Chapter 91
Jasper came in just after 11. I had less than hour to get ready and be at the office.
As I jumped in the shower Jasper stood at the door yelling out instructions.
"Jasper, if you can handle seeing a naked man, get in here so we aren't telling the whole Upper East Side our business."
As Jasper walked in, we continued talking. He was instructing me on what colours to wear, how I needed my hair, how I should be wearing glasses, the whole media talking points to look the part for the announcement.
As I exited the bathroom, I put on a navy pin suit, white shirt, blue tie. As I was affixing my tie in place, Jasper removed it.
"No, actually, no tie. You have been up all night, it doesn't suit the narrative of the speech."
"OK, this look better?"
"Yep, perfect!" he replied as we headed down stairs. One of the housemaids was waiting with a coffee for me in my travel cup. Johan had been showered and suited up, and sam was coming with me as well. Steven would be there, and both Johan and Steven would be flanking me during my speech, as a sign of strength, but for me, more so much needed support.
It was show time.
Arriving at the office, the amount of OB vans from all media companies were lined up out the front. Heading up in the elevator, there were just so many people milling around, I had bought on a slight anxiety attack, and as Jasper placed his had on my back, he moved me through the crowds towards to my office.
We were using the event space on the top floor to hold the conference, and there were apparently 200 people up there already setting up.
Count down was 15mins, but my surprise guest was nowhere to be seen. It was at that time that I caught a glimpse of the slight frame of the man I needed here with me whilst I delivered this speech.
"Rabbi, thank you for coming. Are you sure you are OK with this?"
As he grabbed my hand with both of his, he assured me that my word was all he needed, and that he was right to go.
"Um, Grant, I don't like surprises" Jasper through in.
"He's not a surprise, he will be our saving grace. Trust me."
4 mins to go and we made our way upstairs. We were aware that many networks were going to be broadcasting live, and we had to make sure our timing was perfect. Entering the room, a hush of quiet came over, with the exception of the noise of hundreds of camera's flashing in every direction, but mainly trying to capture me as I walked to the podium.
"Thank you all for joining us today" started as I gathered myself an my thoughts before having a drink of water.
As the teleprompter kicked in, I was ready to go. This was the make or break speech of my life. As I was about to start speaking, I received a text message on my phone which was on the podium.
"You are amazing, we are watching you. Love you bub" It was from Jackson, and as a calm descended over me I started.
"I will be making a statement, and after the statement we will be taking questions. Whilst I am not the best at these types of things, I will be giving you all the time you need, and with me here is Steven Smith, my brother and CEO of Deutsch Volkbank America, and Johan Edelman the CFO of Deutsch Volkbank international, who both lead our senior leadership team."
I started with some background on me, for thse that weren't aware, which was also a way of me not being aware of any of the historical happenings, prior to a year ago. This then led me to the main topics.
"In the day after I commenced, Johan had a team of independent auditors come in and do a once over our operations, as it had never been done, and as there was a new owner, so to speak, he wanted to make sure I was not hit with any surprises. Unfortunately, this was not to be the case. Last week, the report discovered some discrepancies that warranted further investigations, which, I was compelled to investigate further, and with Johan's help we discovered a bank irregularity in the vicinity of $500m Euro a year."
"Whilst we are a private bank, and I own 100% of the operations, I still have obligations to our deposit holders, and we are still heavily regulated by The European Banking Authority, and to this end, we needed to get to the bottom of it"
There were muffles in the room by this stage, and I raised my hand to get them to settle down so I could continue.
"Whilst I was at my home in Munich, I discovered the secret office of my late Grandfather". We displayed pictures of the room on a screen that was in the room, giving context and transparency to what I was saying.
"It was during this discovery, that a lot of answers came about to the money that was being transferred out. Some of the documents discovered, related back to post WW2 and the illegal funnelling of money by Nazi's, and Nazi sympathisers. It was a shock to not only me, but my whole family, and those I have shared this information with. Furthermore, upon digging deeper, we have fond those accounts are still held in our Munich branch, and total in excess of $5 billion Euro. This morning, after conferring with my legal teams, we have placed a freeze on these accounts."
