Anna could tell that Heydrich was only suppressing a sigh with difficulty; this man was his boss. He looked at Hitler.
‘I do not think General Heydrich really means that we should resettle the Jews, Heinrich,’ the Fuehrer said quietly. ‘But to house several million people in concentration camps that are already full . . . even to build sufficient new camps to house them all, the expense . . .’
‘With respect, my Fuehrer, we only need one or two additional camps.’
‘To house five million people?’
‘Not to house them, my Fuehrer – except on a temporary basis – but rather to process them. The turnover can be fairly rapid.’
Hitler gazed at him for several seconds, then looked at Himmler. To Anna’s relief, none of the men looked at her. She could not believe what she was hearing, what Heydrich was proposing. She had shared a bed with this man more often than she cared to remember, and would have to do so again, perhaps this very day.
Himmler snorted. ‘I have just explained that I am having trouble maintaining the morale of the Einsatzgruppen, carrying out a hundred or so executions a day. Now you wish to increase that number, perhaps a hundredfold? Even if they are locked up in a camp, the men will not do it.’
‘I agree,’ Heydrich said, again smoothly. ‘I am not proposing that we use the SS for this task, save for operating and maintaining the camps, as they already do. Nor am I proposing the use of firing squads; we surely have better use for our bullets, and besides, as you say, sir, it would be too slow. But it is possible to dispose of several hundred people at a time by the use of gas. If the subjects are herded into a large sealed chamber, and gas introduced into that chamber, they will be disposed of in just a few minutes. Then the bodies can be removed, and another lot sent in.’
‘You think they will go?’ Himmler asked. ‘There would be a riot.’
‘Not if they are properly handled. Consider, Herr Reichsfuehrer. They have been assembled, and have been taken to what they will be told is a holding camp before they proceed to their resettlement area, their new homes. They are then told that before they can depart, they must be bathed with a special de-lousing soap. They will accept this; most of them are riddled with vermin anyway. These people are essentially passive. As long as there is hope of an improvement in their situation, they will obey orders. Once they are inside the “bath house” and the doors are sealed, it does not matter if they then realize what is about to happen.’
‘And you expect my SS to handle all of this?’ Himmler demanded.
‘The SS will oversee it. I acknowledge that they will have to be specially selected for the task, and there would have to be extra pay and privileges. The actual handling of the bodies would be done by concentration camp inmates, who would also receive special privileges. There will be no difficulty in finding volunteers.’
Himmler looked at Hitler, who was stroking his chin. ‘How can you be sure this gas will kill an entire group of more than a hundred people at a time?’ the Fuehrer asked. ‘I have experienced gas poisoning, you know, in the Great War. I was very ill, and spent some time in hospital. But I did not die. Nor did many of my comrades.’
‘Forgive me, my Fuehrer, but science has advanced a good way since 1918. I have been in talks with various chemical firms, and they tell me they have developed a pellet, nothing larger than that, which, dropped through a ventilating shaft, will dispel enough gas to kill everyone in a sealed chamber. Very quickly, too. They will not suffer for more than a few seconds.’
How humane, Anna thought, feeling sick.
‘I must say,’ Hitler commented, ‘that if such a plan would truly work . . . it would have to be kept top secret, of course.’
‘Of course.’
Hitler looked at Anna, who suddenly felt very cold.
‘Anna is absolutely trustworthy, my Fuehrer,’ Heydrich declared.
‘I did not doubt it for a moment.’
‘But it will, of course, leak out,’ Himmler said. ‘Certainly when construction of these special camps commences.’
‘The important thing is that the German people should not know of it,’ Hitler said. ‘As for world opinion, by the time they know what is happening we shall be masters of all Europe. The Japanese will certainly not object, and Africa is irrelevant.’
‘And the United States?’
‘Are you not now about to gauge US opinion?’ The three men all looked at Anna, who again felt a sudden chill, which only increased as Hitler smiled at her. ‘That is going to be your responsibility, my dear. Does that please you?’
