The Munich Faction 2: Enforcer, page 15
part #2 of The Munich Faction Series
Nazi Party Headquarters
Berlin, Germany
After finishing his coffee, Gerhard cleaned up and drove to the office. He still managed to arrive at 7 o’clock and checked to see if Rainer was in his office and needed anything. Rainer was already on the telephone and waved Gerhard into the room. He pointed to the pitcher of coffee at the side, and Gerhard helped himself.
He sat in his usual chair across from Rainer and sipped from his cup. This coffee was not nearly as spectacular as what Frau Kassel had served him. In fact, it was lousy coffee. But he was going to depend upon the caffeine today.
Rainer hung up the phone and looked at Gerhard. “You look terrible. Have you been to bed?”
“I got to bed about two, and then Katlin woke me up at four to go to the hospital. We have a new son.”
Rainer broke into a broad grin. “Congratulations! How are they doing?”
“Both are doing well. I need to figure out how to get away from here to see them during visiting hours.”
“I think you should go home to bed and then not come in until after you visit your wife and child.”
Gerhard shrugged. “I’m here, and there’s a lot to be done. And I’ll bet you were here all night again, Karl.”
“I caught a couple hours of sleep on the sofa in Herr Schloss’s office after he went home.”
“So, I’m still ahead of you on sleep. Goebbels’ people seem to be running the show regarding the funeral. I will get the draft agenda to you as soon as they deliver it, but I have seen nothing that bothers me.”
“Goebbels mentioned that Herr Schloss would be giving an address at the funeral. If they don’t deliver a draft of the speech and the agenda, you will need to get on them about it. Herr Schloss wants to review it.”
Wicklein bit his lip. “Is the Parteileiter okay?”
Rainer looked down at his desk and then gazed out the window. “I have known Herr Schloss for six years. Perhaps it is inappropriate to say it this way, but I have never seen him more enthusiastic. He is acting like he is having fun.”
“Everyone says he is different,” Gerhard replied. “He doesn’t seem to remember people, but those who talk to him think he is warmer somehow.”
Rainer shook his head. “I don’t know, Gerhard. I have seen this too, and it worries me. In the past, he has shared with me things he would like to do, but he always seemed hesitant. He is suddenly driving us to make changes in the party. And, there is no question he has moved forthrightly with the Governing Council.”
“What about Hess?”
“I had never realized what a lightweight Rudolf Hess is,” Rainer said. “It is like he is a nonentity in the room. Schloss and Himmler are making the decisions.”
“And they agree?”
“Not in the least. I think there will be some real conflict in the future. However, the Parteileiter has managed to impose consensus so far.”
“Dangerous times,” Gerhard commented.
“Perhaps not so much as it could have been. The Parteileiter canceled Barbarossa and made the decision stick.”
“Barbarossa….”
“Barbarossa is, or was, the invasion of Russia,” Rainer explained.
“We just dodged a bullet, didn’t we?” Wicklein asked.
“We dodged a cannon shell. And now, my friend, I have things to do. And you probably do also.”
A thoughtful Gerhard Wicklein returned to his office, carrying the coffee cup, and prepared for his day’s work. Things seemed to be settling down, but then there was the enigma that was Heinrich Schloss.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
June 18, 1941, 5 PM
Nazi Party Headquarters
Berlin, Germany
“What was the Parteileiter yelling about?” Wicklein asked.
It was the end of the normal workday, and the inhabitants of the party offices were beginning to leave work when Rainer walked into Wicklein’s office.
“Herr Schloss discovered that we have not updated our Enigma machines in four years,” Rainer responded. “The colonel in charge of the cryptologic Bureau was on the receiving end of that outburst.”
“What are the chances that the English have found a way to read our communications?”
Rainer tilted his head. “That’s the exact question the Parteileiter asked of Colonel Boetzel. To be honest, I have never thought much about that. But I think Herr Schloss is right to be concerned.”
“Are we stupid or what?” Wicklein asked.
Rainer chuckled and slipped into the chair across from Wicklein. “It’s not like we haven’t had other concerns over the past few years, Gerhard. We know that our Enigma machines work better than what anyone else has. So we have naturally focused on other concerns. I didn’t realize we had not been updating the things regularly. That’s a problem.”
“Is this something I must watch for you, Herr Rainer?”