This caused an explosion of questions, and as I let them yell for a minute, I raised my hands and again asked for silence so I could continue.
"Also contained in the office, was a locked box of rare gemstones, with an approx. value of $1 Billion USD, including the De Beer Diamond, believed missing, and various other stones of great value, both historical and monetary in value. These stones are believed to have been the result of pillaging by the Nazi's in WW2, and have been kept in my grandfather's office since. These have since been verified by the FBI and other experts in their field."
"On a deeply personal note, I discovered that I have a brother, Sebastian. And whilst I will not disclose his whereabouts, I will say, that he is product of rape, by grandmother, perpetrated against my mother, in 1965. Unfortunately, he many mental impairments, and is institutionalised, and has been since he was 10yrs old. This has caused me a great deal of pain and anguish, and I will not be discussing this further, and I ask you to respect both mine, and my brother's privacy in relation to this matter. It is very raw, and it is very fresh. The institution he is in, is the subject of some of the missing money, we discovered missing, and We will be moving him to a new place, in the coming days."
The rest of the missing money, it appears has been used to fund Alt-right Neo Nazi groups in Europe, and also Russia, and as recent as the last 24hrs, someone very close to me had been kidnapped, and traumatised as a result of us looking into this. I can report that he is safe, and is being cared for, and we are currently on our way to bring a dear member of our team home."
It was at this point, I teared up. I was tired and becoming very emotional pouring out my heart to a room full of strangers, and a global audience. I then turned to Rabbi Finkelstein and asked him to join me. Jasper was about to shit a brick, but I gave him a look of reassurance.
"As many of you know, yesterday we announced that my daughter is expecting a baby, and whilst this is a time of joy, when we issued that release, we didn't quite know what we were dealing with on other matters, but we are thrilled with the news, and her partners father is here with me, Rabbi Yaniv Finkelstein. A very much-loved Rabbi based here in New York. I asked him to join me for many reasons. Firstly, as a friend. Someone I have come to admire since we first met, and someone I turned to, to confide in this morning. I am not a religious person. But as the Rabbi knows, I am a man of deep conviction. We discussed this morning the gemstones I have, and he explained in detail to me the process of returning them to their rightful owners. Something he has been involved in over the years. In many cases they were never reported missing, as many Jews in post war European either perished, or were too scared to speak up. What I have asked the Rabbi to do, is to lead a board trustee's, selected by people who know the best way forward, and help trace back the ownership to where, or whoever we can, and make sure they are back with rightful owners. Where this cannot be achieved, and, unfortunately it will be in the majority of cases, the proceeds of any sale, of any Jewels, will be used to work with those remaining holocaust survivors, their memories, their museums, and their charities, for it is these people that were the rightful owners."
"Finally, we will be reaching out to agencies in Europe as soon as this Media conference is over, Police, Interpol, EBA, IMF as well as EU Parliament to assure them that our business is solid, I have the personal financial means to make sure it remains sustainable, and that practises are put in place to stop events like this happening in the future. Any fines or penalties that are imposed against us, we will cop."
"I want to add in conclusion, that I am deeply regretful that this has occurred. I am both appalled by the behaviours of my grandfather, my ancestors, and even my grandmother, for allowing this to happen, there are also extended family members who knew this was taking place, and I have already put in place to permanently remove any connection, financial benefit or any, even remote, communication with our organisation. To the memory of the mother, who I never met, I say this. `Mum, I am sorry for the pain you endured. The abuse, the hate, the torment and the rape. From my brother and I we say, I love you. You have inspired me to be a better person, and everything I do in the future, will be in your honour"
The room was silent for a moment, and it was like an eerie pause had descended across us. It was then that the questions came flying, and it was Jasper who jumped on the stage.
