Into the Lion's Den (97 page)

“Your whole family were traitors!”

“Even my nieces? Even my son? Be careful with what you say, my Duke because this is only a truce for Guntram's sake. I have given you my word that I will not raise a finger against you any longer, but you still persist in your vendetta against us. Remember who looked for us first. At my age, I will not take orders from a spoiled brat like you.”

“I'm very glad that your line finishes with you,” Konrad felt the hatred he had for the man come once more to the surface.

“Perhaps it does, sir. Perhaps.”

“I doubt Guntram is your son. He's nothing like you.”

“Are you finished?” Michel said very dryly.

“Very well. What else do you have to say?”

“Wolfensohn and Partners has an excellent reputation. Even you trust us with your affairs, despite we are not part of the Order,” Konrad only huffed at the taunt, still enraged. “I have my own security and I don't need yours at all. It would be very stupid from me to trust your men.”

“The minute you cross that door, Repin will kill you.”

“He's not that stupid. Killing me is his death sentence and he knows it. I can take care of myself. I will sign tomorrow the sale of my part of the law firm to some investors.”

“How much do you own of it?”

“About sixty-nine percent, Nicholas has a fifteen percent and the rest is in the hands of the other partners. He will also sell and retire because he's tired of all. He will not accompany me to the Foundation.”

“He will be one of Repin's first targets.”

“Nicholas thinks differently and he will leave Europe. He prefers something sunnier. I will remain in Brussels.”

“With all due respect, my Duke. To move the Foundation to Brussels will pose many problems for all of us,” Goran said and Konrad fulminated him.

“I agree with you Mr. Pavicevic, but we can't stand each other,” Michael said kindly.

“I'm not moving out of Zurich and you're not moving in with me,” Konrad growled, looking at Goran fiercely.

“It's a large city. You stay in your corner and I'll stay in mine. Zollikon is a quiet place and I don't need much. I'm ten years older than you and frankly tired of planes.”

“This is not what we agreed!”

“I will not set a foot in your property beyond the 7th, but I refuse to leave my son once more behind. He has not many years left and you're very mistaken if you think that I will miss them. I have agreed that our talks are monitored. What more do you want? Do you want to rob him his father once more?”

“If Mr. Lacroix moves to Zollikon, it would be much easier for us, Sire,” Goran suggested. “This is our land; the Russians would never try anything there.”

“And you can keep your own people working for me. Wouldn't you like to “control” me better? Guntram can visit me after school or in the weekends if you're away,” Michel mocked partly Konrad.

“This is not what we agreed. When are you going to stop?”

“Now, right now. I move to Zürich, run your Foundation to the best of my abilities and see my son twice per month or how many times he wants. I will not forbid him to visit me. Your people can spy all what they want. I have no interest to get Guntram in the middle of your… entourage.”

“You forgot the part where you give me all the material you have about us.”

“Have you made the transfer for Guntram?”

“Part of the money is there.”

“Complete it and you will get it. What I have on Mr. Repin's companies remains with me.”

“The Order could use it and it would be a proof of your loyalty to us, especially after working for the other side.”

“No, do your own dirty work.”

“All right. Goran will take care of the details.”

“There's no need. I'll use my own people.”

“Please, my people are better and the Russians respect them. They also look after Guntram,” Goran interfered. “My men respect him.”

“Keep all your men for him, Mr. Pavicevic.”

“If Repin kills you, he kills Guntram too, Mr. Lacroix,” Goran said softly.

Michel thought for a long time as having the Order's people around was certainly an inconvenience for him. “All right, I'll take no more than three of your men. I will keep my own.”

May 3rd, 2006

Brussels

The four men standing in his office, pointing at Michel with semi automatic weapons, had not much effect upon the lawyer. He only lifted his gaze from the papers he was reading, and looked at them dispassionately.

“My secretary failed to inform me of a meeting with you, Mr. Repin. Get your men out of my office before I call my own security people.”

