Colton Banyon Mysteries 1-3: Colton Banyon Mysteries (Colton Banyon Mystery Book 20)

by Gerald J Kubicki

  Germany was in worse shape than he had expected. The country had been in a depression since the end of the world war. Germans were alarmingly aggressive about their position in the world. They wanted more food, more consumer products, and more say in running their country; and they wanted it now.

  Wesley had done extensive research on the German situation and knew it was not good. There were many bad things happening there. An aging, weak leader who was all but a puppet controlled the Weimer Republic. But there was a rise in nationalism that had a great effect on the people. It had led to many splinter groups, all vying for power in the government. Many of the leaders were war veterans, and they used intimidation, violence, and cunning trickery to gain power. They used emotion to whip up the unemployed crowds, and they blamed everyone for the dire straits of the country. Hatred of non-Germans was being exploited and used to rally the masses. The country had become one large racist machine, and it was the Jews who fielded the brunt of the blame for the situation. This worried Wesley—Anna was Jewish.

  Jewish businesses were being driven out of existence. Jewish homes and assets were “bought” for pennies on the dollar. Entire Jewish families had vanished overnight, with no way to trace them. This was what Wesley feared more than anything. His concern was heightened by a recurring nightmare.

  The nightmares had started one week before Roosevelt had contacted him in Virginia. It was as if the Black Diamond was trying to communicate with Wesley. The nightmares were nearly the same every time, but increased in number and intensity since the beginning. They now came almost daily, and Wesley was feeling the strain.

  In the dreams, he saw the Black Diamond lying without the pouch and without goat blood. It was part of a larger treasure piled into a wooden box. Without the protection, it radiated energy into the room, or maybe cave, Wesley was never sure. Much wealth had been accumulated in the space and spread out in all directions from the diamond. It beckoned him. It made a siren-like sound. “Come get me, Wesley. See what I have done. I can do more. Find me.”

  Wesley intended to find the Black Diamond, now more than ever. The wealth was merely a bribe. But it was the second part of the dream that really frightened him.

  As the nightmare continued, the scene grew larger. Wesley could make out other items in the space. Piled next to the box where the Black Diamond perched was a mountain of gold in small pieces. With horror, Wesley realized the mountain was made of gold fillings. He also viewed other articles that were all made of gold or silver—things like plates, lamps, and household items. Wesley could see them clearly. Some lay on newspaper. He could make out the year on one paper. It read 1945.

  The Black Diamond sang, “She will be here.”

  Chapter Fifty-Five

  Wesley stood across the street from a rundown building on Elsa Street in downtown Munich. It had once been a jewelry shop that was in a nice section of the city. The store was closed and all the windows had been broken out. Graffiti decorated the door and all the wood surrounding it. The Star of David symbol was washed out, but clearly visible, and so was the word “Jude.” The storefront had been abandoned for some time.

  It was the only address Wesley could find for the Van Kleef family. He reasoned they must have lived above the store. No one lived there now. Wesley believed they had moved on, but to where?

  Wesley spotted an old woman down the street. He suspected she had lived in the neighborhood for some time and probably knew something about the Van Kleef business and family. He walked her way and noticed she tried to waddle away as soon as she saw him. He jogged up to her and addressed her.

  “Excuse me,” he spoke in perfect Prussian.

  “Please, I’ve done nothing, and I know nothing,” she wailed as she threw up her hands in a protection mode.

  “I just want to ask you a few questions about the storefront over there.” He pointed, and she followed his direction.

  Fear rose in her eyes. “I can tell you nothing. Why are you trying to trap me into talking about the Jews? I don’t want to go to jail.”

  Wesley now understood her paranoia. She thought he was some sort of secret policeman and had come to trick her and arrest her.

  “Please listen, Madam, I am not the police. I’m an American on holiday. I have come to see the Van Kleef daughter about a diamond. Surely you remember Anna?”

  “They are gone,” she quickly replied. “Herr Himmler—he is now the police chief—bought their business and all the jewelry. Go see him.” She turned and fled, waddling down the street at an alarming rate.

  Herr Himmler, thought Wesley. He was familiar with the name. He needed to do more research and he headed back to the hotel.

  Chapter Fifty-Six

  Wesley sat in the outer office of the chief of police. Heinrich Leopold Himmler had only recently been appointed to the top office. Wesley had researched the man and knew he was dangerous. Himmler was also second in command of one of the militant splinter fascist political groups. He headed up a secret protection unit for the militant politician, Adolf Hitler. It was called the SS, or the Schutzstaffel. He was a powerful man and rumored to be ruthless.

  The inner office door opened, and a short man of slight build stepped out from behind the door.

  “Good morning,” he brightly but softly spoke.

  Wesley rose from his chair and followed him into his office. It was a museum. Priceless art decorated the walls. The furniture was strong and masculine. The place reeked of authority. But it was the knickknacks that caught Wesley’s attention. There were many symbols of the occult placed throughout the office. Wesley had read that Himmler was a serious occultist.

