“His grandfather? Do you know what his name was?”
“Josef. He was a soldier, but was injured, and spent most of the war in the office of the Minister of Finance.”
Teren raised her eyebrows. “When did Josef die, do you know?”
“Oh, it must have been the late fifties, I believe. Flori’s father was a teenager, I think.” She frowned. “What does this have to do with Flori? And why you are in his apartment, and why has it been — destroyed?”
Giving a deep sigh, Alex leaned forwad, her elbows on her knees. “I’m not sure why the apartment was messed up like this — but I think someone was looking for something. As for us,” she motioned to Teren and herself, “well, we’re investigating some missing money and we think Helmut Kirchner was involved. We were hoping to ask Florian about it.”
“But he’s dead, so it looks like this is a dead end for us.” Teren shook her head. “Come on, Alex. We might as well get out of here.”
“Give me a minute or two, Terry. I want to look around a little. That is,” Alex looked at the German woman beside her, “if it’s alright with you, Ariane?”
Ariane nodded. “As long as you don’t pull your guns anymore. I thought I was going to be dead or worse.”
They spent several minutes helping Ariane straighten the worst of the mess in the living room. Nobody even hinted at clearing the kitchen table. Ariane had taken one look and turned away, a green tinge to her face.
Alex was picking up books from the floor, stacking them on the book case. Several of them were in English, and she smiled to see some work from fantasy authors she herself had read. One of the books had what appeared to be an old photo sticking out of it and she gently pulled it from its hiding place.
Two young men smiled back at her from the photo. They were dressed in Nazi uniforms, and Alex guessed that one of them was Florian’s grandfather, Josef. Turning the photo over she read the inscription: Grossvater und sein Freund Werner Hoppe, 1943.
“Hey, Ariane? Do you know who this is?”
Ariane took the picture from Alex’s hand and studied it. “I believe that’s Florian’s grandfather on the left. He looks a little like Flori.”
Alex turned the picture over. “What does this say?”
“Grandfather and his friend Werner Hoppe, 1943.”
Teren immediately came to their side, examining the photo. “Josef Kirchner knew Werner Hoppe?”
“Looks like it.” Alex nodded. “Ariane, do you mind if we take the photo? It could help us a little.”
The German shrugged. “It’s okay with me. I would just have thrown it out, probably.”
“Thank you.” Teren slid the picture into the inner pocket of her jacket. “Alex, we should really get going.”
Alex nodded. “Ariane, it was nice meeting you. Wish it had been under better circumstances, though.”
“Yeah, and I’m sorry I scared you, Ariane.”
Ariane chuckled. “You certainly make an impression, Terry. And you are forgiven.” She grinned. “Life must be very exciting around you, I think. You certainly made my day a little less boring.”
Alex laughed, and Teren just looked at the floor.
“Come on, Alex, let’s go.”
Alex stared at the picture in her hand while Teren drove them cautiously through the city.
“So, Josef Kirchner knew Werner Hoppe.”
“And Hoppe changed his name to von Odbert.” Teren checked the rear view mirror again. “I’ll bet anything Helmut Kirchner worked for the bank that’s listed in the transactions for Odbert’s account.”
“No bet.” Alex finally looked up. “You think Florian’s accident was an accident?”
“With the way that place looked? Not likely. He was taken from the apartment, and they probably killed him, then put him in the car.”
“Mm. But why? Because he sold those things in Munich? Doesn’t seem like much of a reason.”
“Maybe he knew what his father was involved in, and threatened to blow the lid off the operation.”
Alex turned to look at her friend. “And what do you think he was involved with?”
“I don’t know. But I got a feeling von Odbert can tell us.”
“And we’re headed there now?”
“Well, kind of. Right now I’m headed to a restaurant I know. It’s not a classy place or anything, but we can get something quick, and eat it as we drive.”
“You think we’re being followed?”
“Haven’t seen anyone.” Teren pulled up to a stop light. “But I wouldn’t be surprised if someone was watching the hotel.”
“Gerd, you mean?”
“Maybe. I think it’s good that we decided to find another room somewhere.”
Alex shook her head. “I hate not knowing who we can trust and who we can’t.”
“I know the feeling.” Teren’s low words barely reached Alex’s ears.
Reaching out, Alex stroked the hand on the gear shift. “Glad I’ve got you around, Teren.”
Teren smiled. “Same here, Alex.” Checking the mirrors again, she put the car in gear and went through the intersection. “Okay, dinner, then we go to Odbert’s place.”
“Is it a long drive?”
“About an hour, I think, depending on traffic. It’s just outside the city. According to the address it’s in a pretty well-to-do area.”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
Teren grinned, but kept her eyes on the road.
“Are we going to knock on the door at Odbert’s, or use other means of entry?”
“Good question. I haven’t decided.” Teren shrugged. “I think it’ll depend on what we find when we get there.”
“Right.” Alex’s stomach growled. “And how long until dinner?”
Laughing, Teren pulled the car over to the curb. “About five minutes, okay?”
“Sure. Shall I come in with you?”
“Absolutely.” She turned off the engine. “By the way, do you want to try a true German delicacy?”
“Sure. What do you have in mind?”
“Eisbein mit Sauerkraut.”
“Umm, I’m not really a fan of sauerkraut. What’s eisbein?”
“Pickled pork knuckles.”
Alex wrinkled her nose. “Ewww. Do you actually eat those?”
Teren shook her head. “Perry tried to get me to try them once, but they look as bad as they sound.”
“They why’d you ask me if I wanted them?”
“I thought I’d offer, in case you were feeling adventurous.”
“Yeah, well, if I’m feeling adventurous, I’ll try sneaking up on you and see if I get shot or not. I like my food a little safer.”
Teren chuckled as they entered the restaurant.
Chapter Thirty
The house that Alex and Teren were looking for was indeed within a well-to-do area on the outskirts of Munich. The estate, one of only four on the street, was bordered on two sides by roads, and on one by a lake. There was a long circular drive with both an entrance and exit onto the street. The large house could be seen from the beginning of the drive, as it peeked out of the trees.
Teren kept a slow but steady pace as she drove past the estate. She could see that there were two cars in the drive, one with a well dressed man leaning casually against it. Trying not to draw attention to herself, Teren kept going, turning right at the corner.
After circling the block, she drove back toward the house, pulling over from what she considered a safe vantage point. She could see the drive, and the cars parked there, but felt confidant she and Alex were far enough away not to draw attention to themselves.
“Alex, would you grab my bag and hand it to me?”
Her shorter companion reached over the back seat and found the pack Teren had tossed there.
“So, what’s in here? The Helmet of Invisibility?”
Teren smiled. “Good thought, but no. It’s just a pair of binoculars.” She extracted the glasses. “I don’t like the two cars being there, and I want to keep an eye on them until whoever it is leaves.”
“And what if they don’t leave ‘til tomorrow?”
Teren grinned. “Then I guess we’re going to lose some sleep tonight.”