Chapter 16

Sixteen

FRANKFURT, GERMANY

We arrived in Frankfurt on schedule. The main rail station was a sprawling behemoth under curved roofs with panels of glass that provided light and arched over the main building. It covered a dozen tracks with trains that arrived from and departed to various cities across Europe and beyond.

Brodie kept a firm hand on my arm as we left our compartment and navigated our way to the carriage station according to overhead signage.

We had discovered on the trip from Brussels that, while the most common language in Frankfurt was German, most merchants, tradesmen, and professional persons in banking and other enterprises also spoke English.

Quite well, an attendant from Frankfurt assured a fellow passenger. We had navigated Brussels efficiently with my background in French lessons from when my sister and I attended private school in Paris.

Along the way in my various travels, I had made it a habit of learning the basics for whichever country I visited.

I had a passable knowledge of Italian along with Portuguese when visiting Lisbon.

However, I had never managed Greek. It had not seemed necessary at the time. There were other ways to communicate. And then there was Gaelic, which I was still learning, word by individual word. But again, there were some things that needed no words.

At the carriage station, we discovered what they called a hansom carriage, very similar to hansom cabs in London. Brodie hired the driver and gave him the address of Herr Wagner's office on Kaiserstrasse in the main part of the city.

As I had also learned on my travels, having the appropriate currency could be an issue. However, our driver had no problem taking our French currency.

In heavily accented English he explained that he accepted most primary currencies in addition to German. That included French and English. It was the nature of the business at the rail stations. Even in the city proper, he assured us. Still, there were banks in the business district that could provide us with German marks.

The ride from the rail station to the main business district took very near an hour in midday traffic, much like London.

It was very near three o'clock in the afternoon when he finally navigated traffic-filled streets and we arrived at the address for Herr Wagner, his name displayed on a plaque along with the names of several others at the front of the building.

The city was a mixture of newer four-story concrete brick buildings in the classical style with an occasional ornamental domed cupola at the top floor for decoration. Remnants of older medieval-style buildings stood here and there, having survived the city's expansion, so far.

That ‘modernization,' as our driver lamented, included a horse-drawn trolley system on tracks, rumored soon to be replaced with electric trolleys.

"Progress," Brodie drily commented as I stepped down from the hansom cab.

While I was in favor of progress that included water and sewage systems, and electric in London that had much improved the city by eliminating a good many of what were referred to as ‘slum' areas, I did see his point.

"You are old-fashioned," I commented as we climbed the steps into the foyer of the building. "I would never have guessed."

There was no reply as we approached a wood-enclosed desk and platform that looked very much like a pulpit. A woman in a stark black gown with white collar and cuffs at the wrists greeted us. Brodie gave Herr Wagner's name.

There was no response as she stared at us. I sensed Brodie rapidly losing patience. It might have been the way his mouth thinned as he addressed her next.

"If you please, madame. He is expecting us. Or, shall I start with the first-floor offices?"

"Of course," she snapped.

It seemed that she both understood and spoke English quite well.

The building on Kaiserstrasse was one of the newer ones that included a telephone system much like I had seen in London, with a half-dozen call tubes.

She made a call with one of those tubes, relayed a message to the party on the other end in rapid-fire German.

"Your names?"

"Lady Forsythe and Mr. Brodie," he informed her, which did raise one rather bushy eyebrow on the woman.

She repeated our names, then closed the call. Within a matter of moments there was a buzzing sound at her desk. She answered the call.

There was a brief exchange in German, then she put down the handset.

"An attendant will escort you to Herr Wagner's office. You will wait here."

We waited.

Within only a few moments, a young man appeared, fresh-faced with blonde hair, brown eyes, and a polite smile.

"If you will follow me, please."

We followed.

There was a lift at the end of the entry hall. We stepped inside the cage and the attendant closed the gate, then engaged the lift that rose to the second floor. He stepped out, bowed, then indicated that we were to follow him.

Herr Wagner greeted us as he stepped out of his private office. The young man bowed again, then promptly disappeared.

Greetings were exchanged.

He was a pleasant-looking man, about the same age as Sir Laughton, with a steady blue gaze that I suspected missed nothing, and a congenial but speculative smile.

"I have been expecting you. Safe travel from Brussels?"

Brodie assured him that we had.