“You lied to me!” Constantin advanced up to the middle of the large office, its walls covered with bookshelves filled with leather bound books and two of Guntram's paintings, and stood in front of the large desk.

“I assure you that my people have a vast experience in taking the trash out. It wouldn't be the first time,”

Michel said in a deep voice. “They were practising just two days ago, Mr. Repin. Your people are not very sporty.”

“Your mercenaries were just lucky.”

“Private military contractors, if you please. They're quite sensible,” Michel said softly. “Now, get your dogs out if you want to speak with me and leave this place alive. They've just arrived from Somalia. I believe, you're aware of the local traditions as they're your customers too.”

The four men blocking the door with their own weapons pointed at his three bodyguards, convinced Repin of how serious Lacroix was. They looked well trained and dangerous, specially the two black very tall men.

Constantin only moved his head, dismissing his men. He had already lost three good soldiers in their attempt to take Lacroix to him.

“Very well, sit down and we can speak in a civilized way. I dislike when people invade my property.”

“You gave Guntram to Lintorff! I will kill you just for this. He's living in his house in Frankfurt!”

Constantin hissed.

“Yes, children are never as parents want. He decided to return to Lintorff. I'm not happy with his choice, but it's for the best,” Michel sighed and leaned against the soft leather chair, looking completely relaxed and unimpressed to be in the presence of an armed Repin.

“It's your fault!”

“You were not so adequate for him as I used to believe. Trying to ruin his career was too much for my taste, Mr. Repin. You will never have Guntram as long as I live.”

“You will not live long,” Constantin growled.

“You also not if I send you to prison. How long would you last in jail? Two days? A week? The Russian authorities would be delighted to see all what I have on you. Be glad that I didn't give it to Lintorff. I have also some ethics toward my clients.”

“This will not finish here.”

“Of course not, but bear in mind that I organised most of your companies legal framework. Many of your tax declarations are bordering on legitimate and it's only a matter of putting two and two together. Go away and forget that my son exists. He will do the same for you.”

“He's mine and I will get him back.”

“He has not much time left. If you love him so much, let him live in peace and joy. Guntram still appreciates you; don't ruin a good memory of you or your own life on a childish whim,” Michel said with a tired voice as he indicated a chair for Repin to sit.

“It's not a childish whim! I love him and he loves me too!” Constantin raised his voice but sat where he should, unbuttoning his jacket before doing it.

“No, he's done with you. You lost him two years ago. Much to my annoyance, he loves Lintorff and vice versa. If you take him away, you will kill him. I had to return him to that scum before he would have died of a heart attack. His health deteriorated significantly when he was living with me. Think well if you want to be the one who buries him. I buried his mother and it's harder than you think.”

“This will not be forgotten, Lacroix.”

“Please, let's remember who we are, sir. Threatening is for the mob, not for people like us,” Michel sneered. “As your counsellor, I would recommend you to stop this war with Lintorff. You have nothing to gain from it and might lose everything. Your troubles with Morozov costed you Guntram. Next time, it will be your head. You have many cracks in your own structure and many willing to use them against you. Negotiate with Lintorff again; take advantage of the fact that he's going through a sort of bucolic phase with his children and in a generous mood. It's a rare event, almost like a full planetary alignment. Perhaps, I could intercede in your favour and Lintorff let you see Guntram, under surveillance, of course, as long as he wants. My son wants to reach an agreement with you too.”

“I will not accept this!”

“I would have preferred you over the German also, but I have to swallow my pride and endure Lintorff.

You have no idea how hard is for me to refrain myself to shoot him dead or when Guntram shows me the pictures of his little bastards. Unfortunately, my son made his choice. Perhaps one day he realises how wrong he's, but until that day comes, I have to put my best face for his sake. You should do the same because this strategy of yours is not working at all.”

“I will not renounce him.”

“Yes, you have said it many times already, but tell me why do you like my son so much?”

“He's everything I desire; kind, polite, talented and good looking.”

