The Ghost

by Henry Kellerman

  “Then, I also needed to visit Kappler in prison because he had information about a case I was working. He accepted my visit and he told me that he cried when O’Flaherty offered him forgiveness even though Kappler posted notices during the war that the apprehension of O’Flaherty would be rewarded. It made me believe that this conversion stuff is strong. Of course, at that time during the war, O’Flaherty was doing it all from some invisible place. No one could find him. Was he hidden within the Vatican or not? No one knew and the bet was on that Kappler was going to get him. But Kappler never did. No one ever ratted O’Flaherty out. No one!

  “To top it off, O’Flaherty’s nemesis within the Vatican was the notorious Bishop Hudal. Alois Hudal. Hudal was a real Nazi lover. But O’Flaherty is himself a treasure-trove of information. So, Al, O’Flaherty—he’s the one we’ve got to see first. He’s not in hiding anymore. Ha. Right? It’s 1958 not 1943. Let’s go get him. I happen to know he has a good relationship with Imi, and after the war they had a lot of contact.”

  “Jim, whatya mean, ‘let’s go get him.’ You mean go to Rome?”

  “Right. We’ve got to visit him where he lives—at the Vatican. And believe me, it’s a bee hive over there. The Vatican is pervaded with what O’Flaherty identified as Group 1—priests, cardinals, bishops, and others—who are still arch conservatives in the sense of retaining their fascist ideological commitment. And Hudal is number one of number one. See what I mean? But also, and in contrast, there are the O’Flaherty’s—actually many—who were called Group 2, and they’re in a constant struggle with this Group 1. The struggle is for dominance and an always striving goal for a more compelling influence at the Vatican is the constant refrain.”

  Before Al knew it, the call to O’Flaherty was made and after the quick flight to Rome they were pulling up to where O’Flaherty lived; a small but beautiful townhouse/hotel outside the walls of Vatican City. O’Flaherty welcomed them gracefully.

  Now in 1958, O’Flaherty ws sixty years old. But he looked more like a man of fifty or even younger. He was physically fit. He walked in an erect manner. Al said it reminded him of our Irish friends of our Bronx neighborhood like the four Masterson brothers.

  Before Al had a chance to say much, O’Flaherty launched into a story about Mussolini’s downfall where, thereafter thousands of allied prisoners were released. The problem was that the Nazis were still in control of Rome and therefore, these prisoners needed to find places to hide. It reminded Al of how Ustacio was released from the work camp with hundreds of other allied prisoners when the Italian commandant freed them upon hearing about the imminent Nazi takeover of Rome.

  Now, with all these allied soldiers trying to find safe places, enter Hugh O’Flaherty of the Vatican. Hugh saw what he had to do and quickly convened a group of unlikely allies; unlikely because apparently these included priests he trusted like Snedden and Flanagan and the same for certain nuns. There were others he trusted who were nationals from Sweden, France, Switzerland, and other countries. These resistance fighters as Hugh called them, were those in O’Flaherty’s Group 2.

  That was the war inside the war; Group 1 versus Group 2. The problem was that even though Hugh managed to rescue all those Jews and allied soldiers, as Al and Jimmy already surmised, Group 1 had thousands of passports all ready to go. Both groups felt they were doing rescue. For Group 1 the rescue was to make sure individuals who could be on trial for war crimes could escape, while for Group 2, the rescue was to save innocent lives of those who very likely could or would be summarily killed.

  And, here they were, looking at and listening directly to Father Hugh O’Flaherty. O’Flaherty ushered them in to his little apartment. He offered refreshments as Jimmy was already introducing Al. After the three of them ended their introduction phase, Jimmy asked Al to bring O’Flaherty up to date starting with the Ustacio thing, followed by Olga’s death, and then all the way to Willy getting shoved off the ledge.

  When Al finished, Hugh O’Flaherty was not at all surprised.

  “You see,” he said, “it’s typical, not caring for human life. That’s what they do. They kill without the slightest remorse, human reason, or even that thing we call pity.”

  “So,” Al picked it up and addressed O’Flaherty:

  “We need to get to Simon Wiesenthal. But first, we’re sure that Emerich Lichtenfeld will have something important to tell us, and he’ll get us to Wiesenthal. By the way, Jimmy mentioned that you know Imi and that you also know about Wiesenthal. May I ask, what do you know about Wiesenthal?”