“No, not at this point. The Cryptologic Bureau is not under our supervision, so any attempts we make to follow up would be viewed as interference. In the next month or so, I will remind Herr Schloss to schedule another appointment with the Colonel to see where things stand.”
“I am surprised he is aware of something like this,” Wicklein commented.
“As am I. You know how chaotic things have been over the past week. But the Parteileiter seems to be taking advantage of the vacuum in the Governing Council with Hitler gone. Herr Schloss has always been interested in many different things, but now he seems to be tossing out ideas and acting on them. It’s getting hard for me to keep up with him.”
“I am always happy to help,” Wicklein volunteered.
“And I appreciate that. You can be certain I will be taking advantage of your talents. Right now, though, Herr Schloss seems to have pulled himself away from contact with many party people. He talks mainly to me for some reason. I think he is consumed with maintaining his position in the Governing Council. He told me he felt like he was fighting a nest of vipers.”
“Schloss said that?”
Rainer nodded. “Herr Schloss has become much more vocal in his characterizations of many government people.”
“I have heard him yell something about Nazi swine,” Gerhard said.
“That’s among the more polite terms he has used,” Rainer grinned. “As the Parteileiter, he can get away with that. You and I, of course, must be more circumspect in our speech.”
“I am always careful.”
“What I came in here to discuss before you distracted me was to find out what time you plan to leave today.”
Wicklein gazed over the mountainous collection of paperwork on his desk and looked back at Rainer.
“I think I will be here for a while tonight.”
“How many evenings have you been home since your wife returned from the hospital?”
Gerhard offered a sheepish smile. “I haven’t. Frau Kassel has been keeping house for us since we are occupied with the baby.”
“Go home, Gerhard. The work will be here tomorrow.”
“That’s what bothers me. The work will be here tomorrow, and whatever else Brucks decides he needs help with.”
“Is Brucks a problem?”
“Not in the least,” Gerhard quickly replied. “I don’t think I could survive without him. He is very good at what he does.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I expect your workload to only increase.”
Wicklein groaned. “And you want me to go home.”
“Correct. Go home, Gerhard. And one other thing, I have a couple of party men I trust watching you and your home. Someone else is watching you, but they are elusive. So, be careful.”
“This is in addition to what I already have?”
“Yes,” Rainer replied.
“How long have you known this, Herr Rainer?” Wicklein asked. “I’m not worried about me particularly, but I have a wife and two children. Are they under threat?”
“I learned about it this morning. As to your other questions, I have no answer at this point. But understand we are treating this seriously. I know you can reasonably take care of yourself, but there is not a lot you can do about a man on a roof with a rifle.”
“As we learned in Munich. As Erich learned in Munich.”
“That was very bad,” Rainer admitted. “I felt helpless when you called. There was nothing I could do about it.”
“The Gestapo really stepped in to help. I almost respected them.”
Rainer snorted. “You do have a way with words. And now we face a similar problem in Berlin.”
“Well, what are you doing about it?”
“Your guards are good enough that you probably are not aware of them most of the time. I am adding another half dozen people to the team so that we can run this thing down.”
Wicklein smiled. “I don’t suppose you realize that I am aware of my guards most of the time. I did not think playing tag with them was a good idea. They are good at what they do, and I’m glad to have them under the circumstances.”
“Just so you know,” Rainer said as he stood. “But, seriously, go home, Gerhard. I don’t want you to lose your edge.”
Wicklein stood. “You have convinced me, Karl. I will see you in the morning.”
Rainer watched as his best subordinate strode from the office. He turned to leave for his office and noticed Erich Strang at his desk. As he walked past, he pointed at Strang with his index finger and then pointed to the office. Strang nodded and stood to follow Rainer.
“Was Gerhard a bad boy?” Strang asked as he closed the door and carefully sat down across from Rainer.
“No. Quite the opposite, in fact. I just ordered him to go home. He told me he had not spent an evening at home since his wife returned from the hospital.”
“I have wondered if perhaps Gerhard and Katlin were having problems,” Strang mused.
“I don’t think so. If that were the case, I would have heard. Besides, Frau Kassel is staying with them for a while, and I don’t think she would put up with that.”
“What is it with these old Hausfraus? They all seem terrifying.”
Rainer raised his eyebrows, smiled, and then shook his head as he looked at the ceiling.
