Into the Lion's Den (37 page)

Konrad is after the boy. I can see it very clearly now. He was looking at him all the time in the plane,
even if the poor child went to the farthest corner and stayed there, motionless, speechless, like a frightened animal.

Guntram refused to eat or drink anything from the stewardess, although we were having dinner (German cuisine, of
course) and Marie was very nice to him. He didn't want to join us and Konrad left him alone while we ate and
worked. We took off at 11 p.m. and those were the longest 7 hours in my life till we got home. I pitied him because he
was alone, sick, afraid, going to an unknown destination with the man who had executed his whole family.

Even Goran took pity on him. Around 1 a.m., when we were wrapping up the matter with Gasrom, he
came to the boy and offered him a Mars Bar he had in his pocket—never pegged Goran as someone who would carry
such a thing—and the boy, after hesitating a while, took it, muttered a “thank you” and ate it. He was then fast
asleep, exhausted from the tension. I noticed Konrad standing up from his desk and going to him to recline his seat
and cover him with a wool blanket.

“Are you sure about this? Repin will not give up.”

“He has to pay for what he did to us and I want some guarantees that he will return the money. I'm not
going to be the idiot who gave him two billion for nothing so he can rebuild his power. I prefer him on the top because
he keeps the Russians in line, but make no mistake Ferdinand, the minute he tries something against me like that pre
default scenario in Central Europe, he's dead.”

“What if he does not pay? What would you do with him? Kill him?”

“As I said, he very much resembles his uncle, could be very entertaining for me, although he lacks
Roger's spirit in bed. He looks more like a little lamb or a kitten.”

“Great.”

“We'll see if he can't get the snake out of the hole where he's hiding. I want to terminate that business
too.”

“I would like to see you try. This one is terrified of men.”

“Adds some flavour to the hunting. Whores are fine, but you eventually tire of getting everything
effortlessly. Ferdinand, we're getting too old to be running from one hotel to the next. I'd rather have something fixed
at home.”

“Speak for yourself.” I turned around and went back to my own seat, ready to sleep. Fuck him!

Guntram de Lisle's diary

February 16th, 2004

My life took another turn for worse two days ago. On Friday morning, I was playing with Constantin's
children and there was this German from the previous days. I know now who he is. The infamous Griffin, the
Hochmeister from the Order, Konrad von Lintorff, Herzog von Wittstock, rich banker from Switzerland and the
murderer of my family. He swears that he had nothing to do with it as it was decided by the others members to stop an
internal war; that my father gave me to him in order to save me from something called the “old Guard” and that he
looked for me over the years but never found me before. He says that I'm not safe with Constantin as the attacks of his
own wife had proven. He wants my well being as I'm part of the Order since I was a baby; He tells me he will let me
pursue my artistic career if I want and support me even because he thinks I have some talent.

What is the difference between him and Constantin? His businesses are all legitimate, nothing murky
and he effectively controls governments. No one would touch him, but he's a mobster of a worst kind than Constantin.

He had no problems to murder, threaten children and women or taking me with him just to weaken Constantin. I hope
he's fine and solves the problem with his wife.

He promised to let me speak with the children if he's satisfied with my behaviour. He will let me write
with Constantin or send him my works if I want, within reason, of course. Lintorff didn't let me bring a single thing
from Russia, not even my pencils or medications. Nothing at all. It's not like I'm going to have a bug in my pencils box
or a hidden camera in my jacket!

Lintorff has a private jet, a Boeing if I'm correct. Bigger than the one Constantin has. Lord, I miss him
so much already. This place is so big and dead. Like a Mausoleum. Gloomy and perfect, nothing like at Constantin's
with the children laughing and always into some mischief. The house in London was big, but full of light and he was
always there to listen to me, hold me and kiss me. His eyes lit the moment I was entering the room and he did his best
to look after me after what happened that night. He loves me so much even if he knows that I can't love him any more.

He never reproached me anything. He just stood by me.

As I was telling, Lintorff has a jet. Inside were he, another German of his age, two more guys, I think
they're bodyguards and a medium size man, a Serb called Goran who was nice to me. Constantin told me before
leaving him that I shouldn't worry because I was his angel and he loved me more than anything in this world; that he
would get me back as soon as he could; that it was only temporary. I truly hope he fulfils his promise.

We arrived to Zurich at noon, for lunch time. We had breakfast in the plane and the minute we landed I
was sent to a big black armoured Mercedes limousine and forced to drive with Lintorff. The German man, Ferdinand
von something and Goran took another car, also Mercedes. With us were the driver and a bodyguard in the front seat.

“Guntram, as you have understood so far, you are under my tutelage for the next year. You're my pupil
so to speak as your father wanted and I will treat you accordingly. Behave, obey and respect me and we shall have no
problems. I will look after you, provide for you and if I think you're reliable, will send you to school. I was informed
you were studying in London before this incident.”

“I can't return to school. I can't stand people around. I have panic attacks when I see them.”

“Nonsense. There are medications for that. Dr. Wagemann, my personal physician will evaluate you as
soon as we are at home. During the week, you will be taken to a Clinic and further evaluated. For the time being, you
will remain at home. Make a list of the materials you normally use for painting so you have something to do.”

“Can I speak with Mr. Repin, please?” I pleaded to the rock.

“As soon as I deem it proper. You have to adjust to your new environment.”