"What is it that I may assist with? My good friend, Sir Laughton, said only that it was of utmost importance that I make myself available upon your arrival in a matter that is most urgent."

I complimented him on his almost perfect English with only a hint of an accent. The courteous expression turned to a bemused smile.

"Sir Laughton and I studied at university in London together, and then we both apprenticed to Sir Henry Asquith. After a four-year apprenticeship where I obtained a broad experience in the English legal system, I returned to Frankfurt and apprenticed here for two more years before establishing my own practice.

"There is much to be said about the bond of friendship," he continued. "We have since shared cases, my friend in London, and myself here where I can be of help to him, at times when others will not.

"I cannot share the details of these things with you, but perhaps he will tell you as much as he can when you return." He looked from Brodie to me. "How may I help you?"

Brodie watched him as he began to explain the case beginning with Sir Collingwood's murder.

"There has been a serious situation. The Lord of the Admiralty, Sir Collingwood, has been killed and important documents are now missing. It is thought that they were stolen. We have some information in the matter that we are following. We need your assistance in this."

He then mentioned the names of the two men we know were involved—Szábo and Bruhl.

Herr Wagner sat back in his desk chair and studied both of us for several moments.

"I understand that you were a detective with the Metropolitan Police in London. You have undoubtedly encountered different criminal elements. It is no different here. There are the usual crimes found in any large city—assault, robbery, petty thievery among street vendors, young men making mischief, that sort of thing…"

We did not know how much Sir Laughton had revealed of the information my great-aunt had provided. She knew almost nothing about the case.

I did understand that it was important to be as discreet as possible about the reason we were there. On the ride from the rail station, Brodie and I had discussed just how much information we needed to provide Herr Wagner for such a delicate matter as the theft of highly secret information.

"It is a bit more than petty thievery, sir," Brodie now replied. "We are here on behalf of the Crown. And in view of the close relations between our countries, most particularly on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, we have been sent to set aright a certain matter."

He paused and let that sink in. Nothing like firing a cannon across the bow of the ship, I thought. It would, of course, be quite easy for Herr Wagner to verify the reason we were there, which Brodie obviously intended that he would do.

When in Germany ...I thought.

"It is in the matter of a theft and the murder of a high-ranking official," Brodie continued. "We have been given complete authority to act on behalf of the Crown. My partner, Lady Forsythe, is representative of Her Majesty in this matter."

That was a bit more of a stretch of the truth, however I could play my part. I nodded at the introduction.

As much as Brodie was inclined not to use either my title or my connection through my great-aunt, there were instances where it could be advantageous. I did wonder precisely how Herr Wagner would react.

"I see," he replied, then added, "It is often necessary to assist in certain matters. Sir Laughton has proven himself to be not only a valued partner in certain legal entanglements, but a worthy partner whom I have counted upon on behalf of certain clients in the past.

"You understand that I cannot share their names or the circumstances. Let us simply say that we both work for justice and continued peace in very difficult situations, and have relied on each other and the other person's integrity in the past. And it is not that I do not understand that certain matters are most critical."

I was certain that was as much of an honest response that we could hope for. It appeared that Brodie was of the same opinion.

"We have followed certain information that has led us to Frankfurt," he began. "And two names of persons who are involved."

He then told Herr Wagner what we had learned about Szábo and a possible connection to a man by the name of Bruhl.

"Sebastian Bruhl," he replied. "Both men are known in certain circles, although Bruhl has never been seen and there are those who doubt his existence." He rose from behind his desk.

"Perhaps you would join me in refreshment after your long trip."

I looked over at Brodie with some surprise.

"Of course," he replied.

"Come then, I know of an excellent place."

When the attendant in his office had suggested the driver for the firm, Herr Wagner had simply replied, "We will walk, it is a good weather."

However, once beyond the entrance to his office building, Herr Wagner waived down a street-hired coachman.

I looked over at Brodie in question at the somewhat odd behavior.

When the driver pulled to the curb, we climbed aboard. Herr Wagner settled himself across from us.

"It is often best to be discreet in certain matters, would you not say, Herr Brodie?"

That excellent place was the Hotel Frankfurt, a well-known international hotel with its five-story wings in the classic style, a wide sidewalk where carriages queued in a line, bold arched entrance, and flowers at each balcony in spite of the changing season. We were greeted by the concierge in English as well as German.

