The Secret Crown (2010) Read Online Free Page B

said, ‘did someone die?’
    ‘Did someone die?’ Kaiser echoed. ‘Why would you ask that?’
    ‘No real reason. Just a hunch.’
    ‘Well,’ he said, searching for an appropriate response, ‘someone
did
die, but his death was fortuitous.’
    ‘Not for
him
,’ Payne observed.
    ‘True, but it was for
us
.’
    Jones grinned in victory. ‘I couldn’t agree more.’
    Kaiser sensed he was missing something - perhaps an inside joke - but didn’t take the time to ask. He knew a fortune might be on the line, and the clock was already ticking. ‘Out of curiosity, have either of you been to Munich?’
    ‘Munich?’ they asked in unison.
    ‘Yes. The capital of Bavaria.’
    Payne shook his head. ‘Can’t say that I have.’
    ‘Me, neither.’
    Kaiser continued. ‘It’s a wonderful city, perhaps my favourite in Germany. There’s an interesting mix of old and new, and the
Weisswurst
is simply delicious.’
    ‘The
what worst
?’ Jones said.
    ‘The
Weisswurst
,’ he repeated. ‘It’s white sausage. A Bavarian specialty.’
    Payne and Jones tried not to laugh, which took a lot of effort. The last time they had dined with Kaiser, he had spent half the meal professing his love of sausage. The man had dozens of rivals in central Europe, yet the odds were pretty good that a heart attack would kill him before one of his adversaries. And in between bites of meat, he had admitted as much.
    ‘Before you start listing ingredients and cooking times, I’d like to back up a little bit. Tell us more about the guy who died,’ Payne demanded.
    Kaiser answered cryptically. ‘I’d prefer not to mention any details over the phone. However, let me assure you that I wasn’t involved in his death - if that’s what you’re wondering.’
    ‘And yet his death benefits
us
. I believe that’s how you phrased it.’
    ‘Yes, I did. And yes, it does.’
    ‘Care to explain?’ Payne asked.
    ‘I’d love to, but not over the phone. For additional details, you need to come here.’
    ‘Where’s here?’ Jones wondered.
    ‘
Munich
. I thought that was pretty clear.’
    Payne laughed. ‘Nothing about this conversation has been clear.’
    Kaiser considered the remark, then nodded. ‘Perhaps not. But I assure you there’s a reason for my caution. The fewer people who know about this, the better.’
    ‘Well, you’re doing a great job. Because we’ve been chatting for five minutes, and neither of us have any idea what you’re talking about.’
    Kaiser paused, searching for a different angle. ‘Jon, do you trust me? If so, come to Munich. I promise it will be worth your time.’
    Payne shook his head. ‘Actually, Kaiser, it’s
you
who needs to trust
us
. If you’re not willing to give us some basics, there’s no way we’re getting involved. So far, all we know is someone died and you love
Weisswurst
. And that’s not a lot to go on.’
    Sensing some tension, Jones re-entered the conversation. ‘Speaking of
Weisswurst
, leave it to Germans to invent a white sausage. What kind of racist bullshit is that?’
    Kaiser laughed. Softly at first, and then much louder. After a while, it became apparent that he wasn’t laughing at Jones. He was laughing at himself. ‘You’re right, Jon. Obviously you’re right. I called you out of the blue and asked for too much trust in return. If the roles had been reversed, I would have bucked as well.’ He took a deep breath, hoping to start anew. ‘Tell me, what would you like to know?’
    ‘Let’s start with the basics. Why did you call us?’
    ‘Why? Because you’re the only guys I know who have experience in this field.’
    ‘Really? What field is that?’
    Kaiser smiled as he answered. ‘Buried treasure.’

5

    Sunday, 19 September
    Munich, Germany
    Payne and Jones didn’t see themselves as treasure hunters. They really didn’t. But thanks to the fortune they had discovered in Greece and a few recent adventures, the world viewed them in that way - whether they liked it or not.