“I have yet to figure out Frau Kassel,” Rainer responded. “And Frau Marsden is nearly as bad.”
“That’s the Parteileiter’s housekeeper?”
“Right. I wanted to talk to you about security issues, Erich. The Reichsprotektor seems to be playing games with Herr Schloss. We need to make sure he is adequately covered. And whatever was going on with Gerhard had not stopped. His party security men think they have spotted observation by other groups but have been unable to localize it. I just threw six more people at the job, which I dislike doing.”
Strang had a piece of pork stuck between his teeth after lunch and was fishing around with his tongue to try to pry it loose while Rainer spoke.
“I don’t like this either, Herr Rainer. We can’t seem to eliminate one threat while others crop up. What would you like me to do?”
“See if you can place yourself in position so that Gerhard passes by on his way to or from the office. Then wait.”
“Then do what seems indicated?”
Rainer smiled. “You do best when I am not very specific, Erich. But I do want to get this resolved. But I also want you to let the other guards take any action. I don’t think you are really recovered from your leg wound.”
“To be honest, it hurts a lot.”
“I want you to keep your eyes open,” Rainer said. “But I trust you know better than to do something that will put you back in the hospital.”
“I don’t think we will resolve this until you do something about Marcel Daumer in Munich. I’m almost positive this is coming from him or perhaps Merten Burkart.”
“I would not disagree with you,” Rainer replied. “But we can’t close our eyes to other potential threats.”
“You could eliminate one of those threats,” Strang suggested.
“Herr Schloss and I have talked about it. That time may be coming.”
Lieutenant Erich Strang of the SS was thoughtful as he walked to his small apartment that evening. Gerhard Wicklein had become a good friend, and Strang had also become close to Katlin and the family. He felt the urgent need to protect the young couple and their two children. Little Karl was now old enough to start developing a personality and was a sweet child. Kurt, the baby, was just a few weeks old and provided much entertainment for Gerhard and Katlin in the middle of the night.
Strang’s leg hurt. The doctor has assured him that light exercise was the best thing for him, but he was usually exhausted and sweaty when he arrived home. He admitted that things were gradually improving but detested the slow change.
When Strang approached a nondescript man standing in the shadows, smoking a cigarette, he veered in that direction and halted in front of the other.
“Wie gehts, Tony?”
“Herr Rainer told me he would discuss our current project with you, Lieutenant.”
“You are assigned to Gerhard?”
“Correct. This one has me puzzled. We have thought he was under observation three times, but in each case, we could not localize. If he indeed has a tail, it is someone very good. And that makes me nervous.”
“It bothers me too,” Strang said. “I have some ideas but would like to hear your thoughts.”
“I suggest you visit a sidewalk café for coffee and a newspaper, Herr Lieutenant. We can direct Herr Wicklein past you as part of his route home. Perhaps you can see what we’re missing.”
“That’s what I had in mind, too,” Strang said. “When have you spotted the observation?”
“It has been in the morning each time; while Gerhard is on his way to the office.”
“Do you know where Johan’s Deli is located?” Strang asked.
“Yes, and that is a long Gerhard’s normal route.”
“And Johan always opens early. I will be there tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Herr Lieutenant. I really appreciate the assistance. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Herr Schloss and Herr Rainer are positioning Herr Wicklein for greater things.”
“I have noticed and agree that we must keep our friend alive.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
June 25, 1941, 7 PM
Downtown Berlin
Berlin, Germany
The summer evenings in Germany were long and idyllic. The citizens of Berlin took advantage of the mild weather and the long daylight hours to stroll about the city. Gerhard and Katlin pushed a carriage with the two children as passengers and enjoyed being away from the apartment for a while.
Although darkness would not set in until after 9 o’clock, the twilight was enjoyable, and they avoided the direct summer sun beating upon them. The other people on the streets were friendly, and many businesses kept their doors open. Snatches of music and the aroma of the various restaurants and Gasthäuser spilled onto the sidewalks.
“This is relaxing, Darling,” Katlin said as they moved along.
“I’m glad I could escape from the office this evening,” Gerhard replied. “I can think of nothing I would rather do than spend time with you and the children.”
Little Karl was quiet and seemed to observe the street activities carefully. Gerhard thought the boy probably enjoyed the change in scenery. Hopefully, the exercise would help him sleep. Frau Kassel had decided they could manage on their own without her assistance, so she had returned to Munich. That was fine with Gerhard. Having the old lady around the apartment at all times often annoyed him. But this also meant he was up along with Katlin during the night to calm little Karl as she fed the baby.
