by Ian Andrew
“Standartenführer Steinmann?”
“Ja.” Heinrich continued to sit in the car and stare up at the open door and the blank face of the young SS trooper. It took him a second to realise that the helicopter with the blades rotating was for him.
As he clambered into the SS-Panther he was directed to a canvas seat, had straps done up for him by a loadmaster, and given a mic and headset to put on.
“Standartenführer Steinmann, welcome onboard. Are you good to go Sir?”
“Yes, thank you, I must admit I thought I was being driven in to Prinz-Albrecht-Straße.”
“No Sir, we have orders to get you there as quickly as possible.” Heinrich heard the open mic line click off and then immediately heard the change of tone in the engine overhead. The rotors whup-whup changed to a high pitched whine and Heinrich tilted rearward as the aircraft rolled forward and lifted off nose down. It wasn’t as quick or ferocious as the small Luftwaffe jet but it was very obvious the pilot wasn’t hanging about. Three minutes later Heinrich felt the helicopter enter the hover and begin to circle down on to the heli-pad set atop 8-Prinz-Albrecht-Straße. The wheels touched and the aircraft bounced gently then settled. The side door was opened and Heinrich stepped out, bent in a crouch and jogged across until he was clear of the rotors.
“Standartenführer Steinmann, please follow me.”
Heinrich turned to look at the young woman who had shouted over the noise of the now departing helicopter. She was already turning away and moving toward the stairwell that led down to the offices of the Reich Security Directorate. He followed, still feeling the intoxicating rush of the VIP travel experience.
Chapter 36
His coffee was served by a quite dour looking SS-Schütze. Heinrich reached out to take the fine porcelain cup in hands that were slightly sweaty. He pondered that he had no need to be nervous. This was not an arrest. This was nothing to do with being a Turner. Not the way he had been transited here. This was about his report on Reid. Nonetheless, the man he was about to meet was capable of making anyone nervous.
Heinrich sat stiffly in the middle of a leather settee. Centrally placed in the large office, it was faced by two matching chairs that were separated by a small coffee table providing enough gap to give a direct line of sight to the Reichsführer’s desk. The solidity of the desk dominated the far side of the room and looking around he realised the whole layout had been carefully managed to ensure visitors knew their place.
Again he was struck by how power was pervasive. As the Schütze was exiting into the outer offices the door in the far corner opened and Reichsführer-SS Friedrichand strode in. His medals and awards brilliantly offset against the deep black of his formal uniform jacket. He covered the width of the room in a few long strides. Heinrich stood quickly and gave a drill-book straight arm salute. Friedrichand returned the gesture in a casual manner and waved Heinrich back into his seat, whilst he remained standing. His height invariably meant he physically looked down at everyone he spoke to. His character meant he metaphorically did the same. His heavy lidded eyes tended towards being half-shut and he tilted his head back when he spoke. The overall effect was of a schoolmaster sneering at his students. He had become the stuff of whispered threats to small children throughout the Reich. Friedrichand knew of his reputation and worked hard to cultivate it. His demeanour threatened violence and intimidation.
“So Heinrich, did you enjoy your trip?” The diction was as precise as the man’s uniform but the voice was soft, with mellow tones, gentle inflections. It seemed so much at odds with the speaker and his role.
“Yes Sir. I must admit to being very impressed.”
“Indeed.” A pause like he was considering the merit of the thought before he continued. “You will get used to it. As you continue to rise through the ranks Heinrich, it will become the norm. We treat our best in the manner they deserve.”
“Thank you Sir. Although I must admit to wondering why you needed me to be here so quickly. I assume there is more to this than just a question about Reid?”
“Very astute Heinrich. But just for now, tell me about this Reid. Why did she do it? Do I have to concern myself that she was a Turner? A weak, insipid, malignant creature inside our own house?” he lowered his tall frame into a chair opposite.
Heinrich recounted his on-the-record interview with Mary.