"Right, Mr Von Garbner has made it clear that where possible he will answer every question. We will start here on my left and we will work our way around the room. No shouting, no screaming, an orderly manner"
I answered questions for two hours, and as TV crews were packing up, I said, "OK guys, last question, I am beat" The half a dozen journalists left were really good, and came up and shook my hand and wished us well. I sat at the edge of the makeshift stage knackered.
"Well, you've certainly made the headlines" Jasper said. "And so far you are a hero, but your family is copping a beating, especially in Germany and Israel.
"Good, Can I go to sleep now" I asked with a half-smile on my face.
"Unfortunately, not. The fun has just begun!" Jasper said as he glided me away back down to my office.
As we reached my office, Johan and Steven were waiting for me. Our phones were ringing hot, and the hive activity within the office was going off the charts. Rabbi Finkelstein was standing in the corner of my office. I asked for the room to be cleared, and for Sam to close the door after him.
"Yaniv, thank you. It has meant the world you being here today. Your guidance this morning was more than I could have asked for. I am serious about you leading this. You are a good man, and let's face it, we are almost family. I like to protect those nearest and dearest, of which your family has become. Please, I ask, if you ever need anything, you only have to ask."
"Grant, we don't need anything besides your friendship. Marcus spoke to us about your generous offer to travel to see our grandchild, when it is born. That is more than we could ever accept."
"Yaniv, a year ago we lived a simple life. We got by, and we did ok, but a luxury for us was a week's holiday up the coast in summer. I have discovered that now I need to use the wealth and trappings around me to make the world a better place for all. And if that involves me throwing you on a private plane so you can spend time with your grandchild, and your son, it is a good day"
He laughed as I suggested throwing him on a plane, but understood the gesture I was making.
"OK, OK, whatever you say." He laughed.
"Maybe we could all fly together and we can detour via Israel, a country I have never been to, but have wanted to visit. The history amazing me."
"Now you are trying to bribe me, Grant"
"You're a smart man, Rabbi". I laughed.
We hugged as he rose from his seat. I felt genuinely inspired by having him alongside me, but for now the real work began.
"Johan, Sam, Steve, come, come." I yelled out from my office.
"First up, Johan, home, sleep, rest. Markets and regulators have closed off in Europe, there is nothing more for you to do today, except rest. Thank you for everything. Steve, if you could start to make file notes of what Johan has given you, and have them ready for the morning, and Sam, I need an update for Dubai ASAP. I haven't heard anything in 3 hours. Jasper, where are you? I need to know what's next!"
`Grant, you have a sit down with ARD & ZDF in Germany for their late news, and then CBS, NBC & SkyNews UK shortly after. I have a team setting up a studio upstairs, but right now, you need to go into Makeup to make sure that handsome face is ready for the news."
"Handsome face? Really? Oh please, its looking like a dart board at the moment." I joked as he walked away, expecting me to follow.
Sam came in as I was having my `Face' put on. "James is 2 hrs out. Hospital reports are good, or better than expected. Michael has a fractured eye socket, cracked cheek bone, some concussion. He is under hospital guard, but more so they need him to make statements before they will release him. He maybe there for a while longer. Capt. Hendrickson has made arrangements to land the larger plane at DWC, rather than DXB, so it can park for longer in General Aviation if need be. Both planes will be guarded whilst on the ground. James will return to Munich. There is one other minor issue that we all overlooked. It seems to be ok, but Capt. Hendrickson just called me. It's Jackson. He is suffering headaches. In all his rush to get out the door, no one gave a second thought to him being not allowed to fly."
"Of shit." My heart just sank. "Is he ok?"
"He's doing ok. He mentioned to Chris that he had a bad headache coming on. Chris laid him down and went and spoke to the captain. John has had the 1st officer radio ahead to have a doctor examine him. I am sure it is just a precaution, and nothing else. I don't want you worrying about him at this stage, but I needed to let you know."
