The 34th Degree

80

V on Berg looked at the bodies of Werner and Hans on the floor of the library. Franz, who had run in behind him, whipped out his Luger from beneath his white dinner jacket and proceeded to check out the rest of the room, making his way to the French doors and poking around outside on the deserted patio. He was about to blow his whistle to alert the others when von Berg cut him off.

“Close the doors, Franz.”

Franz did as he was told, and von Berg immediately walked over to the safe. He opened it and made a swift but thorough check of its contents. Apparently, nothing had been touched. The lock wasn’t damaged, and nobody knew the combination. Still…

“Franz, come with me.”

Franz followed von Berg out of the library, down the corridor, and toward the party out back. There, from the top of the steps overlooking the garden, von Berg could see Aphrodite dancing with Chris Andros.