The Berlin Vendetta: Book 3 in the series 'The Enigmatic Defection'

by Sylvia Wheatley

“Why did you think that?” Shirley asked.

  “It was the way things were done which was a bit complicated. It was the way messages were sent which Abel Schneider and Emile would pick up. They did that by getting informants to become involved and those informants were good. They needed to be because the Underground paid them well and would have disposed of them very quickly if they were anything that they said they weren’t.”

  “Killed them, you mean?”

  “Maybe. There was a lot at stake.”

  “Did they kill the man who was supposed to be Daniel? I don’t think Daniel has thought of it but you can’t do plastic surgery on a dead person and plastic surgery had been done on that man. The operation would have had to be performed before the man died. I didn’t think of it at the time but I have since.”

  “It would probably have been a mask that had been made with Daniel’s features and would feel like skin. It would have been sewn on top of the man’s face. He wasn’t killed and plastic surgery was done afterwards. Well, not plastic surgery as such but the mask. One of the morticians belonged to the Underground.”

  “Can I tell Daniel that?” Shirley asked. “I don’t think he realised you can’t do plastic surgery on someone after they die but it did worry him that someone might have been killed to let him live.”

  “The young man whose body was used,” Lala replied. “Was killed by a soldier. Quite why, we don’t know but no-one in the Underground did it.”

  “Can I tell Daniel?”

  “Yes, of course you can. I thought he knew.”

  “No, he didn’t. Who do you think could be behind a coup? That is, if there really is going to be one.”

  “I don’t know. Maybe some crank is putting out stories that aren’t true to cover whatever they may be planning which could have nothing to do with a coup.”

  Shirley looked at Lala thoughtfully. “What then? A personal vendetta?”

  “Could be. I wish I could be more helpful but I do have some things I could show you. Dossiers on people the Underground were watching. Events which occurred over the years. Would you like to see them?”

  “Aren’t I stopping you from doing things?” Shirley asked.

  “No, liebling. You’re not doing that.”

  “Do you have information about the people who were part of the Underground?”

  “Yes, but it’s not likely to be any of them. They are a wonderful bunch of people.”

  “Yes, I know. It’s not to see if any of them are going to do anything. It’s to look at what has happened over the years and people with whom they associated. Do you have that sort of information?”

  “I’ll get the files.” Lala went and the first one they opened was that of Dr. Abel Schneider. Jewish. A doctor who had performed plastic surgery on a few people. A brilliant man who Shirley had met and who had been of great help to Daniel when he was on the run. He was writing his memoirs, Lala said, and some of the information in the file was about him.

  “Do they all know you have files on them?” Shirley asked.

  “Yes. It was their idea. They add things now and again and we’re hoping someone will write a book on it at some time. They’re thinking of approaching you. It would involve a lot of work because you would have to interview them. Would you have the time to do something like that? I know you’re very busy.”

  “I’d love to do it,” Shirley said. She turned a page of the file. Abel Jared Schneider, born in 1944 in Auschwitz to Esther and Simeon. She looked up.

  “Auschwitz?”

  “Yes. His parents by some miracle survived. People in Germany kept them hidden and they weren’t captured until near the end of the war so they weren’t in Auschwitz for long. Abel can’t remember that, of course, because he was only a baby and he said they didn’t tell him much. But they spoke at meetings about it and he attended some when he was older. Esther and Simeon live on the east side of Berlin now to be nearer to Abel but they were in the west before the government collapsed. I think what happened to them is partly responsible for the way Abel was. He could have got out of East Germany but chose to stay and he was a tremendous help to many people.”

  “Yes,” Shirley replied, remembering how he sent McSwains darts, underwater seal drainage bottles and antibiotics for Shirley. She turned more pages, totally fascinated with the things she read about Abel’s life. She knew he was the head of the Underground in East Germany. Now she read of how he took that role in 1980.

  He had saved many lives which included Daniel, Shirley felt, because he had been on the run for months before he was reported dead. Things had been easier for him then but he still had to lie low and it was the Underground who supplied a lot of his needs. But Abel was no lover of Germany, Shirley rather felt, and would probably have lived somewhere else if it was not for his part in the Underground. She looked up from her reading.

  “If I do the book I would definitely have to meet the people in it,” she said.

  “You would.” Lala stood. “Another drink?”

  “Water will do, thank you. I don’t suppose I could take these files with me.”

  “I have copies you could take. Nobody will mind because they want you to write the book. Will you have time to do research while you’re here?”

  “It’s not for the book. Some of what happened could be of use because a lot of people are mentioned. I could return them to you in a day or so.”

  “You can keep them,” Lala said. “Take them back to England when you go and study them at your leisure.”

  She would have to stay up all night to study the files, Shirley thought as she drove back to Berlin, because she needed to do so now, not in the future. But now she had more to do and she needed to get on with it. It took a couple of hours to get back to Berlin and reminded her acutely of the way she and Daniel walked for a couple of days along the Mulde river through the snow.

