Adam Blake - 146. Chapter 146

Josef accompanied us back home, ready to assume Hans’s position. The boys at the school were glad to see me, and I learned how to use FaceTime.

Gerry and I talked each day, he smiled a lot, and I knew he was getting comfortable with the position. Hans told Josef that the people love him. I had planned on going over once a month for a week. We were going to review projects, the state of the country, and plans for further development.

It was late in the year when I had terrible dreams. Something was wrong, and I couldn’t place it. Little Marie got sick, and I thought that must be it. It wasn’t, and the dreams were getting worse.

I FaceTime with Gerry and told him I’m sending the plane for him and Hans. I gave him the time of arrival and told him to be at the airport. The plane is going to turn and fly right back. Do not tell anyone you are coming. Your dad gave me a job to do.

Joseph came to my office, and they are on the way back. “Josef, when he arrives, have the busses ready to take him, Hans, and the boys to the cabin.”

James notify Richard that I’m making an emergency trip to Liechtenstein. "There are problems there that Gerry will find hard to resolve. I will do it for him.”

“The busses are loaded.”

“Go, and I’ll call Mom and Dad and tell them the boys are coming.”

I went to our apartments, “Marie, the boys are going to the cabin. I want you and the family to go as well. You can ride the bus if you want, but you need to hurry.”

“Adam, you’ll tell me what is going on, won’t you?”

“Yes, when I return. Now go.”

I had the copter fly me to the airport. As soon as our plane landed, I had them refuel and get ready to go back. “Gerry, you are going fishing. Josef, see that he’s taken care of, he’s your Prince, don’t forget it. Hans, let’s go.”

We were in the air as soon as they finished refueling. “Hans, we have a job to do when we get there. We have an enemy among our ministers, he is trying to say the Prince is too young and the country needs an older and wiser man to rule it. I know who he is, and I’m going to put him on trial when we get there. You need to set up the meeting room for the trial. All I need is a long table.”

He looked at me in shock, “I never heard of anyone say that He wasn’t capable.”

“It isn’t a case of capability but one of greed. The Prince is a wealthy man but a generous man as well. You know more about him than anyone. Would you say he’s selfish, only looking out for himself, not caring about the country?”

“No, he is as generous as his father was. The people love him, and I can’t understand why a member of his staff would do such a thing.”

“Maybe we’ll find out. Did you do as I asked?”

“Yes, no one will know we’re coming back.”

“Does the Palace know He isn’t there?”

“They will find out this morning.”\

“Good, my friend will be surprised when he sees me.”

I slept a little. It was a good dream but an educated dream as well.

I had been studying German at school so that I could speak basic German. I spoke to Richard, and he confirmed my hypothesis and gave me the alternatives to offer in place of death. I was riled up and ready to shoot my bear.

“We arrived at the Palace. My butler was surprised to see me. I went to my room and changed into my, what I called, my royal clothes. Hans came with me.

Hans and I sat and had a light breakfast. One of his staff came and said the room was ready. When I walked into the room, the ministers were glad to see me. One tried to pull a Judas trick by shaking my hand. I gave him a hard stare, and you could see as he became uneasy.

Now was the time to speak in German, “My ministers, it has come to my attention that one of you is a Judas. Sowing discontent among a select few of our citizens, I’m here to resolve that issue.

“You don’t have the right.”

“Who here remembers the coronation of the Prince, who here remembers why I have a gold circle on my head? Please inform our beloved minister.”

I listened. Our beloved minister became anxious as Hans, and his men circled the table.

“Minister, you have been sowing bad oats. You have told the people that the Prince is too young and doesn’t have the knowledge to rule. One of you should rule, and that one is you. What gives you the right to say that? If something happens to the Prince, I would assume the rule, not you. Speak”

“He is too young, and he gives our money away on stupid projects.”

“Our money, (angrily) OUR MONEY, it isn’t our money. It’s his money. You are the greedy one, you have a position here, on his staff, and you stab him in the back. Before I impose a sentence on you, will you recant your comments to the people? Will you resign your position?”

“No, his father gave me this position, and only he can take it away.”

“You’re wrong. Hans, move this man to the cells below the Palace, have a priest come to hear his confession, tomorrow at 9, he will be hung for treason.”

I watched as Hans’s men came and picked him up and carried him out of the room. “Is there anyone else who feels like he does?”

To a man, “No, my Prince.”

“Let it be known why he is being hung, also let it be known anyone who goes against the Prince will be found out and treated the same way. Hans, pick up the citizens who sided with him. I’ll hold court after tomorrow. You, Ministers, will be the jury, but I hold the right to overturn your findings, and I’ll set the sentence. You are dismissed.” I got up and left, followed by Hans.

When we reached the sitting room, Hans knelt before me, “my Prince.”

“No, Hans, I’m his protector. And as long as I’m alive, no one will ever try that again. Now let’s sit and have a coffee.”