“Yes Heinrich, that was all in your report. But will it serve the Party to put her on trial? Be frank.”
“No Sir it won’t. She’s bordering on clinical insanity and doesn’t profess to be a Turner. Fundamentally this comes down to the fact she was abused as a child and this incident just pushed her over the edge. Also, if we put her on trial the,” he paused and chose his next word carefully, “indiscretions of a Reichsminister will be on the record.”
“So you recommend a quick termination?”
“Yes Sir. However,” he paused and waited as Friedrichand poured himself a cup of coffee, added two heaped spoonfuls of sugar and stirred it with a delicacy that mimicked his voice.
“Yes? However what Heinrich?” asked the Reichsführer.
“Well, she mentioned a quote that I know but can’t remember precisely where it comes from. I read it somewhere in the Archives when I was working in Department B. As you know, those documents and manuscripts are some of the most sensitive and secure records in the Reich. I’d like to return to Oranienburger Straße and review some texts if I may?”
“For precisely what purpose? What do you think it will tell us?”
“When she first said it I knew I recognised it but I didn’t have enough background to push her on it. It also wasn’t my main line of questioning obviously. Later, after the interview, I wondered if she read it from a banned text or merely overheard it from a camp internee. Even if the latter was the case I would like to know whom she heard it from. But, I’m speculating that Reid kept confiscated books from her time in Harrow. A full search of her house turned nothing up so I was planning to reinterview her. Then the call to Berlin came. I know it may be a long shot Sir but, I thought as I was back here I could perhaps take the time to investigate it.”
Friedrichand considered Heinrich from under hooded lids and asked, “Why? What will we gain?”
“If I can discover the text in the Archives and identify the manuscript then I can confidently interview her about it. When I name the source and some of its contents I’ll know if she shows signs of recognition. If not then no loss but if yes, we can perhaps track down a document that would be of academic worth as a comparison text for the Archives. I actually don’t think it’s a Turner text. I think it’s much older and if I find it we can remove another piece of this filth and mire out of general circulation.” Heinrich paused a beat. Friedrichand continued to direct his gaze toward him. “I also don’t like loose ends Sir.”
The Reichsführer smiled a tight, thin expression and gave a small chuckle. “Ha, how very appropriate.”
Heinrich looked at him curiously, “Sir?”
“Never mind. Very well, take the rest of today and tomorrow if you need it to tidy up your loose ends. Yes?”
“Yes Sir, thank you.”
“But, no longer than tomorrow. I have a job for you back in London and I would like it done without too much delay. However, we shall come to that momentarily.”
Heinrich had a sharp twinge of anxiety at what this man would ask of him but he masked his emotions and simply nodded.
“Now, I agree that a quick disposal of the Reid problem suits better. I do not want Joyce’s family to suffer the shame and indignation of a public airing of dirty laundry. We should not forget that he did serve us well in the past. His comeuppance may be just payment for his philandering.”
Heinrich noticed the way the Reichsführer sounded out each syllable of the last word with distaste.
Friedrichand continued, “But I see no reason to persecute his memory. If we can stop the rumour mill we might even give him a State Funeral. Our Wilhelm Straße collea
gues in the Leopold Palace will be pleased. They do so like a little pageantry.”
“I know Whitehall already reminded all those involved in the initial response to the crime scene and in the arrest op that they aren’t to speak of the circumstances. I think we should be fairly confident they’ll do as asked,” Heinrich said.
“Yes, I would imagine we can be confident of that,” the Reichsführer-SS gave an insidious smile before continuing, “That is settled then. Whether you have found your ancient books or not I want you to look after the Reid matter quickly. Let me see,” he paused, pulled his left sleeve up and flicked to the diary page on his ForeFone. “If you are in Berlin tomorrow,” he flipped a page across and then another.
Heinrich thought he looked like he was picking a time and a date to meet friends for dinner. If he had friends, which Heinrich doubted.