“Maybe the children will sleep tonight,” she said hopefully.
“And maybe the English won’t choose to fly over Berlin tonight.”
Interrupting a night’s sleep to run for the basement at 2 AM when the sirens went off made the next day miserable. He shared the experience with everyone else in the city, so he didn’t complain.
“What is going to happen? Will we be able to stop the English from bombing us?”
“I don’t know, Schatzi,” Gerhard replied. “I do know that Herr Schloss prevented the war from growing bigger. But I have not talked to him recently.”
“Is he angry with you?” she asked. “It seemed like he used to talk to you often.”
“I don’t know.” He looked over at her. “It’s like he doesn’t know me. He just walks past when I see him. Karl said that because of everything going on since Hannelore died and after the Führer was killed. He is focused on guiding the Governing Council.”
“That doesn’t make sense,” she said. “It’s like he is angry with you.”
“I don’t think that’s it. He’s like that with everyone right now.”
They pushed the carriage for another block while enjoying the ambiance. Little Karl cooed at some of the passersby. People smiled at the young couple with the two small children.
“I think it is strange,” she said, picking up the thread again. “I would think this is when Herr Schloss needs his friends. I don’t understand why he would shut you out.”
“There is little we can do about it, my Dear,” Gerhard replied. “Karl and I are trying to keep things off his desk so he can focus on dealing with the government. And he is making many changes that need to be done.”
The street they followed had wide sidewalks with concrete planters along the curb. Some had flowers, while others had small trees. The traffic was light and moved slowly as children played along the sidewalk and sometimes into the street. Berlin was an orderly city, and parents worked to keep the young people under control. Still, the place resembled a large party or perhaps a carnival.
“Do you think we might have a lager somewhere before we return home?” Katlin asked.
“I think we might do that.” Gerhard grinned. “Do you think you could make it home without needing the toilet?”
She slapped his arm. “Oh, you. You are the one who makes repeated trips after your beer works its way through you.”
“I just like to keep my plumbing clear.”
“You would probably make the Havel River overflow.”
Berlin, Germany
After finishing his coffee, Gerhard cleaned up and drove to the office. He still managed to arrive at 7 o’clock and checked to see if Rainer was in his office and needed anything. Rainer was already on the telephone and waved Gerhard into the room. He pointed to the pitcher of coffee at the side, and Gerhard helped himself.
He sat in his usual chair across from Rainer and sipped from his cup. This coffee was not nearly as spectacular as what Frau Kassel had served him. In fact, it was lousy coffee. But he was going to depend upon the caffeine today.
Rainer hung up the phone and looked at Gerhard. “You look terrible. Have you been to bed?”
“I got to bed about two, and then Katlin woke me up at four to go to the hospital. We have a new son.”
Rainer broke into a broad grin. “Congratulations! How are they doing?”
“Both are doing well. I need to figure out how to get away from here to see them during visiting hours.”
“I think you should go home to bed and then not come in until after you visit your wife and child.”
Gerhard shrugged. “I’m here, and there’s a lot to be done. And I’ll bet you were here all night again, Karl.”
“I caught a couple hours of sleep on the sofa in Herr Schloss’s office after he went home.”
“So, I’m still ahead of you on sleep. Goebbels’ people seem to be running the show regarding the funeral. I will get the draft agenda to you as soon as they deliver it, but I have seen nothing that bothers me.”
“Goebbels mentioned that Herr Schloss would be giving an address at the funeral. If they don’t deliver a draft of the speech and the agenda, you will need to get on them about it. Herr Schloss wants to review it.”
Wicklein bit his lip. “Is the Parteileiter okay?”
Rainer looked down at his desk and then gazed out the window. “I have known Herr Schloss for six years. Perhaps it is inappropriate to say it this way, but I have never seen him more enthusiastic. He is acting like he is having fun.”
“Everyone says he is different,” Gerhard replied. “He doesn’t seem to remember people, but those who talk to him think he is warmer somehow.”
Rainer shook his head. “I don’t know, Gerhard. I have seen this too, and it worries me. In the past, he has shared with me things he would like to do, but he always seemed hesitant. He is suddenly driving us to make changes in the party. And, there is no question he has moved forthrightly with the Governing Council.”