Anna was still finding it difficult to think coherently, but she managed a faint, ‘Yes, my Fuehrer.’
‘Excellent. Well, Reinhard, you do seem to have come up with a solution to our problem. Do you not agree, Heinrich?’
‘You understand that General Heydrich will not be here to oversee this programme, my Fuehrer? Or have you changed your mind about sending him to Prague?’
‘No, no. He has a job to do there which I suspect only he can do efficiently. You will supervise this programme, Heinrich. You will hold talks with these chemical experts about this wonder pellet, and you will commission architects to design and build the new camps. Ah . . .’ He frowned and looked at Heydrich. ‘Where exactly would they be located? I do not think it would be a good idea to have them here in Germany for the reasons I have stated.’
‘I agree, sir. But there is a lot of open country available in Poland, and it will be easier to seal off these areas from the general population than here in Germany.’
‘Of course. That is good thinking. Well, gentlemen, Anna, I congratulate you. It seems to me that we have achieved . . .’ He looked at Heydrich.
‘I would say, my Fuehrer, that we have achieved a Final Solution to the Jewish problem.’
Chapter Two – The Abwehr
Sitting between the two men in the back of the car as it drove away from the Wilhelmstrasse, Anna felt as if she were about to suffocate..
‘You have scored a victory,’ Himmler remarked. ‘I hope for your sake, my dear Reinhard, that it works.’
‘It will work,’ Heydrich said, ‘if it is carried out with the proper efficiency. That is now your province, Herr Reichsfuehrer.’
‘Yes,’ Himmler said thoughtfully. ‘Do you think it will work, Anna?’
I prefer not to think of it at all, Anna thought. It is the most horrendous plan I have ever heard. She knew there had been unbelievable massacres before at various periods in history, whether for military or political reasons, but for destroying an entire people just because they were there one had to go back to the Assyrians. So she had to think about it, and she had to tell the world what was going to happen, supposing the world was capable of doing anything to prevent it. But the risk that would involve, when she had virtually been sworn to secrecy . . . She was grateful for her glasses, which effectively concealed her eyes, and said quietly, ‘It is an overwhelming concept, Herr Reichsfuehrer. May I ask why I was included in this meeting?’
‘You weren’t intentionally. The Fuehrer just wanted to meet you, to find out if everything we had claimed about you was true. So your presence was accidental, although he did wish to ascertain your opinion of the Jews, your attitude towards them, in view of the mission you are to undertake. And you did very well. The Fuehrer was very taken with you. He may well wish to . . . how shall I put it? See more of you.’
Anna drew a sharp breath and Himmler smiled. ‘Now, that is an overwhelming thought, is it not?’
‘This mission, Herr Reichsfuehrer . . .’
‘We will discuss it later. Over dinner, perhaps.’
Anna looked at Heydrich, who was also smiling. ‘The price of fame, as well as beauty, Anna. But you see, as you may have gathered, I will not be here for a while.’
‘You are going to Prague.’
‘A place I am sure you remember well.’
‘I was there for less than twenty-four hours.’
‘But in that brief space
of time you accomplished one of your greatest triumphs.’
Or suffered one of my greatest misfortunes, Anna thought. ‘I did my duty, Herr General,’ she said primly. ‘But . . . there is trouble in Bohemia?’
Himmler snorted. ‘The Czechs are the most impossible people on earth. They must be made to understand their place in the Reich; that they belong to the Reich, not the Reich to them. And von Thoma – you remember von Thoma, Countess?’
‘We never met. As I said, my visit was very brief.’
‘She just arrived, killed two enemy agents, incapacitated a third, and was recalled.’ Heydrich’s voice was proud. ‘I did not wish her to become exposed to any publicity.’
Enemy agents, Anna thought. She had often wondered what she would have done had she known those unfortunate men had been British agents. At that moment, her job had been to protect Meissenbach, and they had intended to kill him. But what a catastrophe would have been avoided had she just let them get on with it.
