IVES ANDRICH A Man Among Men Part Four

Ives in The Lesser Evil In this book, Ives is challenged and rises above the obstacles in his path. He also dis - covers facts about his family and the goals they had for him. Secrets Ives would have preferred that his father had told him come from an unwelcome source, forcing him to make life-altering decisions to regain what rightfully belongs to him. As Ives contem - plates, history could repeat itself. Put to the test, he devises a plan to satiate a group of delegates determined to change the world to their standards. If he does not consent, will he lose the only thing that means any - thing to him? Decisions, always decisions, and problematic ones, demonstrating you may have a fortune enough for ten men but enjoying it might prove difficult. Hard work and determination paid off—Ives finds Allina. But she can’t know he’s there until he completes his task. That weighs heavy on him. Knowing she’s just a floor away and he can’t see her takes all his self-control. Knowing the only way to man - age the situation is to develop the deleg - ate's plan for their future quickly. He does just that. In this scenario, Ives meets multiple new players, but the main person is Frederich Stultz. He owns the Mittelstädt Lodge, the setting for The Lesser Evil. More than a home, it's a beautiful and well-kept estate, rich in influence and elegance from another time—a formidable example of mid-1700s German country architecture and one of the oldest remaining estates in Bavaria. He secretly wonders if Allina enjoyed being there but quickly deduces she would have been miserable and would have wanted to be back with him. He finds out that hunch is correct as she had attempted to escape. From their first meeting, although cautious of him, Ives sees Stultz as slightly trapped in an uncomfortable situation. Perhaps pur - posefully to keep his eye on the real prob - lem. That problem is Heinrich von Schäfer, son of Gregor von Schäfer – head of Holtzheim, a Nazi detainee camp. As the reader found out in The Lost Days, Heinrich is the half-brother of Jeffrey Shephard (the man that took Allina from Ives). As the reader gets deeper into the story, they learn the situation is like an onion. As the layers peel back, more hidden facts come to light, and past and current events become weirdly sensible. But what’s the catch? Ives sympathizes with Stultz for it would be very uncomfortable for Stultz to have kept von Schäfer as close as he had for so many years. Von Schäfer’s greed lured him as he imagined he would have a position of power in the delegate’s new plan. But he won’t. Ives understands the complexity of this scenario and agrees to take control of the precarious situation of appeasing the del - egates and monitoring everything related to von Schäfer. Herr Stultz is different from what Ives had expected. He is gracious and forthcoming. Without question, he gives Ives full access to the estate. But why? What does Stultz know that Ives doesn’t? He knows many things and reveals each fact to Ives through heart-felt, private conversations. After learning that Allina is there and alive, and after Stultz gives Ives access to the surveil - lance cameras in Allina’s suite so he can keep an eye on her, Stultz discloses why he agreed to Allina's kidnapping. Well, kid - napped is such a harsh word. Perhaps Stultz agreed to remove Allina from a deadly situ - ation and allowed her to visit with a distant relative at the Mittelstädt Lodge. Now here comes the catch… Ives is dubious, but looking at the evidence, he finds it possible. After that fact, and after Ives finishes the delegate's plan, Stultz makes him a most unusual proposition. Stultz asks Ives to manage the Mittelstädt estate as he managed his parent's Trust. Ives quickly realizes this is a way for Stultz to rid himself of von Schäfer. Ives agrees, and Stultz puts everything in Ives’ hands. However, will this make waves with the bureau? He would have to wait to find out. Colonel Derek Eichel, whom the readers meet in The Last Hope, is the second most significant player in this new scenario. He is Allina’s protection of sorts. Ives takes a step back from this part of the scenario as he realizes Eichel has suppressed feelings for Allina. It takes all his emotional strength not to ball up a fist and let Eichel have it for even thinking about Allina in any potentially romantic way. But again, Ives pulls back and observes. Eichel doesn't have the entire Mittelstädt estate under his control. And knowing Allina, she would have nothing to do with Eichel. Ives knew he was her only love. So instead of making what he realizes would be a powerful enemy in Eichel, he treats him graciously and doesn’t overstep Eichel’s position at the estate. Through all the situations he overcomes to get Allina back, Ives remains a gentleman and keeps his eye on his goal. Courtesy pays off as his reward is more than he could have ever expected. And for the reader, they are rewarded with a journey that is well worth it.