Things Never Known: The Parallel Nazi - 8, page 29
Taft shook his head. “The Pacific war was bad enough. I’m delighted we avoided getting tangled up in Europe. The Germans and the Brits seem to have things under control.”
“Unless the Soviets decide to use their new weapon.”
“We’ve got to get on top of that, Bill. I’ll be talking to the OSS. And thanks for your time.”
Knowland nodded and left the Oval Office. He thought Taft was naive. The world could change from peaceful to a full-scale war someplace in a heartbeat. The only way to keep America out of it was to involve herself actively in world affairs. And if Hitler hadn’t died in that plane crash, everyone would still be in the middle of a world war.
§ § §
May 19, 1945; 8 PM
Reich Chancellor’s Apartment
Reich Chancellery
Berlin, Germany
“Can I sell you a child?” Schloss asked.
“What?” Rainer responded.
“Erich is now getting into everything. I thought maybe you could take him off my hands.”
Gisela slapped him on the arm. “Quit being so terrible, Hennie. All children are that way.”
Misty giggled and looked at Rainer. “It might be easier that way, Karl.”
“For the good of the Reich, I must decline the honor,” Rainer said. “If we went to all the trouble, you would probably call me the next day and want him back.”
“Karl has become more outspoken,” Gisela commented. “Has marriage done that to him, Misty?”
“Of course not. It is because he spends too much time with Peter.”
“Now that makes a lot of sense,” Schloss said. “Peter brings out the worst in people.”
“I just wish he would find someone to settle down with,” Gisela said. “I know he is lonely.”
“He has been seeing Isadore Öbleck,” Schloss commented. “I think they take dinner about once each week.”
“Come on, Hennie, she’s nearly thirty years older than him,” Gisela complained. “That can’t be a romantic relationship.”
“Peter is dating an older woman?” Misty asked.
“I asked him about it,” Karl said. “He told me they were just friends -- whatever that means.”
“That means mind your own business, Karl,” Schloss said with a laugh. “I’m glad you took care of that other problem.”
“What other problem was that?” Gisela asked, leaning over against Schloss.
“He was starting to get interested in an attractive young Fräulein. Turns out she was a member of the Communist Party. She became rather insistent, too.”
“What did you do?”
“Oh, I didn’t have to do anything,” Schloss said.
Misty caught the implication and turned to her husband. “Karl, you didn’t throw her in the dungeon, did you?”
“No. Well, just for one night.”
“Karl!”
“I was having lunch with Peter one day, Precious. That woman approached Peter and started making a nuisance of herself. She created an embarrassing scene. I had her arrested to get her out of the restaurant. The next morning, I suggested that she would like to find a new home in a different city and then turned her loose.”
“Were the Communists trying to lay a trap for Peter?” Gisela asked.
“We don’t know if the party was putting pressure on her to develop the relationship or if she was just nutty. But she had Peter rattled. I think he can relax around Frau Öbleck. And since he is now known to dine regularly with her, the unattached girls don’t bother him. It allows him to be selective.”
“That makes sense,” Misty said. “Peter has got to be the A-Number-One target for husband hunters in this country.”
“That’s why I had to marry a foreigner,” Karl commented.
Now, Misty slapped him on the arm. “Lout!”
“You didn’t arrest her for espionage?” Gisela asked.
“I would have liked to, but there was no evidence. I think the girl was harmless and got caught up in the revolutionary chatter. She moved to Leipzig, and I’ve had somebody keeping an eye on her. It looks like she’s left the Communist Party.”
“That’s some good news, then,” Misty said. “Those people are swine.”
“Unfortunately, they are smart,” Karl said.
The Luftwaffe steward carried the coffee service into the room. Schloss promptly refilled his cup against Gisela’s chiding. He had enjoyed the evening. It was nice to relax with his friends.
“I noticed your father was in town last week,” Schloss commented to Misty.
“Yes, Daddy has a couple of projects he works on in Kiev. He likes to visit Berlin because he says it’s more civilized.”
“I trust he wouldn’t say something like that in the hearing of any Ukrainians.”
“That is very true,” Misty responded.
“He’s more interested in visiting his daughter,” Karl said.
“Of course, he is,” Gisela added. “I think it’s nice that Kiev is closer than New York.”
“We’re always happy to have him visit,” Karl stated.
“And you get along with him well?” Schloss asked.
“Oh, Karl and Daddy are almost as bad as Karl and Peter.”
“Not possible,” Gisela suggested.
Misty laughed. “Karl and Daddy debate or argue more. Karl and Peter simply torment one another.”
“Peter tends to bring that out in people,” Schloss said.
“Of course, the Reich Chancellor would never stoop to such,” Gisela said.
“Of course not, Schatzi.”
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
May 20, 1945; 8 AM
Foreign Minister’s Office
Reich Foreign Ministry
Berlin, Germany
Peter Schreiber read the front-page article of the London Times in amazement. He supposed that it was not unheard of for someone to marry their private secretary. But for the queen to do something like that probably raised a lot of eyebrows in England. He was happy for Colin Marty, considering the loss of his wife after the vicious acts of the mujaheddin in Kabul.
