The Judas Effect: Book #1 Son of a Baron

by Joe C Combs 2nd

  Chapter Three

  "Well, look what we have here."

  Erik started to leap up when another arm, this one behind him, reached around his chest pulling him back to the bench. It was not the hand on his chest that stopped him. It was the other hand that was holding a very sharp knife at his throat.

  The first man opened Erik's jacket and was looking in his pockets when he saw a hand come down on top of the man's head and knock him out. The attack on the first man was immediately followed by the second man dropping his knife and the other hand losing its grip on him. Erik whipped around and looked into the face of his rescuer.

  "Just like school wouldn't you say?"

  "Wilhelm! But, how did you – ?"

  "I just got in, my train was hours late, let me tell you. But, first maybe we need to get to someplace more friendlily."

  The two men went out to the front of the station where Wilhelm's carriage was waiting on him. The driver opened the door and Wilhelm stepped back to let Erik enter first. Erik started to get in, then paused and looked into the back seat first. Then, smiling over his shoulder at his friend he climbed in. During the ride to Wilhelm's house Erik told him about everything that had happened.

  When they arrived, Wilhelm sent his driver for a doctor. The two college friends sat sipping brandy until the doctor arrived. The doctor examined Erik in the guest room. When the doctor was finished both men rejoined Wilhelm.

  "Well, he did not break anything, but he has certainly taken a bad beating. He needs to spend the next couple of days in bed," said the doctor.

  "Not a problem, he is my guest. He can stay here as long as he needs to. My man will take you back. Thank you, Doctor."

  The driver and the doctor left the room leaving Wilhelm and Erik alone again. Wilhelm handed Erik a fresh brandy. Erik felt the warmth of the brandy through the glass of the brandy snifter. He held the snifter up to his nose while breathing in the refreshing aroma. The texture of the leather chair he sat in felt inviting after his experience at the train station. Erik could have sat here with his brandy all night.

  "First thing in the morning we will get you to your bank so you can withdraw your money. Then we will come back here so you can rest. When you feel better, we will find you some place suitable."

  "Thank you, Wilhelm. I do not know what I would have done without you."

  "Think nothing of it. You should retire. You have had a long day and we will be busy tomorrow."

  Erik bid his friend goodnight and retired to the guest room. The last thing he remembered before falling asleep was how much he liked clean starched sheets.

  The next morning both men were up bright and early. They had a quick breakfast, and then they left to go to the bank. When they arrived at the bank the carriage let Erik out at the front entrance and then drove to wait at the corner. Erik walked into the bank and went straight to the vice president's office. The door was open and he paused in the doorway before being welcomed in.

  "I thought I would see you this morning, sir."

  "Yes, I am going to be finding new accommodations and doing some travel. I will need to close my account."

  "Your account is already closed sir."

  "Oh good, then just right me a check for the balance."

  "I am afraid I cannot do that. Your father closed your account yesterday."

  The vice president rose from his chair when Erik walked into the office. By the time he broke the news to Erik he was at the door closing it. The discussion became heated, but the door muffled their voices so that no one in the bank could hear what was being said. Minutes after the door closed Erik emerged stern faced and walking briskly out of the bank. He looked down the street at the carriage.

  As Erik walked to the carriage a man in the street wearing a long grey coat and soft hat was bent down at the rear window and then abruptly started walking away. Erik tried to get a look at the man's face, but he never looked in Erik's direction. As he approached the carriage the driver stepped out and opened the rear door for Erik. He climbed into the backseat and the driver closed the door, took his place behind the reins, and began to join the traffic on the street.

  "Another of our school mates?" Erik asked.

  "No, just a man doing some work for me. How did it go at the bank? Did you get your check?"

  During the drive home Erik told Wilhelm everything that had happened in the bank. Wilhelm told Erik not to worry about it. He thought he could find suitable employment for him tomorrow. The two arrived back at Wilhelm's home and went to the study to drink and smoke cigars while waiting on lunch. After lunch they spent the rest of the afternoon in the study reminiscing about college while enjoying a couple more rounds of brandy and cigars.

  The next morning both men rose early and met in the study again before breakfast. They both had tea while waiting for breakfast. Erik was feeling worse today than he did yesterday. He also noticed bruises while he was shaving this morning. Either he had not noticed them yesterday morning, or they were worse today.

  "So, what is this job you think I would be good at?"

  "We will talk about it later this morning. I need to talk with a man first and we will feel better after a light breakfast."

  "What type of work is it?"

  "It is something that is well suited for someone in our status and culture. You will see, travel, good pay, and a bit of excitement from time to time as well. You will be good at it and you will enjoy it."

  The two men engaged in small talk as they ate. Wilhelm picked up the morning paper from the table and started scanning it while they talked. He held the paper, folded in half, in one hand. Wilhelm held up his hand for Erik to stop for a minute. He took the paper in both hands and began intently reading it.

  "It seems there was trouble at the Deutsche Bank yesterday morning."

  "Really? What sort of trouble?"

  Wilhelm lowered the paper slightly, looking over the top at Erik for a moment. He folded the paper into fourths with the lower left corner on top. He reached across the table, turning the paper around so Erik could read it as he passed the paper to him.

  "Perhaps you should tell me."

  Erik took the paper, his mouth slightly open, his eyebrows scrunched up together, and his eyes widening slightly. He took the paper in his right hand and began to read. After a few moments he gripped the paper in both hands. Then he flipped the paper open to see the headlines across the top just before he dropped the paper over his plate.

  "What is that? That wasn't me! They told me my father closed my account the day before and then asked me to leave. I did not even see anything that looked like a robbery. It must have happened after I left!"

  One of the servants walked into the dining room, stopping at Wilhelm's shoulder.

  "Sir, there is a gentleman to see you. He says it is important."

  "Show him in."

  The servant left and then moments later entered with the man. The man was dressed in a long grey coat and soft hat. He walked up and stood behind Wilhelm without saying a word. Wilhelm addressed him without turning around.

  "Inspector, may I introduce you to Erik von Straus."

  "Sir, will you please rise. Turn slowly around and place your hands behind your back sir, slowly."

  Erik did as he was told, his mouth agape, eyes wide. He tried to speak, but no words came out. He could not believe this. He was being arrested for a bank robbery he did not commit, and his best friend from college is the one who called the police on him.

  "I am arresting you for robbing the Deutsche Bank and injuring the bank teller with a pistol," the inspector said.

  Erik was still trying to talk when he felt the cold steel of the handcuffs as they locked around his wrists. The inspector grabbed him and roughly turned Erik around. Finally Erik found his voice while looking at the inspector with indignation and surprise.

  †