1503954692

by Steve Robinson

  Volker began to smile. ‘After all these years, I thought a fresh look was in order.’ Unexpectedly, he reached across to Johann and ruffled his hair. He laughed. ‘And I decided it was time I had a different haircut to you, Blödmann!’ He reached for the wine bottle and emptied it into Johann’s glass. ‘Drink with me, Johann! Who knows when the chance will come again?’

  Everyone raised their glasses and drank, and Johann watched Volker drain his wine. It was becoming clear to him that his friend had already consumed most of the bottle, but it seemed he had not yet had enough. With his arm outstretched, Volker lowered his glass to the table and set it down with a thump. He picked up the empty bottle and spun around on his chair.

  ‘Herr Deutelmoser! More wine, if you please!’ To the gathering, he added, ‘We might as well have a few drinks before dinner. I’m sure we all have much to catch up on.’

  A moment later another bottle of wine was brought to the table by a man in shirt sleeves and a black waistcoat, who looked to be in his late forties.

  ‘And how is your father, Herr Strobel?’ the man said as he proceeded to uncork the wine. ‘I trust he is well?’

  ‘I expect he is tired, Joseph. He was a busy man before the war began. Now he is a very busy man.’

  Deutelmoser poured the wine, and with a bow he left them to it.

  ‘Herr Deutelmoser is the proprietor,’ Volker said. ‘I insisted he serve us tonight, just as he always serves Herr Hitler whenever he and his entourage visits.’ In a lower voice, he added, ‘Although I should think he would at least wear a jacket when he serves our Führer.’

  ‘It’s very warm in here,’ Ava said. ‘I’m glad I chose to wear one of my summer dresses tonight.’

  ‘You look very pretty in it,’ Johann said.

  ‘Yes, the pattern suits you,’ added Volker. ‘It’s a little plain, but I like the flowers.’

  Johann doubted that his friend ever spared a thought for such things.

  ‘Do you like my dress, Volker?’ Trudi asked.

  Volker just smiled at her, at little dismissively, Johann thought. He turned to her. ‘Your dress is also very pretty,’ he said with a warmer smile. ‘It puts me in mind of the ocean.’

  Trudi giggled and sat forward on her chair. ‘It’s pure silk,’ she said, turning her shoulders from side to side to show it off better.

  Volker topped up Ava’s wine glass, even though it was still quite full. ‘Do you own a silk dress?’ he asked her.

  ‘No, I—’

  ‘Then you must allow me to buy you one,’ Volker interrupted. ‘Cotton is all very well in a place like this, but—’

  ‘You’re very kind, Volker, but I couldn’t, really.’

  ‘Why ever not? It’s just a dress.’

  Johann knew the gesture meant more to Volker than that, and he thought Ava knew it, too. He saw that his friend’s brow had set into an unpleasant furrow at the thought of Ava refusing him, and not for the first time that evening he thought that his friend was not his usual self. He had seen this expression on Volker’s face many times before, and nothing good had ever followed. Now it was Johann who topped up Volker’s glass, which was already in need of it.

  ‘Tell me, Ava,’ he said, determined to change the subject. ‘How are your parents?’

  Volker sat back, and Johann saw that he was staring at him with that same furrowed expression, making it clear to Johann that his interruption had annoyed his friend.

  Johann thought he heard Ava sigh, perhaps out of relief, as she turned to him. The smile had returned to her lips.

  ‘They’re both well,’ she said. ‘Although business is not as good as it used to be. You remember I said my papa was a music teacher?’

  ‘Yes, of course.’

  ‘Well, perhaps there’s little call for learning music when there’s a war on, although the business has been in decline for some years now.’

  Volker scoffed, puffing cigarette smoke across the table. ‘If your papa was in the habit of teaching music to Jews, as I’ve heard, then it’s no wonder.’ He stubbed out his cigarette and turned into the restaurant again, as if looking for the attention of Herr Deutelmoser. ‘Shall we eat? I’m getting hungry.’

