“Where do you want her?”
“The floor will do. Then you can unwrap her.”
Green laid Anna on the carpet, unrolled her from the cloak and knelt to release her ankles and wrists. The woman stood above them. She was tall and looked powerful; boots emerged from beneath her ankle-length skirt. Her hair was dark and worn short. Her features matched her body, pronounced and forceful. She looked what she no doubt was, a born gaoler.
“She is very handsome,” the woman remarked, as Anna sat up to rub herself.
“She is beautiful,” Green commented.
The woman snorted. “Very well. You can leave her now.”
“You are sure you can cope?”
“Of course. Can you speak German, girl?”
“She can,” Green said. “Although she likes to pretend that she cannot.”
“Get up,” the woman said.
Anna stood up.
“I am sure we are going to get on very well,” the woman said. “My name is Hannah. And you are . . .”
“I am Anna.”
“Anna and Hannah. How nice. Yes, we will be friends. As long as you obey me in everything. Do you understand this?”
Anna nodded.
“If you do not, I will beat you. Do you understand?”
Anna nodded again. She had already determined that she could not take on this woman in straightforward physical combat; Hannah was taller, bigger and undoubtedly stronger. On the other hand, she was obviously arrogantly aware of those facts, and that was a weakness.
“Very good,” Hannah said. “You can go now; there will be no trouble.”
Green still looked as if he would have preferred to stay, but he obeyed, closing the doors behind himself.
“Now,” Hannah said. “The first thing I wish you to do is have a bath. The good doctor does like his women to be clean. Through there.”
“I am very thirsty,” Anna said. “And hungry.”
Actually, she was, but she also felt that the kitchen was the best place to look for a weapon.
“I will make some coffee and something to eat,” Hannah said. “After you have bathed. It is through there.”
“What am I to wear? My suitcase . . .” Hannah had placed it against the wall.
“It is not necessary for you to wear anything. The doctor likes naked women.”
Anna swallowed, then went through the indicated doorway. Here there was a bedroom, with the bathroom beyond. The décor was in rich reds and purples, which she supposed was indicative of Goebbels’ personality.
Hannah followed her and switched on the taps, adding a liberal dollop of salts. Then she opened a drawer and took out a toothbrush still wrapped in cellophane and a tube of toothpaste. Anna cleaned her teeth, and felt considerably better.
By the time she was finished the bath was quite full. Hannah tested the temperature with her elbow, then switched off the taps. “In you get.”
“You are staying?”
“Of course. I am not to let you out of my sight. Besides, I like looking at you; you are a very beautiful woman.”
Anna had already determined that there was no worthwhile weapon in the bathroom. She lifted her nightdress over her head, let it fall to the floor, and sank into the water. It felt delightful. She looked up at Hannah, who was gazing at her and almost licking her lips . . .
“Would you like me to help you?” Hannah asked.
Anna knew she had to make a hasty and irrevocable decision. She would probably never have a better opportunity than this. But to attempt and fail . . . On the other hand, what did she have to lose? The woman had threatened to beat her, but she couldn’t actually damage her until Goebbels arrived.
“That would be very nice,” she said.
Hannah undressed. Her figure, large and strong, was in keeping with her face, but it was well-shaped. She picked up a bar of soap and knelt behind Anna. “Just relax and enjoy it,” she suggested.
Anna waited, every muscle tensed. Hannah’s soapy hands slid over her back and shoulders. “I doubt that Herr Goebbels will be here much before this evening,” she said. “We can have an enjoyable day together.”
Her hands slid down from Anna’s shoulders to caress her breasts. Anna drew up her legs and put up her own hands to hold Hannah’s wrists, and Hannah gave a grunt of pleasure. Anna drew a deep breath, closed her hands as tightly as she could, and at the same time threw herself forward, generating all the power she could from her thighs down into her legs. Hannah gave a startled exclamation as she was dragged into the bath with an enormous splash, water scattering in every direction, her slippery hands unable to grasp Anna’s flesh. For a moment her weight smothered Anna, but the girl twisted round, propelling herself backwards, reaching the end of the bath. Hannah had fallen between her legs, and was now attempting to push herself up, hands slipping on the porcelain tub. Anna closed her hands together and struck down on the back of the woman’s neck. Hannah gasped, making a ghastly gurgling sound as her lungs filled with water. Anna unclasped her hands and placed them on the back of Hannah’s head, holding it beneath the water. Hannah twisted desperately and managed to roll right over, legs kicking and arms flailing. Anna thrust Hannah’s head back under again, even as she gave a little shriek of agony as the woman’s teeth closed on her flesh. But she would not let go, and a few seconds later Hannah subsided, the frothing bubbles that had been escaping from her nostrils finally ceasing.
Still Anna pressed down, while the blood from her bitten hand spread in the water.
The End of the Journey
Anna remained sitting in the bath for several seconds, Hannah’s body now quiet between her legs. Then she grasped the edges of the bath and pushed herself up. She was still breathing hard from her exertions, but her brain was, as always in moments of crisis, ice-cold.
