Free Emerald by Garner Scott Odell Page B

first returned from Argentina. He had been half drunk celebrating his return, with friends from the Baader-Meinhof, and had wandered into that out-of-the-way bar in Berlin to finish off the night. They had only been there a short time when he noticed the other patrons moving away from them one by one. Paranoia flared; bells went off. He slipped into the men’s room quietly. While he was prying open the window to the alley, staccato blasts of Uzi fire ripped through the night. He dove head first out the window, landing in a pile of garbage and ran off, escaping into the protection of the anonymous night.
    He learned a few hours later that all seven of his companions had been murdered by the police in that raid. But for his sense of danger, his paranoia, he would be resting beside his friends in a Berlin cemetery this very minute. No more companions ever again. They just get killed, or worse. He was sure it was a friend that had betrayed them that night. With a maniacal vengeance he pursued all who might have been involved. But he couldn’t isolate the exact origin of that betrayal even with his special brand of torture. He was never certain if he had found the person responsible. No more friends. Friends only cause pain.
    The flash-back faded as he saw Emily walk into the bar and look around. He remained seated and, after a few moments, she finally spotted him, quickly walked back and sat opposite.
    “Hello Klaus.”
    “Emily, my cherub, how are you tonight? You look luscious enough to eat. Maybe I will later.” Emily blushed, burying her head in one of the dirty menus. “Please don’t say things like that in public, Klaus. I have a hard time concentrating.” “Well, my hefty tart, that is just what you’re supposed to concentrate on: the rocking and rolling of your bed tonight.” Hans leered at her and asked, “Wine? Or a beer? No, how about an aperitif? That should cool you down for a bit. But not for too long! Waiter!”
    “Klaus, why are we meeting in this dirty bar? I don’t like this place and I almost didn’t come in when the cab driver stopped here. This doesn’t seem like a place you’d like.”
    “I know Emily. I wouldn’t normally come to a place like this, but it is owned by an old friend of mine and I wanted to see him and give him a little trade. We won’t stay long, and believe me, you’re perfectly safe here with me.”
    After their orders were taken, Hans, his shoeless foot rubbing the inside of her leg under the table, leaned over and whispered “What have you found to share with Pa-Pa tonight? Did you find out anything about auctioning that special emerald I spoke to you about?” My emerald he meant, but did not say it.
    Emily looked around nervously, and said quietly, “I’m not sure yet, Klaus”
    “What do you mean, I’m not sure yet?”
    “Well, I did happen to overhear a telephone conversation between Mr. Brunstein, from the bank and Dr. Franz. Mr. Brunstein said that they would not be able to release that emerald for an auction until the heirs of the owners had been contacted. I had to quickly hang up the phone then because someone came into the office. That’s all I got to hear.”
    “That’s really all you know then.”
    Hans was forcing Emily’s leg against the edge of the table leg, hoping a little pain might help her remember a few more details.
    “Honestly Klaus, that’s all I know right now. Ouch, Klaus you’re hurting my leg.”
    The waiter reappeared with their drinks and left. Hans was quiet staring into space.
    “What’s wrong, Klaus? I’ll let you know when the auction is scheduled for that stone, and besides I’ll check our coming auctions to see if there are any other jewels you might be interested in. Why is this one so important to you?”
    “You wouldn’t understand. I’ve wanted this one for such a long time now.”
    Emily hadn’t touched her wine yet and touched Hans hand and asked, “Can’t we leave this awful place and go to somewhere a