“What about Hess?”
“I had never realized what a lightweight Rudolf Hess is,” Rainer said. “It is like he is a nonentity in the room. Schloss and Himmler are making the decisions.”
“And they agree?”
“Not in the least. I think there will be some real conflict in the future. However, the Parteileiter has managed to impose consensus so far.”
“Dangerous times,” Gerhard commented.
“Perhaps not so much as it could have been. The Parteileiter canceled Barbarossa and made the decision stick.”
“Barbarossa….”
“Barbarossa is, or was, the invasion of Russia,” Rainer explained.
“We just dodged a bullet, didn’t we?” Wicklein asked.
“We dodged a cannon shell. And now, my friend, I have things to do. And you probably do also.”
A thoughtful Gerhard Wicklein returned to his office, carrying the coffee cup, and prepared for his day’s work. Things seemed to be settling down, but then there was the enigma that was Heinrich Schloss.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
June 18, 1941, 5 PM
Nazi Party Headquarters
Berlin, Germany
“What was the Parteileiter yelling about?” Wicklein asked.
It was the end of the normal workday, and the inhabitants of the party offices were beginning to leave work when Rainer walked into Wicklein’s office.
“Herr Schloss discovered that we have not updated our Enigma machines in four years,” Rainer responded. “The colonel in charge of the cryptologic Bureau was on the receiving end of that outburst.”
“What are the chances that the English have found a way to read our communications?”
Rainer tilted his head. “That’s the exact question the Parteileiter asked of Colonel Boetzel. To be honest, I have never thought much about that. But I think Herr Schloss is right to be concerned.”
“Are we stupid or what?” Wicklein asked.
Rainer chuckled and slipped into the chair across from Wicklein. “It’s not like we haven’t had other concerns over the past few years, Gerhard. We know that our Enigma machines work better than what anyone else has. So we have naturally focused on other concerns. I didn’t realize we had not been updating the things regularly. That’s a problem.”
“Is this something I must watch for you, Herr Rainer?”
“No, not at this point. The Cryptologic Bureau is not under our supervision, so any attempts we make to follow up would be viewed as interference. In the next month or so, I will remind Herr Schloss to schedule another appointment with the Colonel to see where things stand.”
“I am surprised he is aware of something like this,” Wicklein commented.
“As am I. You know how chaotic things have been over the past week. But the Parteileiter seems to be taking advantage of the vacuum in the Governing Council with Hitler gone. Herr Schloss has always been interested in many different things, but now he seems to be tossing out ideas and acting on them. It’s getting hard for me to keep up with him.”
“I am always happy to help,” Wicklein volunteered.
“And I appreciate that. You can be certain I will be taking advantage of your talents. Right now, though, Herr Schloss seems to have pulled himself away from contact with many party people. He talks mainly to me for some reason. I think he is consumed with maintaining his position in the Governing Council. He told me he felt like he was fighting a nest of vipers.”
“Schloss said that?”
Rainer nodded. “Herr Schloss has become much more vocal in his characterizations of many government people.”
“I have heard him yell something about Nazi swine,” Gerhard said.
“That’s among the more polite terms he has used,” Rainer grinned. “As the Parteileiter, he can get away with that. You and I, of course, must be more circumspect in our speech.”
“I am always careful.”
“What I came in here to discuss before you distracted me was to find out what time you plan to leave today.”
Wicklein gazed over the mountainous collection of paperwork on his desk and looked back at Rainer.
“I think I will be here for a while tonight.”
“How many evenings have you been home since your wife returned from the hospital?”
Gerhard offered a sheepish smile. “I haven’t. Frau Kassel has been keeping house for us since we are occupied with the baby.”
“Go home, Gerhard. The work will be here tomorrow.”
“That’s what bothers me. The work will be here tomorrow, and whatever else Brucks decides he needs help with.”
“Is Brucks a problem?”
“Not in the least,” Gerhard quickly replied. “I don’t think I could survive without him. He is very good at what he does.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I expect your workload to only increase.”
Wicklein groaned. “And you want me to go home.”
“Correct. Go home, Gerhard. And one other thing, I have a couple of party men I trust watching you and your home. Someone else is watching you, but they are elusive. So, be careful.”
“This is in addition to what I already have?”
