CHAPTER 003
1312 Words
Greta Lindner is my name. I don't talk much about my work, but let's just say that I know how to manage things effectively and quietly. My private phone began buzzing on the bench as I was in the middle of my daily workout, perspiration streaming down my back. That was a rare number. That was sufficient to accelerate my heartbeat.
I picked up the phone and looked at the caller ID.
Liesl.
A small, deadpan voice sounded through the speaker before I could even finish my greeting.
"Tante Patin, Mom told me to call her after this."
My eyebrows went up. "Finn?"
Click.
Lost. It's as simple as that.
When he spoke to anyone outside of his family, that child's tone was always so cold. However, he is an entirely different boy when you see him playing with his mother or sister. He is truly endearing. I suppose I couldn't hold him responsible. He just did it that way.
After shaking my head, I went to the shower. That call wasn't typical. Unless it was absolutely necessary, Liesl would never send her son to deliver a message. She had the option to text. However, her decision not to text indicated that something was wrong.
I picked up the phone, wrapped in a towel and dripping water, and called back.
Ring, ring. Ring, ring.
Click.
I waited.
The voice has not returned yet.
Then, in the background, I heard a child yell, "Mama! Tante Greta's calling!"
Yes. Without a doubt, Finn was right. His voice was sharp, and I knew it.
When the queue finally calmed down, Liesl entered.
"Greta."
Just one word. tone of seriousness.
It only required that.
"Liesl. What's the matter? I enquired. I was not interested in engaging in small talk. In any case, she didn't sound like she was game.
"Please verify the date of one of my companies' upcoming general meetings."
I didn't even have to ask which one it was. The name was already in my head.
It must be AKF GmbH.
But I said, "Which one? You control more businesses than I can enumerate.
"AKF."
was aware of it.
"Interesting timing," I remarked. "A meeting is about to take place. The rumours have been spreading quickly. There's a plan to remove you from your own company.
On the other end, I could practically hear her smirk.
Since you consistently send representatives rather than attending in person, it appears that some of the other board members believe the CEO is a myth.
"Let them think that," she said calmly. "We're ending it this year."
I suspected that something shady was going on. Rumour has it that Mr. Kaufmann is interested in becoming CEO. He is attempting to assume command.
A pause occurred.
Liesl said, "I'll send you the files." Review everything. Write a thorough report. We strike them where the pain is.
"The same strategy as before?"
"You got it. When they discover who is actually in charge, we can observe their bravery.
"Oh, I already adore this. Do you need anything else from me?
That's all. Goodbye, Greta.
Her voice returned, a little softer, just as I was ready to hang up.
"Hold on. I simply want to express my gratitude. Even after I left Dunkeld, you were there for me no matter what. You stayed with me when most people would have left.
I was silent for a moment. I struggled with the mushy stuff.
Agent Pohl and Schwarz Eins would have dropped their coffee cups if they had heard her.
The queue then died.
My phone buzzed once more a minute later. The files arrived.
I swiftly skimmed the papers, focusing on the missing money lines.
This was no small matter. The task was enormous.
And one name kept coming up.
Kaufmann, Herr.
Naturally.
"Tsk," I muttered to myself as I sat back and snorted. What a dumbass. He genuinely believes he can outperform Liesl Hartmann.
There are those who never learn.
Knowing that I would need all of my energy tomorrow, I went to bed early that evening. I had a job to do, and the twins were on the way.
Buzz, buzz.
The alarm clock let out a loud cry. It's time to go.
Take a quick shower. Jeans, jacket. A bag filled with papers. Come on.
I picked up my phone and took the call.
"Hello?"
"The car is ready, Miss Lindner."
"Thank you!"
Downstairs, I jogged. My driver had already gone outside with the engine running. He was the same man I'd known for years. Although he once told me that wasn't even his real name, we called him Herr Fahrer. I never enquired as to what it was.
In the US, he was a cleaner for one of those illegal agencies. barely made it out alive. He was wandering the streets like a ghost when I found him. took him in. He's family now.
He opened the door with a weary smile and said, "Morning, iha."
"Good morning, Herr Fahrer. Are you prepared for a road trip?
“Always.”
Wheels crunching gravel, we pulled out of the driveway. I took a seat back and observed the trees as they passed by the window.
I said, "By the way, you're joining us." Today, we are returning to the Philippines.
He blinked. "Me?"
Indeed. We'll drop by and collect your belongings. It will be your first time seeing your family.
He glanced down at his hands on the steering wheel. "I haven't seen them in ten years," he said softly.
"All right, you will now."
"Iha, thank you. Actually.
"It's nothing."
The tension gradually subsided as we drove in silence for a while.
After a lengthy silence, he said, "Do you think they'll remember me?"
"Are you serious? They will yell your name as they flee the house.
He laughed. "I hope you're correct."
"You should work on your hugs. You will require them.
We both chuckled. It was pleasant. Warm.
"And what about Liesl?" he then enquired. Do you believe she is prepared for this battle?
"She was ready from the start."
I rested my head on the glass.
Actually, I was confident that Liesl could manage herself. She had left Schwarzer Engel, all the missions, all the bullets, and all the secrets. And still—she was able to maintain covert control over AKF. But it was time to come out in the light now that the vultures were circling.
"Do you believe Herr Kaufmann is aware that it's her?" My driver enquired.
"No. And it will be too late when he discovers it.
"Will she attend the meeting?"
"She may."
"She ought to."
"She will."
And there was nothing more to say.
The strategy was straightforward: gather the evidence, present it to the board, disclose Kaufmann's theft, and then observe the outcome.
I was certain she would prevail. It still gave me a rush, though. The arrangement. The tension. The descent.
It was similar to seeing the last puzzle piece fall into place.
I took the folder out of my bag and took another look at the numbers.
The numbers were in the thousands upon thousands. They vanished and were concealed by dubious third-party transfers and dummy accounts. However, he had made a mistake. One company listed his name as a secondary contact.
amateur error.
No one checked, he believed.
I guess he forgot about me.
We arrived at the first stop. His location.
"Go get your belongings. I told him, "I'll wait."
With a nod, he exited.
I allowed myself to reflect on the days ahead as I sat there. I was thrilled to reunite with Lina and Finn. the expressions on their faces upon seeing me at the airport. I observed Liesl enter the boardroom and take control of the meeting. observing Kaufmann's self-satisfied smile disappear.B
Yes.
It was going to be enjoyable.
- Writer
