A Price for Balancing the Scales

by W Earl Daniels

  “You are the only person, other than Carl Rouse, who can confirm that Mr. S. exists and you can identify him. Fräulein, you may be the victim of what is referred to in my business as a loose end. In short, you are a person who could affect the current perception that Rouse was the one who killed the state representative. For now, while I wait, write down your daily schedule for this week. I will call you when you can leave your apartment. And may I also suggest that because you live on the third floor, pulling the blinds of your windows is not necessary. However, if it makes you more comfortable, leave them closed.”

  Twenty minutes later, Huck had a copy of Fräulein Walker’s weekly schedule secured in his luggage.

  Chapter 22

  Cedric sat in the hotel lobby, perusing the pictures in a month-old German magazine, when he looked up and saw Sniderhouse’s long strides coming toward him. Cedric immediately arose and started toward Sniderhouse, in his limping gait. Sniderhouse stopped dead in his tracks and watched a hobbling Cedric come toward him.

  “Thunderbolt, don’t tell me you finally found a bullet you couldn’t outrun!” exclaimed Sniderhouse.

  “More like a car I couldn’t keep on the road. It’s a long story. I will tell you about it later.”

  By now the two men were close enough to give each other a bear hug.

  “It’s been a long time. Come on, I can hardly wait for Gretchen to see you.” With his arm around Cedric’s shoulder, Sniderhouse guided Cedric toward his Mercedes.

  During the forty-five minute drive to the outskirts of the west side of Berlin where Sniderhouse lived, Cedric updated Sniderhouse as to how he managed to survive the car explosion caused by an ISIS operative, which resulted in his permanent limp. He also shared with Sniderhouse how he became a partner in the Price Detective Agency.

  Sniderhouse told Cedric how his work before retirement, which involved developing profiles for ISIS operatives, had secured him a consultant’s position with the BND.

  Sniderhouse laughed. “When you don’t let the agency into all the details of your job, you become invaluable to the point where it will pay you more money to remain on the job than it paid you when you worked for it as an employee.”

  The drive went by quickly, and soon Sniderhouse pulled into his driveway. The house had a tan stucco or plaster exterior with a red-tiled roof. The door to the attached garage was open and appeared much like an American garage…filled with everything imaginable to where a car could not park inside.

  No sooner had Cedric closed his car door than he was in Gretchen’s embrace.

  “I’m so glad to see you, Cedric! I do wish Alice could have been with you on this trip.”

  As they strolled toward the house, Cedric said, “I am also sorry that she could not be here, but the truth is, I didn’t know I was going to be here.”

  After a great traditional German dinner accompanied by cold beer from a brewery in a nearby village, Sniderhouse asked Gretchen to excuse him and Cedric so that they could discuss some business. Gretchen agreed but with the understanding that Cedric would not leave before she had the opportunity to say goodbye and to give to him a gift to take to Alice. Cedric promised that would be the case.

  Once the two men were alone, Sniderhouse said, “OK, Thunderbolt, tell me what’s going on and how I might be able to help you.”

  Cedric spent the next hour sharing with Sniderhouse the Rouse story and how he and Huck had become involved. “The bottom line, Leo, is that while we cannot find any hard evidence that Rouse committed the crime, we can’t find any that he didn’t. His passport was found at the scene of the crime; the weapon was found outside his airline boarding terminal, with his fingerprints all over it; and he attempted to leave Germany on a false passport.”

  “Sounds like a case of guilt to me,” said Leo.

  “Exactly,” said Cedric. “But there is no connection between Rouse and the state representative, Rouse had been in the country only a week, there is no evidence of a paid hit, and no one can come up with a motive.”

  “Well, if you guys can’t find evidence that will prove him innocent, it will be one for the books. How can I help you?”