“Yes,” Rainer replied.
“How long have you known this, Herr Rainer?” Wicklein asked. “I’m not worried about me particularly, but I have a wife and two children. Are they under threat?”
“I learned about it this morning. As to your other questions, I have no answer at this point. But understand we are treating this seriously. I know you can reasonably take care of yourself, but there is not a lot you can do about a man on a roof with a rifle.”
“As we learned in Munich. As Erich learned in Munich.”
“That was very bad,” Rainer admitted. “I felt helpless when you called. There was nothing I could do about it.”
“The Gestapo really stepped in to help. I almost respected them.”
Rainer snorted. “You do have a way with words. And now we face a similar problem in Berlin.”
“Well, what are you doing about it?”
“Your guards are good enough that you probably are not aware of them most of the time. I am adding another half dozen people to the team so that we can run this thing down.”
Wicklein smiled. “I don’t suppose you realize that I am aware of my guards most of the time. I did not think playing tag with them was a good idea. They are good at what they do, and I’m glad to have them under the circumstances.”
“Just so you know,” Rainer said as he stood. “But, seriously, go home, Gerhard. I don’t want you to lose your edge.”
Wicklein stood. “You have convinced me, Karl. I will see you in the morning.”
Rainer watched as his best subordinate strode from the office. He turned to leave for his office and noticed Erich Strang at his desk. As he walked past, he pointed at Strang with his index finger and then pointed to the office. Strang nodded and stood to follow Rainer.
“Was Gerhard a bad boy?” Strang asked as he closed the door and carefully sat down across from Rainer.
“No. Quite the opposite, in fact. I just ordered him to go home. He told me he had not spent an evening at home since his wife returned from the hospital.”
“I have wondered if perhaps Gerhard and Katlin were having problems,” Strang mused.
“I don’t think so. If that were the case, I would have heard. Besides, Frau Kassel is staying with them for a while, and I don’t think she would put up with that.”
“What is it with these old Hausfraus? They all seem terrifying.”
Rainer raised his eyebrows, smiled, and then shook his head as he looked at the ceiling.
“I have yet to figure out Frau Kassel,” Rainer responded. “And Frau Marsden is nearly as bad.”
“That’s the Parteileiter’s housekeeper?”
“Right. I wanted to talk to you about security issues, Erich. The Reichsprotektor seems to be playing games with Herr Schloss. We need to make sure he is adequately covered. And whatever was going on with Gerhard had not stopped. His party security men think they have spotted observation by other groups but have been unable to localize it. I just threw six more people at the job, which I dislike doing.”
Strang had a piece of pork stuck between his teeth after lunch and was fishing around with his tongue to try to pry it loose while Rainer spoke.
“I don’t like this either, Herr Rainer. We can’t seem to eliminate one threat while others crop up. What would you like me to do?”
“See if you can place yourself in position so that Gerhard passes by on his way to or from the office. Then wait.”
“Then do what seems indicated?”
Rainer smiled. “You do best when I am not very specific, Erich. But I do want to get this resolved. But I also want you to let the other guards take any action. I don’t think you are really recovered from your leg wound.”
“To be honest, it hurts a lot.”
“I want you to keep your eyes open,” Rainer said. “But I trust you know better than to do something that will put you back in the hospital.”
“I don’t think we will resolve this until you do something about Marcel Daumer in Munich. I’m almost positive this is coming from him or perhaps Merten Burkart.”
“I would not disagree with you,” Rainer replied. “But we can’t close our eyes to other potential threats.”
“You could eliminate one of those threats,” Strang suggested.
“Herr Schloss and I have talked about it. That time may be coming.”
Lieutenant Erich Strang of the SS was thoughtful as he walked to his small apartment that evening. Gerhard Wicklein had become a good friend, and Strang had also become close to Katlin and the family. He felt the urgent need to protect the young couple and their two children. Little Karl was now old enough to start developing a personality and was a sweet child. Kurt, the baby, was just a few weeks old and provided much entertainment for Gerhard and Katlin in the middle of the night.
Strang’s leg hurt. The doctor has assured him that light exercise was the best thing for him, but he was usually exhausted and sweaty when he arrived home. He admitted that things were gradually improving but detested the slow change.
When Strang approached a nondescript man standing in the shadows, smoking a cigarette, he veered in that direction and halted in front of the other.