‘Extraordinary,’ Himmler commented. ‘But then, you are an extraordinary woman, Countess. I look forward to working more closely with you.’
Anna turned her head to look at Heydrich again. He continued to smile. ‘As Reichsfuehrer Himmler has indicated, it has been decided that General von Thoma is not capable of ruling Bohemia-Moravia, and therefore I am going to replace him.’
‘You’re going to be governor-general of Czechoslovakia?’
‘Do keep up to date, Anna. Czechoslovakia no longer exists. I have been appointed Reich-Protector of Bohemia-Moravia. Do not look so alarmed. The appointment is only until I have taught these people how to be good citizens of the Reich. I estimate it will take not longer than a year. Then I will be back in Berlin. Until then . . .’ He looked at Himmler.
He gave another of his cold, emotionless smiles. ‘You will be working directly under my command, Anna. As I have said, I am looking forward to this. As are you, I am sure.’ He squeezed her hand. ‘I will come to see you, this evening, and we will discuss your next assignment.’
*
Anna followed Heydrich into his office, attracting surprised glances; no one in Gestapo Headquarters had ever seen the Countess von Widerstand anything less than immaculately groomed and dressed. But she ignored them all, closing the doors behind herself without waiting for any of the secretaries to interfere. Heydrich, taking off his cap and belts, turned in apparent surprise, as if he had not realized she was behind him. ‘Anna?’
Anna took off her glasses, restored them to the pocket of her shirt. ‘Can this be real, Herr General?’
Heydrich sat behind his desk. ‘I am not sure to what you are referring.’
I’m referring to anything I have heard today, she thought. But the bigger subject was just too big for discussion, certainly with the man who had thought it up. ‘I mean that you are abandoning me to this . . . this . . .’
He held up a finger. ‘Please, Anna. Reichsfuehrer Himmler is supreme commander of the German Secret Services. That means he is the supreme commander of everyone in the Secret Services. And that includes you, whether you like it or not.’
‘Will he wish to have sex with me?’
‘I would be very surprised if he does not. Mind you, I have no idea what his tastes are. But you are quite capable of taking care of any tastes, are you not?’
Anna placed her hands on the desk and leaned forward. ‘Reinhard, I am a human being. I have feelings, believe it or not.’
‘Do you know, I have often doubted that. Oh, you are a consummate actress. But I have observed you, when apparently in the throes of an orgasm, clearly thinking of something else. Or someone else.’
Anna straightened; he was getting rather close to the truth. ‘I have never faked an orgasm in my life.’ Which was not a lie.
‘I am sure of it. That is one of your greatest assets. That you can become totally absorbed in your sex, while at the same time determining what should happen next. Perhaps even something like killing your partner.’
‘So I stay alive.’
‘Because you are valuable to us. Continue being valuable to us, and you and yours may enjoy a long and profitable life.’
Anna’s nostrils dilated. The threat contained in the words ‘and yours’, which he had so casually slipped in, was the nightmare that dominated her life.
He was a believer in crossing t’s and dotting i’s. ‘Tell me, when did you last see your parents?’
‘When you permitted me to visit them, in July of last year.’
‘But that is more than a year ago. That is very neglectful of you. I will give you an authorization now.’
‘I do not wish to visit my parents at this time, Herr General.’
Heydrich raised his eyebrows.
‘They have learned, from their guards, that I am working for the Reich, and thus regard me as a traitor, both to Austria and to their beliefs.’
‘That is a pity. But have they not also learned that they are alive and well just because you have embraced our principles?’
‘I do not know. It is better that they should not. I think they would find that unacceptable.’
‘It is remarkable how some people refuse to accept reality. Fortunately you, Anna, have never suffered from tunnel vision. Nor must you now. Your value does not depend merely on your unusual skills; it equally lies in your beauty, your sexuality, which makes any normal heterosexual man want to get his hands on you. Reichsfuehrer Himmler is, as far as I know, a normal heterosexual man, and he is, as of now, the most important man in your life. I say this with some sadness. But as I have told you, I would hope to complete this Prague business within a year, at which time I shall return, and hope to reclaim you. Now go away and prepare to entertain the Reichsfuehrer tonight. I am sure you will find him . . . different.’