“Mmm, yes. I think so,” Friedrichand said as he flipped the calendar screen closed. “Despite her crimes she too has worn our uniform, albeit in the Totenkopfverbände, so I think a traditional firing squad is warranted. Sunday at dawn.”
Heinrich knew it wasn’t a suggestion and again nodded confirmation of his orders.
Friedrichand rose and walked casually around the office, stopping at the bookcase to straighten a number of the spines that were slightly out of alignment. Eventually he sat down at his desk whereupon he adjusted four pencils into a precisely ordered row.
On the few occasions he had met the Reichsführer-SS, Heinrich had always been struck by the man’s luxurious use of time. He wouldn’t be rushed. It was noticeable that he didn’t even use contractions in his speech. Everything was deliberate and in his own time. Heinrich wondered if the young Jason Friedrichand had been like this naturally or were these habits acquired with the accumulation of power. The silence stretched out and whilst Heinrich wanted to ask if there was anything else, he knew he wouldn’t. He merely watched and waited.
Friedrichand completed his precise pencil alignment and half smiled, half sneered as he looked back up. His upper lip curled back to reveal extended canine teeth that seemed to portray the true menace of his persona.
“Tell me about Doctor Wilson?”
Heinrich felt physically winded. He struggled to control his expression. “Sir?”
“Doctor Wilson. Have you told her you knew her father?”
“Yes Sir. She was rather surprised, but I rather meant what would you like to know about her?” Heinrich was keenly aware that the man he sat opposite was a skilled reader of people. He knew that he had to be very careful. He breathed as deeply and unobtrusively as he could.
“Let us be open Heinrich. We are both grown men. It would seem she is capable, but she is also a very pretty girl and her father was influential in the Party. As you know he was, amongst other things, a loyal advisor to me. Nevertheless we both agreed that people must stand on their own merits. There can be no carrying of the weak regardless of who they are or who their families are. I want to know your thoughts about her.”
“I honestly doubt that she would have the respect of the academics and scientists she works with if it had all been driven by her father’s position. It was also her discovery that led to the Time Window.”
“Ah yes the Window. We will come to that in a moment. You know Heinrich, I am surprised you never met her before. After what her father did for you.”
“It just never happened Sir. I knew her parents well but just never met her. But yes, I have had the chance to speak to her and tell her I knew them. She was a little taken aback as she had never heard of me either.”
“Does she strike you as a woman who is capable of running the whole project?”
“Well I know she’s comfortable in her role as Deputy-Director and I believe she’s stepped into Professor Lippisch’s shoes before. However, I have only seen her work in the last few days so it is a very preliminary and superficial assessment. Saying that, I was most impressed with her and the rest of the team on the Reid Projections. Why do you ask Sir?”
“Because she will be taking over as Acting-Director on a temporarily basis. At least until the Technical Directorate can convene a board to determine if she is ready to take the role permanently.”
Heinrich couldn’t help but smile.
“This pleases you Heinrich?”
“I was just thinking that Donald would have been pleased Sir.” He managed to respond quickly and hoped that it would be believable.
“Indeed. Indeed. Ensure you pass my thanks on to her and her team for me.” And the Reichsführer also smiled.
“May I ask where Professor Lippisch is posted to Sir?”
“Nowhere. I want Konrad Lippisch arrested on your return to London. No noise. Just remove him when you get back.”
“You want him terminated?” Heinrich asked a little perplexed.
“Oh no! Just hold him in isolation. There are a few things that have to be arranged and unfortunately our Luftwaffe colleagues are being their normal efficient selves. I expect you will have to hold him in your cells until the weekend. I have already asked for the paperwork to be forwarded to you via Whitehall.” Friedrichand resumed adjusting the items on his desk. He lined pens next to the pencils, straightened a small ruler and placed a stapler precisely square on to the end of it. He looked back up at Heinrich.
“You have a question?”
“May I ask why Sir?”
“He is a homosexual.” He pronounced the word with unconcealed despise. It dripped from his mouth.
