“I suppose so. This shipyard you used. What’s the name of it?”
“A shipyard in Megara. Megara Shipyards, I think they’re called.”
“And the artifacts you found. Where are they now?”
“They were on the ship. The Doris was my home. I kept everything of value there. Diving equipment, cameras, you name it.”
“I notice that you didn’t put a value on the artifacts. In fact, they’re the only thing you didn’t put on the list of things for which you intend to make a claim.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“All the same, they must have been quite valuable if they inspired an expedition to return to this old shipwreck.”
“I suppose so. But it hardly matters now, does it? I mean I don’t have the paperwork to prove I ever had them. Or even what they were.”
“Oh, I don’t think that would be a problem,” I said helpfully. “Surely this Professor Buchholz could provide a value, couldn’t he? After all, he must have seen the pieces when you were looking to get the expedition financed. To whet his appetite. We can ask him. I’ll need to speak to him anyway, just in case he decides to make a claim against you, for whatever reason.”
“Why would he do that?”
“Oh, I don’t know. But rest assured, you’re covered for that, too.”
“He won’t be making a claim.”
“You seem very sure of that, sir. May I ask why?”
“He just won’t be. Take my word for it.”
“Did he have an insurance policy of his own?”
“I don’t know. But if he had, it’s nothing to do with me.”
“You might think that. But if he claims against his insurance then they might easily make a claim against Munich RE. I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t try to speak with him. Just to make sure of what you say. Where can I get in touch with him?”
“I don’t really know.”
“You must have had his address—when he first came to Greece.”
“I believe he was staying at the Acropolis Palace, here in Athens.”
“Well, perhaps he’s there now.”
“Perhaps. But I think he may already have gone back to Germany.”
“No matter. I can contact him there just as easily. I’m going back to Germany myself just as soon as I’ve settled your claim.”
“So you are going to settle it, then?” he sneered. “Instead of just asking a lot of damn-fool questions.”
“I’m surprised to hear you say that, given the sum of money involved.”
“Look, about the artifacts, let’s forget about them, shall we? I don’t want to claim for those. Not least because I don’t want the museum in Piraeus chasing me for half their value. You can understand that, can’t you?”
“I can understand. But it doesn’t change anything. They might not chase you for half the value. But they might feel differently about chasing your insurance company.”
Until now I’d seen little sign in Siegfried Witzel of the ill temper Garlopis had mentioned, but this was about to change. Witzel was already grimacing and shaking his head irritably, which made Garlopis look nervous.
“Look, what is all this shit? I expect the runaround from him.” Witzel jerked his head at Garlopis. “He’s a damned Greek. But not from a fellow German. I’ve told you all I know.”
“You might think so. But it’s also my job to find out the things you don’t know. To put the umlauts over everything. You’re an educated man, you understand that, surely.”
“Don’t patronize me, Herr Ganz.”
“It could even be that with your cooperation I find enough evidence to sue the shipyard in Megara for negligence.”
“I don’t want to sue anyone. Look, friend, I have to live here. Imagine how things would be if I started suing these people. We Germans have a bad enough name already.”
“Yes, I take your point. But I’m just doing my job. Looking after my employer’s interests. As well as yours.”
“I’ve been a good customer. I’ve paid my premiums, regular as clockwork. And I’ve never made a claim before. You must be aware of that. The trouble with pen pushers like you, Herr Ganz, is that you think you can push people around just as easily as that Pelikan in your hand.”
“I don’t push people around. Not even when I want to. But if I did, I’d think it better to be pushed around with a pen instead of with a gun like the one under your arm.”
Witzel smiled sheepishly. “Oh. That.”
“Yes. That. Frankly, it makes me wonder a bit about you. The Bismarck, I mean. Not many of our claimants carry guns, Herr Witzel.”
“I’ve a license for it, I can assure you.” He shook his head. “When you’re in seaports late at night as often as I am, you might carry a gun or a knife in the same way that another man might carry a pen. Fishermen play rough. And not just them. Eight years after a civil war just as bitter as the one fought in Spain, it’s wise to go carefully on a strange island or in a big city. Fifty thousand people were killed in this country.”
“I’ll buy that.”
“I’m not selling it. That’s just a fact. Take it or leave it.”
“What I would like to take is your present address. Or the name and address of your lawyer, if you have one. And please, the address for Professor Buchholz.”
“I can’t give you my own address right now. I’m staying with friends, which means I’m almost never in the same place twice. Until I get some damn money out of you people, I can’t afford a hotel.”
“In which case you should appoint a lawyer to look after your interests. So that we can get in touch with you.”
“Very well. If you think it’s necessary.”
“And