“Without the last part, you're describing a good friend. Why don't you settle for this? Guntram holds you in his greatest esteem. He told me several times that without you, he would have never had the courage to paint. You taught him everything he knows and changed his life like no one ever did before. Not even I was able to touch his life so much. Let him go and maybe he returns to you. Lintorff could never influence him as you have done. If you continue with this war of yours, only resorting to violence, he will be literally heartbroken. Allow me to negotiate on your behalf with Lintorff.”

“What would I get? A letter per month? A picture for my birthday?” Constantin said with huge contempt.

“The right to see him and be his friend. In the moment, Lintorff plans to put my son in his castle, give him the children to play and lock the door while he destroys everything you have with a clear conscience. Guntram would never have sex with you on his own volition; you would have to force him and that is not what you want. My solution is better: be his friend and confident.”

“If I agree to this, what guarantees do I have from you?”

“I give you no guarantees. I have the upper hand, sir. I only want to make my son's life easier.”

“I don't believe you. You're afraid of what I could do to you.”

“I already fooled the whole Order with fewer resources than now. Don't try my patience sir. Those men you saw here are better than Pavicevic's and I have access to many of your business. It's a fair exchange what I'm proposing you. You leave Guntram alone and give up to any romantic claims you have on him and I convince Lintorff and my son to let you come near. A little of competition is good to keep the German in place.”

“You're a dangerous man, Mr. Lacroix.”

“Do I have your word?”

“Do I have yours?” Constantin answered back, without believing in the other man's sincerity for a single minute. 'It's a door, better than nothing.'

“Yes, I will plead your case to my son if you agree to stop your harassment.”

“I will not force myself upon Guntram, if he accepts to resume our friendship. You will refrain Lintorff from attacking me.”

“Of course, I will. I believe you two were good business partners before he saw Guntram. My son also likes your children. He was always speaking me about your girl and the youngest.”

“Very well, I expect to hear from you in a week.”

“A month. These things take some time, Mr. Repin. And you have to reorganize your own backyard, sir. I believe Lintorff has been playing there during the past month, especially in Ukraine. He's growing very fond of that country.”

“Thank you, Mr. Lacroix,” Constantin answered with sarcasm, but took good heed of Michel's advice.

“Allow me to walk with you to the exit, Mr. Repin. These are my last days in this office. I'm moving to Zurich and taking over the Lintorff Foundation. If my son agrees, you can visit him in my house,” Michel said nonchalantly, as he rose from his chair.

Constantin snorted at hearing the last words. “I see you also obtained something from Lintorff.”

“Be it a lesson for you too, sir,” Michel retorted dryly. “I have no sympathies for either of you.”

“It's a mutual feeling,” Constantin mumbled as he walked toward the door with the lawyer in tow.

“You will be hearing from me,” Michel said and opened the door for the other. “Guntram left many of his sketches at home. Should I send them to St. Petersburg?”

“I would appreciate this enormously,” Constantin said softly.

Incredible! Time to put the fool back in his place. This plethoric phase of his is very dangerous for all of us. I'm sure now that he really loves my son, but he's a sociopath with money. If he's left to his own devises, he will buy paintings and canvases for Guntram, lock him in the nursery and start a Mafia war or an economical crisis just to make the world a safer place for Guntram.'

'The world would be a safer place without all of them.'

Guntram de Lisle's Diary

May 5th 2006-Frankfurt.

Tomorrow I'm travelling with Friederich and papa back to Zurich. I can't believe that the babies have
arrived! Konrad called me a few minutes ago to tell me and I'm completely happy about it. I would go now, but my
father decided to keep his schedule. Sometimes he can be very dense and old fashioned. Worst than Konrad! I can't
believe what I'm going to write: I had more freedom with him than with my father. I remember now how he used to sit
me to make my homework. Very nice, very kind, what a good boy you are Guntram but don't move your ass from the
chair till you're finished! Sit straight and finish your greens! I had forgotten all this.