Peter had come to terms with his loss. He still awakened during the night hours with ferocious longing for Renate. People told him he would find someone, but he really did not want anyone else. He was developing a good friendship with Isadore, but they would remain good friends and nothing more. He planned to attend the wedding, and he expected Colin to invite him.
He turned to the inside page of the newspaper and noted the article about Churchill’s speech. The headline, Prime Minister outlines new approach to Europe made him a bit queasy. He had always thought Churchill’s biggest problem was his unpredictability. And this new approach boded nothing good for Germany. Peter wondered what the queen thought about it. It amounted to a repudiation of the policies Margaret had carefully crafted.
This proposed policy change for the English was something he would need to discuss with Hennie. He set that problem aside for later in the day. Right now, his first appointment of the day awaited. Roberto Conti was the Italian Foreign Minister who always made for memorable meetings.
Peter pressed the button on the intercom and spoke. “Please show the Italian Foreign Minister in.”
After a quick double-knock, the secretary pushed the door open. “Herr Foreign Minister,” the secretary barked, “the Foreign Minister of Italy and Ambassador Alfieri.”
“Welcome back to Berlin,” Schreiber said as he shook Conti’s hand. “It is good to see you again.”
“Thank you, Herr Schreiber. It’s always good to visit our friends in Berlin. I’m sure the weather seems much clearer since the Russians signed the armistice.”
“I wish it could have been a treaty,” Schreiber replied. But we decided to take what we could get.”
Peter nodded to the ambassador. “And good to see you also, Signore Alfieri.”
Dino Alfieri had been the ambassador from Italy to Germany since 1938. He had always seemed able to balance Italy’s interests against Hitler’s desires and was much happier working with the Schloss regime. Following Mussolini's death, he retained sufficient confidence from Rome that Ciano and Conti had no problem keeping him in his current role.
“I am honored to meet with you, once again,” Alfieri replied. “We appreciate Germany’s relationship with Italy.”
As the vassal to the lord, Peter thought unkindly. The Italians know they are the supplicants, but they have become valuable to us. And what price friendship?
“Presidente Ciano asked me to visit Berlin to share some information we recently acquired. As one of the close allies, this is something we thought important to share.”
“This sounds serious,” Peter replied.
“We think so,” Conti replied. “I have also brought a letter from Presidente Ciano to deliver to the Reich Chancellor at your convenience.”
“Do you need to deliver it personally?”
“Not necessarily. He knows that you and Herr Schloss are close and doesn’t want to impose.”
“Very well. Please have a seat, and let’s begin.”
“The first item,” Conti began, “is the knowledge that the Soviet Union has tested an explosive atomic device. We understand that Germany is aware of this. We desired that Germany be also aware that Italy knows about it.”
Schreiber nodded. “That is interesting. Assuming these things are true, how does Italy plan to treat this information?”
“We assume that Germany has a program to develop similar devices, as the British and the Americans almost certainly do. Our program is not explicitly weapons-related. For your knowledge and that of Herr Schloss only, I can state that Italy has a research program in place also. We do not have the resources to pursue a full program. But the purpose today is to warn Germany about potential Soviet developments.”
“Thank you for bringing this to us,” Peter replied. “Unofficially, we were aware of this. It was helpful for you to give us additional confirmation. I will advise the Reich Chancellor of your information.”
“And the other item,” Conti commented.
“And what would that be, Roberto?” Peter asked.
“These articles appearing in the Berliner Zeitung about Herr Schloss.”
“Yes, what about them?”
“We are concerned about something like that appearing in your nation’s press when Herr Schloss is so broadly popular.”
"I think we are in agreement about being concerned,” Peter admitted. “They were arriving weekly, but recently there have been no more. We have wondered if the reporter has simply moved on.”
“I think it would be a mistake to assume the problem has gone away,” Conti said. “The Zeitung has several reporters in Italy and have offered opinions.”
“Is that so?”
Peter assumed that the reporters in Italy had experienced some questioning by the Italian secret police, the OVRA.
“The newspaper has its own investigative people and has attempted to confirm the bona fides of the reports. It seems that Jules Klingermann received envelopes mailed from Wolgast. A former Abwehr intelligence officer named Canaris mailed the information. From there, the trail grew cold.”
“Your investigative efforts have surpassed ours,” Peter said. “Would you object to me sharing this information with our people?”
“Not at all,” Conti made a dismissive motion with his hands. “Indeed, the reason for my trip, in part, was to convey this information so that Germany might make use of it.”
“I thank you for this,” Schreiber stated. “And Germany extends her thanks. Herr Schloss has been unequivocal in maintaining Freedom of the Press in Germany. But we do draw the line at slander.”
“I understand completely,” Conti said, standing up.
“Perhaps you would agree to stay for dinner,” Peter said, also standing.
“Thank you. Perhaps next time, Herr Schreiber. My plane awaits, and I must get back to Rome.”
After the Italian Foreign Minister and Ambassador left, Peter sat down and quickly wrote out the substance of the conversation. It was something that must be reported to Schloss and Rainer. He called his secretary into his office.