  Himmler was clearly fastidious and well groomed. Even his fingernails were polished. He also was not a patient man.

  “Herr Wesley,” he started out. “You have alarmed several citizens of our fair city.”

  “What?” was all that Wesley could muster.

  “There have been many reports of you sneaking around some old neighborhoods and terrorizing the mature population.”

  Wesley realized Himmler wanted him on the defense.

  “I seek only to find an old lover, Anna Van Kleef, and to buy some diamonds, sir. I only asked one woman one question. She pointed me to you. Your information is incorrect.”

  “We do not tolerate impertinence in my city.” Himmler was angry and red splotches appeared around his face. He banged his small fist on the desk. This attempt at intimidation had little effect on Wesley, but he decided to play along. He had other objectives in mind.

  “I didn’t know she was Jewish,” he softly spoke with his head hung low, faking shame. “I met her on a cruise to South Africa many years ago. She said her family owned a diamond store here in Munich. I wanted to buy a diamond she showed me. It was black.

  Like a puppy dog, Himmler straightened in his seat and angled his head in thought. “You have been to South Africa?”

  “Yes, in 1902.”

  “Ever heard of the Society of WSA?”

  “I attended a meeting there. I met The Major before he was tragically killed.”

  “I know of The Major. He was a great man and possessed knowledge and power passed on to him by the gods. He was…like me.”

  “The Black Diamond was used in the ceremony. I would like to have it, and I can afford to buy it.”

  Himmler’s ego was now in control of the conversation. “The Black Diamond is not for sale. It is now part of my personal collection. No one touches it but me. You are from America, yes?”

  Trying not to register shock, Wesley replied. “Could I at least examine it? I am a professor of history and have tracked the diamond from the first recordings of its existence. It could be a fake, you know. I discovered this in 1902.”

  “Don’t worry,” Himmler said dismissively. “I also have notes on how to use it properly. The Jew woman was anxious to tell me everything about it when she sold it to me. Do you have something more to add?”

  Himmler did the dip of his head again.
This alarmed Wesley, as Himmler was known to snatch people off the street to interrogate them. Most never returned to the street.

  “What did you do with her?” Wesley tried to be nonchalant despite a strong feeling of nausea.

  “Oh…she is around, but she is not taking any audiences right now. If you stay longer, maybe we can arrange a meeting. Are you Jewish, Professor?” The smile that followed the statement was as sinister as Wesley had ever seen. The man reeked of evil self-serving lust.

  “I am a Christian,” Wesley quickly replied.

  “Are you a follower of the occult?”

  “I have been known to dabble,” Wesley answered without knowing where the conversation was going.

  “Perhaps you would be interested in joining our organization in America. We are based out of New York City. We have thousands of members there. I understand you have lived there.”

  Wondering how Himmler knew this, Wesley replied, “I’m a retired professor of history, Herr Himmler. I’m more content to search for ancient artifacts than be involved in social activities, but give me the name of your contact and I will look them up when I am in the city.” Wesley’s intention was to pass the information on to the ONI.

  “Perhaps they will contact you,” Himmler replied.

  Wesley was wary of his reply and quickly added, “Actually, I live in Virginia.”

  “Yes, I know.”

  Chapter Fifty-Seven

  Wesley stood at the fireplace in the governor’s mansion in New York and sipped cognac as he talked with FDR.

  “I’m telling you this Nazi party is going to be the power in Germany, and we should try to stop them stateside before it’s too late. They could influence how Americans think.”

  “So what if they have members in the U.S.? We’re not concerned.” FDR waved his hand in dismissal of the subject.

  “Franklin, I was there. I barely got out of the country alive. As soon as I left Himmler’s office, two goons started following me. These people are very organized. Only my ONI training saved me—that and the false passport I had in my satchel. Himmler wanted to know what I knew. I know torture is part of his game.”

  “I told you not to go,” FDR reminded him as he lit a cigarette.

  “At least have someone check out the Nazi organization in New York City,” Wesley pleaded.

  “That will be done,” FDR nodded.

  What Wesley didn’t tell him was that he feared for Anna. He was sure Himmler had her stashed in some prison. No matter how strong she was, she would give up all the information about the diamond, and Himmler would use what he learned for evil purposes. He was quite sure the goal was world domination, with Himmler at the helm.

  Wesley had never told anyone about the Black Diamond, and he debated telling FDR. Finally, he made a big decision.

  “Franklin, I think you’re going to need another drink.”

  ***

  When Wesley finished his story, it was late at night, and FDR looked very tired.

  “You can never go back to Germany,” FDR reasoned.

  “I can’t promise that.”

  “At least let me look into this Himmler character. Maybe we can find out where the diamond is located. If he learns how to use it, he could develop a super army that can’t be defeated. We cannot allow that,” FDR reasoned.

  “Just get me the information. I’ll find a way to grab the diamond.” Wesley pointed at his friend. The ball was in his court.

  “By the way,” FDR said thoughtfully. “I’m going to run for president; that bauble could help my campaign.”