The restaurant at the Hotel Frankfurt was filled with guests even at this time in the later afternoon. I overheard conversations in German, of course, along with French, English, and Italian. A reminder that Frankfurt was an international center for industry and commerce, as well as banking.

"It is often best to lose oneself in a crowd," Herr Wagner commented as we arrived at a table in one of several alcoves with potted plants set about, and with a wall behind.

It very much reminded me of Brodie's habit in public places, pubs, taverns, and other restaurants about London. Most interesting, I thought.

It was an insight that added to Sir Laughton's recommendation of the man. He obviously chose to be discreet—losing ourselves in a crowd where no one would know us or pay any attention.

He ordered wine, instead of the beer I had expected. It was a white wine, with a hint of fruit as I lifted my glass that had been chilled.

"The wine, an investment on my part that has been most lucrative," he explained. "And now, we may speak freely."

Over the next two hours, Brodie explained as much as he chose to reveal about the stolen documents, the murder of Sir Collingwood, and the apparent involvement of Angeline Cotillard on behalf of the man who was rumored to be her lover. He included our encounter the day before at the museum in Brussels.

"We also have information that Szábo may be working with the man, Bruhl."

Herr Wagner nodded, then waited until the waiter who had returned filled our wine glasses once more. There was a brief conversation in German, to which Herr Wagner replied, " Bitte ."

A second bottle of wine appeared, and we exchanged pleasantries about the weather until he left.

"Both of these men are very enterprising. The first man you mentioned is known to local authorities, however he has managed to elude capture or has provided substantial compensation for certain people to look the other way."

He looked at Brodie now. "There is an underground economy in most cities that operates independently of the establishment, for a fee. This man is known to participate in the acquisition of certain items, artifacts, currency, and...perhaps documents, which he then makes available to clients."

He made it sound like any vendor or typical businessman.

"He would be in a position to make certain things available to the second man you mentioned, who has no country he calls his own, no loyalty to anyone, and has been known to leave a potential customer without his purse and the item he attempted to purchase over some slight. A very dangerous man."

"How does he go about contacting potential purchasers?" I asked.

"The first gentleman Mr. Brodie spoke of has a list of past clients that he might contact if a certain item of value came available. He would put out the word as any businessman might.

"He has been known to place an item of importance or historic value with the auction house. He then has the ‘house' make it known that certain ‘rare' items will be made available, and his clients respond by attending the auction. The other gentleman ," he did use the term with certain disdain, "he has been known to make ‘purchases' through a proxy. It is all seen as quite normal. The first gentleman receives a small reward for making the item available, the item is then ‘offered' by the other man you have inquired about, to other parties for the highest bidder."

"It sounds as if the auctions occur quite regularly," I commented.

"We live in precarious times, Lady Forsythe. Interesting but precarious. And then there are the private auctions by invitation only."

There was no need to ask who potential purchasers might be for those documents. It could well include any foreign government, as well as someone in a high position within the German government.

"There is also the woman, Angeline Cotillard," I reminded him.

"Yes, the actress. A convenient ‘ profession .'" This was added with a certain sarcasm.

"It would certainly allow her to travel to most any large city, as well as provide access to others in positions of authority."

"She travels with a small, but verra dangerous man," Brodie added.

Wagner nodded. "There are those who know far more about these things."

"Those who operate in the underground," I presumed. It did seem that he knew quite a bit about that.

He nodded over another sip of wine.

"In my profession, I have crossed paths with many people. This other gentleman, Bruhl," again there was that hint of cynicism. "You must understand, he gives a great deal of money to the poor, not only here but in other places. He is seen as much like your Robin Hood, and there are those who would protect him even though no one has ever seen him."

I understood his meaning. "And he perhaps supports an element of unrest among certain groups as well?" I suggested.

"Perhaps," he replied.

"I have traveled and seen such things, sir," I explained. "The gentleman , as you call him, has the blood of innocent people on his hands."

He nodded. "Intelligent as well as beautiful. You participate in a dangerous business, Lady Forsythe."

It was not a threat, and I didn't take it as such.

"Then you will be able to assist us?"

"I will make contact with people I know," he replied, then inquired, "Do you have accommodations for your stay in our city?"