  Germany was such a beautiful country, she thought. No wonder Susan liked living in it. Shirley had told Daniel she wanted to cycle along the Mulde in 1991. They could put a baby each on the back of their bikes and it would be good to see it when she was healthy as opposed to having a pneumothorax caused by being kicked when she was interrogated. The babies had been with her then but she had not been pregnant for long. She stopped the car for a short while near where they had pushed the car into the Mulde to eat some sandwiches Lala had made for her.

  They had good friends in this country, she thought, and it would be so nice if the future of it was assured. People had suffered enough through two wars and when it was divided, people who were not on the side of oppression and who helped wherever they could.

  And had the thought of what happened to his parents affected Abel much, Shirley wondered. She could not imagine how she would feel if she was in a similar position. Rather angry, she suspected. It took a couple of hours to reach Berlin and when she did she made her way to Alexander Platz.

  She looked round the huge restaurant where she sat sipping a milk shake on Alexander Platz, her expression pensive. The last time she had been to it was in 1986 when she followed Daniel a few weeks after their marriage and after he defected to East Germany. Then she had been more than apprehensive after being approached by Johann who she knew to be part of the Underground. Now she wasn’t sure she was that much happier.

  But she wanted to wander round the former East Berlin. She had taken the car back to Helen then travelled on the u-bahn to Friedrichstrasse. Once again it brought back memories of how she had to escape from East Berlin via the station before Schmidt interrogated her and of the fear she had when she was nearly caught. If it had not been for the kindness of the driver who suggested she wore his thick glasses and cap along with his uniform as a disguise she would have been arrested.

  And what was going to happen today, she thought, now that the four men were released from prison? Would Schmidt try to abduct her and who was she to think she could outwit him? She had on a few occasions which had not endeared her to him, she knew. Shooting his hand
and foot would make him more antagonistic.

  Even as she thought of it someone sat opposite her. But not Schmidt. She looked at Hugh with a little frown creasing her forehead.

  “Hello, Shirley,” he said.

  “Hello, Hugh. I didn’t know you’d arrived yet. How did you know I was here?”

  “It’s quite a coincidence,” Hugh replied. “I was doing a bit of shopping.”

  “I don’t think it is a coincidence,” Shirley said. “Berlin is a big place.”

  “And I don’t think you’re in Berlin just for the concert. You are an astute lady who has done a lot to help both the British and the Germans.”

  “I was dragged into that by accident of marriage,” Shirley said. “By accident of two marriages. Is Anna not shopping too?”

  “No. She’s at her parents’ house. I went to Johann’s house and saw you leave. I followed you here.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I have heard rumours of a coup.”

  “Oh? Where did you hear that?”

  “Anna’s parents were in East Berlin all the time the two sides were separated. She thinks something is up.”

  “That doesn’t sound so good,” Shirley said. “Have you told anyone official of your suspicions?”

  “Nobody would listen to us but they might to you because of your involvement in the breakup of the Chain Quintet. Could you speak to someone?”

  “I’m not sure to whom to speak,” Shirley said. “Everything is different from when I was involved and I didn’t have anything to do with West German Intelligence. The only time I spoke to the people in East German Intelligence was when I went to collect Daniel’s body. I think you should go to someone official. Do you have any other proof apart from what Anna thinks?”

  “Not much, except from some of her relatives. They were in East Berlin for a long time. I think Joshua was influenced by people they knew.”

  “I wish I could help,” Shirley said. “I’m really sorry.”

  Hugh handed her a card. “If you should need me at any time that is my mobile phone number. There are people around, I know, who feel they have a gripe against the West Germans.” He stood. “I want to persuade Anna to go back to England but she wants to stay for the celebrations. Maybe we will see you there. We’ve bought tickets for your concert at the Philharmonie on the third. If we are still here I’m looking forward to hearing you sing.”

  “Thank you, Hugh.”

  “Maybe before you return to England you and Daniel can meet Anna’s parents.”

  “I would like that,” Shirley said. “We’ll contact you.”

  “Goodbye, Shirley.”

  He left abruptly. Shirley’s expression was pensive as she watched him leave the restaurant. She had always felt they knew more about Joshua than they ever let on. Where they had stood politically she did not know or where they stood now and then there was what Lala had said about Anna’s parents. She finished her milk shake and left the restaurant. Keying in a number on her mobile phone she held it to her ear as she walked.

  “Dr. Schneider’s office,” said a female voice at the other end. “Can I help you?”

  “Can I speak to Dr. Schneider?” Shirley asked.

  “Who shall I say is calling?”

  “Shirley.” There was silence for a couple of minutes and she was relieved to hear his voice when he spoke.

  “Shirley? Are you alright?”

  “Can we meet somewhere?”

  “Yes, of course we can. Do you want to come to my house or here?”

  “I’d rather meet somewhere else. When are you free?”

  “Are you alright, Shirley?” Dr. Schneider asked.

  “I’m fine. Name a place.”

  Which he did. He would be there in an hour, he said, and when she arrived suggested they go for a drive. It would give them more privacy than going in a restaurant, he said.

  It was a beautiful day and it did give privacy, she agreed. She got into the car and they aimed for the Havel. He drove some way round it before stopping.

  “Is something wrong?” he asked.