  Menus were brought and meals were ordered, and by the time the entrées were served, Johann was glad to see that Volker had settled down to his usual, convivial self again. A pleasant evening ensued, although Johann soon confirmed his earlier thoughts concerning the real reason Volker had invited his cousin to dine with them. He also picked up on a peculiar dynamic that seemed to exist between Volker and his cousin. At every opportunity, Volker would encourage Johann and Trudi into conversation together, confirming to Johann that Trudi was there purely to distract Johann so that Volker could have Ava to himself.

  Trudi, on the other hand, seemed oblivious to Volker’s machinations. To the contrary, she had barely stopped looking at Volker all evening, just as Johann had not stopped looking at Ava—and he had several times caught her looking back. Trudi’s affection for Volker seemed utterly transparent, and Johann was glad to see it, not least because, while Johann found Trudi as easy to talk to as she was on the eye, he thought her very immature, which made perfect sense to him when he discovered during the course of the evening that she had only recently turned seventeen.

  At just after eleven, they left the Osteria Bavaria in high spirits, Volker having been the centre of attention throughout the meal—not that Johann minded. He had a few days in Munich before he had to join his unit, and he planned to make them count where Ava Bauer was concerned. She had already agreed to meet him at the Park Café on Sophienstrasse the following afternoon, and as they all made their way along Schellingstrasse in the cool night air, heading for a bar Volker had suggested they visit for a nightcap, Johann was already looking forward to it.

  He watched Ava walking ahead of him beneath the lamplight, and for a moment he imagined how good it would feel to hold her soft hand in his. As it was, it was Volker who walked beside her, while he walked with Trudi, which again was all to Volker’s plan as far as Johann was concerned. Every now and then Ava would turn back to Johann with a smile that was as much to say that she would rather be beside him. At least, that’s what Johann chose to believe she was thinking.

  ‘You like your cousin, don’t you, Trudi?’ Johann asked her, speaking quietly so that Volker couldn’t hear him.

  ‘Is it that obvious?’

  Johann smiled and gave a small, almost sympathetic laugh. ‘I’m afraid it is.’

  Trudi sighed. ‘Oh, dear. He must think me very foolish. He’s usually very affectionate towards me, but it seems his heart is now set on someone else.’

  Johann knew it to be true, but he would not hurt Trudi’s feelings any further by telling her as much. He cast his attention ahead and saw that Volker was almost laughing as he spoke to Ava about something he hadn’t been able to hear. Ava seemed to be enjoying his company, but there was that look over her shoulder again, and he fancied the smile on her lips was for him. A moment later, Ava glanced back again, and it seemed to interrupt whatever it was that Volker was saying because he suddenly stopped talking. His face soured as it had in the restaurant earlier.

  ‘Here, Johann,’ he said. ‘Why don’t you walk with Ava. I can see you would both prefer it.’

  ‘Volker,’ Ava began, as if to apologise, but Volker cut her short.

  ‘No, no. I must insist.’

  As Johann and Trudi caught up to them, Volker grabbed Johann’s arm and pulled him closer. Johann couldn’t help but see the funny side of the matter. Here was Volker having invited his beautiful cousin along in the hope of beguiling Johann away from Ava, and yet Trudi was so smitten with him that she’d had eyes for no one else all evening. His friend’s plan had well and truly backfired. The irony of the situation made Johann laugh.

  ‘What is it?’ Volker asked. ‘What’s so funny, eh?’

  ‘It’s nothing,’ Johann said, trying not to smile now that he could see how serious hi
s friend had suddenly become. ‘Let’s go and get that nightcap.’

  ‘No, really. I should like to know what it is about me you find so amusing.’

  ‘It’s not you Volker. Look, forget about it. I’m sorry I laughed. I didn’t mean anything.’

  Johann put a hand on Volker’s shoulder to appease him, but Volker knocked it sharply away again.

  ‘I won’t be laughed at,’ Volker said. His hand wandered to the dagger on his belt. ‘If you were not my closest friend, I—’

  ‘What?’ Johann said. ‘What would you do? Would you pull out your dagger and stab me in the heart with it? You know you can’t beat me in a straight fight any more—dagger or otherwise. You would do better to try and shoot me. And over what?’

