“Herr Hofmann, we have influence in all political parties in Germany, with the exception of the Green Party. Both the SPD and CSU could be influenced to move our candidates up the Party hierarchy.”
“Good, see to it! What influence do we have in other countries?”
“Wherever there is greed, we have candidates. America and Russia are well infiltrated, the United Kingdom and France are our primary targets outside Germany in Europe. We could have the entire Italian Parliament for a euro if we wanted it, but they hold no real influence in world politics.”
“Nonsense, the Italians understand us; they will be our allies again. I will make funds available immediately. Europe is screaming out for some leadership. If we offer people an alternative to the greed and nepotism of their governments, they will bite our hands off.”
“And how do you suggest we do this?”
“Simple, we make the funds available. There is more than enough money in the world’s companies to solve all of Europe’s problems. We just have to encourage them to give it away.”
Hofmann smiled at his own remark.
“Germany must be seen to be Europe’s saviour, not its financial auditor. Give the likes of Greece, Portugal, Spain our support and they will rise up with us. Their youth have been given no hope of a better life. We will change that. I want a plan in place within the month. Anyone who cannot see the vision, can be bought. Those who cannot be bought, will be terminated. Herr Von Klitzing, what is our strength at the moment?”
Von Klitzing rose slowly. This had been a lot to take in.
“We have a little over a 500 strong battalion, consisting of three companies. Approximately half are available for active service, and the rest could be made ready within a year.”
“Where are they? I want to see them.”
Hofmann had always loved the military. His service career had been limited to a brief tour of duty during World War I. He had missed the bloodshed, working in the supply units of the German Army. His business acumen had been recognised by the higher ranks and got him transferred from the front line, rising to the rank of captain. This had never been easy for him to accept; as a staunch nationalist, he wanted to fight for his country. He was one of many in the German Military who found defeat hard to stomach. He was sure that, had he been able to play a bigger part, he may have made a difference. That conviction had driven him to train extensively with paramilitary units between the world wars, convinced that the German Army could and would have won the first world war with better leadership. When Hitler persuaded him to take a back seat for World War II as well, it was with great reluctance that he did so. If he had anything to say about it, this time around, he would be on the front line.
“They are in Austria. We could go down there on Monday. I will make arrangements for the mobilisation of our assets. Have you made a decision about Jarvis’s wife?”
“I still haven’t decided. She is a problem. What would you recommend I do with her?”
“We need to get rid of her. Wives are a complication. The simplest way is to divorce her.”
“On what grounds?”
“Adultery is the quickest way. Either you have to sleep with somebody and let her find out, or we set her up as the adulteress.”
“I really don’t have time for this, but set up both.”
28
Lisa had started work at PricewaterhouseCoopers as planned. Steve had been a rock, filling her days with work and good humour. Fortunately, he must have got the message when they went for dinner, as there had been no more inappropriate behaviour. Truthfully, she could have used some flattery. Michael was ignoring her attempts to contact him by Skype or FaceTime, reducing their contact to brief text messages. She was becoming scared that the move to Germany could cost them their marriage. Michael had changed and was resisting all her efforts to help him. It was now the end of his second week away, and Michael had just sent her a text message saying that he could not tell her when he would be returning to Germany.
“Shit!” she said out loud. Throwing the mobile phone onto her desk in frustration, she heaved a deep sigh.
Unfortunately, she misjudged the force of her throw, and the phone bumped and skidded off the edge of the desk, landing with a crack on the grey office carpet. As she bent down to pick up the phone and assess the damage, she heard someone come up behind her.
“Got some bad news, Lis?” Steve Walker was right behind her by the time she stood up.
He had taken to calling her Lis (pronounced Leees). It was obviously an Australian thing. Only her mother had ever called her Lis, but that was the least of her problems. She gave him her best pursed-lip smile.
“It’s Michael, he’s still away on business and he hardly ever calls!” She spat out her frustration before waiting for her boss to hand her the morning’s work.
“A bunch of us are going to the Brenner Grill tonight, if you’re interested. Sophie is bringing her new boyfriend.” It was tempting. The alternative was another microwave meal, alone in a strange house.
“Maybe,” she answered.
“Okay. Can you check out HLH Partners yearly’s, for me? They have had some bad news recently and are keen to give their shareholders some good news for a change.”
He handed her a thick manila file.
“When do you need them?”
“End of next week would be good. Think you can manage that?”
“Shouldn’t be a problem, but I will let you know for sure after I have looked over them.”
Steve turned and left her to get on with it, strutting away like the lord of the manor.
HLH, I have heard that company name before, I’m sure.
Leaning over the desk without taking her seat, she swiped the wireless mouse across the mouse pad. That brought her computer screen back to life, and she quickly tapped ‘HLH’ into Google. The second listing was a New York Times article on the tragic death of the HLH CEO and his family.
Oh my God!
Singh had been somewhat of a guru on the financial markets. Browsing the books Steve had given her, the bottom line didn’t look bad either. Year-end profits would be in the eight-figure range before tax. Most of which she intended to avoid.
He had had so much to live for. It was such a shame.
Lisa moved into her chair and took stock.
Really, I have a lot to be grateful for. That poor family is dead, and just last week, the CEO from Portland Investment took his own life. I need to count my blessings and lighten up! Maybe an evening out is just what I need. When Michael gets back, we will have a long talk and sort things out.
The rest of the day flew by, and it was not long before she was sat next to Sophie at the Brenner Grill. The Brenner is one of a host of funky restaurants in Munich. Just off the wealthy Maximilian Street, it served all types of grilled dishes directly from a large open grill, built into the middle of the restaurant.
The evening had been very pleasant. Sophie was clearly smitten. Lisa had spent most of the night on the receiving end of a minute-by-minute description of her life with the new boyfriend. How they met, fell head over heels in love, and moved in together, all in the course of a week. Apparently, this was not the first time Sophie had had a whirlwind romance. Lisa had been offered the chance to take part in an office pool on how long it would last. The secretaries on their floor were running a book, and as of this afternoon, the longest guess was a month.
Sophie usually got bored, is what they had said, but Lisa had declined to take part in the bet. Preferring to cross her fingers for her friend, she decided she had better things to do than take part in the cheap joke.