  “That’s what I want to ask you,” she replied.

  He reached for a flask and another cup. “Coffee?”

  “Thank you.”

  “And cakes.” He opened a tin and held it out. “It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?”

  “Very beautiful.” Shirley looked at the clear blue water in appreciation, her thoughts on when she had been in the submarine on the night Daniel came through the Brandenberg gate eleven months previously. It was the final attempt of Brandt, Loesel and Nagel to get back at those who had imprisoned them as they tried to blow up the submarine. But maybe not the final attempt, she thought, if they really were planning something.

  “Is something wrong, Shirley?” Dr. Schneider asked.

  “I don’t know, Dr. Schneider. I thought you might.”

  “Abel,” he said.

  “Abel. Something is up and I’m sure you know why we’re in Berlin. Do you have any idea about what could be planned?”

  “No more than you, I am sure. Nagel, Schmidt, Loesel and Brandt were released yesterday from prison in the hopes that those who will keep following them will discover something as I’m sure you know. That may be our only hope at the moment.”

  “Yes, I know.”

  “Why are you involved?”

  “I think you probably know that,” Shirley said.

  “Because of what Schmidt did to Daniel. You are a perceptive and brave lady. It could have just been Schmidt trying his usual tactics.”

  “I have two little boys,” Shirley said. “And I don’t want to have to keep looking over my shoulder.”

  “Which means you’re planning something personally.” Abel’s sentence was a statement and not a question.

  “I don’t know. Maybe I could draw Schmidt out because he really feels he has a gripe with me. He came to our house after he got hold of Daniel and he must have had some sinister reason for doing that though he claims he came to ask for help. However, Daniel was in the trunk of his car and Daniel had said earlier in the day that he would help him. I’m sure you know all that though because everyone seems to know everything.”

  “Do Daniel, Johann and Stefan know that you might do something?” Abel asked.

  “No. They would hit the roof if they did. But I never go into things blindly so I need your help and some information.”

  “What do you plan to do? Abel asked.

  “Maybe let Schmidt abduct me.”

  Abel frowned. “If you do that people should know about it so they can be there when you need them.”

  “Yes, but not the usual people which is why I’ve come to you. Daniel has told me of the way you helped him when he was on the run and how you and the Underground kept him, Kurt and Gerard alive. He told me how you continued to help him after the boys went to England. I know there is no need of an Underground now but I rather suspect that you are all aware of what may happen before or on the third of October. Can you help me do what I want to do?”

  “It is very dangerous,” Abel said.

  “Not if it’s planned well.”

  “It was planned well when you went into East Germany to bring out Helen, Nagel and his wife but it backfired and you suffered as a result.”

  “Only because I didn’t realise until the last minute that Nagel was one of the double spies. If Intelligence had suspected that they would not have offered to get him out of the country. Can you help me?”

  “I need to know every single detail of what you’re planning to do.”

  “But I don’t want you letting Johann, Daniel or Stefan know. The plan will only succeed if as few people know as possible and they’re emotionally involved with me, as are Susan and Stefan.”

  “If your plan is feasible I will only let the people know who would be involved and nobody until the actual time.”

  And she felt one hundred per cent sure she could trust him, Shirley thought when they finally separat
ed, because he was a good man and had proved himself reliable and loyal. He dropped her off outside Friedrichstrasse station and she made her way to Helen’s house. Susan and Stefan were there as were Daniel, Helen and Johann. The lady who walked into the hall Shirley had not expected at all.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked, putting her arms round her friend. “Are you neglecting my godchildren again?”

  “Not as much as you’re neglecting my grandchildren,” Connie replied. “Where are they?”

  “They decided to go to the Bahamas on a cruise.”

  “Why didn’t you bring them to me? My two would love to have them.”

  “We’ll bring them when we return to England,” Shirley said.

  “The family are coming for your concert at The Philharmonie. Something is going on with you all, I know, because none of the babies are in Berlin. Tell me.”

  “There’s nothing to tell,” Shirley said.

  “There is. I think it’s something to do with the reunification.”

  “Do you, Sherlock Holmes. Go home and stop poking your nose into my business and I don’t want you here until late on the third because Berlin will probably go a bit wild when the reunification is officially announced. That’s why the babies aren’t here and not for any sinister reason.”

  “But you must not go before we’ve all had a meal,” Helen said. “And it will be ready in a few minutes. Take Connie upstairs in case she’d like to freshen up and we’ll eat in about ten minutes. Is that long enough, Connie?”

  “That’s fine,” Connie replied. Shirley led the way to their bedroom, Connie went in the bathroom for a couple of minutes and came out to sit on the bed.

  “There is something up,” she said.

  “You read too many thrillers,” Shirley replied.

  “Mostly yours and your life appears to be one long thriller except that it isn’t often very thrilling. Tell me.”

  “There’s nothing to tell. Come on. We musn’t keep Helen waiting. She spends a lot of time and effort on the food she cooks.”

  They walked downstairs and everyone was aiming for the dining room. Shirley helped Helen dish up the food.

  “I’ve been surfing the net,” Connie said after they all started eating. “I found a website in which you might be interested.”