  “Well, he’s turned into a bona fide Nazi hunter. He started slowly right after the war but now he’s flying. I understand he’s already provided Mossad with information on Mengele, Eichmann, Stangl, Priebke, and others. Apparently, he knows where they are and where they’ll go if they’re discovered and on the run. When I last spoke to Imi he told me Wiesenthal does not have a copy of the secret undisclosed Wannsee Conference papers—apparently these your kid-off-the-ledge has hidden. Wiesenthal got his information the hard way and I’m not really sure what he needed to do, to get it. But there’s no doubt that Wiesenthal knows that the Wannsee papers contain these undisclosed plans that, in my opinion, detail escape plans—that could even be for Hitler himself.

  “You know, Wiesenthal was in so many work and death camps that he’s seen it all and practically seen them all. He can identify many of these criminals by sight. He’s actually seen them and he wants every one of them. You might be interested that he’s also given information to your State Department, but he stopped doing it. Imi says it’s because your State Department actually took in some of those bastards and gave them safe harbor. So, Wiesenthal no longer trusts the U.S. At this point he trusts no one but Mossad. And even there, Imi says he still has information he hasn’t passed along.

  “You might be interested in this little vignette. I heard that at the beginning of this year, movie people in Hollywood were thinking of making a movie about Wernher von Braun, the German/Nazi scientist who developed the V-2 rocket that partly destroyed London. Von Braun ran to the U.S. after the war because in the U.S.A. he knew he could have a good life especially if the U.S. government exploited his talents. In contrast, if the Soviets got him, he knew they’d also exploit his scientific ability for their own purposes but they wouldn’t treat him well and he’d be despised. You know, considering what the Germans did to the Russian people.

  “Anyway, the joke that started in Hollywood and reached way over to here and practically all over Europe was that people were sarcastically commenting on the proposed title of the Wernher von Braun movie — I Aim at the Stars. They were saying: ‘I aim at the stars, but occasionally hit London.’”

  “Oh, that’s a good one,” Jimmy instantly said, and Al laughed out loud. “But,” Jimmy said, “let’s get back to Wiesenthal.”

  “Before we contact Imi,” O’Flahrety interrupted, “let me just say that the opinion about Wiesenthal by those around him and by some of the historians is that he’s always suspicious. Maybe not paranoid, but always suspicious. I think it’s because he knows he’s a target. He knows these Nazis are thinking: ‘Let’s get him before he gets us.’

  “Jimmy, I know you agree with Hugh,” Al said. “What we need is to get to get to Simon Wiesenthal as soon as possible.” And even more, I need to catch that motha-fuckn’ ghost—sorry, Hugh—and throw him off a third-floor ledge. I mean it! Truth-telling time, Jimmy. Did I say something that wasn’t clear? That’s what my friend Mac the Bronx detective usually says.”

  “No, Al, you were perfectly clear,” answered Jim.”

  “Yes, you were very clear,” chuckled Hugh.

  “Okay then,” Jim continued. “Now is the time to introduce Kishnov. Don’t you think?”

  “Right,” Al answered on a reflex.

  “Okay,” Jim continued. “This is it, Hugh. Al and I have talked it over and we believe that Wiesenthal is not the one we need for this mission. Rather, we should invite to our table, a
guy named Shmuel Kishnov. He was a shadow member of the Kovner gang that wanted to decimate five German towns by poisoning their water supply. As I said to Al, Wiesenthal is an information guy. He’s not going to be involved in assassinations and that sort of thing. So, at this point the plan is to get in touch with Kishnov. He’s not easy to reach but I know people who will be able to reach him. At the moment, I’d like you to forget that I mentioned assassinations.

  * * *

  O’Flaherty paused and then surprisingly said: “Kishnov’s here in Rome! That’s right. He’s now here.”

  “Jesus,” Al practically shouted. “Sorry Father, sorry. But this means you probably know how to contact him. Am I right?”

  “Yes, you’re right. Imi’s here because rather than Wiesenthal himself, we’ve invited Shmuel Kishnov to be the action-hero and ferret this ghost who Simon has identified as the one that haunts the Vatican. Wiesenthal wants to get him and he has ultimate faith that it’s Imi who is the one to do it. Of course, we’ve taken out insurance in the form of this Shmuel Kishnov who I’ll tell you about.”