His house is a big castle in the middle of a large forest. Very beautiful and full with plants. An interior
courtyard with trees inside, an old tower complemented with four wings built around in the XIX century. It looks like a
fortress, more than a family residence. When we arrived and the chauffeur opened the door for him, I remained in the
car, frozen in my fear. “Come, Guntram. It's too cold for you to remain outside,” he told me, somewhat using a
warmer voice than what I have heard previously. I gulped and followed him through up the marble stairs to the big
door, with his coat of arms on top of it. In the foyer, all the servants were waiting for him as the temperature outside
was well below zero and very wet. I counted seven maids, three more men with cooks uniforms and four butlers, one
very tall and aristocratic, looking like the boss of all of them. He was looking at me perplexed, almost in shock, as if
he would have seen a ghost.

“Guntram, this is Friederich. He's the Manager. Anything you might need, ask him,” Lintorff told me,
showing me the big serious bird. “Friederich, Guntram is Jerôme de Lisle's son, do you remember him?”

“Certainly, your Excellency,” the man answered, gaping at Lintorff.

“He will be staying with us as my charge. Guntram, do you like blue or yellow?”

“Blue, Sire,” I answered totally clueless.

“Good choice. The blue rooms are in the tower under my apartments. The red one is too girlish.

Friederich, have it ready for after lunch. Guntram might need some rest after the flight.”

“As you wish, your Excellency.”

“Dismissed,” he only said and the army just disappeared silently, only he, von Kleist and the Serb
remained in the room.

“May I have a word with the Duke?” the butler asked.

“What is it Friederich?”

“In private, Sire,” he said.

“Ferdinand, can you show Guntram the library or the winter garden? Ask for a tea or something hot,
the boy looks sick,” Lintorff ordered.

“Konrad, I've been your tutor for over forty years and this is the craziest thing you've ever done,”

Friederich started. “De Lisle, as in Roger de Lisle?”

“Nephew, son of Jerôme. Remarkable resemblance, don't you think?” Konrad answered, impassable as always.

“Are you out of your senses?”

“His father gave him to me as you already know. I found him interesting and taking him away from Repin was a punishment on a personal level. Don't worry, the boy is harmless, in fact he's terrified of everything. Bad experiences in Russia.”

“You can't be thinking on that. He's just a boy! How old is he? Does he know about your past?”

“He might be around twenty-one years old. He's an artist and a good one. I have taken him as a collateral guarantee. He will be returned to his master in a year, if he pays me back, of course.”

“Nothing else? Don't lie to me Konrad, I know you better than your own father.”

“Well, I admit he has some charm on his own. Nothing like the uncle and probably couldn't do a third of what the uncle was doing in bed. He doesn't look very proficient in such matters. Besides he has a heart condition and is in recovery from a heart attack, a suicide attempt, several rapes by Repin's wife men, tortures and so on. Russia is not the best place to be.”

“Do you say it like this? Have you no heart? He's only a child!” The old man asked horrified at his former pupil's coldness.

“I took over with twenty-two. Take care of him; he's nothing like the uncle. He's a shy and kind creature.

You have to take him to the clinic the doctor Wagemann will inform you, get him some clothes, paper or whatever he uses for painting. I'm naming Alexei Antonov as his guard. He's not supposed to leave the Castle alone or unsupervised. Ah, tell the cook to be easy on the salt. He has a heart condition. No fat at all in his diet. If he behaves, he'll go to school or take painting lessons.”

“As his Excellency wishes,” Friederich chewed his acceptance.

“Guntram. I'll take you today to the city if you want,” Goran told me. “Perhaps you'd like to buy some
pencils for working later.”

“It's not necessary, Mr. Pavelic.”

“It's Pavicevic, but you can call me Goran.”

“Thank you.”

“I understand that you feel lost, but believe me, this is for the best. Olga Fedorovna would have not
stopped until your total annihilation,” Goran said. “You'll be fine here. The Duke can be a generous man.”

“I would be better at home,” I whispered.

“It can't be. You're one of us little brother. How could a good boy like yourself be entangled with
Repin?”

“I didn't know who he was. I loved him till I knew how he was. I wanted to go home but he didn't let me
because I was too sick. I tried to escape, but Mikhail caught me before I would have succeeded. I didn't know you
need warm water to keep the blood flowing. The doctor brought me back.”

“Why was that? Your life is a gift from God and you have a talent for making beautiful things. Oblomov
told me you also like to help people. Why did you want to throw everything away?” Goran asked me softly.

“I can't stand the memories.”

“They will fade away with time or they will be replaced with happier ones. I know what happened in
London. Repin punished those men who touched you. You have to continue with your life and forget it, if you can. Life
is too short to live it in pain or sorrow. Think of this as a new opportunity. A fresh new start, away from Repin,”

Goran said and I truly wanted to believe him.

“A brand new start, with your own people,” Ferdinand added. “No one knows what happened or where
you come from. The Duke has introduced you as his ward and believe me, no one will question his decisions.”

“Constantin said he killed my family.”

“Please, do you believe in a mobster's word? The old Guard made the decision when he was
incapacitated in the hospital,” Ferdinand told me. “We never had anything against your father. In fact, he discovered
his brother’s and father's plot against us. He always considered that Konrad was the best option as Griffin and
Hochmeister.”

“I don't understand it.”

“Do you think your own father would have given you to the man who killed his family? Didn't you father
love you, child? He gave you to Konrad, and we can prove it, because he believed he would protect you from the old
Guard. You were only a child in 1989. We searched for you all over Europe, but we never found you, till now. Tell me,
why Repin never told you he knew about your lineage?”