“Wie gehts, Tony?”
“Herr Rainer told me he would discuss our current project with you, Lieutenant.”
“You are assigned to Gerhard?”
“Correct. This one has me puzzled. We have thought he was under observation three times, but in each case, we could not localize. If he indeed has a tail, it is someone very good. And that makes me nervous.”
“It bothers me too,” Strang said. “I have some ideas but would like to hear your thoughts.”
“I suggest you visit a sidewalk café for coffee and a newspaper, Herr Lieutenant. We can direct Herr Wicklein past you as part of his route home. Perhaps you can see what we’re missing.”
“That’s what I had in mind, too,” Strang said. “When have you spotted the observation?”
“It has been in the morning each time; while Gerhard is on his way to the office.”
“Do you know where Johan’s Deli is located?” Strang asked.
“Yes, and that is a long Gerhard’s normal route.”
“And Johan always opens early. I will be there tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Herr Lieutenant. I really appreciate the assistance. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Herr Schloss and Herr Rainer are positioning Herr Wicklein for greater things.”
“I have noticed and agree that we must keep our friend alive.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
June 25, 1941, 7 PM
Downtown Berlin
Berlin, Germany
The summer evenings in Germany were long and idyllic. The citizens of Berlin took advantage of the mild weather and the long daylight hours to stroll about the city. Gerhard and Katlin pushed a carriage with the two children as passengers and enjoyed being away from the apartment for a while.
Although darkness would not set in until after 9 o’clock, the twilight was enjoyable, and they avoided the direct summer sun beating upon them. The other people on the streets were friendly, and many businesses kept their doors open. Snatches of music and the aroma of the various restaurants and Gasthäuser spilled onto the sidewalks.
“This is relaxing, Darling,” Katlin said as they moved along.
“I’m glad I could escape from the office this evening,” Gerhard replied. “I can think of nothing I would rather do than spend time with you and the children.”
Little Karl was quiet and seemed to observe the street activities carefully. Gerhard thought the boy probably enjoyed the change in scenery. Hopefully, the exercise would help him sleep. Frau Kassel had decided they could manage on their own without her assistance, so she had returned to Munich. That was fine with Gerhard. Having the old lady around the apartment at all times often annoyed him. But this also meant he was up along with Katlin during the night to calm little Karl as she fed the baby.
“Maybe the children will sleep tonight,” she said hopefully.
“And maybe the English won’t choose to fly over Berlin tonight.”
Interrupting a night’s sleep to run for the basement at 2 AM when the sirens went off made the next day miserable. He shared the experience with everyone else in the city, so he didn’t complain.
“What is going to happen? Will we be able to stop the English from bombing us?”
“I don’t know, Schatzi,” Gerhard replied. “I do know that Herr Schloss prevented the war from growing bigger. But I have not talked to him recently.”
“Is he angry with you?” she asked. “It seemed like he used to talk to you often.”
“I don’t know.” He looked over at her. “It’s like he doesn’t know me. He just walks past when I see him. Karl said that because of everything going on since Hannelore died and after the Führer was killed. He is focused on guiding the Governing Council.”
“That doesn’t make sense,” she said. “It’s like he is angry with you.”
“I don’t think that’s it. He’s like that with everyone right now.”
They pushed the carriage for another block while enjoying the ambiance. Little Karl cooed at some of the passersby. People smiled at the young couple with the two small children.
“I think it is strange,” she said, picking up the thread again. “I would think this is when Herr Schloss needs his friends. I don’t understand why he would shut you out.”
“There is little we can do about it, my Dear,” Gerhard replied. “Karl and I are trying to keep things off his desk so he can focus on dealing with the government. And he is making many changes that need to be done.”
The street they followed had wide sidewalks with concrete planters along the curb. Some had flowers, while others had small trees. The traffic was light and moved slowly as children played along the sidewalk and sometimes into the street. Berlin was an orderly city, and parents worked to keep the young people under control. Still, the place resembled a large party or perhaps a carnival.
“Do you think we might have a lager somewhere before we return home?” Katlin asked.
“I think we might do that.” Gerhard grinned. “Do you think you could make it home without needing the toilet?”
She slapped his arm. “Oh, you. You are the one who makes repeated trips after your beer works its way through you.”
“I just like to keep my plumbing clear.”
“You would probably make the Havel River overflow.”
