Lethal Habit - Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-one
Nadine called Erik’s office, pretending to be a bank manager. Erik’s assistant answered.
“This is Nadia Kominski from Banker’s Trust. Could I please speak with Erik Lustenberg.”
“This is Harold Berkowitz, I’m Mr. Lustenberg’s assistant. What’s this regarding?”
“I have some papers he needs to sign. When will he be available?”
“He’s on business in Germany.”
“I see. We have offices there. A representative could meet him there. What city is he in?”
“Berlin.”
“Perfect. If you could send me his contact information, I’ll arrange a meeting at his convenience. You can text it to this number.”
Nadine got what she needed and started working out the final movement of her unfinished symphony.
She prayed, “God give me the strength to right these wrongs. Keep me strong so that I can carry out your will. Amen.”
On a hunch, she called the Ritz-Carlton in Berlin.
“This is Nadia from Banker’s Trust. I was informed that Erik Lustenberg is staying with you.”
“One moment please.”
The concierge checked the register and was back on the phone.
“Yes, he is. Would you like me to transfer you to him?”
“No, that won’t be necessary. I just wanted to make sure he got there okay. Thank you for your cooperation.”
She hung up and smiled, then booked a British Airways flight to Berlin. She arrived in less than two hours at Brandenburg Airport and took a taxi to Restaurant Facil which an acquaintance had told her about. She entered the restaurant and was seated at a corner table. The waiter brought her a wine list and she ordered a glass of Riesling. She’d have a leisurely meal while she contemplated Erik’s future which didn’t look all that promising. Absorbed in her thoughts, the waiter came to her table.
“Is everything okay?” he asked.
Nadine came out of her reverie.
“Perfect, thank you. What do you recommend?”
“The Knollensellerie is excellent.”
Not knowing German cuisine, she took his word for it. Luckily, he spoke fluent English and described what it was.
“I’ll have that then.”
A steaming plate came in about twenty minutes and it was indeed delicious. She ordered another glass of wine and enjoyed the afterglow of a fine dinner in a foreign country. Now, it was time for business. She imagined how it would all go, and when she was satisfied, she got up from the table leaving a generous tip. The waiter thanked her, but her mind was somewhere else as she walked purposely to her destination.