Chapter 4
CHAPTER 5 — The House of Cards
Gero Müller woke up feeling spectacular.
The Egyptian cotton sheets of the luxury suite were soft against his skin.
The morning sun poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the snow-capped Bavarian Alps.
Amelie was still asleep beside him.
Beautiful. Compliant. Uncomplicated.
Everything in his life was perfectly arranged.
He was a master architect of his own universe.
He stretched, walked to the minibar, and poured himself a glass of sparkling water.
He picked up his phone.
No missed calls from Beate.
Good.
He had trained her well.
She knew better than to bother him when he was "working."
He sent a quick, automated text to her phone.
Meetings all day. Love you. Behave.
He tossed the phone onto the velvet sofa.
He didn't care that she wouldn't reply immediately.
He knew she was sitting in their pristine house, terrified of making a mistake before he got home.
The thought gave him a deep, satisfying thrill.
Two hundred kilometers north, in a cramped precinct office, Kommissarin Brenner was looking at a different screen.
She had not slept.
Her desk was covered in empty coffee cups and legal files.
The door to her office opened.
A young detective walked in, carrying a fresh stack of papers.
“The judge signed it,” the detective said.
“All of it?” Brenner asked.
“Every single warrant. Arrest, search, and asset freezing.”
“We have the green light.”
Brenner took a deep breath.
“What about the financial data?”
“The anonymous source came through,” the detective said, carefully avoiding mentioning Dieter Krause’s name.
“Müller has been embezzling from his firm for four years.”
“Hiding it in shell companies in the Cayman Islands.”
“He’s stolen over three million euros.”
Brenner smiled. A cold, sharp smile.
“He didn't just beat his wife.”
“He stole from rich men.”
“That’s the mistake that will bury him.”
She picked up her radio.
“All units, this is Brenner. Operation Glasshouse is a go.”
“Coordinate with Bavarian local authorities.”
“I want him taken in public.”
“No quiet surrender.”
“I want everyone to see what he is.”
Back in the Harz Mountains, Dieter was typing furiously.
Thomas stood behind him, watching the screens.
“I’m inside his banking portal,” Dieter muttered.
“The police warrants are hitting the banks right now.”
“Watch this.”
On the screen, a list of Gero’s checking and savings accounts appeared.
Balances in the hundreds of thousands.
Suddenly, a red banner flashed across the screen.
ACCOUNT FROZEN - GOVERNMENT MANDATE.
One by one, the accounts turned red.
His personal accounts.
His business accounts.
His secret offshore accounts.
His credit cards.
His investment portfolios.
Everything vanished in a cascade of digital locks.
“He is officially broke,” Dieter said, leaning back in his chair.
Thomas felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
“Cut his phone service,” Thomas said.
Dieter grinned.
“Already done. He has a brick in his pocket.”
In Bavaria, Gero was dressing for lunch.
He put on a tailored blazer and a crisp white shirt.
He checked his reflection in the mirror.
Perfect.
He and Amelie walked down to the resort’s Michelin-starred restaurant.
The maître d' bowed respectfully as they entered.
“Herr Müller. Your usual table by the window?”
“Of course,” Gero said arrogantly.
They sat down.
Gero ordered expensive wine.
He ordered truffles and caviar.
He felt untouchable.
He was a king holding court in his castle.
He didn't notice the two unmarked black sedans pulling into the resort’s circular driveway.
He didn't notice the heavy, tactical boots stepping onto the pristine snow.
He didn't notice the storm gathering right outside the glass.
He just raised his wine glass, smiled at his mistress, and toasted to his own brilliance.
May you like
The house of cards was standing tall.
But the wind had already arrived.
