‘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. In truth, neither of them had a background in history, archaeology or any related field, but they made up for their deficiencies in other ways. Both men were highly trained operatives, extremely intelligent and always looking for a challenge.
To them, the promise of a new mission was the ultimate bait.
To sweeten the deal, Kaiser had chartered a luxury jet for their nine-hour flight to Germany. Due to the six-hour time difference, the Gulfstream V left a private terminal in Pittsburgh just before midnight and arrived in Munich at 2.50 p.m. All things considered, the trip was a pleasant one. Payne and Jones slept comfortably in reclining leather chairs. They spent the rest of the time playing cards and watching movies on a giant plasma screen. A fully stocked refrigerator, filled with an assortment of snacks and gourmet foods, kept them fed. Sports drinks and bottled water kept them hydrated. Over the years, they had been on enough missions to perfect the art of travelling. They knew when to eat, when to sleep and what they needed to bring. Like expectant mothers, they even kept travel bags by their doors, just in case they were forced to leave in the middle of the night and didn’t have time to pack.
Of course, pregnant women rarely packed ammo.
Despite the luxury jet and the lure of treasure, Payne and Jones had played hard to get until Kaiser brought out his secret weapon – the pageantry of the world’s largest fair. As luck should have it, Oktoberfest had started the day before and would continue until 3 October. Held annually in Munich, the sixteen-day festival would attract more than six million people, many of whom would eat too much and drink even more. The duo had always wanted to attend, but had never made the arrangements. With Kaiser’s connections in Germany and his generous offer to foot their bill, Payne and Jones realized this was the perfect time to go.
The meeting came first, then two days of celebrating.
What could possibly go wrong?
Kaiser greeted them inside a private hangar near Munich airport. He was wearing a T-shirt, blue jeans and a brown leather jacket – the same clothes he always wore. Nothing about his appearance really stood out, and nothing about him seemed menacing. In his mid-fifties, he had slicked-back grey hair and bushy eyebrows that dangled above his dark eyes. When he talked, he smiled a lot, like a friendly neighbour or a local merchant who cared about his customers.
And the truth was he actually did.
A decade earlier, when Payne and Jones had met Kaiser for the first time, they figured his kindness was just an act, that he was being nice to them in order to get their business. But over time, they realized that wasn’t the case. Kaiser was a good guy, a gracious guy, who was very good at his job. He didn’t lie, or steal, or sell drugs. He didn’t rip people off. He made his money by acquiring hard-to-find items and selling them at a fair price. To military personnel stationed in Germany, Kaiser wasn’t a criminal, he was a businessman. Nothing more, nothing less.
Then again, every once in a while, Payne and Jones would hear stories about Kaiser that were less than flattering. Mostly they involved suppliers who tried to con him, or buyers who went against their word. In those situations, Kaiser abandoned his cordial persona and handled the offenders in an appropriate fashion. He liked to refer to it as ‘street justice’. Once Payne and Jones had asked him about a violent rumour, but Kaiser wouldn’t confirm or deny anything, obviously enjoying his reputation. Then he told them something they would never forget.
Never mistake kindness for weakness.
To this day, it was still one of their favourite sayings.
‘How was the flight?’ Kaiser asked as he shook Payne’s hand.
‘Wonderful. Thanks for the royal treatment.’
‘Nothing but the best for you two.’
Jones gave Kaiser a friendly hug. ‘Not to be rude, but are you sure you can afford it?’
Kaiser looked at him, confused. ‘Why would you ask that?’
‘Because you’ve been wearing the same clothes for the past ten years. Don’t they have malls over here?’ Jones glanced at Payne. ‘We need to take him shopping.’
Kaiser laughed, enjoying the good-natured teasing. ‘I’ll have you know I bought a new T-shirt just last year. I’m good to go for the rest of the decade.’
Jones argued. ‘Come on, man. A guy in your business should have some style. We need to get you a shiny suit and some fancy jewellery, like a gangster. Maybe even a fedora.’
Payne shook his head, embarrassed. ‘Please ignore him. It was a long flight, and he’s over caffeinated. Just let him run round the airfield for twenty minutes, and he’ll be fine.’
Kaiser smiled. ‘I wish we had the time, but we’re on a tight schedule. If we don’t leave now, we won’t get to the site before dark.’
‘The site? What site?’ Payne asked, still unsure what Kaiser had found and what was expected of them. ‘Now that we’re here, I was hoping you’d fill in some blanks.’
‘I’d be happy to,’ Kaiser said as he picked up Payne’s bag, ‘once we’re airborne.’
‘Airborne?’
Kaiser started to walk across the hangar. ‘Didn’t I mention that on the phone?’
Payne hustled after him. ‘You didn’t mention anything on the phone.’
‘Really? I could’ve sworn I did.’
Payne caught up to him and grabbed his arm. ‘Hold up, Kaiser. We need to talk.’
Kaiser turned, smiling. ‘About what?’
‘Listen, I appreciate your enthusiasm and understand the time constraints, but we’re not getting on another plane until you tell us where we’re going.’
‘Not a plane,’ he countered, ‘a helicopter.’
‘Cool,’ Jones blurted as he caught up to them. ‘I love choppers. Can I drive?’
Kaiser shook his head. ‘Sorry, we have a pilot.’
‘Then I call shotgun. You can’t see shit from the back seat.’
Payne gave him a dirty look. ‘Hold up. You’re not bothered by this?’
‘Actually, now that you mention it, I am bothered by this.’ Jones handed his bag to Kaiser, who gladly accepted it. ‘I figure if he’s carrying your bag, he should carry mine, too.’
Payne growled. ‘That’s not what I was talking about.’
‘Really? Then what’s bugging you?’
‘We don’t know where we’re going or what we’re involved in.’
Jones sighed, trying to get under Payne’s skin. ‘Fine! Be that way! Kaiser’s trying to surprise us, and you’re determined to ruin everything.’