  “First, I need access to where I can observe the interactions between the representatives and the lobbyists. Second, I need to be able to identify the key lobbyists who were aggressively working the Hesse state representative to secure his vote to award the rail modernization contract to a Turkish company that goes by the name the Kaplan Company. It is my understanding that the rep was alleging that the contract was fraught with corruption.”

  “Are you thinking that the assassination is linked to the company that was the lead candidate for receiving the award of the contract?”

  “Leo, my experience is that when your back is against a brick wall, one has to start looking toward the money trail.”

  “OK. Tomorrow I will pick you up at your hotel at nine a.m. I will have a pass for you that will identify you as a lobbyist. For the pass, I will need your passport overnight to obtain a copy of your picture. That pass will give you access to all our representatives as well as to the cabinet dining room. There, over lunch, is where a lot of the deals between representatives and lobbyist go down. You will also be able to observe the power brokers and how the system works.”

  “I could not ask for anymore, my friend.”

  “Now go say your goodbyes to Gretchen, and I will drive you back to your hotel so that you can get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.”

  Chapter 23

  When Huck left Walker’s apartment, he did not return to his hotel. He flagged down a taxi and gave the driver the address of the building that had previously housed Empire Enterprises. Exiting the taxi, he said, “Wait for me. I’ll be back in less than ten minutes.”

  Upon entering the building, he went directly to the manager’s office and entered in the same manner as he had before, without bothering to knock.

  As soon as the manager saw Huck, he rose to his feet. “Is there anything wrong? Have you told the police of the inconsistencies in my story?”

  “Settle down. All is well if this ends well. As of now the police do not know of our previous conversation, and I hope to keep it that way. Of course, that depends on your future cooperation.”

  The manager’s face transitioned from an initial panic to one of suspicion and questioning. He waited for Huck to continue.

  “Is suite 204 rented?”

  “No, sir.”

  “Good.! I need to borrow it for a few days. I know the rent has already been paid.”

  “Why do you need it?”

  “If you had asked that question of Empire Enterprises, you wouldn’t be in your current situation. So my need is of no interest to you. However, I want a set of keys now, and I want three upright chairs, a table, and one twin-size bed in the larger room where the restroom is located. I want another twin bed placed in the smaller room. I will expect that to be done no later than noon tomorrow. Do you have anymore questions?”

  “No, sir. I’ll take care of everything.” He handed Huck a set of keys.

  “Good. When I return the keys to you that should be the last time you will see me.”

  Dropping the keys in his pocket, Huck returned to the waiting taxi. “Take me to an adult novelty shop.”

  The driver thought, What does he mean by adult novelty shop? Then smiling to himself, he looked into the rearview mirror and gave Huck a wink.

  Again Huck told the driver to wait for him.

  Upon entering the shop, Huck saw all kinds of leather bindings, whips, masks, and anything else a perverted mind might look for. He walked directly to the clerk behind the counter. “I want two pairs of the best handcuffs you have.”

  The manager reached under the counter and pulled out two sets of Bonowi trilock handcuffs with keys. “Three hundred euros. They are the best
money can buy.”

  As Huck counted out the money, the clerk asked, “Can I show you something else?”

  “Yes. I want a hood that one cannot see through.”

  The man hurried around the counter to the other side of the store and returned with a hood through which he guaranteed no light would shine.

  Huck gathered up his purchases and returned to the waiting taxi. After telling the driver to take him to his hotel, the Bahnhofsviertel, he settled back in the seat to consider his next move. This may be the break I’ve been looking for, thought Huck. If someone is truly trying to kill Walker, the logical reason would be her previous connection with Empire Enterprises.

  Upon entering his hotel room, Huck retrieved the desk phone. He punched in the telephone number of Berger and Berger.

  “Guten Tag, Berger and Berger. How may I help you?”

  “Guten Tag. This is Herr Price.”

  “Yes, sir, Herr Price. I’ll put you through to Herr Berger.”

  “Hello, Herr Price. Please bring me some good news from your trip.”