"Ok, anything happens, you pull my arse out of here. No bullshit, no games, no delays. Do I make myself clear"
I started my interviews and by the third one, the questions were all the same, and my answers could have sounded scripted as I answered the same way every time. It was a long, drawn-out period, and I was exhausted. Finishing up at near 8pm, I just want to crawl in the corner and sleep. By now James was bedside with Michael, and that was one less thing to worry about. The flight from the us was still another 5hrs out, but I had managed a two-minute call with Jackson, who seemed to be ok, but was having cramping headaches. The exact symptoms doctors had warned him about flying. I felt so stupid and careless, as did he, but Sam had mentioned he might have a solution to the problem, and he was gathering the information before laying it out.
Leaving the office for home, I was expecting to walk in to a mess, but, thankfully everything was returned back to normal, all of the boxes and bags had disappeared, and were now in folders and files, and lined up against the dining room wall. Johan had signalled that he would have to return to Europe fairly urgently now the cat was out of the bag, and face the authorities, but, I was allowing those files to leave here, unless they were on our plane, rather than conveniently "Lost" from a commercial cargo hold.
"Tell them you will be back in about 48hrs, you just need to finalise things here."
"Done, thanks for the support on this."
"Hey, thank you, had you not have started the audit, we may never have found everything out."
No dinner, no drink, straight upstairs and as I finished my shower and hopped in to bed, the weight of the blankets pushed me into a safe, comfortable long sleep, that was definitely overdue.
I was awoken by a start at around midnight.
"We have arrived. I'm feeling ok, still have shitty headache" Came Jacksons voice down the line.
Whilst overjoyed to hear his voice, I was half out of it to pay too much attention.
"OK, love you, talk tomorrow" I said hanging up the phone. My sleep returned as quickly as I had been awoken.
Chapter 92
Sam entered my room at 6:30am bringing my coffee. Pulling back the curtains as I woke.
"Get your arse out of bed. Today is a good day!"
"Ha, what you doing here."
Sam through all of the newspapers he could find on my bed. Each front page had a picture of me highlighting how ethical we were acting, and the job we were doing stamping out Alt-right hate. The only negative was in the New York Post, but hey it was a Murdoch Paper, they hated the good in people, so we still took that as a win.
As we cruised through the rags, Sam was making a list of journalists who had given beyond favourable coverage, listing them as `Persons of interest'
"Sam, they aren't criminals" I said laughing.
"Yeah, but at some stage they may be of interest to us" he joked back. I couldn't argue with his thinking.
"Oh, by the way, I have a plan. I know you wont want Jackson staying in Dubai any longer than necessary, so I have spoken with Captain Hendrickson, two doctors who are experts in Neurology & brain trauma, and we have come up with a plan to return Jackson, but it will be to Munich, not New York." He explained.
"Yeah that's fine, spill it."
"I have chartered a Dash-8/400 twin prop, just a normal commercial plane. It can fly at a height that won't need the cabin to pressurised, but will have to refill in Tel Aviv & Rome, before landing in Munich. Overall, it will take around 10hrs. I will have a doctor on board the whole flight to measure his vitals, Chris will travel with him, but it will be far from a luxury flight, trust me."
"Make it happen"
"I thought that would happen, so I have also made arrangements for you to travel to Munich once the A330 returns here, Karl, Michael, Marcus & Corey will also head to Munich, figuring you would want to be with Jackson, and he is going to be ground at least another month. Johan, Michelle, Jules, and I will fly back with you."
"Well, are you all organised for an early start."
"Always boss, someone has to keep you in line" he said as walked off. "Now get that arse in to the shower, we have actual work to do today"
Sam was right. I would be absolutely lost with out him. I was grateful by the people that surrounded me, and who worked for me. It made everything possible.
Today was certainly looking better than the last few days, and with a solid nights sleep under my belt, I was in a surprisingly good mood.
Our amazing cook, who had worked his arse off over the past 72hrs, was again in the kitchen doing some prep work.
"I might have some eggs this morning, if you're not too busy, or, I can make myself"
Dan looked at me with a smile. "If you start cooking for yourself, you will put me out of a job" he said as he reached for a pan.
