Free The House by the Lake by Ella Carey Page A

but she did not want to appear too dazzled by Wil’s office. And she was very aware that she must not waste even a few seconds of his expensive legal time.
    “Come in,” Wil said, but he sounded wary now.
    Wil’s office was also framed with floor-to-ceiling glass. Several cranes hung suspended over the city, and there was a stunning view of the rebuild of the Royal Palace and the old Imperial part of the city. Anna forced herself to turn away and face Wil.
    He was right behind her, and she almost bumped into him. “Sorry,” she said. “The view . . .”
    “I know,” he said. He was watching her now, and a slight frown had appeared on his face. But then he shook it off and asked her to sit down.
    “How can I help you?” he asked.
    “This is going to sound a little odd.”
    “Please go ahead.”
    “Okay.” Anna shifted in her leather seat.
    One side of Wil’s mouth curved up a little now. He seemed to have moved on from his previous surprise at the name Siegel.
    Anna took this as encouragement. “My grandfather’s family used to own Schloss Siegel. His name is Max Albrecht.”
    Wil leaned back in his seat. Those green eyes narrowed and the smile disappeared. “Really,” he said, his voice quiet.
    Anna went on. “I understand that the new owners are clients of yours.”
    There was a silence.
    “Okay.” Anna cleared her throat. Why was this so hard? Why did everyone respond to this information with reticence? Best to just plow on. “The thing is, my grandfather asked me to come all the way here because he left something in the Schloss. In 1940, as it turns out. It’s been a long time, obviously.” This sounded utterly mad. “And he wants—needs—it back. Kind of soon.”
    “Nineteen forty?”
    “Yes.”
    Wil raised a tawny brow.
    “I was wondering if the owners might let me inside so that I can retrieve his property. It shouldn’t take long.”
    Wil shook his head and almost chuckled. But then he looked serious again. “The owners would never let you inside. And I wouldn’t advise them to.”
    Anna was prepared for this. “My grandfather is ninety-four. This means a lot to him. I was hoping you could help. He’s not asking to be given anything—the past is the past—but he has this one wish.”
    Wil shook his head. “Are you telling me you’ve come all this way for this?”
    Anna held his gaze. “Max wants his—item—back.”
    “We’ve established that,” Wil said. “But I am one hundred percent certain that my client will not let you in. Sorry. I can’t help you.”
    “Could someone accompany me into the Schloss while I get it?”
    Wil chuckled.
    This irritated Anna even more, but she waited for him to answer.
    “It’s unsafe. The Schloss is abandoned. Empty.” He leaned forward now, clasped his hands on the desk. Looked straight at Anna as if he were ready for a debate.
    “So how do I get this—thing—back for my grandfather then?” Anna kept her voice even.
    “I can’t see how you possibly can.”
    Anna held back the derisive laugh that was forming in her own throat. “Could you give me the owner’s name, please? I think I should contact them directly.” Maybe they would be more reasonable than their lawyer. She could only hope. They would surely understand that she didn’t want to interfere—she just wanted to give an old man his wish.
    “I can’t give out clients’ names, Ms. Young.”
    “It’s Anna. Are you the only lawyer handling this client’s interests?” Maybe there was someone more senior who could help. But Wil was a partner in the firm.
    “I handle this client myself, Anna.” Wil looked at his watch.
    “But the property inside the Schloss belonged to my grandfather. Surely you can’t just dismiss that out of hand.”
    Wil still didn’t move. “It belonged to him once. Not now.”
    “Oh, but if he left it there, doesn’t it still belong to . . . ,” Anna stopped. She did not want to show that she was rattled. That seemed important if