  “For now I will say that I confirmed a connection, but I prefer not to talk about the details until we are face-to-face. Right now I need an irregular favor.”

  “Since we have an irregular case, I will try to address your need. What may that be?”

  “I need a witness subpoena.”

  “Do we have a reluctant witness?”

  “We may have, and when it is served, I don’t want any trouble with a local policeman trying to do his job.”

  “That is a very unusual request. What is the name of the witness?”

  “Any name that you want to give him because I am pretty certain the name he is currently using is not his real one.”

  “I think I know a judge from whom I can get one, but I’m certain that it is supposed to be served by law enforcement.”

  “Gunter, sometimes it is necessary to skirt the edge of the letter of the law. This is one of those times. I need something to show any law enforcement person who may try to prevent me from apprehending either the potential real murderer of the state rep or a potential witness to the murder. I don’t want that person in the hands of law enforcement until we find out what we want to know. You know as well as I that the person, if in the hands of the police, will clam up and we will never get to the truth.”

  “I just don’t want us to do anything questionable, which could result in the evidence in this case getting any worse or in my losing my licenses to practice law.”

  “I didn’t know it could get any worse, and trust me, your licenses are safe. You just get the subpoena and let me worry about the legal aspects of what I’ll be doing. By the way, I’ll need the subpoena tonight.”

  “I don’t know how you Americans operate, but the German system generally doesn’t work that fast.”

  “Call in every favor you have to make this happen. Short of that, I don’t care whether a real judge signs the subpoena or not. Rest assured, I will burn the document as soon as I have the person in question in our custody.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Remember, I need it this evening. Auf Wiedersehen.”

  Sniderhouse again entered the hotel lobby where Cedric was waiting for him. After an exchange of greetings, Sniderhouse returned Cedric’s passport and gave him a lobbyist pass tied to a ribbon that was to be worn around Cedric’s neck.

  Sniderhouse commented, “Hope you don’t mind, but I made you a lobbyist for the American Steel Manufacturers Association. I figured whoever won the bid for our country’s railway modernization program will need to import steel. Furthermore, those lobbying for the bid also know that the steel will have to be imported. The facts are, assuming the Turkish company wins the bid, Turkey has been an importer of steel since 2015, and for the last several years, its production has decreased annually. And, as a little added information, your largest competitors for steel exports are Japan and China. Neither of those countries has expressed an interest in the bid. Hopefully, armed with that knowledge, you can afford to be a more aggressive lobbyist, should the need arise.”

  “Thanks. I wasn’t aware of that situation. I’m also very appreciative of your positioning me to be more of a bulldog when I talk either to state reps or to those lobbying for the bid. If the bid lobbyist believes that I’m trying to help his client win the bid, he may be more open to discussing the extent his client may go to win it.”

  “Let’s get started. We have a busy day, and I have some important people I want you to meet.”

  It wasn’t long before Cedric realized just how busy he was going to be. Upon entering the main hall of the Bundeskabinett, Sniderhouse took Cedric to the wall that contained the pictures of the current fifteen members of the cabinet. The picture of the sixteenth, the Hesse state representative, was draped with a black ribbon across it, running from the top left corner to the bottom right corner, signifying that he was deceased. Sniderhouse pointed out, “As of this date, a representative still has not been named to replace him.”

  Sniderhouse then gave Cedric a quick tour of where the representatives’ offices were located. It was then, after seeing all the people sitting outside each one’s office door, that Cedric thought, I’ll probably never get in to see any of the three state reps I hope to visit. Carl’s trial will be over, and he’ll be serving time before that happens. A new approach may be in order. He didn’t verbalize his thoughts to Sniderhouse.

  After about an hour and a half of a walking tour of the buildings, Sniderhouse said, “Now I’m going to take you to the heart of where all the work gets done. It’s the place where the lobbyists have the opportunity to meet some of the state reps as well as the staff of all the reps. Much like the members of your congress, the real work and influence of state reps is that of their staff members. I’ll introduce you to a few staff members and point out the primary power broker of all the lobbyists. Personally, I do not know him well enough to give you an introduction.”

