The Secret Crown (2010) Read Online Free PDF Page A

In truth, neither of them had a background in history, archaeology or any related field, but they made up for their deficiencies in other ways. Both men were highly trained operatives, extremely intelligent and always looking for a challenge.
    To them, the promise of a new mission was the ultimate bait.
    To sweeten the deal, Kaiser had chartered a luxury jet for their nine-hour flight to Germany. Due to the six-hour time difference, the Gulfstream V left a private terminal in Pittsburgh just before midnight and arrived in Munich at 2.50 p.m. All things considered, the trip was a pleasant one. Payne and Jones slept comfortably in reclining leather chairs. They spent the rest of the time playing cards and watching movies on a giant plasma screen. A fully stocked refrigerator, filled with an assortment of snacks and gourmet foods, kept them fed. Sports drinks and bottled water kept them hydrated. Over the years, they had been on enough missions to perfect the art of travelling. They knew when to eat, when to sleep and what they needed to bring. Like expectant mothers, they even kept travel bags by their doors, just in case they were forced to leave in the middle of the night and didn’t have time to pack.
    Of course, pregnant women rarely packed ammo.
    Despite the luxury jet and the lure of treasure, Payne and Jones had played hard to get until Kaiser brought out his secret weapon - the pageantry of the world’s largest fair. As luck should have it, Oktoberfest had started the day before and would continue until 3 October. Held annually in Munich, the sixteen-day festival would attract more than six million people, many of whom would eat too much and drink even more. The duo had always wanted to attend, but had never made the arrangements. With Kaiser’s connections in Germany and his generous offer to foot their bill, Payne and Jones realized this was the perfect time to go.
    The meeting came first, then two days of celebrating.
    What could possibly go wrong?
    Kaiser greeted them inside a private hangar near Munich airport. He was wearing a T-shirt, blue jeans and a brown leather jacket - the same clothes he always wore. Nothing about his appearance really stood out, and nothing about him seemed menacing. In his mid-fifties, he had slicked-back grey hair and bushy eyebrows that dangled above his dark eyes. When he talked, he smiled a lot, like a friendly neighbour or a local merchant who cared about his customers.
    And the truth was he actually did.
    A decade earlier, when Payne and Jones had met Kaiser for the first time, they figured his kindness was just an act, that he was being nice to them in order to get their business. But over time, they realized that wasn’t the case. Kaiser was a good guy, a gracious guy, who was very good at his job. He didn’t lie, or steal, or sell drugs. He didn’t rip people off. He made his money by acquiring hard-to-find items and selling them at a fair price. To military personnel stationed in Germany, Kaiser wasn’t a criminal, he was a businessman. Nothing more, nothing less.
    Then again, every once in a while, Payne and Jones would hear stories about Kaiser that were less than flattering. Mostly they involved suppliers who tried to con him, or buyers who went against their word. In those situations, Kaiser abandoned his cordial persona and handled the offenders in an appropriate fashion. He liked to refer to it as ‘street justice’. Once Payne and Jones had asked him about a violent rumour, but Kaiser wouldn’t confirm or deny anything, obviously enjoying his reputation. Then he told them something they would never forget.
    Never mistake kindness for weakness.
    To this day, it was still one of their favourite sayings.
    ‘How was the flight?’ Kaiser asked as he shook Payne’s hand.
    ‘Wonderful. Thanks for the royal treatment.’
    ‘Nothing but the best for you two.’
    Jones gave Kaiser a friendly hug. ‘Not to be rude, but are you sure you can afford it?’
    Kaiser looked