She was again guilty of murder, and this time identifiably so. This was Goebbels’ flat and he had sent her here. Should he arrive to claim her and find only the dead body of his housekeeper, he would simply go to the police. Once she was arrested, even if they believed her story that she had been resisting a lesbian rape, she would still be charged and probably sent to prison . . . if the Nazis did not get her first.
Well then, get out of here, contact the Cohns, and with their help make for Poland? The Cohns had not bargained on having to aid a wanted murderess, nor could they be asked to.
Then make for Poland on her own? Presumably by train. But it would be several hours before she could reach the border, by which time Goebbels would have arrived and alerted the police.
Her mission would have been a total failure, save that it would give the Nazis an added motive for seeking her father’s death. And then again there did not seem much doubt that Goebbels was Himmler’s boss, from the conversation she had overheard between him and Green. Thus if she executed Goebbels she would be striking at the very heart of the enemy.
If she executed Goebbels! How was she to do that? She got out of the bath, dried herself, and sucked at her bite. She hunted through the flat, opening drawers and wardrobes. Hannah’s clothes were in the spare room and various items of men’s clothing in the master bedroom; she presumed they were Goebbels’. But there was nothing remotely like a weapon. Even the knives in the kitchen drawers were too small to be of much use save at very close quarters. If there was one thing she had learned during her chaotic life it was that men were usually stronger than women when it came to wrestling. She would only succeed if she could get him at a disadvantage. But if he was coming here to have sex with her, then she would definitely have him at a disadvantage at some time during the coming afternoon or night. There was even the chance that he might be carrying a gun; he looked the sort of man who would.
So . . . She stood above the tub, looking down at Hannah, feeling no revulsion or even distaste for what she had to do. She reached down between Hannah’s legs and pulled out the plug. While the water drained away she opened various cupboards and found a large towel.
Now the tub was
empty. Anna grasped Hannah’s armpits and dragged her out. Hannah’s body hit the floor with a thump and Anna checked, listening. If there was anyone in the flat below . . . But there was no reaction. She knelt beside Hannah and dried her, then dragged her across the floor into the corridor and on into her room. There was a large wardrobe, and Anna heaved the body into that and closed the door. She did not think the housekeeper would become a nuisance for perhaps twenty-four hours, and her business would be completed long before then.
Green had left her suitcase in the lounge. She checked it to make sure her passport was there and gave a sigh of relief when she found it. She contemplated dressing, then decided against it. The sooner she got to Goebbels, and let Goebbels get to her, the better. She went into the kitchen, ate some bread and cheese, washed it down with a bottle of lager, and then got into bed to wait. She took with her the largest of the kitchen knives, placing it beneath the pillow.
*
“Heinrich,” Goebbels said over the telephone, “I would like you to come to Berlin.”
“About the girl?”
“Yes. I have her. But before I proceed I need to know about her.”
“I have told you,” Himmler said. “I know nothing about her. Green acted entirely without authority. He is the one who knows about her. Anyway, I cannot come to Berlin. The Führer wishes you here in Munich. Have you not heard the news?”
“What news?”
“About the financial crisis? There has been a crash on the New York Stock Exchange. Millions have been wiped out.”
“And a good thing too,” Goebbels said.
“You do not understand, Josef. The possible ramifications are endless.”
“My dear Heinrich, how can what happens in New York affect us in Germany?”
“Schacht has been explaining it to us. Germany’s entire economy is based upon American loans. If their banks run out of money at home and decide they cannot lend us any more, or worse yet, decide to call in the money outstanding, we would have a most severe economic crisis. It could bring down the government.”
“Is that not what we all fervently desire?”
“Exactly. The Führer wishes us to be fully prepared for every eventuality. That is why he is calling this meeting.”
Goebbels frowned. He could see this was important. But the thought of that girl; so much beauty waiting not only to be raped but to be “questioned” as well. . . . On the other hand, she wasn’t going anywhere.
“Josef?” Himmler was anxious.
“I will come to Munich,” Goebbels said. “But it will have to be a brief visit. We must clear up this matter here as quickly as possible.”
“Yes, yes,” Himmler agreed. “I will come back with you. Just let us get this American business done first.”
Goebbels replaced the phone. It was his opinion that the Americans were always being a nuisance. But of course, this event might present great opportunities for embarrassing and perhaps even overthrowing the government. Again he thought of the girl. He knew Hannah well enough to be sure she would be unable to keep her hands off such a dainty morsel. He had no objection to that, but he also knew that Hannah had an unstable temper and was quite capable of hurting those who attempted to resist her; and that was a pleasure he wished to reserve for himself.
He picked up the telephone, gave the number and waited while it rang several times without being answered, a frown slowly gathering between his eyes. Then he hung up and rang his bell.
His secretary hurried in. “Get me a ticket on the next train to Munich,” he said, “returning tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, Herr Goebbels.”
“And is the man Gerber still in the building?”
“I believe so, Herr Goebbels.”
“Send him to me.”
He waited, drumming his fingers on the desk, until Gerber arrived. “You delivered the young woman to the address I gave you?”
“Yes, Herr Goebbels.”
“Did she attempt to resist you?”
