*
Both men sat down in the Manor’s snug at the Fish and Feather with a sigh, sinking into the soft leather club chairs. A young girl cam over and took their drink orders before quickly moving back to the bar. She returned within seconds with their drinks.
“I certainly enjoy the perks of our position,” announced Schell having a drink and taking in the private snug. “On one of my excursions back to Germany I got a good beer recipe from a local brewer and brought it back. So now they make my favourite beer.”
“I wondered why they offered it to me the first time I came in here, since nobody else was drinking it,” joked Pierce.
“Cretins, the whole bunch,” he laughed in reply.
“So where in Germany are you from?” inquired Pierce, taking a drink from his own beer.
“Berlin, well a suburb outside of Berlin,” answered Schell easily. “Although my family had land throughout what was once Prussia. But I imagine you don’t want to know where in Germany I’m from, but when.”
Pierce had merely meant to make small talk until he could track down Jane and figure a smart way of finding out what happened to Lodge. He would have to ask it in such a way that she wouldn’t realize he knew Lodge was no longer here.
“I keep forgetting everyone is from both a different place and time,” Pierce said, bringing his attention back to his companion.
“Some people think it matters more when you came from than where. They believe when you lived can provide a better insight into who you are.”
“And what do you believe?”
“That people are people,” shrugged Schell taking another drink.
“So when were you a German diplomat?”
Schell sized up Pierce from his seat opposite of him, thinking quietly. When he began speaking it was casual, as if he was talking about the weather and seemingly hadn’t just made a tough decision.
“It was in the 1930’s,” he started, looking for a reaction. Seeing none he continued, “I joined the Foreign Department after University during the Weimar Republic. It was a golden age of diplomacy. War had gone out of fashion; therefore dispute resolution became the sole domain of the diplomat. I was able to travel to many places.”
“Then…” said Pierce knowingly.
“Yes, I thought you were clever,” he replied. He stood up and waved at the waitress. When she came over he ordered another round and a pair of beef pies. The drinks came quickly as before, soon followed by the food which she placed at the empty table. Both men moved to the table from their club chairs in order to eat.
“I’m sorry if the subject is troubling,” offered Pierce slightly embarrassed.
“Don’t be, it’s not a problem for me,” he replied taking a forkful of beef before continuing. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe you were alluding to the appearance of Hitler and the Nazi’s in the German government.”
Pierce nodded once, hoping he hadn’t touched a sore spot.
“I met the man you know. He had a certain charisma, an attraction even, in those early days. If we had known then…” he trailed off shaking his head. “Well, after they took power I stayed on for a little while. But it wasn’t the same. People started being replaced by hacks, so I left before they could get rid of me. At that point many of us felt powerless, sensing the oncoming war with no possibility of avoidance.”
“So what did you do?”
“I kept my head down and survived.”
“But you weren’t a…?”
“A what? A Nazi?” He replied amused. “Patrick, we were all Nazi’s, whether we admitted it or not. The Nazi’s didn’t invade Germany. They rose up from within; democratically elected amidst large popular support I might add.”
Pierce didn’t know how to take this statement, so he just finished eating his food. Schell finished first, leaning back from the table.
“I don’t know why Dr, Cleaver dislikes this place. The food is delicious.” He placed his napkin beside his empty plate and excused himself.
The waitress appeared to clear their table before Pierce could figure out a plan to see Jane. So he found himself asking her where she was, without so much as an excuse.
“Jane, my Lord?” She responded thinking, “why she went back to work at the Manor this morning. I’m not sure the circumstances.”
This made sense to Pierce, since she was obviously sent here to look after Lodge while he was in the pub. However he couldn’t help but feel as though Lord Lodge was in even more trouble now that she had been dispensed with. Perhaps she knew where he had been taken or at the very least could provide a clue.
When Schell returned they both donned their riding jackets and made their way to the stable where they had left their horses. They rode back to the Manor along the road in companionable silence, with Schell answering the odd question posed by Pierce about the surrounding countryside.
After arriving at the Manor, Pierce thanked Schell for the afternoon and made his way to his rooms as soon as the groom took his horse. He was met by Melrose at the top of the staircase in the main entrance hall.
“How did you know I was back already?” inquired Pierce. “Are you psychic?”
“Part of the training sir,” deadpanned Melrose in response. “However in this instance I saw you and Lord Schell returning along the drive.”
“Have you heard any more rumours about Lord Lodge?” asked Pierce quietly as they turned to make their way up to his rooms.
“Nothing of any consequence.”
“What about Jane? Have you seen here yet?”
“No sir, should I have?”
“One of the barmaids told me Jane had returned to work at the Manor this morning.”
“Not that I’ve heard,” replied Melrose shaking his head. “I’ll ask around, but if I haven’t heard about it yet, there’s only two options.”
“And they are?”
“That I’ve either lost my ability to remain informed of the Manor’s activities or she has not returned.”
“I hate to contemplate either of those options,” Pierce said quietly. “Find out where she is Melrose. She is our only link to Lord Lodge.”
Chapter 10