*
As she waited on the pavement for her taxi – Heydrich’s determination to preserve her anonymity meant that he would not allow her the use of an official car, which suited her purpose well enough – Anna wondered who she loathed more, Heydrich or Himmler. But while she knew Heydrich very well, she did not know Himmler at all. It was the cold-fish demeanour of the Gestapo Chief that was so off-putting. And tonight she would have to give him everything he wanted, with the loving enthusiasm he would want as well. She wondered if Heydrich had ever discussed her sexual skills with his boss.
But there were more important things in life than sex. The death of millions! The car door was opened for her, and she sank on to the cushions. ‘I wish to go to Antoinette’s Boutique,’ she told the driver.
He grunted, and the car moved away from the kerb. But he was watching her in his rear-view mirror, and while he clearly liked what he saw, she knew he was wondering if such an untidy and shabbily dressed young woman could afford the fare – and what he should ask for if she could not. Equally, he would be wondering if she could possibly afford to shop at such an expensive emporium.
‘I will not be long,’ she said as the taxi stopped outside the lavish exterior. ‘Wait for me.’ She gave him a note. ‘There will be another of those when you have taken me home.’ Again he did not comment.
Anna entered the show room. ‘Countess! Countess?’ The woman, pertly attractive with curling dark hair, peered at her. Like everyone else, she was unused to seeing one of the Boutique’s most valued customers in anything other than the height of chic. And for her suddenly to appear after so long an absence . . . ‘Are you all right?’
Anna took off her glasses. ‘Good morning, Edda. Is Signor Bartoli free?’
‘He is with a client, Countess. Perhaps I can help.’
‘I wish to see Signor Bartoli. Will you tell him this?’
‘Ah . . . of course. Will you not sit down?’
Anna nodded, but she preferred to stand, moving restlessly from showcase to showcase. There were several other customers in the store, and they cast curious glances at so much beauty encased in shapeless slacks and a crumpled shirt, and with her still-damp hair loose and somewh
at untidy. Anna ignored them, and a moment later Edda Hedermann returned. ‘If you will come in, Countess.’
Anna followed her, not into the fitting room where she usually saw her Berlin boss, but into Bartoli’s office.
‘Signor Bartoli will be with you in a moment.’
She closed the door, and Anna sat down and crossed her knees. The enormity of what she had been told that morning was only slowly overshadowing her personal problems. It was in fact so great, so horrifying, that its exact implications were difficult to calculate. She knew she should go home and think about it, but going home meant preparing herself for Himmler’s visit, and she wanted to get this problem off her chest before contemplating in detail such a mind-blowing prospect. And before allowing the personal risk to which she would be exposing herself get the better of her devotion to duty.
She got up, sat behind Bartoli’s desk, pulled a block of his notepaper towards her, and wrote rapidly. Then she read what she had written, and blew a raspberry. She took the gold lighter from her shoulder bag, flicked it into flame, and carefully burned the paper. She did not herself smoke, but carried the lighter as a fashion accessory.
The door opened and Bartoli came in. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘Waiting for you.’
‘You are supposed to make an appointment.’
‘This is urgent. Would you like to sit down?’
Bartoli was a short, rotund man with a waxed moustache. As overwhelmed as any man when he had first discovered that the agent he had been appointed to monitor, and hopefully control, was quite the most exciting woman he had ever seen, his enthusiasm had dwindled as his attempts to get close to her had all been firmly rejected. ‘It does happen to be my desk.’
Anna got up and moved back to her chair. Bartoli sat behind the desk and shot his cuffs. ‘Where have you been, anyway? I have not seen you for a year.’
‘My dear Bartoli, I have spent most of the last year in Moscow, as you well know.’
Angel of Vengeance_The thrilling sequel to Angel in Red Page 4