  Cedric replied, “Let me guess where that might be. I suspect you are referring to the executive dining room?”

  “Yes. Apparently it’s the same in every country. You might find yourself taking up residency here to observe how the system works. You’ll come closer to identifying who the right source might be and have the best opportunity to confront him.”

  “Leo, this is a big help. You don’t know how much I appreciate your getting me into the inner sanctum.”

  “What do you say we get started?”

  The executive dining room was no less than a five-star venue. The decor was exquisite in both design and adornment. Great effort had been put into creating an atmosphere of comfort and privacy. The waitstaff seemed to glide through the rooms, taking orders, refilling glasses, and presenting meals in an artistic fashion. Soft piano music played in the background, and there was absolutely no loud or boisterous talk. Periodically, quiet laughter could be heard.

  Sniderhouse could not help but notice how impressed Cedric was. “Now you can see why most business is conducted here yet nothing seems to ever get done. Although seating is not specifically designated, rest assured that all know that certain people sit in the same seat all the time. It is considered to be one of the perks of being power brokers and/or influence peddlers.”

  Cedric responded, “Well, I guess as the new man on the block, I’ll have a seat in the hallway.”

  Sniderhouse laughed. “Don’t undervalue your importance here. You are a lobbyist representing a major industry from a powerful country. I have arranged for you to have a table assignment, unofficially, within earshot of the most powerful lobbyist in Berlin. Furthermore, this will provide you with a visual introduction to how the system of introductions and ring kissing works within this world we call the Bundeskabinett.”

  About that time a dignified man approached Sniderhouse and Cedric, wearing what Cedric would best
describe as a tuxedo. “Gentlemen, may I seat you?”

  Sniderhouse replied, “Danke dir. This is Herr Smart, whom I spoke to your head waiter about this morning.”

  The waiter quickly retrieved his cell phone. “Yes, please follow me.”

  Sniderhouse and Cedric followed the waiter across the room to a table with four chairs set almost against a back wall but in the room’s central location, which provided Cedric with a 180-degree view of the comings and goings of the guests.

  “I hope this is satisfactory. May I bring you something to drink?”

  “Two glasses of white wine,” answered Sniderhouse.

  “I’m really impressed with your influence,” commented Cedric.

  Sniderhouse smiled and quietly said, “After so many years in the intelligence service, I probably not only know everyone of importance here but also where their dirty linen is hidden. By the way, you will have this same seat as long as you are here, and all you eat and drink is paid for by our generous government.”

  “Why?” asked Cedric.

  “My friend that is how the system works. I know it will be hard, but try to get used to it. Now I am going to leave you to your lunch to take in the flow of action, and I will return around four o’clock to help you find your way back to your hotel. By the way, tell the waiter that I had to leave unexpectedly. He’ll know what to do with the extra glass of wine.”

  The two men stood and shook hands, and Sniderhouse handed Cedric a slip of paper with a telephone number on it. “If you need to reach me, this number will bypass the control agent. Try to maintain a low profile, Thunderbolt. I don’t want to have to bail you out of jail.” Laughing at his own comment, Sniderhouse departed, leaving Cedric to adjust to his new environment.

  Chapter 24

  The morning after his visit to Berger, Rouse’s attorney, Huck sat on the sidewalk across the street from Walker’s apartment, with the subpoena inside his coat and a pair of handcuffs in his back pocket. His back rested against a brick wall. He was wearing jeans, tennis shoes, a faded T-shirt, a long coat, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses. All the clothing, except for the sunglasses, he had purchased from some homeless men who hung out near the train station. He hoped to convey the appearance of a vagrant as he provided surveillance on Walker. Trying to identify any potential stalker had to be done in a way so that the stalker didn’t know he was being watched.