. Wittman and Mr. Chapple didn't return requests for comment.

"We discussed how we would do the trade, " says Wittman.

When the cops tore into the room, Wittman was worried they wouldn't know he was on their side.

But Wittman's no martyr.

"I had a hard time opening the bag, " recalls Wittman with a laugh, "what with there being no knives in the room! "

"Saving these things brings us closer together as human beings, " says Wittman, explaining why he goes to work every day.