“Please arrange for a meeting for me with the Reich Chancellor and the Reichsprotektor. It needs to happen soon.”
“Very well, Herr Foreign Minister.”
§ § §
May 20, 1945; 2 PM
Reich Chancellor’s Office
Reich Chancellery
Berlin, Germany
Four hours later, Peter sat in Schloss’s office along with Karl Rainer. After Jan Binns plied them with coffee and pastries, Schloss looked expectantly at Peter.
“The Italian Foreign Minister was in my office this morning. He provided independent confirmation of the Russian atomic device and its explosion.”
“That is interesting,” Schloss replied. “He just showed up with this little item.”
“Not entirely. He also gave me some further information on Jules Klingermann’s activities.”
Rainer frowned. “And how has he come across information on that. Did he admit to running agents in Germany?”
Peter shrugged. “I assume we run agents in Italy. But, in this case, it came from interrogating Zeitung reporters in Italy. He was clear about that.”
“I do not like that,” Rainer expostulated. “It seems like that might be meddling in our internal business.”
“Do you want to hear what he had to say, Karl?” Peter asked sharply.
Rainer glanced out the windows and then over to Schloss. “I suppose I do. But it bothers me.”
“It bothered me too,” Peter replied. “But he said that the Zeitung had been investigating the background to the stories, probably to make sure the reporter was honest. Klingermann received envelopes postmarked in Wolgast. They were posted by Wilhelm Canaris. As to where he was getting this information, they have not found out.”
Schloss rubbed his forehead with his hand. “It just doesn’t stop.”
“But it has stopped,” Rainer protested. “Klingermann hasn’t written anything about you for weeks, Herr Schloss. I think it will just fade out.”
“And what makes you think that is the case, Karl? Have you been threatening our newsmen?”
“No,” Rainer replied. “I commissioned research that proved the accusations against you were false. I allowed Klingermann to look at the document. He agreed that there was proof that your business transactions were legitimate in all but one case.”
“All but one case, Karl?” Schloss’s voice held an ominous tone.
“And he agreed that in that one remaining case, the most logical explanation was that you had made an ethical and legal transaction.”
Schloss sighed deeply. “And just what was this single case?”
“It was your acquisition of the Askania stock.”
Silence reigned in the room for nearly two minutes as Schloss was deep in thought. Finally, he looked at Rainer.
“I suppose I should thank you for your efforts, Karl. That is a good thing if you have indeed cleared the deck of all this drivel. But I resent your meddling in my personal affairs without informing me of your efforts. Do you not think I can handle personal attacks like this one?”
Rainer’s face indicated that was precisely what Karl was thinking.
Schloss now looked out the window and then back at Rainer. Very well. Please investigate Canaris. If he has broken the law, you have my permission to arrest him. Otherwise, you are to leave him alone. Understood?”
“I understand, Herr Reich Chancellor,” Rainer replied. “We discovered that Canaris had visited America to give a few speeches. Hans Thomsen sent me a precis of the talks, but nothing was actionable. The German-American Bund funded the trip, so nothing was illegal. I am mainly concerned about who instigated the trip. And if our Admiral was the footman for the documents getting to Klingermann, we should probably talk to him.”
“Do you suppose he will tell you anything?” Peter asked. “He is not exactly friendly with us.”
“Based upon his record, Canaris generally cannot keep his mouth shut. I think he will talk.”
Schloss stared at Rainer for a few moments and then stood. “Thank you for bringing these things to my attention, meine Herren. I would like to get to the bottom of this.”
After Rainer and Schreiber left the office, Schloss remained standing and studied his desk. Finally, he walked from his office.
“I’m done for today, Jan,” Schloss said as he walked from the office.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
May 23, 1945; 8 PM
7 Gabreillastrasse
Swinemünde, Germany
If I must retire, this is the ideal place to put down roots, Canaris thought to himself as he let himself into his small cottage. He had received several hundred Reichsmarks for the simple task of posting documents to the reporter at the Berliner Zeitung. A simple task, but something he was happy to do if it would bring down Schloss. And the money helped. He was able to eat dinner in one of the Bierkellers tonight. The restaurant was along the route of his daily walk, and after the dinner, he completed the walk back to his home.
The spring weather was pleasant today – sunny with a mix of puffy cumulus clouds. The offshore breeze carried the smell of the sea away and was replaced by the smell of the farms nearby. But, Canaris thought the ambiance was pleasant. And it was relaxing, to be honest. Here he could spend his days puttering around as he desired and not face the pressure of managing a large organization and answering to officious overlords like Heinrich Schloss.
That was the consideration that marred his bliss. An impostor governed Germany. Who knew what happened to the real Heinrich Schloss? Canaris wished he had been more patient rather than forcing a confrontation with Schloss before he could support his position.
The retired admiral walked the same route every day, and it seemed his thoughts followed the same rut as well. And so, he was not surprised when he walked into his cottage to find a visitor sitting in his favorite chair. He wondered why people felt free to walk into his house uninvited.