  “How do you know this, Hugh.” Jimmy asked.

  “I know it because the day before you arrived, Imi was sitting in the chair you’re in right now. You see, there is, we might say, an archipelago of informants who are like-minded and keep information flowing between the islands. Imi’s in this chain of islands, as am I, and as is Simon Wiesenthal. None of the things can possibly be successful without this information flow between us all. As it turns out, Simon is the information man while Shmuel Kishnov is the one who’ll lead the team into physical action if and when it’s called for.

  “I’ll arrange for us and Imi to meet tomorrow. In the meantime, you should stay here. I’ve made arrangements for you to share apartment # 3 down one flight. Breakfast will be served by one of the cooks at this little townhouse/hotel where I’ve had this apartment for some time now. The four of us will meet for a late breakfast, let’s say about nine at the apartment where you are staying?”

  With that, Hugh O’Flaherty escorted Al and Jimmy to their newly rented apartment for the night—a floor below, and then left Jimmy and Al to discuss it all further. He bade his guests a good night.

  * * *

  Al and Jimmy were awakened at 8 am. They waited for Hugh and Imi on the breakfast porch of their apartment # 3 while the cook was preparing it all in the kitchen. And then there he was. Imi rang the bell and walked in wearing a broad smile.

  “Alex, Alex, Alex,” Imi shouted. “Alex, so good to see you. It’s been a while. I think of you often. Jimmy, my Jimmy. You, too. Hello, hello.”

  They all embraced warmly and then all sat at the breakfast table feeling at home and with the best of friends.

  “So, you’re after the ghost, Imi started. Everyone, on their own, without even knowing what he’s called, automatically calls him that — The Ghost. We know he has influence, endless money whenever he needs it, conduits that are so many that we would never be able to track them all, and a very large population of similar rats. You probably know that his underground railroad is known as The Ratline although some people refer to it as Odessa. Simon knows more about it than anyone. He knows where many of these rats live and he’s given a great deal of information to your M-16, Jimmy, and Al, to your CIA—and of course to the Israeli Mossad.

  “But it’s one thing to know where they are and another to take them down. Please understand, Israel wants the top ones taken alive and transported to Israel—of course to stand trial publicly. The problem is first to get them, and then the hard part—to get them to Israel. But where they all live is protected by the various governments. We’re talking about the fascist governments in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Spain, Egypt, Syria, and some others.

  “These are places inhospitable to Jews even though some of these countries have large Jewish populations—especially, Argentina. And that smiling, quisling-like poor excuse for a diplomat, Juan Peron, is the worst of the worst. He’s happy taking in as many Nazis as possible. We don’t know for sure, but we’re guessing that he’s becoming extraordinarily wealthy getting paid off—big time!

  “And listen to this one,” Imi intoned: “In Chile, in a place called, Colonia Dignidad. I guess it’s ‘Dignidad’ for ‘dignity.’ You know, it’s what the Nazis think they’re all about. It’s also known as Villa Baviera, for Bavarian Village. We know it’s a relatively recently developed community but word has reached us that they torture and rape children—and that Mengele himself spent time there. However, we already know where Mengele is now located and it’s no longer in Colonia Dignidad. He’s already done his dirty work there.

  “Now Mengele’s safe. I’ll tell you where—still South America. We know exactly where and we’re planning to get him. And by the way, another two at this Bavarian Village interest us. The first is the leader, Paul Schafer, a Nazi of the first order. The second is this other Nazi pig that we’d love to get—name of Hartmutt Wilheim Hopp. This Hopp is a sadist and it’s no wonder that he was head of the hospital in this Villa Baviera populated by who else but German nationals all of whom have successfully escaped justice.

  “Hopp wound up in this horror-village because just as Mengele tortured children at Auschwitz, Hopp did the same at Dignidad. Its become known that sexual molestation of children is the main activity at their hospital. Simon would love to get hold of Hopp, no need to mention, he’d love to get his hands on Mengele.

  The problem is that this German village located on the north bank of the Perquilauquen River of Chile is completely surrounded by barbed wire. Armed guards are also posted all around, night and day. In addition, we know a watchtower exists that’s manned by armed lookouts and searchlights are on the ready all night and every night. Of course, without a trace of a doubt they have weapons stored—just in case. That we know for sure.”

