Chapter 5: Planning the First Steps

After Frau Lange left I dressed and walked to Herr Weber’s — Wilhelm’s — office. I spent the rest of the morning reviewing the two flash drives that Uncle Jack had made me to address what he suspected might be the businesses that needed my immediate attention. I took hand written notes on a few things, but most I would keep in my head for security purposes.

I thought that I was ready to leave at that point, only to have Wilhelm stop me and ask me to come into his office.

“Kevin, there a couple of things we need to discuss before you are on your way.

“First: I have received emails back from all of the GMs of your companies, except two, acknowledging your position and basically saying that they are looking forward to having you visit them. The two exceptions are the two that Jack had warned you about: the Southwest African gem mine and the gold mining operation in Peru.”

“I will be going to those two directly from here.”

“Gut. Now for some good news: now that you are officially in your position with The Trust, I need to hand over keys and paperwork to you for three company assets here in Lichtenstein.

“First,” he said, dropping a set of keys into my hand, “are the keys to a Range Rover vehicle, which is located,” he dropped a second set of keys in my hand, “in the garage of the villa that belongs to The Trust, outside of town. Your Uncle acquired these, but if you wish to get something else, or have a place closer to town, just let me know.

“Finally, you have flown on it before, but the Honda Jet Aircraft is yours to use as the representative of The Trust, is waiting for you at the Friedrichshafen airport. The crew is on standby and is expecting to hear from you when you wish to leave. It is leased, so if you don’t like it, or want a larger aircraft, that can be arranged.”

I started to stand, “Thank you, Wilhelm. I think they will all do for the time being.”

As I left Wilhelm’s offices, a Range Rover pulled up to me and I got into the front passenger seat.

“Good morning, Johan,” I said to the man driving. Despite his name, Johan was Afrikaans, not German, and he wasn’t normally a driver.

“Good morning, Kevin. Good to see you again.”

I then turned to the woman in the rear seat, Mrs. Gray, who had been my Uncle Jack’s P.A. for as long as I could remember.

“Good morning to you as well, Mrs. Gray!”

“Likewise to you, Mr. Walker.”

“I’m glad to see you, because if you don’t mind continuing working for The Trust, I would like you to work for me now.”

“Thank you, Mr. Walker,” (I tried to break her of the habit of calling me Mr. Walker, but I’d given up on it; she had her own old fashioned sensibilities.) I turned and gave her the envelope that Frau Lange had given me.

“Could you see that mother gets this? It is the latest review of the bank’s activities with respect to The Trust.”

“Of course. I’ll take it back with me personally,” she assured me.

“So, Johan, are we prepared for ‘meeting’ with the Minister about the mine?”

“Ja, ja, ja!” he answered sounding rather pleased about the whole affair.

“We have been surveilling him for the past three weeks — ever since Kembo first got wind that the government might be up to no good!

“All right. Do you have a plan in mind?”

“Sure, boss. Let me give you the outline...”

“Wait. We’ll go over it while we are one the plane.

“In the meantime, Mrs. Gray, what do you have for me?”

“I have a number of things for you to sign, Mr. Walker. I prepared these at your uncle’s request. For the most part, they are just confirming —for now, but you can change instructions if and when you want — for the GMs of The Trust’s companies to continue what they have been doing, and await your visit.

“There is also this document that your uncle had me prepare for your trip to Africa. He seems to have had some advance knowledge on what to expect, and this was his solution. I assume you will want to take it.”

Indeed I did, in fact on the video, uncle Jack had briefed me on what to expect and suggested what I should do. I appreciated the heads-up, so that I didn’t walk into a situation for which I was unprepared.