Chapter 7
The restaurant’s private table felt a bit like a confessional. Petra sat across from Katja Brenner, acutely aware of Seth’s solid presence beside her as she laid out the situation in careful detail.
“So the estate lawyers represented Kettering’s interests when he was alive,” Katja said, making notes on her tablet with quick, efficient strokes. “They’ve presented you with the inheritance, explained your options, and scheduled a follow-up meeting for tomorrow.”
“Yes. Tomorrow morning at nine.” Petra wrapped her hands around her water glass, needing something to hold onto. “They seemed professional enough, but I have no way of knowing if they’re aware of Abdul’s more sinister connections, or if they’re part of it themselves.”
“I know of the firm. It is unlikely they’re directly involved,” Katja said.
“The law firm probably handled legitimate business for Kettering without knowing about, or perhaps not caring to ask about, his other activities.” She paused, her pale blue eyes sharp.
“However, they likely had suspicions. Men like Abdul Kettering and his father didn’t accumulate that kind of wealth without raising questions. ”
“What’s your read on the firm from a legal standpoint?” Seth asked.
“They are old and revered in legal circles. Kessler, Weber and Braun are well-established and have many clients from the upper economic circles.” Katja set down her pen.
“If they are compromised, it would probably be through Herr Kessler. He’s been with the firm longest and would have had the most direct contact with Herr Kettering over the years.
Weber and Braun were brought into the practice more recently, and started as junior associates who were given partner status when Kessler’s previous partners retired due to age. ”
The waiter arrived with their food. Petra had ordered some kind of chicken dish that she barely registered. She picked at it while Katja continued once the waiter left.
“The good news is that your inheritance is straightforward from a legal standpoint. You’re the sole heir, the law is clear, and there are no competing claims. The estate’s lawyers can’t prevent you from taking control.
” Katja cut into her schnitzel with precise movements.
“The question is what you want to do with that control.”
“I want to shut down the workshop,” Petra said firmly. “I want those so-called artisans barred from the property, and I want to make sure they can’t use anything else Abdul owned for their operations anymore.”
“Then we need to establish your legal authority quickly and completely.” Katja pulled a document out of her briefcase.
“I’ll draft a letter of representation to send to the estate’s lawyers today.
It puts them on notice that you have independent counsel and that all communications should go through me. ”
“Will that make them suspicious?” Petra asked.
“It’s standard practice for an inheritance of this size.
If anything, they’ll be surprised you didn’t retain counsel earlier.
” Katja’s smile was thin. “It also protects you. Any agreements or documents they present will be reviewed by me first. They can’t pressure you into signing anything you don’t understand. ”
Seth leaned back in the booth, looking satisfied. “What about the business holdings? Can we isolate the castle from the rest of the operations?”
“Eventually, yes. The manufacturing concerns are separate corporate entities. We can place them under professional management while Ms. Haas decides what to do with them long-term.” Katja looked at Petra directly.
“But that will take time. Weeks, possibly months. The immediate concern is establishing control of the physical property and determining what to do about these artisans, when they return.”
“That’s where things could get complicated,” Seth said. “They will expect to resume their work. They may have contracts or agreements with Kettering that give them rights to the workshop space.”
“Do they?” Katja asked Petra. “Have you seen any documentation about their arrangement?”
“No. The estate’s lawyers didn’t mention anything, and Herr Müller just said that Abdul was a patron of the arts and that he supported these people in their endeavors.
” Petra pushed food around her plate. “But I haven’t gone through Abdul’s personal papers yet.
There might be something in his study or the library. ”
“Then that’s our first priority.” Katja made another note. “We need to know the legal standing of their arrangement before we can terminate it. If there are contracts, we’ll need to find grounds for breach or buyout.”
“What if there are no contracts?” Seth asked. “What if it was just an informal arrangement?”
“Then we can revoke their access immediately.” Katja’s expression turned calculating. “Of course, that assumes they’ll accept a legal termination of the relationship. Given what you’ve told me about them and their ties, I suspect they won’t go quietly regardless of the paperwork.”
“No,” Seth agreed. “They won’t.”
