‘Well, the paintings were the count’s personal property, so he could not be accused of stealing them. But smuggling them out of Germany and into another country would be a serious crime. As for the company funds, the count was of course the largest single shareholder in Meerbach Motor Works, but that did not entitle him to embezzle company money. That was a criminal act, and the loss of crucial financial reserves has had a damaging impact on the company’s ability to recover in the past few years.

‘Equally significant has been the stain the count’s wartime activities has left on the name and reputation of the Meerbach Motor Works . . .’

Isidore paused. Saffron was looking at him with a hand raised slightly off the table, wanting to ask a question.

‘But, Max, surely that applies to almost every major German company,’ she said. ‘Forgive me, I don’t wish to be insensitive, but they were all caught up in the Nazi war effort, or the Final Solution, in one way or another.’

‘Yes, but our company bears the name of an SS general. And as the representative of an American corporation told me . . .’ The meeting had been conducted in German, but now Isidore switched into English. ‘“I’m real sorry, Izzy, but that sure is bad for the brand.”’

‘The American was right,’ Gerhard said. ‘That’s why I dropped the “von” from my name. I didn’t want to be connected to Konrad.’

‘I always thought the “von” was a ridiculous, arriviste affectation,’ remarked Alatha, whose own family could trace their aristocratic lineage and title back to the twelfth century. ‘The Meerbachs added it to sound smarter than they really were.’

Saffron could not help but smile, knowing how much Alatha must have relished the opportunity to skewer the pomposity of men who had caused her so much grief. But returning her attention to the matter at hand, she asked Isidore, ‘Are you suggesting that the company should change its name?’

‘My suggestions go further than that,’ he replied. ‘I am suggesting it should no longer belong to the Meerbach family at all.’

Isidore Solomons took a careful look at the faces of the other six people in the room. So far as he could tell, only Trudi von Meerbach seemed upset by what he had suggested. But she always looked infuriated, so he decided to ignore her and carry on.

‘The situation in Germany is more favourable now than at any time in the past forty years. The economy is booming, creating demand for our products, and we are also developing export markets. There is little doubt that the Meerbach Motor Works can prosper in the future as it has in the past. But from the day it was founded, this company has been led by a member of the family. So now I must ask – does anyone here want to take on that responsibility?’

Isidore was met by silence. ‘Gerhard,’ he asked, ‘may I speak to you and your family as a friend?’