"I highly doubt it. I have lived with him for 19yrs, You aren't going anywhere, Dan" came Maggies voice from behind.
"Morning Miss Maggie, would you like some eggs as well."
"yes please Dan" she said as she reached for my coffee taking my fresh cup as her own.
"Hey, get your own" I said
"I just did, you're getting slow old man" she replied as she kissed my head.
"What do you want this early in the morning." With Maggie, she was an easy read. I had been down this path before.
"Well, I rang James this morning......"
"Ha, you rang James? Is the man not allowed to sleep? I asked.
"Well to be honest, I rang James last night, and asked if it was alright for me to return to school. And he said that he was ok for it, as long as Sally was with me 100% of the time, including when I pee, as long as you were ok with it"
"And how does Sally feel about being with you when you pee"
"Ewww dad, you know what I mean, not with me, with me, but you know, like in the bathrooms at school."
I laughed at my own joke, even if Maggie thought I was being serious. Again, I was happily led by James on such matters. It would do her good to back in to her routine, so with a kiss on the cheek, I allowed her to get back to normal.
Jules was next down stairs and in the kitchen, and she did not look radiant this morning.
"You ok Sweetheart?" I asked noticing how pale she was.
"Get me water, get me black tea, get me toast. I want to die"
"What's wrong do you need a doctor?" The panicky dad voice appeared from nowhere.
"No dad, I am pregnant. I have just spent the last hour throwing up. Morning sickness. I swear when this Satan enters the world, I am going to make their life hell." She added.
Whilst we were waiting for breakfast, I rubbed her back as Maggie made her some tea. The poor kid. There was nothing I could do for her except offer comfort.
"Girls, while I have you both here, there's a slight change in plans. Jules, we are meeting Marcus and Dada in Munich tomorrow afternoon. I will be there for some time for obvious reasons, and now Michael will be out of action a few weeks, I will need Marcus. So I am guessing that you will want to be there as well. Maggie, I was hoping you would come over with us and study remotely for a few weeks?" The later part was more a wish than demand.
"Dad, dear old dad. How about no." Maggie said in her usual playful tone.
"Thought I would ask. But, you will not have Karl here"
"That's Cool, we can have dorm parties here instead with out the watchful eye on us" She responded jokingly.
"Hey, Karl does a hell of a lot for you!" I chided her
"Dad, chill it was a joke. I love Karl, he's my superhero whenever I need something. Plus he makes a mean Martini!"
"Oi, lay off the Martini's or you will be in Munich"
"Chill dad, you're too easy" She added kissing my head and heading off. "Talk later, gotta move. First lecture is at 8"
"love you, bubba girl" I yelled as I heard the door slam behind her.
"What about you? What are you doing honey?" I asked Jules who was slowly returning to colour.
"Shower, bed, sleep. If I feel a little better later I might go and do some shopping for a few things I need before returning back to Germany"
"I can get one of the girls to go if you like" I responded wanting her resting.
"Maternity clothes dad....I kinda need to do that myself." She laughed at me.
"Well, how about, I pick you up at 12:30pm, we grab a lite lunch if you feel up for it, and then we hit him stores, just me and you, and maybe a few detail in pursuit"
"Actually dad, that would be really nice. It has been ages since you and I hung out together"
"I miss our hang outs, I often think you don't need your dad as much these days"
"Dad, I will always need you. Never think otherwise. And Dada, I need you both forever"
It was such a touching thing for her to say, and it made my morning more than anything else. Breakfast in a rush at the table, talks about nothing, Maggie stirring things up. It felt like days gone by in our little kitchen in Sydney. Some days I really needed this.
Grabbing Sam as I was walking to the door. "Change of schedule, Block out my appointments from 12pm. I have some things I need to attend to."
`Cool, where we going?" Sam asked with his diary open as he walked.
"I am spoiling my daughter; you are making excuses for my absence." I grinned.
"Shit. Thanks Boss. No stress, I am on to it." He added.