“Which is why I’d like for you to be at the castle,” Petra said, looking at Katja. “Not just for the meeting tomorrow, but as an ally inside. Someone I can trust who understands both the legal situation and the more esoteric one.”
Katja was quiet for a moment, her fork poised over her plate.
Then she set it down with a decisive click.
“I can be there for dinner tonight. I’ll need to return to Frankfurt first to settle a few things at the office and pack a bag for a short stay, but I can be back by about seven this evening, if that is not too late in the day for you. ”
Relief flooded through Petra. “Thank you. That’s perfect. I can’t tell you how much it means to me.”
“You’re taking on a dangerous fight,” Katja said. “The least I can do is make sure you’re protected legally while you do it.” She glanced at Seth. “I assume you’ll be providing the other kind of protection?”
“I already am,” Seth said. “I’ve been watching the castle since before Petra arrived. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Good.” Katja finished her meal efficiently, then began gathering her things.
“I’ll send that letter of representation within the hour.
The estate’s lawyers will have it before end of business today.
Tomorrow morning, let them present their documents and recommendations, but don’t sign anything. I’ll review everything first.”
“What should I tell them about you?” Petra asked.
“Tell them you’ve retained independent counsel, which they’ll already know from my letter. You don’t need to mention that I’m staying at the castle unless they ask directly.” Katja stood, smoothing her suit. “The less they know about our strategy, the better.”
She shook Petra’s hand again, then Seth’s. “I’ll see you this evening. In the meantime, be careful. If the estate’s lawyers are compromised, they’ll be reporting to someone about your decisions.”
“I will,” Petra promised.
Katja left with the same brisk efficiency she’d brought to everything else. Petra watched her go, feeling steadier than she had since arriving in Germany. She had a lawyer now. An ally who understood the full scope of what she was facing.
“She’s impressive,” Petra said.
“Mark doesn’t work with anyone who isn’t.” Seth signaled the waiter for the check. “Ready to do some shopping? We should get you that phone before anything else.”
Right. The burner phone. Because her regular mobile was potentially compromised by the same surveillance systems her dead cousin’s company manufactured. Her life had turned absolutely surreal.
They left the restaurant and walked through the old city’s pedestrian zone. Seth led her to an electronics shop tucked between a bookstore and a café. The proprietor, a middle-aged man with graying hair, greeted Seth in German like they were old friends.
“How do you know everyone?” Petra asked while Seth examined a selection of basic mobile phones.
“I don’t. But I know how to find the right people when I need them.” He selected a no-frills model and brought it to the counter. “This will do. Simple, cheap, disposable if necessary.”
The proprietor rang it up without comment, adding a prepaid SIM card and some calling credit. Seth paid in cash, which seemed appropriate for a burner phone transaction. Within minutes, they were back outside with Petra’s new untraceable mobile tucked safely in her handbag.
“Now the fun part,” Seth said, his eyes glinting with amusement. “Clothes shopping.”
“I don’t need you to come with me for that,” Petra protested.
“I’m your personal bodyguard for the day. Where you go, I go.” Seth’s grin was unrepentant. “Besides, I have good taste. You might need a second opinion.”
“I seriously doubt that.”
“Come on. There’s a decent shopping district two streets over. We’ll get you sorted.”
Petra wanted to argue more, but truthfully she didn’t mind his company. And Seth was right about the bodyguard thing. Having him with her seemed like a reasonable precaution given all that was happening right now.
He’d also demonstrated a fluency in German that she envied. She could get along in German reasonably well, and a lot of people spoke enough English so that they could understand each other, but having someone along who spoke like a native might eliminate any potential misunderstandings.
They found a row of shops catering to various styles and budgets. Petra gravitated toward the practical options, selecting dark jeans, comfortable tops, and a few t-shirts. Seth trailed after her, offering opinions she hadn’t asked for but were surprisingly helpful.
“That color washes you out,” he said when she held up a beige cardigan. “Try the burgundy instead.”
“I like beige. It’s practical.”
“You’ve inherited a castle. I think you can afford to branch out from neutrals.” He plucked the burgundy cardigan from the rack and handed it to her. “Trust me.”