  Ava came between them. ‘Stop it, the pair of you! You’ve had too much to drink and now you’re squabbling like children.’ She moved towards Trudi and linked arms with her. ‘I’m walking the rest of the way with Trudi, and if you’ve not settled your differences by the time we reach the bar, I’m going straight home.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Johann said. He turned to Volker. ‘Let’s forget about it. What do you say? Blame it on the wine.’

  Volker scoffed. ‘It’s forgotten,’ he said, but as they set off again, Johann doubted it was. All the way to the bar, Volker didn’t say another word, and although Johann did well to hide it, his friend had unnerved him. While he’d witnessed Volker’s temper many times, and seen the often bloody results that followed, he’d never been on the receiving end of it before.

  The bar Volker had in mind for a nightcap was no more than a ten minute walk from the restaurant on Ludwigstrasse, one of Munich’s four royal avenues, having been named in honour of King Ludwig I of Bavaria. It was more in keeping with the usual type of establishment Volker chose to frequent. It was opulent, with gilt carvings on the ceiling and walls and on the many framed mirrors, whose glass reflected the soft glow of candlelight, lending to the golden aura that greeted the party as they entered.

  It soon became apparent that Volker was on good terms with the proprietor here, too, because within a few minutes they were set up with a bottle of Marillenschnaps from Austria, at a table in the centre of the room, where everyone had a view of the tables around them, most of which were occupied. The ease with which they had been seated suggested to Johann that his friend had planned for them to go there all along, having reserved what he must have considered to be the best table in the house.

  They were all set for a cordial end to what had on the whole been a pleasant evening, despite Volker’s unusual temperament, but it seemed that his sour mood continued to stalk him, rendering him silent to the point of brooding as he downed his first glass.

  ‘It’s a good bottle, Volker,’ Johann said, trying to encourage him into conversation.

  Ava joined in. ‘Apricot Schnaps is my favourite,’ she said. ‘How did you know?’

  ‘I didn’t,’ Volker said, and then he picked up the bottle, avoiding eye contact with anyone, and poured himself another glass.

  ‘I like Himbeergeist best,’ Trudi said with a giggle. ‘I love raspberries.’

  ‘What about you, Johann?’ Ava asked. ‘What’s your favourite?’

  Johann laughed. ‘In truth, I prefer to drink beer.’

  Volker scoffed under his breath. ‘That’s because you have no breeding.’

  Not wishing to ruin the evening further, Johann chose to ignore the remark, although he could have thumped Volker there and then for saying it. He watched him down another shot of Schnaps and reach for the bottle again.

  ‘Steady there, Volker. You’ve already had most of the wine this evening.’ He smiled to make light of it. ‘I don’t want to have to carry you home.’

  Volker’s hand froze on the bottle. He turned to Johann and stared at him. ‘Now you think I can’t take my drink, Is that it?’

  Before Johann could answer, Ava stood up. She was frowning. ‘I can’t stand any more of this,’ she said. ‘Come on, Trudi. I think we’d better leave this pair to resolve their differences without us. I’ll see you back to your accommodation.’

  Johann got to his feet. ‘Ava, I—’

  ‘I told you what would happen, Johann. Now it’s too late.’

  ‘At least let me escort you?’

  ‘We’ll be fine by ourselves. It’s not far.’ Ava signalled for their coats.

  ‘Well, can I still see you tomorrow?’ Johann asked, a hint of desperation in his voice.

  Ava didn’t answer straight away. She made Johann wait as she and Trudi were helped into their coats. They began to leave, and when they were almost at the door, Ava turned back.

  ‘Of course,’ she said. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’

  ‘Good night, Volker,’ Trudi said, her doe eyes trying to find his.

  Volker gave no reply. He didn’t even look up from the table as Johann went to the door and watched the girls leave.

  Returning to Volker, Johann sat heavily in the chair opposite him and slapped the table, stirring his friend from the funk he had clearly descended into.

  ‘Well, thank you, Volker,’ he said with no pretence at hiding the sarcasm in his tone. ‘The evening was a total disaster. You know, I’m beginning to think that our eagerness to win Ava’s affection could well turn her off both of us altogether.’

  Volker stopped turning his empty glass and looked up at last. ‘Not you, Johann. I can see now that it’s you she wants. I’m sorry.’