  Chapter Fifty-Eight

  Himmler walked across the dark wood floor of his library. Although he had married, for the second time, two years earlier, he had spent most of his life as a bachelor with secrets. His wife didn’t know his secrets and was not allowed to ask about them. One secret was the library. She was not allowed to enter it, nor could she inquire about the activities that surrounded it. Himmler employed a strange South African man of German descent to care for the room. He was a Boer war veteran, making him very old, who guarded and kept the library tidy. When he was away, the library was locked.

  The man, Eric Van Damm, had lived in South Africa during and after the Boer Wars and had been a fringe member of the Society of WSA. Himmler had needed a personal aid and hired Van Damm as a handyman. They were both followers of the occult and hated everything not German. Himmler had brought Van Damm into his inner circle.

  As Himmler reached the far wall of the library, he pulled a thick, red velvet rope. A door opened in the wall and he entered. The stairs led to an old dungeon in the big house. Himmler loved the dungeon and went there often for occult rituals. The ritual tonight would include the Black Diamond.

  There were twelve men in robes already waiting. They were Himmler’s “round table” modeled after the Camelot knights. Himmler truly believed he was a reincarnation of a king named Heinrich and was meant to rule. The occult kept him in touch with his past lives and gave him the edge he needed to dominate and intimidate others. The diamond sat on a pedestal in the middle of a large rock table.

  Without preamble, Herr Himmler opened the meeting.

  “Number two, what have you to report?”

  The man was a German army officer and a Nazi. He was also a member of the Himmler secret society. “We have implemented the sacred symbols on the uniforms. We are also fashioning a ring to be worn by all our troops. This will be completed in the next week. That is all.”

  “Number three, you’re next,” Himmler pointed at the man.

  His name was Hanz Kammler. He had a Ph.D. in engineering and was destined for fame as long as he performed for Himmler. “I’ve been looking at possible sites for our long-range program, my leader. It may take as long as ten years to make it ready.”

  “Proceed,” was all Himmler said.

  Each member made his report in turn. Himmler produced a small smile after each man spoke and nodded in understanding. He was the grand master, the architect of a superior army, the cutting edge of the sword. All things were done his way, with no exception. The reports ended, and silence filled the room. No one but Himmler knew what was next.

  “Fellow members of the round table, we have come a great way and will now be rewarded with evidence of our clear direction. I have recovered an ancient power that had been used in our ceremonies for millennia. The Black Diamond you see before you has power—power beyond belief.” He stopped at that point and nodded toward the diamond. It shined brightly, as the goat’s blood had been washed off. It seemed to grin at the men who gathered around the table. After a few seconds, he continued.

  “I can control these powers and offer a portion of them to you, my loyal men of the roundtable.” Himmler actually had no intention of allowing any of his pawns any powers, but he wanted them to think he had endowed them.

  “Let me show you some of the power.” Himmler reached for the diamond with his right hand and deftly moved it to his left hand. He knew he had only thirty seconds before he would begin to lose his mind, but this would not take that long.

  Himmler now turned to the man next to him and ordered, “Quickly, take the knife on the table and stab me.”

  The man hesitated and drew back. “I can not attack you sir,” he shrieked.

  “Do it, if you value your life,” a very serious Himmler ordered as he drew his pistol and aimed it at the startled man. “Do it now.”

  The man picked up the knife and attempted to plunge it into Himmler’s stomach. Just as the knife was about to enter his body, it burst into a million pieces of dust. The men of the roundtable were at first shocked, then confused, and then each grinned. They all understood the impact of the little show. They could become invincible. An army of invincible soldiers meant incredible conquests and glory beyond imagination. Their leader, Himmler, would provide the way as long as they were loyal.

  As the men began talking among themselves about the possible uses of the powers, Himmler slipped the diamond i
nto the blood of a goat. As soon as he was satisfied the diamond was neutralized, he spoke.

  “The Black Diamond will protect you, if I believe in you. You each must hold it for precisely thirty seconds in your left hand. One second more and you will turn to dust. I have placed a coating on it to protect you, just in case you can’t count.” He laughed at his own joke.

  “Number one, you’re first,” he pointed with a slender finger.

  Himmler knew the goat’s blood wouldn’t allow any powers to pass into the bodies of his men, but he wanted them to think it would. He was far too paranoid to allow anyone to match his powers until they had proved his loyalty. The Jew woman had provided the information while spread eagled naked on a table. Himmler had been very intimate with her before she sputtered out the information.

  “Each of you must now sign these documents of loyalty. In addition, you must never use these powers except for self-defense. At least until you can comprehend the true powers of the diamond.” The documents declared complete allegiance to Himmler and willed all their assets to the leader.

  “Hurry and sign the documents so we can complete the ceremony with the young virgin comrade Eric has recently acquired from the wasteland of Poland.”

  Chapter Fifty-Nine

  FDR was, as always, true to his word. The apartment in Yorkville in Manhattan where Wesley now lived was small by Wesley’s standards, but it was serviceable for the mission—what he thought of as his mission for his country. FDR had called him in early 1930, and Wesley had rushed to see him.