  “Imi, hold it,” Al interrupted. “I know you’ve got a lot to say and you’d love to get a contingent of Israeli commando Krav Maga guys in there. You’d love to wipe it out. But we’re not here for that. Right? We’re here because of that package with the Wannsee papers—those that have not been revealed—the secret part. This ‘village’ you’re talking about is extremely interesting and yes, important, and we know a few bombs from a low flying plane wouldn’t hurt. But other than that, at the moment, it’s the package that the kid has. That’s the main attraction.”

  “Alex, my friend,” Imi said, “the only reason I’m here with you is that those papers are exactly what Simon is insisting on getting. It’s not that I don’t want to see you, or you, Jimmy. It’s that I’m on assignment and this is taking me away. At the moment, we’re after Priebke and he’s on the run. He was an SS Captain convicted of war crimes in Italy. He ordered the massacre of more than three hundred citizens in retaliation for the killing of German soldiers. The retaliation was a massacre at the Ardeatine Caves in Rome. That’s where Priebke arranged for it to take place. Close to a hundred who were shot were Italian Jews. We know that somehow these murderers keep getting tipped off and we still haven’t found the source. We thought maybe our phones were tappped but that wasn’t the case.

  “We know for sure that Priebke was shuttled to Buenos Aires by a Bishop in Rome and he got there on a Vatican passport. So, there you have it. The Bishop at the Vatican. The ghost. Therefore,” Imi continued, “I need to know how you can help me. It’s not that I can help you. It’s that you can help me. And Hugh here says that you know about this little boy who has the key to it all but that we need to keep an eye on his recovery.

  “So, my friends, how is this kid? Have you been in contact with your people back home? How is he?

  . 7 .

  THE PACKAGE

  The call to me was primarily a great relief to Al but not at all surprisingly, also a great relief to Jimmy. When I told Al the good news he said that Jimmy heard it too and was giving him the A-okay sign. In a rushed manner, the first thing I said was that Willy still was not talking but that otherwise he w
as not in any danger—either from brain damage or from any outside threat. Cops were still on duty as ordered; three shifts, eight hours each.

  The problem I described was that in addition to everything both doctors Fishman and Mehta had told us, Willy had apparently bitten his tongue and the inside of his mouth and the injury accounted for much of the blood on his clothes and on the pavement where he landed. “He’s now missing four teeth, not three,” I added. “So, we’re talking to him and questioning him while he blinks ‘yes’ and ‘no.’

  I was spitting out all this information to Al like I was spitting teeth myself. I told him we were giving Willy possible hiding places in the apartment and in the building and that Willy kept blinking, ‘no.’ Then I described how Willy was all bound up in medical equipment. I said again that the doctors ruled out any brain damage but that they were concerned about his recent memory. When Al heard that the doctors questioned Willy’s memory for recent events, he quickly asked for more.

  “Well, it was Gloria who scared us because she thought maybe Willy might not remember where he actually hid the package. It might be,” she said, “that he’s waiting for us to mention a place so that he would recognize it and then his full memory of it would click in. That one scared me too,” I added, “but we still don’t know if he remembers it or not. When Gloria asked him, he didn’t blink ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ That’s when Gloria got suspicious. She talked it over with the doctors and that’s when they considered that it might take Willy some time to retrieve recent memories but that they seemed sure these memories would in fact return. They called it a possible anterograde amnesia—eight syllables. Got it? an-ter-o-grade-am-nes-i-a?”

  “Yeah, I got it,” Al answered. “Eight syllables. Frankie, go ahead. Forget the English/biology test.”

  “Okay, the good news is that Willy’s awake and it’s a good sign so forget the anterograde amnesia. And by the way, without a doubt, Gloria’s a Godsend. Man, oh man, you hit the jackpot there. As far as our interaction with Willy is concerned though, he’s under pain-relief medication so he gets drowsy and sleeps a lot. Then we need to wait till he wakes up. And by the way, it’s a sight seeing Willy in these casts; you know, ankle, shoulder, elbow, knee. The good news is that they’re all still attached to his body—meaning he’s in one piece. Otherwise he’s had all his fractured and broken bones taken care of.