Blood Ties by Warren Adler Page A

up? "To
begin with, there is money." He watched her search for control, her eyes
darting in Albert's direction. But Albert was otherwise engaged, animated in
conversation with Olga. "...Endless supplies of money." The point was
worth emphasizing. It was after all the lynchpin of his own marriage. "And
privileged position. Von Kassels have social status. And titles. All the males
are Barons. There is a mystique about this silly title. That would make Heather
a Baroness. And Olga as well. My cousins revel in it like pigs in swill."
    "And now she will claim the rewards of her marriage
bed," Dawn said, the focus of her thoughts clear.
    "She is, of course, a von Kassel by injection."
He began to giggle at his own humor. Dawn turned, moving away. There was the
hint of misty eyes. He watched her toss off the martini and gain speed as she
walked, with an air of deliberation, in the direction of the arched entrance.
The ladies' room, he thought, the obvious refuge.
    "You have that smirking insufferable glassy
look." It was Heather, returned now, being waspish.
    "Really, Siegfried. You are about to make a screaming
ass of yourself," she said, jerking the glass from his hand in a swift,
expert gesture. Sulking, he moved past her, then wandered into the lobby.
Standing in the forest of empty Knights, his ear caught a sudden stir.
    The hotel manager, Hans, his face twisted into a grimace,
was trying to avoid a spectacle involving himself and a woman. She was wearing
a wide brimmed hat and a heavy, much abused fur coat, an eccentric outfit
considering the season. Under the wide brim, her features were blurred and the
skin was painted dead white with thick powder. A blotch of scarlet crossed her
face above her chin. She was chunky. Thin legs, visible above thick-soled
shoelaced shoes, indicated that she was not as young as she wanted to suggest.
    Watching the interchange was amusing, certainly a better
alternative than being harassed by Heather. He moved to get a clearer view
without being seen. Hans had managed to ease the woman toward a less visible
position, preventing a greater disturbance.
    "I will simply not allow the Baron to be bothered
tonight. Not under any circumstances. I would suggest you come back tomorrow.
Naturally, you will call first. Now what will it be? Shall I call the police?
Or call you a taxi?"
    Siegfried drifted within earshot, pretending to view one of
the armor exhibits.
    "I will see him tonight," the woman said. Her
voice had no edge of anger. She was matter of fact, determined. "And you
will give me a room."
    Hans, in exasperation, looked upward to the ceiling as if
relief were to be found there. His voice pitched higher. The fawning disappeared,
revealing his contempt. He was disdainful of people who did not count and the
woman provided excellent fodder for such a reaction.
    "That is impossible," Hans reiterated. He snapped
his fingers and a boy appeared. "You will put this woman's baggage outside
of this hotel. Immediately." Without a murmur, the young man lifted the
baggage and went outside.
    "I have no intention of leaving," the woman said
firmly. "I will see the Baron now. You will get me a room."
    Siegfried moved closer, his curiosity piqued. He slipped
quickly into a high-backed wing chair that hid him from view.
    "I told you I would inquire tomorrow. No one is
allowed to interfere with the Baron, especially tonight."
    "You will do this."
    "You are insufferable."
    He heard the sound of a telephone dialing, the agitation
emphasized by the grating sound of the dial's return thrust.
    "A woman," Hans hissed into the mouthpiece. He
caught only pieces of the conversation. "Here ... in the lobby ... really
... she will not give her name ... all right ... I'll tell her, Countess."
The telephone banged in its cradle.
    "Countess von Berghoff will be right down," Hans
said, the voice tight as he tried to cap his anger.
    "I did not ask to see her," the woman protested.
    "You'd prefer the police?"
    There was no further