“No, sir.”
“And you gave her into the care of Frau Vesta?”
“Yes, sir.” Gerber’s expression spoke volumes.
“Well, I wish you to return there and make sure everything is all right,” Goebbels said. “It would be a good idea for you to stay there overnight; I will not be able to attend to the matter until tomorrow. Now Gerber,” he pointed, “I do not wish the young woman harmed in any way. Not the slightest blemish. Understand that, and make sure Frau Vesta understands that too.”
“Yes, sir. Am I not to return to England?”
“Not until the young lady has told us what she is up to. We will find that out tomorrow. You can help me find out.”
Gerber’s tongue circled his lips. “Yes, Herr Goebbels.”
“But until then, Gerber, not a blemish. Remember that.”
*
The compartment was crowded on the way to London, but once Martina and Druce boarded the Folkestone train they were alone and able to talk for the first time.
“Are you nervous?” Martina asked.
“I suppose I am. This is really a little out of my experience.”
“Well, do not be afraid. I will take care of you.”
He snorted. “I did not say I was afraid, except for Anna. I assume you are armed?”
“Of course. But you are not?”
“I would hope we can accomplish our purpose without resorting to guns.”
Her turn to snort. “In this business, only guns matter.”
“Are we not going to the Berlin police?”
“We will act on the advice of the Cohns. They know what is going on.”
“I doubt that. The police are our best bet. Failing that, the British embassy.”
“What good will they be? Berkeley is persona non grata with his own government. They will not lift a finger to help his daughter.”
“I think they might,” Druce said.
“We will do what the Cohns recommend,” Martina said. “All we really need is an address where these people may be holding Anna.” She glanced at him. “If she is alive. You do understand this.”
“I do understand this. And if she is dead?”
“We will avenge her.”
*
Hans Gerber whistled a little tune as he unlocked the flat door. It was relief that his over-enthusiasm had not landed him in hot water. It was the fact that he was being allowed to spend the night with that gorgeous creature – of course he would not be able actually to touch her, well, not more than a stroke or two, and undoubtedly the dragon of a housekeeper would be a nuisance. But, most of all it was the fact that he had been admitted into Herr Goebbels’ inner sanctum, as it were. The doctor was an important member of the party; anyone who was his protégé was going places. Look at Himmler, nothing more than a chicken farmer, now suddenly commanding the Schutzstaffel!
The door swung in, and he stepped through, carefully closing and locking it behind him. There was a not a sound in the apartment. “Hello!” Gerber called. “Frau Vesta?”
“She went out,” Anna said.
Gerber’s turned sharply. She was framed in the master-bedroom doorway, naked, her red-gold hair clouding past her shoulders. For a moment he couldn’t speak, then he licked his lips.
“What do you want?” Anna asked. “Why are you here?”
“Herr Goebbels sent me to make sure everything is all right. He telephoned but could not get a reply.”
“I heard the phone ring,” Anna said. “But I decided against answering it. I did not know if my presence here was supposed to be secret.”
“Where is Frau Vesta?”
“I told you; she went out.”
“Leaving you alone, here? Why did you not leave?”
Anna shrugged. “Have I anywhere to go?”
Gerber smiled. “That is a very sensible attitude.”
“When is Dr Goebbels coming?”
“He cannot come until tomorrow. He has been called away.” Gerber too
k a step forward, staring at her, committing every contour of that perfect body to memory. Oddly enough, he got the impression that she was doing the same thing to him, although of course he was fully dressed. “He told me I could spend the night here. With you.”
“That would be very nice,” Anna said. “Let me take your coat.”
Now she came towards him, holding out her arms. He stepped inside them, brought her against him, kissed her mouth while his hands slid over the satin of her skin. She made no objection but allowed her hands to wander as well, inside his jacket.
“Oh,” she said. “You have a gun.”
He pulled his head back. “Do you object?”
“I find it exciting. Tell me, Herr Gerber, are we alone in the building? All the other flats . . .”
“They belong to members of the party. But there is no one here at the moment. Why, are you going to scream?”
“Only if you make me.”
Her body was still pressed against his, her arms round his chest, inside his jacket. He grinned down at her. “I would like to make you scream.”
“I know,” she said, stepping away from him.
Gerber stared at the Luger automatic pistol she held in her right hand.
“You little bitch,” he said. “Maybe I will make you scream after all. You’d better put that down before it goes off.”
“Yes,” Anna said, and shot him through the heart.
*
“This is very nice,” Martina said, surveying the sleeping compartment as the train pulled out of Boulogne Station. “Very cosy.”
“Yes,” Druce agreed. He thought it was too cosy by half; they could hardly move without squeezing against each other.
“Very intimate,” Martina added. “Now, you will take me to the dining car and we will have dinner, and then we can go to bed. And wake up in Germany?”
“Yes,” Druce said, more doubtfully yet.
But the meal and the wine were good, the waiters attentive.
“Tell me,” Martina asked the waiter serving the main course. “Are you on this run every night?”
“Not every night, madame,” the waiter said. “We have time off.”
“But were you on last night?”
Be Not Afraid Page 24