Payne held up the bar. ‘What about this gold?’
Jones struggled for words, not wanting to condemn a man he had never met – especially the grandfather of one of his friends. ‘For the time being, the best thing we can do is figure out the meaning of the swan. For all we know, it might be something innocuous, like the crest of one of the families that Conrad smuggled out of the country. Maybe he was storing this gold for them.’
‘And if he wasn’t?’ Kaiser asked, worried about the repercussions.
‘If he wasn’t, we’ll have some tough choices to make,’ Jones said.
Payne glanced at Ulster, who was so focused on his grandfather’s journal he was oblivious to everything going on in the back of the room. ‘As much as I hate to do this, I have to ask Petr about the swan. He knows more about history than the three of us combined. It would be foolish to leave him out of the loop just to spare his feelings.’
Jones grimaced at the task. ‘Do you want me to join you?’
Payne shook his head. Things would go smoother if he did it alone. ‘While I talk to Petr, open some more crates. Hopefully, you’ll find something that explains the gold.’
‘Such as?’
‘A receipt would be nice. Preferably one without a swastika.’
Jones leaned closer. ‘I know people who could forge one.’
‘So do I,’ Kaiser admitted.
Payne winced at the suggestion. ‘Guys, I was kidding. We’re not forging a receipt.’
‘Of course not,’ Jones said in a less than convincing tone. ‘Wouldn’t even think of it.’
Kaiser didn’t blink or smile. ‘I was serious.’
Back when Kaiser was starting his operation, one of the first people he hired was a world-class forger who specialized in visas and passports. Not only was he an expert on ink, paper, and handwriting, but he also had a unique perspective since he used to be a border guard at the Berlin Wall so he knew what would be looked for. In recent years, the forger’s son had entered the family business, but unlike his father, he specialized in artwork and older documents.
Payne smirked. He was quite familiar with Kaiser’s services. ‘Although I appreciate the offer, both of us know that’s not the best way to go.’
‘I never said it was. I’m just letting you know it’s an option.’
‘Thanks, but no thanks,’ Payne said, trying to distance himself from the topic. ‘But if you think of something legal, be sure to let us know.’
Mueller’s assistant answered the encrypted satellite phone in the front seat of the Mercedes Benz limousine. The custom-built car had more safety features than the Popemobile. Armour-plated doors, bulletproofed, non-splinter, multi-layered windows, a fuel-tank safety system, run-flat tyres, and a remote starting system that could be activated from a distance of 300 metres – just in case an explosive device had been wired to the ignition. To some people, equipment like this would be overkill. But in Mueller’s line of work, it was essential.
He made enemies every day, and most of them were criminals.
Gazing at the Binnenalster, one of two artificial lakes in Hamburg, Mueller sipped his morning coffee in the back of the limo while pondering his hectic schedule. Rarely awake before noon since most of his business was done at night, he wasn’t in the mood to speak to anyone except the arms dealer he was about to meet in the park. If all went well, Mueller would make seven figures before lunch.
‘Sir,’ said his assistant over the intercom system, ‘there’s a call for you.’
Annoyed by the interruption, Mueller jabbed the button. ‘Who is it?’
‘It’s Krueger. He has news from Bavaria.’
Mueller nodded his approval. Krueger was a trusted worker who wouldn’t call unless it was important. ‘Fine. Give him to me.’
With a flip of a switch, the soundproof partition behind the front seat was lowered. After handing the phone to his boss, the assistant raised the partition to its original position.
Mueller spoke to Krueger in German. ‘Yes?’
‘My apologies, sir. Sorry to disturb you so early.’
‘What is it?’
‘Over the past few days, I’ve noticed some unusual activity in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The type of activity that might interest you.’
‘Define unusual.’
‘Helicopters, sir. Both coming and going to the foot of Zugspitze.’
Mueller stroked his chin in thought. ‘Probably just a lost hiker. Nothing to be alarmed about.’
Krueger demurely disagreed. ‘I thought the same thing at first, but this morning’s chopper was more luxurious than the others. Just to be safe, I ran its tail number.’
‘And?’
‘It’s definitely not a rescue craft. This helicopter arrived from Switzerland.’
‘Switzerland?’ Mueller’s interest was piqued. ‘Did you learn the name of the owner?’
Krueger nodded. ‘The chopper belongs to Petr Ulster.’
‘Ulster?’ he said, trying to place the name. ‘Why is that so familiar?’
Krueger smiled. ‘Because he owns the Ulster Archives.’
17
Wanting to learn as much about the swan symbol as possible, Payne showed Ulster the back of the lid instead of one of the gold bars. He figured it would be less shocking that way. But as soon as Ulster saw the symbol, he snapped to attention.
‘Where did you find this?’ Ulster demanded.
‘Why? Do you recognize it?’
‘Of course I recognize it. It’s the black swan!’
Payne furrowed his brow. ‘Which is?’
‘Which is this!’ Ulster said as he repeatedly tapped the lid.
‘Yeah, I kind of figured that out. I meant, what does it represent?’
‘Please, help me to my feet.’
Payne grabbed his hand and easily yanked him up.
‘Now, where did you find this? Show me at once!’
‘About that,’ Payne said, reluctant to break the potentially bad news. ‘I should prepare you for what you’re about to see. You’re not going to like it.’
‘I’m not?’
Payne shook his head. ‘Nope.’
Ulster lowered his voice to a whisper. ‘Is the crate filled with treasure?’
Payne nodded. ‘Dozens of gold bars.’
Ulster whooped with glee. ‘Brilliant! Just brilliant! I knew the rumours were true!’
Payne blinked a few times. ‘Rumours? What rumours? About your grandfather?’
‘My grandfather?’ he asked, confused. ‘Of course not! I’m talking about Ludwig.’
‘Ludwig? Who in the hell is Ludwig? I thought your grandfather’s name was Conrad.’
‘My grandfather’s name was Conrad. But I’m talking about Ludwig!’
Payne shook his head, completely baffled. Not only about Ulster’s excitement, but also about Ludwig – whoever that was. ‘Hold up! Tell me what you’re talking about.’
‘In a moment. First, show me where you found this.’
Payne led Ulster to the crate of gold, where they were greeted by Jones and Kaiser. Having heard the commotion on the other side of the chamber, Jones was ready to console Ulster, but one look at his face told him it wasn’t necessary. Ulster was far from distraught.