  ‘It’s a bit late for that, don’t you think? It should be Ava and Trudi you’re apologising to.’

  ‘And I will. I have to return to my duties at Dachau in the morning, but I’ll call on her soon.’

  ‘So, I won’t see you again before I join my unit?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Then this is our farewell drink.’ Johann filled both of their glasses and they clinked them together.

  ‘Stay safe, Johann,’ Volker said. ‘It’s a great honour for you to be serving with the Leibstandarte. I only wish I were joining the fight with you. Perhaps I will before the end, but my father—’

  ‘I know. Your father has given you camp duties because he wants to protect you.’

  Volker nodded. He still appeared somewhat sombre, but Johann was pleased to see his old friend sitting opposite him again, and in part he felt sorry for him. He thought they would have made a formidable pair on the battlefield.

  ‘I’ll pass on your apology when I see Ava tomorrow,’ he said. ‘Perhaps it will help smooth things over before you go to see her.’

  Volker smiled. ‘You see. You already have another date lined up. Ava has already chosen you, but you’re too much of a Blödmann to do anything about it.’ He laughed and it was refreshing to see. ‘You might as well ask her to marry you and be done with it.’

  Johann laughed with him. ‘And you think she would say yes?’

  Volker looked suddenly incredulous. ‘Are you blind, Johann? Isn’t it obvious? Why do you think I’ve been so moody since the restaurant?’

  ‘I’ve been wondering what’s come over you.’

  ‘It’s because I’ve lost, Johann, and I don’t like it when things don’t go my way—you know that. But if you don’t do something about it soon, I shall call on Ava every chance I get. It won’t be so easy for you to see her. While you’re off fighting, I’ll woo her into submission.’

  Johann laughed again and they both downed their drinks. ‘One more Schnaps for my courage then,’ he said, refilling their glasses.

  ‘And one for friendship. I’ll miss you, Johann.’

  Volker sat up and reached a hand into his pocket. When he brought it out again he was holding a small, blue velvet box. He slid it across the table.

  ‘I want you to have this. For Ava.’

  Johann picked up the box and opened it. A sapphire and diamond ring began to sparkle in the candlelight, like sunlight over a shimmering sea.

  ‘It’s beautiful,’ Johann said as he took in the imposing central stone and t
he numerous diamonds that were clustered around it.

  ‘It belonged to my grandmother. I was going to give it to Ava this evening, if I thought she would accept it.’

  The revelation surprised Johann. ‘You weren’t wasting any time, were you?’

  ‘I wanted to beat you to it, but it’s you she wants. I’m over her.’

  ‘Just like that?’

  ‘It doesn’t happen often, Johann, but I know when I’m beaten.’

  Johann shook his head. ‘Must everything be a contest between us?’ He slid the ring back to Volker. ‘I can’t accept it. If not to Ava, you should give it to someone else when the time comes.’

  ‘Please take it, Johann. I want Ava to have it. I’m sure she’ll accept it from you. Consider it my parting gift.’

  Johann didn’t know what to say. He could plainly see how much the gesture meant to Volker, and he didn’t want to offend him. He supposed it would make Volker happy to know it would still be his ring on Ava’s finger, even if he did not have Ava’s hand—a consolation prize perhaps, but it had belonged to his grandmother, or so he had said. It seemed odd to Johann that his friend would give something so precious away so easily. But then Volker Strobel had always been an odd boy, and it seemed that manhood had done little to change that.

  ‘Thank you,’ Johann said, drawing the ring back across the table. He took another look at it before he closed the box with a snap and slid it into his pocket, considering that a ring was just what he needed if he was going to propose to Ava at the Park Café the following afternoon.

  Chapter Ten

  Present day.

  Although Tayte liked getting around by taxi, for convenience, and to help keep the expenses down, he’d hired a car for the week. It was a small black BMW, which he and Jean collected from the rental company early on the morning of their second day in Munich. Tayte had contacted the German Heart Centre before they set out, to enquire how Johann Langner was and whether he was able to receive visitors again. He had been given little information, other than to say that a visit was not possible at this time, so instead, he thought to contact Langner’s son. He’d arranged to meet him at the Langner art gallery and auction house that afternoon.