Heinrich knew his eyes had widened. “Sir?”
“Marseille Kriminalpolizei arrested a young male whore a few weeks ago. They decided to run him for a while to see who they could catch in the net. The operation was about to shut down last week when a certain male scientist came calling. I was made aware of it last night.”
“I’m sorry to press this Sir, but are we sure it was Lippisch?”
“Indeed Heinrich, we are sure. Not only was he recognisable from the tapes so the eBü picked him up but it was cross-checked. He was in Southern France at the time. Normally I would have sent him straight to Sachsenhausen but despite his perversions we cannot merely cast him aside. He is a valuable asset. We shall have to convene a combined Potsdam, Munich, Paderborn and Technical Directorate team to conduct a thorough debrief. It could take months. If I merely throw him to the KZ system there is likely to be nothing left to question in a few days. So, you conduct the arrest and hold him until I can have him transported safely to one of our debrief facilities. I would imagine it will be Leipzig or somewhere near to there, so as to be central to the participants. Any other questions?”
“Do you wish me to inform Professor Faber and Doctor Wilson?”
“Yes, that would be convenient. I was considering phoning Wolfgang but if you can do it face-to-face that would be better. He can inform the rest of his team as he sees fit. Now, moving on. Tell me about using the Thule Projection to catch Reid.” Heinrich was still processing the order about Lippisch but was immediately without doubt that the man opposite had no discernible conscience. He had just issued an arrest order that would eventually end in the concentration camp death of one of the most brilliant scientists in the Reich. Now he was moving on to the next subject as if he had just waved a fly away from his face.
Heinrich forced himself to focus on being composed and spent the next fifteen minutes going through the Projections and the processes employed to catch Mary Reid. He made sure that the screw-ups were his and that the innovations and successes belonged to his team. It was how he had always worked.
“Interesting. So it finally begins to pay back on the investments made. I was always sceptical after the initial demonstrations revealed its weaknesses. Everyone else running away with time travel fantasies and in actual fact what we have is a series of stilted snapshots of the past. However, it seems to have worked. Now tell me, how did Reid get tipped-off to run?”
Heinrich had kept Schern’s indiscretion out of his reports and had also navigated aro
und it when he had retold the story. He couldn’t avoid it anymore.
“It was an unlikely fluke. She had arranged to go on a dinner date with one of the Kommandos. He rung her to say he was called out on a job and would be late. She panicked and ran.”
“And this Kommando, we have him in custody?”
Heinrich looked directly at the man behind the desk. “No Sir. He didn’t reveal any operational details per se and spoke up as soon as he was aware of the compromise. He’s rated as one of our best and so I determined to keep him on the operation.” Heinrich paused and waited. Friedrichand lifted a letter opener in the shape of a miniature Ehrendegen Reichsführer-SS, the official SS ceremonial sword. He held it in both hands and allowed it to turn slowly.
Heinrich watched the silver blade revolve. On each turn it reflected the now fading sunlight from the windows back into his face like a narrow beam searchlight. He knew his breathing was accelerating and he could hear the blood pounding in his ears as his heart tried to keep the panicked fight or flight adrenaline surge under control.
“Your decision Heinrich?” Friedrichand spoke casually but the tone of the question was anything but.
“Yes Sir.” Heinrich held the gaze of the man and realised that he may have made a monumental mistake. He had no choice but wait and as he waited he curiously realised that he was completely confident that his decision about Schern had been the correct one. He also began to realise that he didn't fear the man opposite as much as he first thought. Something else Mary had said played in his mind. He relaxed.
The Reichsführer stood and placed the letter opener back on the desk. He walked over to Heinrich and looked down on him. “Good Heinrich. Very good indeed. I need strong men around me and I like them to make leadership decisions. I also need them to stand by their decisions. Men like that get to rise to real power Heinrich. Get to experience the type of privilege you have enjoyed coming here today.”
“Thank you Sir.”