“This information is completely private- Jacob- your grandfather wanted you and you alone to receive this parting gift.” The lawyer, a man of German decent with a strong accent crossed his hands together with a firm grasp on each before smiling proudly at the young man. Jacob, still dumbfounded at the fact that he did indeed have a grandfather- one of enough prestige and class to actually award him something on his deathbed, gave an anxious nod.
Still grinning, the lawyer opened up a black leather briefcase- his façade never faltering, and produced three paper items: A letter, a deed, and what appeared to be some kind of check. He handed these to Jacob without apprehension, suddenly mentioning: “Were you aware of your grandfather’s ties to the Nazi regime?” The letter, one stained in mottled brown and yellow carried the stamped insignia of the swastika in red wax on the front flap. Jacob’s hands shook in dread. This is why his family was so broken, this is why he had never heard of his grandfather- why only now he knew the truth. “No…no… I didn’t know…” Jacob replied, his throat tightening. The lawyer clasped his hands again and glared at the boy, his smile now stern in a slightly curved line. He brought out two shot glasses and a bottle of an unknown German alcohol.
“Your mother would have none of it, as she was a very liberal woman- but your grandfather is very well known for his medical inventions, his research… his skills. He was a very wealthy man when he passed.” The lawyer poured the drink into both of the glasses and passed one to Jacob. “16 is the legal drinking age in Germany, so I hope you don’t mind a little celebration?” He mused. Jacob’s jaw clenched, both with fear and anticipation- the paper in his hand bent in his restless grip. “Please,” the lawyer ensued, “Open the letter.” Jacob did as he was asked, the yellow paper inside unfolded easily, as if it had been re-read many times… the inked words written in German, a language Jacob had learned from his mother- but had never intensely studied: the paper and words blurred in his shaky grasp. “To my grandson, the son of my daughter: I leave you my entire works, my legacy, my domain, and all of my wealth. With this letter, you shall receive the deed to my island fortress, my research lab, and my 10 million dollar inheritance to you. I wish for you to follow in my footsteps, and return to the work that has been so important to me- as well as the rest of the world.
The man who sits before you, will hopefully be my most entrusted research partner, Hans Adler, whom I have given explicit instructions to aid you in the running of this facility, and to help you along in my place. He holds the key to all of my research information, and all of my projects on the island. Regards, your grandfather, Josef Mengele.” Jacob couldn’t process what he had just read. Was it all an elaborate joke? He looked up with confusion and fear at the man he presumed to be Hans. Hans smiled and lifted the shot glass, turning his eyes to the drink in front of Jacob. Jacob, with a dreaded sense of unease, lifted the glass alongside Hans. With a sparkle in his eyes, and a joyous beam, the lawyer announced a “Heil Hitler!” at the clink of their cups.