I'm a Profiteer in Cold War Germany

Chapter 124: Chapter 34: The Shrewd Lawyer Vogel

"Forty thousand?" Werner raised an eyebrow.

"Is that expensive?" Vogel laughed. "Not at all. That political prisoner’s family is in West Germany. They were willing to pay fifty thousand West German Marks to get him out, and I took thirty thousand of it."

Werner pushed the documents back. "So you came to me because you want to expand the business?"

"Exactly." Vogel put the documents away. "But I can’t do this alone. I have legal knowledge and government connections, but I don’t have a reliable channel or a sufficient source of clients. You, on the other hand, do."

"What do I have?"

"You have the cover of the Church and connections in the Black Market," Vogel said. "More importantly, you have the Church’s charity channels, which is a gray area. If we work together, you’ll be responsible for contacting political prisoners who want to leave the country, and I’ll be responsible for handling the legal documents and official procedures. This way, the risk is lower, the efficiency is higher, and we’ll make more money."

Werner was silent for a few seconds, then took a drag from his cigarette. "How many people do you think you can handle?"

"I don’t know," Vogel said frankly. "I’ve only done this a few times, and it was a struggle each time. The people at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are difficult to deal with, and the ones at the Ministry of Justice are even tougher. But with money and the right connections, we should be able to manage a few more."

Werner looked at him without speaking.

He was thinking.

’This Vogel... his foresight is truly sharp. He saw this massive historical opportunity—the trade of political prisoners between East and West Germany—and smelled which way the wind was blowing. But the problem is, the man is too shrewd—so shrewd it makes me uneasy.’

"Weber said the West German Church is willing to fund the departure of political prisoners," Werner said. "Did you know about this?"

"Of course I know." Vogel nodded. "That’s why I’m here. The West German Church has a special fund for reuniting East German political prisoners with their families. If we can get in on that, funding won’t be an issue."

Werner flicked the ash from his cigarette. "What’s your cut?"

"For every person we get out, I take 10%." Vogel held up one finger. "I don’t care how much you collect from West Germany; I just want 10%. In exchange, I’ll handle all the legal documents, all the official procedures, and all communication with government departments."

"10%?" Werner shook his head. "That’s too little. The risk you’re taking is no less than mine. I’ll give you thirty percent."

Vogel was stunned for a moment, then he laughed. "Mr. Betelich, you’re the first person to ever voluntarily offer me more money."

"Because I need you to be fully committed," Werner said. "If you only take 10%, you’ll only give 10% of your effort. But if you take thirty percent, you’ll treat this as your own business."

Vogel looked at Werner, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "You’re a smart man."

"I’m just doing business," Werner said, stubbing out his cigarette. "Also, I’m not sure if you can secure the exit permits. But I can offer you another method—a humanitarian channel."

"A humanitarian channel?"

"You know the Church has charity channels for sending supplies to West Germany," Werner said. "If we can disguise people as ’patients in need of aid’ or ’humanitarian cases’ and send them out through this channel, combined with the legal documents you procure, the success rate will be much higher."

Vogel pondered for a moment. "That’s a good idea. But what if something goes wrong?"

"If something goes wrong, we’ll say we were following legal procedures," Werner said. "You’re a lawyer; applying for legal documents for clients is your job. I’m a Church volunteer; helping people in need is my duty. As long as we keep it clean, the Stasi won’t find anything on us."

Vogel smiled. "You’ve thought this through very carefully."

"If you’re not careful doing business in East Germany, you’ll end up dead." Werner stood up and extended his hand. "So, to a successful partnership?"

Vogel shook his hand firmly. "To a successful partnership, Mr. Betelich. I have a feeling we’re going to accomplish great things."

Weber, who was standing nearby, breathed a sigh of relief.

Watching the two men shake hands, a smile finally appeared on his face.

"Right, one more thing," Werner said. "Does the Church over in West Germany have a specific contact person?"

"Yes." Weber took the letter out of a drawer. "This is from the Bavarian Evangelical Church. They said if we can provide a steady stream of people, they’re willing to offer more financial support."

Vogel took the letter, scanned it quickly, and his eyes lit up. "This is big business. If the West German Church is willing to pay, then even the political prisoners who can’t afford it can become our clients."

"So what we need to do now is pave this road," Werner said. "You try to get the exit permits. I’ll be responsible for using the Church’s channels to connect with the funding from West Germany and the source of political prisoners."

Vogel smiled, a hint of excitement in his expression. "Mr. Betelich, I’m liking this partnership more and more."

"Then let’s start now," Werner said. "Do you have anyone who needs to be sent over?"

"A few," Vogel said. "They’re all family members of political prisoners, and some have even served time. I’ve been fighting their cases in court, but progress is slow. If you can provide the channel, I can speed things up."

"Alright," Werner said. "Prepare a list for me, and I’ll assess the risk. If it’s doable, we’ll begin."

Vogel stood up and buttoned his overcoat. "Then I won’t keep you. I’ll bring the list over in three days."

"Wait." Werner stopped him. "I need to remind you of one thing—if you feel the risk is too great, or if you can’t handle it, tell me in advance. Don’t wait until everything falls apart to come looking for me."

"Don’t worry," Vogel said. "I’ve been a lawyer for fifteen years. I know better than anyone what risks can be taken and what risks can’t."

He picked up his briefcase, walked toward the door, and then turned back. "By the way, Mr. Betelich, I heard you have a supply of goods from West Germany?"

"And?"

"I have a few clients, all high-ranking officials," Vogel said. "They need some... special goods, but it’s inconvenient for them to procure them personally. If you have the supply, I can make some introductions. Of course, I’ll take a small finder’s fee."

Werner smiled. "It seems Mr. Vogel’s business interests are quite broad."

Vogel smiled as well. "One needs multiple legs to walk steadily."

He pushed the door open and disappeared into the church corridor.

*************

After seeing Vogel off, Weber returned to the reception room.

Werner was still standing by the window, peering through a crack in the curtains at the empty street outside.

"Do you trust him?" Werner asked.

"Vogel is a smart man." Weber sat down, wearily rubbing his temples. "He knows what lines to cross and what lines not to. Besides, he’s been in this business for so many years; if he were really a problem, the Stasi would have dealt with him long ago."

"Why would he help us?"

"For money. What else could it be for?" Weber gave a wry smile. "In East Germany, everyone is just trying to find a way to survive. Vogel’s way is to walk the line at the edge of the law, making money off people who want to both obey and break the rules."

Werner turned around. "Do you think this path will work?"

Weber was silent for a moment. "Honestly, I don’t know. But what I do know is that if you just keep hiding people to get them across the border, you’re going to get into trouble sooner or later. Vogel’s method at least gives us a layer of protection—if something goes wrong, we can say we were following ’legal procedures,’ not smuggling people."

Werner nodded.

’Weber was right. My current methods are too dangerous. Every time I send someone through a checkpoint, I’m on edge, terrified that something will go wrong on Matthias’s end. If I can find a safer way, it would be worth it, even if it’s more expensive.’

"One more thing," Werner said. "This Vogel... do you think he’d ever betray us?"

Weber thought for a moment. "Yes. If the day comes when he thinks betraying us is more profitable than working with us, he’ll do it without a moment’s hesitation."